There was a dramatic outcome to the race for the position of Central Council representativeat the Meath county convention with Paddy Kelly, who was recently passed over for the position of senior hurling team manager, elected.

With Brendan Cummins unable to continue because of the five-year rule, there were five runners. The first vote resulted: Kelly 75, Barney Allen 44, Noel Dempsey 41, Paddy O'Dwyer 9, Oliver Cudden 8. With the latter pair eliminated, Kelly polled 82, Allen 51 and Dempsey 44 in the second count.

In the final vote the Kiltale clubman defeated the man from Rathkenny by 89 to 70. "When one door closes, another opens," remarked Kelly who thanked all the people and clubs who supported him.

On congratulating Kelly on his election, Noel Dempsey remarked: "We need a strong voice at Central Council and he will have that." However, Cummins objected to the latter comment, feeling it was a slight on his contributions over the last five years.

Dempsey said no offence was meant and asked Cummins to withdraw the remark, which did not happen.

Cummins moves from Central Council to Leinster Council. In a three-man contest Brian Carberry topped the poll with 77 votes, Cummins got 59 and the outgoing Francis Lynch (35) lost out.

Outgoing development officer Jim Mullery moved to the post of assistant treasurer to fill the shoes of Dessie Murtagh. Polling 130 votes, the Slane clubman defeated Pat Smyth (O'Mahonys) 28, and Jim Condra (Kilmainhamwood), 19.

Mullery's former position went to Jason Plunkett from Clonard, who defeated Jimmy Henry by 93 votes to 75. New man on the committee, Plunkett, said it was a proud day for himself and his club while Henry remarked that it the third time for him to fail to land a position at the convention, adding "Our Lord fell three times."

There was one other contest with Micheal O Gallachoir defeating Bea O'Reilly by 103 votes to 63.

The rest of the officers were returned unopposed. The full list for 2015 is:

Chairperson- Conor Tormey; vice-chairperson - Peter O'Halloran; secretary - Francis Flynn; assistant secretary - Mairead Delaney; treasurer - Brendan Dempsey; assistant secretary - Jim Mullery; Central Council rep - Paddy Kelly; Leinster Council reps - Brian Carberry, Brendan Cummins; PRO - Martin O'Halloran; development officer - Jason Plunkett; Irish officer - Micheal O Gallachoir; coaching officer - Eamonn Barry.

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