Some interesting convention duels in store

Competition is important in many spheres of life and that being so, the GAA in Donegal looks to be in a reasonably healthy state. 

Ahead of our annual convention on December 14, and for the first time in quite a while, we seem to have real contests for a number of posts on the executive. 

Of course, on the night, not all the candidates let their names go ahead.  And you often hear the famous “tarraing siar” when they are called at the business end of things. 

The first contest is for the chair vacated by Mick McGrath and it’s a duel that will certainly be going ahead. 

Ulster Council delegate Fergus McGee and former Donegal player Paul McGonigle have firmly declared their intentions. 

This is a battle between relative experience and youth. McGee is a former Oifigeach na Gaeilge and he has also been chair and secretary of various committees at Donegal, Ulster and Croke Park level. 

McGonigle from Buncrana, has represented Donegal at the highest level and is also a former member of ex boss Declan Bonner’s backroom team. 

He has been involved with his home club Buncrana and appears to have some interesting views on how the GAA can progress in the county. 

It also looks likely that there will be a contest for the vacant PRO position as Sinead Breen of Convoy and Fiona Shiels of Gaeil Fhánada have signalled their intentions to go for the seat made vacant as John McEniff is stepping down. 

Breen is a former PRO and Secretary of the Northern Board while Shiels has been club secretary of Gaeil Fhánada, for several years and also has administration in County Meath. Oisin Cannon’s name is also in for the post. 

Cannon is a Letterkenny Gaels clubman and the son of ex county treasurer Charlie Cannon and was heavily involved a few years ago. It remains to be seen if he will let his name go forward. 

On that note, assistant secretary Ed Byrne could have opposition from Sharon McGinty. Killybegs club man Byrne is a vastly experienced administrator in a variety of roles on the Executive including PRO and is current CCC Secretary.

Glenswilly’s McGinty is well known in the cultural field, is current Glenswilly secretary and is a former secretary of the Youth Board. 

Another interesting contest could be between outgoing coaching officer Michael McGeehin of St Eunan’s and Naomh Muire’s Gary Boyle. 

McGeehin is most experienced in the coaching field at club and county level while Boyle is another former member of Declan Bonner’s Donegal backroom team. 

The high-profile central council post has three nominated candidates in the outgoing Sean Dunnion, Ed Byrne and Mick McGrath. 

All are very well known GAA figures and Dunnion is a former county chairman. But one of the more intriguing contests could be for Ulster Council where we have quite a number of interested candidates. 

Fergus McGee, Brendan Kelly, ex county treasurer Cieran Kelly, former county secretary Aodh Mairtin Ó Fearraigh, Donal Sharkey, Fiona Shiels and Pat Walsh are all in the hat. 

It is understood this could be whittled down on the evening of convention and Kelly is going for his fifth and final stint in Ulster. 

Donal Sharkey is a well known Naomh Muire club man while Pat Walsh is a high-profile referee’s administrator. There is also a contest for delegates to congress with Ed Byrne, John ‘Baker’ Boyle, John McConnell and Mick McGrath. 

Ardara man McConnell is another ex county chairman and current Ardara chairman while ‘Baker’ Boyle is Killybegs chairman and has served the club in many respects. 

Outgoing county chairman McGrath is a former PRO and development officer and has also been county vice chairman.