Former Tánaiste Mary Coughlan could be in line for Donegal GAA chair

Former Tánaiste and government minister, Mary Coughlan, is in the race to be the next Donegal GAA county chairperson, DonegalLive has learned this week.

Ms. Coughlan, the former South Donegal TD and holder of a number of high-profile government ministerial positions, is one of three nominees for the position being left vacant by current chairman Fergus McGee. 

The other two nominees for the position are Cieran Kelly, a St Naul’s club colleague of Coughlan’s, and Sean Dunnion, Four Masters, and a former holder of the position.

Kelly is currently one of Donegal’s representatives on the Ulster Council and has also held the position of treasurer. 

Dunnion is the current Donegal representative on the Central Council of the GAA and is a former and respected chairman of the board. 

McGee indicated last month that he was stepping down from the position after just one year in the job.  

The last 12 months have been a turbulent time for Donegal GAA with the furore over the county’s football academy and the fallout from the appointment of Paddy Carr as senior team manager and his subsequent resignation from the job five months into his three-year term.

The annual Donegal GAA Convention is on in Jackson’s Hotel, Ballybofey on Wednesday night December 13.

Nominations for the various positions on the executive board for 2024 were due to be sent to clubs on Wednesday night or Thursday of this week, the Democrat learned from Co secretary, Declan Martin.

However, the Democrat are reliably informed that other than outgoing vice-chairman David McLoone, Aodh Ruadh and outgoing hurling officer Cormac Hartnett, Dungloe, all other positions on the board are being contested.

As well as the vacancy in the top job of chairman, there are also automatic vacancies at treasurer and one of the Ulster Council positions. 

Both Alan Boyd, the outgoing treasurer and Brendan Kelly, Ulster Council representative, have completed their allowed five-year terms.

Cieran Kelly for the chair; Damian Diver, coaching officer and Sinead Breen, PRO, are the only candidates who have confirmed their intentions so far.

The position of Children’s Officer has also caused some controversy in recent weeks with the executive’s nominee, Mick McGrath, being opposed at county committee level by three other nominees - Emelyn Hughes (Four Masters), Gary Duffy (Buncrana) and Michael McMenamin (Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin).

A further county committee meeting is planned for next Tuesday night to ratify a three-person sub-committee from outside the county to select a candidate from the above names.

It looks as if there will be a busy few weeks at county level to get everything in order ahead of convention in mid December.