February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
The North American County Board of the GAA is holding its annual convention at the Buckhead Holiday Inn in Atlanta Nov.19-21.
As many as 80 clubs representing 10 divisions are expected to attend the convention, which is being hosted by the Clan na Gael Club, lone representatives of the Southeastern Division.
Six nominations have been submitted for the top job of chairman and at least three nominations are in the hat for all other positions on the Board.
Only 17 motions, the lowest number in several years, have been submitted to the board for the convention agenda. Most of the motions received pertain to the annual player registration process and the rules that affect the number of summer visitor players on the field at one time. There is also a request for the establishment of a junior competition in camogie and other motions focus on the youth football program.
Although no motions pertaining to the NACB annual playoffs were received by the board, it is likely that the subject will be an important topic at the convention. At recent conventions serious concerns have been expressed regarding the size of the national playoffs. This year in Chicago, 50 teams competed and 37 games were played over the Labor Day weekend, the biggest tournament in the history of the board.
Thanks to the excellent facilities at Chicago Gaelic Park and the availability of four playing fields, the huge tournament was successfully completed by Sunday evening. There is much concern regarding the future risk of the tournament not being completed within the three-day weekend.
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The following nominations have been submitted for convention:
Chairman: Paddy Rooney, Sean Gannon, John McDevitt, Tommy Dolan, Kevin Donnelly, John Keane.
Vice-Chairman: Chris Knightly, Cyril Hackett, Joe Lydon, Tom Dolan, Andrew Healy.
Secretary: Celia Lynn-Hawkins, John Keane, James Carmody.
Treasurer: Mike O’Connor, Chris Knightly, Martin Gallagher.
Registrar: Sean Gannon, Donal Keane, Mossie O’Connor.
Public Relations; Eamonn Kelly. Mike Moriarty, Patricia Meer.
Youth Officer: John O’Flynn, Joe Begley, Donie Kenneally.
Honorary President: Martin Keane, Tom McNally.