Live Updates: Donegal GAA Convention 2024

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The chairperson decides to close the night and the result for National Congress will be counted and released online

11.10pm: Ulster Convention result: Brendan Kelly 68, Edward Molloy 88. Molloy elected. 

11.08pm: Central Council result: Gary Duffy 54, Fergus McGee 103. McGee elected. 157 votes cast.

10.55pm: Awaiting on three final votes, Mary Coughlan thanks the Pettigo club for their hosting of convention and their hospitality throughout the evening.  

10.46pm: Delegate to National Congress: Nominations are Edward Molloy, Gary Duffy and Sinead Breen. Breen withdraws and it's a straight shootout between Molloy and Duffy.

10.46pm: Delegates to Ulster Convention is between Brendan Kelly and Edward Molloy 

10.45pm: Central Council nominations are Gary Duffy, Fergus McGee, Noreen Doherty and Martin McHugh. Duffy and McGee leave names in hat.

10.41pm: Result for two Ulster Council delegates. Cieran Kelly, 75; Donal Sharkey, 15; Andy Doherty, 69. Kelly and Doherty get the nod.  

10.40pm Motion 9 is passed.

10.37pm: Declan Martin explains date move is to coincide with start of club season. Some debate in relation to boundries, where do they start and end? 

10.30pm: Motion 9 - proposed by county committee - looks to amend date for club transfers from July 31 to March 31. It also looks to ensure that the player has been living at primary residence for at least four months, not three, unless both clubs are agreeable to the transfer. Then, the four-month residency can be waved by the CCC 

10.25pm: Back to motions, and an audible groan from floor. But spirits rise just as quickly as Killybegs withdraw Motions 8,10 and 11

10.20pm: Chairperson Coughlan explains that there seems to be some confusion in regards to filling in the voting slip for three nominees to Ulster Council. There were quite a few spoiled votes as a result so the vote will take place for a second time. 

Sean Dunnion 

10.15pm: Chairperson Mary Coughlan also thanks Dunnion for his influence in Congress being held in Donegal Town in February 2025 in Donegal Town.

"I think we're the first county that has elected three woman as the three principal officers... it's a very special night for Donegal GAA. And any support I can be in the background, I'll be as much help as I can be". 

10.10pm: Central Council delegate Sean Dunnion, who steps down this evening, now addresses Congress. 

10.04pm: Back to the election of officers and up next is the two delegates to Ulster Council. The list of nominations includes Cieran Kelly, Andy Doherty, Donal Sharkey, Fergus McGee, Liam McElhinney, Martin McHugh, PJ McGowan, Sean Dunnion and William Doogan.

Kelly, Doherty and Sharkey are the three that have left their names in the hat. 

10.03pm: A lot of dazed and confused faces throughout the hall after all of that...

Motions 5 and 6, both from Killybegs are removed while Motion 7, again from the Killybegs club, is withdrawn 

Motion 4, Killybegs,

CARRIED 97/25
"Amend by law 2 to read: 2. County Committee: It shall consist of the following officers elected/appointed at the Annual Convention: Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Public Relations
Officers, Oifigeach Gaeilge agus Cultúir, Coaching Officer, Planning and Training Officer, Demographics Officer, Childrens’ Officer, two Representatives to the Provincial Council, One Representative to Central Council, The County Referees’ Administrator (appointed in accordance with R. 3.17 (h), T. O. 2023), County Safety and Facilities Officer, One named Cumann na mBunscol Representative, Hurling Officer, One named An Choiste Iomána Representative, One named Post Primary Schools Committee Representative, One named Handball Committee Representative, One named delegate each from the three (3) Divisional Committees and two (2) named delegates from each of the affiliated Clubs in the County who may appoint proxies to attend at, participate in, and vote at meetings of the County Committee only, subject to Rule 3.16 (a) T.O. 2023. One (1) named Representative from Comortas Peil na Gaeltachta. The Secretary of Coiste na nOg , the Vice Chairperson of Coiste na nOg It shall also include a named Integration Officer, appointed by the County Committee, with responsibility liaising with Ladies Football, Camogie, Handball and Rounders’ boards, and driving the Integration process within the county. All, except
An Comortas Peil na Gaeltachta representative, the Integration Officer, the secretary of Coiste na Og, the Vice chairperson of Coiste na Nog shall have voting rights".
Na Cealla Beaga

9.42pm: Motions 1, 2 and 3 from Four Masters withdrawn 

9.40pm: Motions

Breen: "I'm delighted. I set the bar high and I'm looking forward to moving it even higher next year". 

9.31pm: Sinead Breen 98, Packie McDyre 60, one spoiled vote. 

9.30pm: We have a result on the battle for PRO...

9.24pm: Hughes reiterates that point and says the biggest enemy in child protection remains complacency. 

9.22pm: Children's Officer Emlyn Hughes' report is next up. Mary Coughlan reiterates the importance of vetting and safeguarding. 

9.20pm: Next up is are the nominations for PRO with current brief holder Sinead Breen, Setanta, up against Packie McDyre of Na Rossa.  And it's a contest that will go to a vote.

Collins thanks delegates for their vote and says he is looking forward to working alongside secretary Mary McHugh and the CCC in 2025. 

New assistant secretary Darren Collins

9.16pm: We have a result. Ed Byrne 77 votes, Darren Collins 82. Collins is the new assistant secretary 

9.10pm: Coaching Officer Damien Diver's report is delivered. Burt's Damien Dowds asks about the disjointed underage season, that started in April and didn't finish until December. Diver appreciates the concern and says it's something that is currently being looked into. 

8.59pm: The nominations for assistant secretary are Mary Kelly, Darren Collins and Ed Byrne. Mary Kelly withdraws and we've a contest between MacCumhaills' Collins and Byrne of Killybegs. 

8.52pm: "It's a privilege to be elected. I'm the fourth member of CLG Ard and Rátha to hold the position which makes me even more proud. To see so many woman involved in administration at intercounty and at club level is so encouraging.

"I want to particularly thank Declan Martin - he's going to be such a loss personally as he was such a help to me this year. I also thank David McLoone and the CCC for their help during my time as assistant secretary".  

New Donegal GAA secretary Mary McHugh 

8.50pm: Nominations for secretary, to replace the outgoing Declan Martin, are Mary McHugh, Darren Collins and Sinead Breen. Both Collins and Breen withdraw names and Ardara's Mary Kelly is elected 

Secretary Declan Martin explains that the voting count on the night for the election of officers is 159 

8.46pm: Motions are up next followed by the election of officers 

8.44pm: Coughlan finishes by wishing Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin the very best in their All-Ireland Club JFC quest and also wishes delegates and clubs a Happy Christmas and New Year.

8.40pm: "It is very important to reaffirm what our treasurer has said, we will await the outcome of the discussions between Revenue and Croke Park. But the people in charge of finance here are doing the very best job they can.

"It's also important to state that this is not just about the GAA, there are many more voluntary sporting organisations out there involved in this - this is not just a GAA issue. 

"Volunteers, those that work at gates, make tea, wash gear, I thank all of you. The work done at our Centre of Excellence has to be seen to be believed. We've alot done there, more to do as they say. And the aim is for even more development in future". 

8.34pm: "The most important aspect to all of that is development of our clubs - so that young people have the chance to participate in our games. 

8.33pm: "Referees, Pat Walsh consistently reminds me there would be no games without referees. It's great to see more referees on board and, I'd like to add, I'd like to see more woman referees get involved. 

"The new rules will present challenges but we will do our best to facilitate that". 

"At senior level, we have had brilliant success. to the management, players and backroom team I thank you. It is a proud moment to stand in the likes of Clones and Croke Park and see what they have achieved. I wish them well once more in 2025. 

8.31pm: "I have a fabulous team and the amount of work put in has been serious in the last 12 months. I'm proud to be a part of that team. We have achieved a lot in that short space of time and I think that reflects in the report before you.  

8.30pm: Chairperson Mary Coughlan is now delivering her first report to Convention after her first year at the helm

8.22pm: Convention moves onto David McLoone, assistant secretary's report. McLoone elaborates on the Review Group set up to look into the reform of reserve football. There is a forum to be held Wednesday week in the Villa Rose Hotel, Ballybofey in relation to the future of reserve football. The forum is a chance for clubs to see the results of a recent in-depth survey and the options the Review Group has come up with. 

8.15pm: Grace commended on accounts being in booklet form and released a week before convention. 

Treasurer explains that a figure of €72,198 for 'analyst' should have been titled 'analysis' and gives a clearer breakdown of that figure. 

8pm: The treasurer also speaks on recent revelation that Revenue are to look into the GAA and its respective county boards. She spoke to DonegalLive earlier and that can be viewed at the following link 

7.55pm: Treasurer Grace Boyle is now delivering her report. You can read that here

7.52pm: Martin says that the decision was taken in consultation with senior hurling and football team managers as sourcing hotel for the original date proved difficult. Chairperson Mary Coughlan adds that the Abbey Hotel is one of Donegal GAA's main sponsors and the wish was to find a suitable date to stage it there. "I challenge your statement and that it is incorrect that Donegal didn't have a banquet because they returned to training. That is simply not true".  

7.50pm: Killybegs' Niall Erskine said it wasn't fair on clubs or their players that won medals and it was not reflective of the ethos of the GAA. He asks for clarity on reason the banquet date was shifted to early October and was the reason to facilitate Donegal football team to return to training?

7.45pm: Martin is taking questions from the floor, and is asked why clubs weren't consulted about Donegal GAA banquet and the manner in which it was held early and behind closed doors.

7.42pm: Declan Martin - with his five-year term served - has just delivered his final report as secretary which you can view here