Mary Coughlan hails historic year for Donegal GAA at County Convention

Donegal County Chairperson Mary Coughlan reflected on a most successful year for the association in her address to the County Convention in Pettigo on Wednesday. 

In her first year in office, the Donegal senior footballers won the Ulster title, the hurlers won the Nickey Rackard Cup, and the county’s finances improved dramatically after their annus horribilis in 2023. 

In a stirring address, Coughlan said she was deeply honoured to be chosen to lead the association in the county. 

She said she was, “proud of the fact that I am part of a team, and you are equally proud of what we have achieved in a very short period of time over the last year”. 

“What we have achieved this year has been unprecedented, fabulous and it would not have happened without the support of each and every one of you and your clubs. 

“At senior level, we had tremendous success in both hurling and football. 

“It was a proud moment to stand in Clones and a proud moment to stand in Croke Park with our senior hurlers and footballers and see what they have achieved on our behalf. 

“I thank them for what they have brought to us. There is a lovely word in Irish called gliondar and they have brought a lot of happiness to us.” 

The chairperson warmly praised the great contribution of the Donegal GAA Centre in Convoy, to the association in the county. 

“I hope all of you have had the opportunity to come to our Centre of Excellence and see the work that takes place there,” she said. 

“It is absolutely unreal to see the amount of activity that is shared with the LGFA and Camogie at underage and senior level. 

“But none of that could happen without those who work there. 

“We have a lot done and a lot more to do and we are delighted to have got grant aid from the Department to allow us to further develop the Centre over the next few years.” 

On the emerging issue of Revenue engaging with County Boards, Coughlan said: “It is very important to re-affirm what our Treasurer Grace Boyle has said and that is that we will await the outcome of high-level discussions between Croke Park, PWC, and the Revenue Commissioners. 

“We will work in ensuring that whatever templates is needed we will work towards. 

“I want to assure you that the people here are dealing with the finances of the county supported by the Finance Committee and supported by our auditor and is done to the best of our ability and within certain frameworks. 

“But it is also important to say that this is not just about the GAA. 

“There are more voluntary organisations who are involved in sport who will equally have to deal with the challenges that are being thrust upon us by the Revenue Commissioners. 

“So let it not be said that this is a GAA problem. This is an issue for all organisations who are involved in sport.” 

Coughlan added that the GAA was “probably the biggest voluntary organisation in the world and we should be proud of it”. 

“We should be proud of it because we have a full hall this evening,” she said. 

“We have 40 clubs, and we have fabulous people who work in those clubs. We support our teams, we support where we come from, we support our county in hurling and football, and why? Because we believe in what we are doing, and it is not just in the best interests of the clubs that are represented here tonight, but most importantly our players and members.”    

Coughlan then referenced GAA President Jarlath Burns's famous All-Ireland winning speech. 

“It was a fantastic speech, and it lifted everybody’s heart as Armagh lifted Sam Maguire 

“And I want to be standing there next year beside him. But the one thing he said that in my view reflects what we do up here. we do it for you and that is what it’s all about. 

“This is the most magnificent organisation that you belong to in this country, and it is done through a word that is often disregarded, ‘volunteerism’, and that should be the bedrock of the GAA for the rest of our days to come.”