ONE OF DONEGAL GAA’s leading officials has decided not to contest for a position at next week’s annual County Convention.
Gaoth Dobhair man Aodh Máirtín Ó Fearraigh (pictured above) has been on the Donegal GAA Executive since being elected assistant secretary for 2008, but has confirmed to Donegal Sport Hub that he is taking a break from the top table.
Having filled that post for two years, Ó Fearraigh served as the county secretary for five years, the maximum permitted by GAA rules, from 2010 to 2014.
He was secretary for the reign of Jim McGuinness, during which Donegal won the All-Ireland in 2012, as well as scooping three Ulster titles and contesting the minor and senior All-Ireland finals in 2014.
At last year’s Convention, Ó Fearraigh, a journalist with RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, was elected as one of Donegal’s Ulster Council delegates, alongside Pat Conaghan.
Ó Fearraigh is regarded highly within the GAA and is tipped for high office in the future. He had also been nominated this year for the Central Council Delegate role, but Seamus Ó Domhnaill will now be given a free passage to retain that position.
While he is not going forward for a position at next Sunday’s Convention, to be held in the Mount Errigal Hotel, Ó Fearraigh will retain his positions on the national sub-committees on which he serves.
With Ó Fearraigh stepping down, at least one of the Ulster Council positions is up for grabs.
Conaghan is seeking re-election, while Frankie Doherty, Brendan Kelly, PJ McGowan and the outgoing Referee Administrator, Pat Walsh, have all been nominated.
However, Doherty looks set to take the Vice-Chairman’s post.
The incumbent, Denis Ellis, has confirmed that he is challenging Sean Dunnion for the Chairman’s role and will not be contesting for Vice-Chair.
Mick McGrath has also been nominated for Vice-Chair, but the Ballyshannon man is not going forward, leaving St Eunan’s man Doherty as the last man standing.
Doherty has completed his term as Assistant Treasurer with Brendan Kelly and Paddy Tinney in the battle to succeed him.
McGowan and Walsh are both in the ring for the Ulster Council posts.
Secretary Aideen Gillen, Assistant Secretary Declan Martin, Treasurer Cieran Kelly, Coaching Officer Anthony Harkin and Central Council Delegate Ó Domhnaill will all retain their portfolios unopposed with PRO Ed Byrne tipped to do likewise.
Moville’s Con O’Donnell has decided to call it a day as Oifigeach Gaeilge agus Cultúir, with St Eunan’s clubman Fergus McGee set to fill the void without the need for a ballot.
There could be a vote for the Development Officer’s position. Sitting officer Terence McShea is set to step down from the role, although he has been nominated along with Paddy Mullen, Oliver Prunty, Mick McGrath and Grace Boyle, all of whom are keeping their cards close to their chest.
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