Offaly GAA officers confirm they are standing down but pledge full assistance to replacements
The search for new officers will intensify after Monday's announcement
THE three lead officers in the Offaly GAA County Board have confirmed that they will be standing down at Convention later this year, finally banishing hopes that they might engage in musical chairs and stay at the helm.
Chairman Michael Duignan, secretary, Colm Cummins and treasurer Dervill Dolan told the County Board on Monday night that they won't be switching positions to stay on at Convention on December 10 in Tullamore. Mr Dolan revealed that he had been asked would they switch positions several times recently but the three all said it won't be happening.
Duignan and Dolan must step down from their position under the five year limit on serving in the one position. Cummins has done four as secretary and could stay another year but he revealed that he is going too. Mr Cummins explained to delegates that he served a year as development officer/Covid Officer before becoming secretary and has given it a very full five years.
Michael Duignan and Dervill Dolan were elected in a spectacular coup five years ago and have received widespread praise for the work they have done as Offaly enjoyed some spectacular success at underage level. Colm Cummins was part of their package and was beaten in a contest for vice chairman five years ago but was appointed as development and Covid officer immediately before becoming secretary a year later.
They have put in a very intensive five years, attracting in new sponsors and generating a new level of finance while the money being spent and cost of preparing teams has also escalated.
Rhode's James Murphy has to step down as vice chairman under the five year rule as well. Cultural Officer Michelle Hogan (Birr) and Children's Officer, Elaine Kelly (Kilclonfert) must also go under the same rule.
James Murphy was not present at Monday's meeting but Mr Duignan confirmed that he won't be running as chairman as he is too busy at the moment.
It will lead to difficulty in getting those positions filled and no candidates have put their names forward yet but Michael Duignan, Colm Cummins and Dervill Dolan have pledged to give full assistance to the replacements for the first year plus as they bed in.
Mr Duignan will be seeking re-election as Central Council delegate and he said he will help out with team managements and sponsors. Similar promises were made by Colm Cummins and Dervill Dolan.
Colm Cummins pointed out that they now have a full time Operations Manager in John Hackett and Administrator in Carina Carroll and they are a great assistance to the day to day workload.
Dervill Dolan has recently been appointed to the GAA's National Finance Committe and said he will still be around the place to help out as needed.
Bracknagh's Dickie Weldon paid tribute to the three men, saying they had turned Offaly GAA around and it has “improved immensely” under their watch.