The County Convention takes place in just two weeks time on 13th December and will serve up what promises to be an interesting evening all round.
With a number of the executive board not seeking re-election or having served the permitted five years it means that some new faces could be filling senior positions next year and that former senior officers could be making a return.
By Charlie Collins
With outgoing Chairman Fergus McGee having announced he would not be seeking re-election, after just one year in the post, the board will be electing a new Chairperson.
Three nominations have been received including Mary Coughlan and Cieran Kelly, both from the St.Nauls club, and their neighbour from the Four Masters club and former chairman Sean Dunnion, currently the county’s Central Council Officer and also nominated for that position again.
David McLoone the outgoing Vice-Chairman is the only nominee for that position.
Secretary Declan Martin will have competition from Mary Kelly for that position, while Mary is the only nominee for Assistant Secretary.
With outgoing treasurer Alan Boyd having completed five years in that post, there are four nominations for that demanding role including Frankie Doherty, Mick McGrath , Paul McGonigle and former treasurer Grace Boyle.
Doherty (outgoing) and McGonigle have both been nominated for the Assistant Treasurer position as have Anthony Molloy and Brandan Kelly.
Paul McGonigle is also among a trio of nominations for the position of Coaching Officer, including outgoing Micheal McGeehin and former County Senior player Damian Diver who confirmed last week his intention to run.
Catriona Ui Suibhne and Sorcha NI Gallachoir are the nominees for Irish and Cultural Officer , with Cormac Hartnett the only nominee for Hurling Officer.
With Fiona Shiels not contesting the position of PRO after just one year in the post there are three nominees, Ed Byrne, Sinead Breen and Sorcha Ni Gallachoir.
There are also three nominees for the position of Central Council Officer, outgoing Sean Dunnion who is also a nominee for the Chairperson position, Martin McHugh and Niall Erskine who served in this position previously.
Erskine has confirmed his intention to contest the position and is 100% committed to returning to the Croke Park position.
There are ten nominees for the two Ulster Council Officers positions available, and three each for the one delegate place for Ulster Convention and National Congress respectively .
So after an eventful year in 2023, both on and off the playing pitch for Donegal GAA, we can perhaps expect an interesting evening of debate and elections on Wednesday 13th .
