Laois GAA appoint full-time secretary

Niall Handy has become the first full-time secretary of Laois GAA after his appointment was ratified today by the Laois County Board and Croke Park.

The process was completed after the position was initially advertised in the local media. Handy had been Laois County Board secretary for five years prior to his ratification as the new Laois chief.

The Stradbally native took over as secretary from current Leinster chairman Liam O'Neill.

He oversaw one of the most successful periods in Laois GAA, including Laois's first Leinster senior title in 57 years and also All-Ireland minor success in his first year in charge.

Laois were one of the first County Boards to appoint a full-time administrator in the early 1990s, based at their office in Portlaoise town, but GAA rules have only allowed the appointment of a full-time County Board official in recent years.

Following the completion of the O'Moore Park development in 2009, Laois GAA will set up their new offices from where Handy will be based.