Manager moves all over town

By Pierce O’Reilly

New York GAA members are dusting themselves down after the winter hibernation and are rapidly putting plans in progress for the upcoming season.

It’s interesting to keep an eye on proceedings at the annual AGMs each year, and this year has definitely sprung a few surprises.

Donegal’s success last season was heralded as a milestone for the Ulster club and manager Connie Molloy came in for many accolades. At the club’s recent AGM, Molloy stepped down from his prominent position and has claimed that he no longer can afford to give of his time to the club’s demanding efforts.

Molloy’s decision is seen in many sectors of the GAA as mind boggling. The Ardara native silenced many of his critics last season with several polished and pristine decisions. His tactical switches were also of note from early on and his general camaraderie with the players was evident. Donal Gallagher is now the man poised to take up the new challenge and help guide Donegal toward a repeat.

The Westmeath AGM also proved interesting, with P.J. Quinn dethroning Mullingar native John Moore. Moore, who founded the club 13 years ago, was surprisingly defeated on a vote of 17 to 7. Quinn, a past player, is very popular and many feel he has the ability to build on the nucleus that Moore put in place last year.

Finally, the Tyrone AGM last Sunday wasn’t to be outdone and behind-the-scenes negotiations snapped up the disappointed Westmeath native John Moore from the GAA wilderness and appointed him as manager. The move has baffled Westmeath supporters, who feel Moore has turned his back on the club he formed 13 years ago.

Moore is adamant that it’s not a case of sour grapes. "I’m not turning my back on Westmeath," he said. "The members voted me out from my position and it was there decision. I’m very friendly with a lot of the Tyrone lads and because of work associations, I decided I’d help them out this year."

Moore’s decision to move and his change of heart is seen in many sectors as the first step for several other player transfers later in the season.