Kelly storms home as new Assistant Secretary in County Convention elections
December 17, 2020
Meath County Board Assistant Secretary Brian Kelly
Meath's first-ever on line GAA Convention last night saw the election of three new officers to the top table.
Seneschalstown's Brian Kelly was one of the biggest vote-getters on the night as he succeeded Ann McDonnell - who didn't seek re-election - to the position of assistant secretary. The present minor secretary received 135 votes with Brendan Cummins getting 44 and former chairman Peter O'Halloran 14.
Gene Smith (Nobber) is the new assistant treasurer after defeating the outgoing Francis Flynn (Seneschalstown) 117 votes to 77. It ended Flynn's unbroken sequence of 37 years in various positions on the board.
There was also a change of coaching officer with Martin Blake (St Brigid's) seeing off the challenge of the outgoing Greg Carry (Castletown) by 100 votes to 94.
Vice chairman Paddy (Kelly) comfortably defeated Nick Fitzgerald (Kildalkey) for the second successive year, 118 to 76, while Jason Plunkett (163 votes) again defeated Conor Tormey (30) for the post of Central Council delegate.
Both Leinster Council officers Damien Griffin (Na Fianna) and Cathal Seoighe were returned after seeing off the challenge of Nick Fitzgerald and Andy Fahy.
All of the remaining outgoing officers were returned unopposed including Irish Language officer Joseph O'Brien who made several contributions to the meeting from his hospital bed where he is recovering from an illness.
Officers elected
Chairman - John Kavanagh, St Ultan's (unopposed).
Vice-chairman - Paddy Kelly, Kiltale (118 votes); Nick Fitzgerald, Kildalkey (76).
Secretary - Mairead Delaney, Dunshaughlin (unopposed).
Assistant-secretary - Brian Kelly, Seneschalstown (135); Brendan Cummins, Dunsany (44); Peter O'Halloran, Drumconrath (14).
Treasurer - Jim Mullery, Slane (unopposed).
Assistant-treasurer - Gene Smith, Nobber (117); Francis Flynn, Seneschalstown (77).
Coaching officer - Matin Blake, St Brigid's (100); Greg Carry, Castletown (94).
Irish Language and Culture officer - Joseph O'Brien, Skryne (unopposed)
PRO - Ciaran Flynn, Dunsany (unopposed).
Leinster Council (2) - Damien Griffin, Na Fianna (106) and Cathal Seoighe Clann na nGael, 60 (both outgoing); Nick Fitzgerald (57), Andy Fahy, Ratoath (20).
Central Council - Jason Plunkett, Clonard (163), Conor Tormey, Donaghmore/Ashbourne (30).
Appointments: Development officer - Brian Carberry, St Vincent's. Children's officer - Michael Bennett, Navan O'Mahonys.
