Neary fends off McEvilly to replace O’Toole as Mayo board secretary

Vincent Neary was last night elected as the new secretary of Mayo GAA’s County Board.

Neary, who recently retired as an inter-county referee, had been doing the job in a caretaker capacity after the resignation last month of Kevin O’Toole.

The role reverted to a part-time position in 2011 following the retirement of Seán Feeney.

The first member of the Bonniconlon club to serve in one of the main officer positions of Mayo GAA Board, Neary beat Louisburgh club man and former West Mayo GAA Board secretary Seán McEvilly in the vote taken at last night’s Extraordinary General Meeting at MacHale Park, Castlebar. The margin of victory was not disclosed.

Neary, who previously served as assistant secretary, promised delegates that he would repay the trust shown in him.

Paying tribute to his predecessors, Neary said: “Hopefully I can live up to what has gone before me.”

Of his task ahead he said the new post will take “a lot of work” and “will take huge effort”.

Kevin O’Toole stepped down as secretary in January citing family circumstances and work commitments. During his 13 months in the position, O’Toole was one of the driving forces behind Cáirde Mhaigheo, a supporters’ club set up to raise funds for Mayo GAA as the County Board set about tackling a debt incurred during the €18 million development of the MacHale Park stadium.

O’Toole was also involved in negotiating a €600,000 write-off which the County Board secured from creditors last April. The largest creditor was Mountain View Securities, the main contractor on the MacHale Park development, while substantial money was owed for architectural and legal fees.

Pádraig Staunton from the Moygownagh club won a four-man contest for a place on Connacht Council.He replaces John Hopkins, who will become treasurer of the provincial body.