Phelan edges out Cregan for PRO position

With three contested positions and three other officers retiring at the end of their five years’ service, yesterday’s attendance at the Limerick GAA convention in the city’s Strand Hotel was the highest for a number of years.

Former Fianna Fáil TD John Cregan failed to be elected PRO and was squeezed out by 154 votes to 137 by City Board secretary/PRO Eamon Phelan while outgoing West Board secretary Séamus McNamara defeated assistant treasurer Mike McDonnell 175 to 113 in the assistant secretary race and Geralding Neenan had a decisive 216 to 76 win over Con Danaher to become assistant treasurer.

Oliver Mann, elected unopposed to chair the board, stated his aim to win a Munster hurling title within two years and pledged support for Féile, promising to oppose attempts in Croke Park to downgrade it.

Secretary Mike O’Riordan referred to the operating loss of €126,000 for Limerick Gaelic Grounds, due in part to the very disappointing attendance at the Munster SFC final, and said the use of the facilities would have to be examined.

He also announced Hyundai Limerick Motor Centre as the new sponsors of the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship and thanked their predecessors Live 95FM, who will be redirecting their support towards underage.

Among the motions passed was a Castletwon-Ballyagran proposal to name the Munster SHC Cup in honour of Mick Mackey and the creation of a new board position of hurling officer (Murroe-Boher).

Officers for 2013: Chairman, Oliver Mann (Patrickswell); Vice-Chairman, Pat Heffernan (Blackrock); Assistant Secretary, Séamus McNamara (Father Caseys); Treasurer, Donal Morrissey (Ahane); Assistant Treasurer, Geraldine Neenan (Dromin-Athlacca); Development Officer, Liam O’Sullivan (outgoing, Claughaun); Coaching Officer, Joe Quaid (outgoing, Murroe-Boher); Oifigeach Gaeilge, Micheál Ó Riain (outgoing, Pallasgreen); PRO, Eamon Phelan (Saint Patrick’s); Munster Council Delegates, Mickey O’Sullivan (outgoing, Saint Kieran’s) and Denis Holmes (outgoing, Oola); Central Council Delegate, Rory Kiely (Feenagh-Kilmeedy).