Kildare county secretary Richie Whelan has resigned. His decision comes in the wake of a Leinster Council finding that the county's executive is invalidly constituted. For over a year Whelan had been combining the roles of secretary and treasurer, a situation not in accordance with GAA rules.

The problem came to a head when the Nurney club, unhappy at a fine imposed, went to the provincial council arguing that the county executive had not been established according to rule. This arose despite the decision of the May county board meeting to nominate John Joe Walsh as treasurer. "We attempted to rectify the situation," said county chair Andrew O'Sullivan last night, "but because we didn't hold an e.g.m. to appoint a new treasurer the appointment was invalid."

The county officers were told of the Leinster decision but as of yesterday hadn't received official confirmation.