Mary Kelly proud to see influx of women and impact they're having on the GAA

Mary Kelly says she’s proud to step up to the mark as Donegal GAA secretary and, in the process, help create a little bit of history along the way. 

Kelly, Mary Coughlan and Grace Boyle now hold the distinction of becoming the first county executive in the country to have three woman in possession of the three main portfolios. 

The CLG Ard an Rátha club woman explains that she also follows in a distinguished line of Pearse Memorial Park administrators that have also served the county as secretary. 

“I’m the fourth with the first elected in the 1920s and that was Charles McDyre,” Kelly explained at Wednesday night’s convention where she succeeded Declan Martin.  

“We had two more after that with Bart Whelan the last one, serving ten years up to the 1990s. I’m privileged and honoured to come in. 

“We’re reliably informed that we’ve created a nice small piece of history with three women holding the three main officer briefs along with Grace Boyle and Mary Coughlan as treasurer and chairperson. 

“My year as assistant secretary, that role was to look after fixtures and that was a big step up from my own role with Ardara where I was secretary. 

“This is an even bigger step up to Donegal secretary and it’s a demanding undertaking but one I’m looking forward to. 

“I remember first attending Convention in the late 80s and advocating for ladies football which was getting off the ground at the time. 

“I got involved with my club in a variety of roles over the years and I’ve loved being immersed in the GAA”. 

McHugh was no doubt a rarity in those old smoke-filled ballrooms and looking around as a young woman, she vividly remembers the other ladies in the room daring to step up and look to break the mold. 

“Noreen Doherty, the work and contribution she’s given to Donegal, so many people commended her tonight for her service. 

“Noreen was one of the very first women I came across in Donegal GAA in my younger days, herself and Nettie Gibson of Termon.

“But in the last two decades, more and more women have got involved. There are 25 club secretaries and 18 treasurers alone now in this county. 

“That’s serious progression. There are quite a number of PROs and children’s officers as well that are women.  

“It bodes well because women bring a different dimension to the GAA and that’s only going to increase moving forward”.