Kerry’s Seán Walsh last night joined Cavan’s Aogán Ó Fearghail as a candidate for the GAA presidency when Liam O’Neill’s term ends in 2015.
The Kerry County Board unanimously endorsed the nomination of their former chairman with the position to be ratified at Congress on February 28th.
“I am delighted to propose the nomination of Seán Walsh for the position of Uachtarán Tofa Cumann Lúthchleas Gael at next year’s GAA annual Congress,” said Kerry chairman Patrick O’Sullivan.
“Seán has all of the experience as a player and administrator with his club, Moyvane, to keep his focus firmly on the GAA club, the most fundamental and important unit of the association at the forefront, that is playing the games and providing players with the best possible facilities to play their games.
"His administrative skills with his club for 12 years began while he was still playing and following that he served for 10 years as development officer of Kerry County Board followed by 10 years as county board chairman.
'Greatest achievements'
"Among his greatest achievements was presiding over one of the most successful eras of the GAA in Kerry. He served as vice chairman of the Munster Council for three years followed by three years as Munster chairman and is currently an ex-officio member of the Council."
Walsh played football for Moyvane and Feale Rangers during the 1970s and 1980s.
The Ulster GAA management committee recently unanimously endorsed Ó Fearghail for the GAA’s most visible position with Ulster president Martin McAviney stating: “Aogan has given significant service to the GAA at all levels through his Club Drumgoon Éire Óg GAA, his county Cavan and his province and he starts his campaign with the full endorsement and support of the Ulster GAA management committee.”
Walsh, if elected, would become the second Kerryman to become president this century, following Seán Kelly’s tenure (2003-06) which coincided with the historic opening of Croke Park to soccer and rugby.
There has never been a Cavan president of the association. The last Ulster president was Seán McCague (2000-03) from Monaghan.
O'Neill became president elect in 2011 following the withdrawal of the other three candidates.
Minor management
The ratification of Jack O'Connor as the manager of the Kerry Minor football team for the next two years met with a stumbling block last night when Kenmare delegate Michael Carey and his Kilgarvan counterpart Tom Randles objected to the recommendation of the county board executive and maintained that the outgoing manager, Mickey "Ned" O'Sullivan should be reappointed.
There were differing views about the merits of both men before hairman Patrick O’Sullivan put the amended proposal of Mickey “Ned” O’Sullivan to the delegates and then the board’s proposal of Jack O’Connor.
The result of the vote saw O’Connor ratified on a 44-28 vote with some 20 delegates abstaining.
The Kerry County Board also confirmed that O’Connor will be joined in Kerry minor management by Micheál Ó Sé (Castlegregory) and John Galvin (Dr Crokes).
