The devastating effects of the coronavirus pandemic were foremost in people’s minds at Monaghan GAA county convention last Thursday which this year was held remotely, due to Covid restrictions on gatherings.

In the end it was a fairly low-key convention with little by way of debate, only two elections for positions on the Management Committee and no motions submitted for discussion and/or ratification.

The devastating effect of the coronavirus could be seen first-hand in the accounts with treasurer Eileen Keenan, outlining all of the areas where income to the County board was down from gate receipts, National League share, fundraising, income from associated bodies and other areas that saw total income down by almost 50% and while expenditure was also down by almost half a million on 2019, the accounts came in with a deficit of some €89,000, that deficit being the first in many years for Monaghan County Board.

County chairman Michael Owen McMahon stepped down after four years in office and was replaced without a contest by Declan Flanagan of the Cremartin club. Michael Owen moves to Central Council.

In the two elections that were held, with the votes by club delegates submitted by post prior to convention, Noel Duffy was returned to the Ulster Council with former County Treasurer Marion Donnelly elected to succeed John Connolly who was stepping down from the provincial body under the five year rule, and Dorinda Sherry was elected as assistant treasurer with victory by twelve votes over John Connolly of the Currin club.

Officers elected: Chair: D Flanagan (Cremartin), V Chair: B Casey (Sean McDermotts), Sec: M Carroll (Rockcorry), Asst Sec: G Coyle (Emyvale) , Treas: E Keenan (Corduff), Asst Treas: D Sherry (Drumhowan), Central Council: M McMahon (Scotstown), Ulster Council (2), N Duffy (Drumhowan), M Donnelly (Emyvale), PRO: M Boyd (Cremartin), Asst PRO: M McEnaney (Corduff), Culture: M Boyle (Aghabog), Coaching: J Connolly (Currin).

There were no nominations for the positions of Development Officer or Hurling Officer and these will be filled by the incoming County committee.

Also announced on the night were the winners of the Annual Awards for 2020: Senior Footballer: D McArdle, (Scotstown), Intermediate football, A McAnespie (Monaghan Harps), Junior Footballer: M Brannigan (Aughnamullen), Young Footballer (A Woods (Inniskeen), Senior Hurler, F Rafter (Castleblaney H C), Young Hurler, A Burns (Monaghan Harps H C). Ladies Football: A McAnespie (Emyvale), Camogie: M Duffy (Clontibret).  Four new names were inducted into the Monaghan GAA Hall of Fame: Gene Finnegan (Donaghmoyne), Eamon McEnaney (Castleblaney), Brendan Murray (Clones), and David Byrne (Inniskeen).

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