County teams the big focus, but there is much more to this says Mick Mullen

Tommy Callaghan chats with Mick Mullen, who has Chaired Kildare GAA CCC for five years, among a myriad of other positions, now seeking the role of Co Board Chairman

It is some time now since we had what could be called a real contest for the position of County Board Chairman. The last was back in 2015 when Dermot Reilly opposed the sitting chairman at the time, Ger Donnelly.

That was a very acrominous contest , won by Donnelly and while the Carbury clubman is not seeking election this time around he is very much working behind the scenes as Mick Mullen and Bryan Murphy go head-to-head for the top job in Kildare GAA.
Mullen has vast experience with Kildare Co Board having been involved now for over 15 years or so.

“I have been a referee, fixture analysist for Kildare and Leinster (and still am); Leinster Council delegate five years; member of the Leinster CCC and Hearings committee; Co Board rep for my club; executive member of Celbridge GAA; underage and summer camp co-ordinator.”

Mullen was also Chair of the All-Ireland Féile when held in Kildare in 2009; and is a former Secretary of Bord na nÓg.
Outside of Kildare GAA, Mick is a civil servant with responsibility for the aminisatration of 25,000 state pensions.

He has, of course held one of the toughest and challenging roles in Kildare GAA, or any county board for that matter, chairing the CCC, a position that involves looking after the entire senior club, hurling and football calendar, pitches, referees, the lot, so a very time-consuming and a vital position in the successful running of club games throughout the county.

We have often heard from club managers, managers that have come in from outside the county, such as successful bosses like Barney Rock and Luke Dempsey, that, in their opinion, club games in Kildare are run at the highest and most efficient level that they have ever experienced.

I can recall Barney Rock saying when he managed in Kildare that he was amazed at the fact that in Kildare players would know weeks, even months ahead when they would be playing, particularly league football.

That has been due to the various Chairpersons of the CCC down the years.
Prior to his five years stint in that chair, which he has just completed, Mick Mullen acted Secretary to the CCC for the previous five, so huge experience in that role.

So what would Mick Mullen change, if anything, if he was be successful and become the next Chair of Kildare Co. Board?

“Where we are at the moment, we are heading into the fifth year of our Strategic Plan, a lot of stuff we have done on that including St Conleth's; that plan now needs to be enhanced and upgraded; we don't want to be starting a new plan, we want to compliment the existing plan including the county, coaching and games, facilities, finance, the fixture programme and all the different things within Kildare GAA; a lot of things done and completed and we now want to move that on.”

The Celbridge club man added that “there are lot of good things in Kildare GAA; we all know how things went wrong with out senior team this year but our underage teams are going extremely well; that plan started out 15 or 16 years ago so it does take time but we have a good sound footing in terms of our underage structures and coaches but we can't rest on our laurels; we have to drive on.”

Mick Mullen adds that Paul Divilly has been appointed Athletic Coach, taking on Strength and Conditioning; there is a new coaching and finance model introduced this year; a lot of clubs would have got new PO's (Participating Officers) so a lot of work in the back ground going on throughout the county.

However, he adds “we have to look outside the box in regards to other sports to make sure we are developing our players in the right way; make sure our nutrition is correct at a young level; better understanding; player pathway reviews and updated, always room for improvement” quickly adding “we can't buy players we have to develop them, if they are not developed at their clubs and also in the county they are not being developed and not being developed properly.”

So a lot of really good work being done within Kildare GAA, I think we are at a place now we haven't been in years and we need to drive that on and I think I am the person to drive that on in conjunction with the people involved in Kildare GAA, good people, very good people adds Mr Mullen.

While we are all aware of the recent development and re-opening of Cedral St Conleth's Park (on time and on budget) Mick Mullen emphasises that while that has been a really great success there is much, much more to be done.

“In terms of development look at St Conleth's Park, look at the terraces and there is great scope for upgrading; behind the goals, create a better spectator experience to enjoy the games.

“In terms of Manguard Park we are upgrading floodlights to LED's; better access to the ball wall; developing 'Jacob's Field' which is a car park at the moment; looking at additional land around Hawkfield in preparation for the integration of Ladies football and camogie; we need to upgrade our dressingrooms; spectator facilities, so a hell of a lot of work and I think I am best placed to do that as I very much know exactly what is needed for that programme.”

While Mick Mullen acknowledges that the county teams have a large focus of attention it is not all about county teams, insisting he would fully support both codes but there is so much more to this, there is finance, fixtures, coaching games, sponsorship, communications, hurling action play, all codes integration, managing our facilities, Croke Park, Club Kildare, Irish language, developing our club facilities, a myriad of things.

There is no doubt that Mick Mullen is confident, if elected, what he can achieve.

“I am confident my organisational skills will come to the fore, I will say, the role of chairman is not just dealing with county teams, we have to give direction and I believe I am best placed to give direction in all the various different areas that being chairman of a county requires and needs.”

Going back to the county senior hurling and football teams Mick Mullen has strong views.

“Brian Flanagan and Brian Dowling both need the support of the chairman and the chairman needs to support them both, full support, so that we can achieve our goals.

“They (Flanagan and Dowling) are not looking for goals for themselves they are looking to achieve the goals of everyone in Kildare, for players, for supporters for everyone involved in all levels of the GAA within the county.

“I think Brian Flanagan can succeed but we have to be very, very patient with him, as do the media, the supporters and the keyboard cowards, everyone has to be patient and the same with hurling we have been yoyoing between Christy Ring and Joe McDonagh in recent years and we have to examine that, some of the boys on the hurling side are getting on and we have to see, and have to ensure we have got the U20s in place to come on board at senior level to be next crop of lads to be involved at senior; we can't be sliding back year after year.”

Mick admitted he was throwing all his eggs into one basket as regards going for the chair.

“I have given it all at this stage and I think, and I believe, it is my time to step up to become chairman, I won't be going for another role if I don't get elected, I will be heading back to assist my club if things don't work out for me, but that it my decision I decided to go all out for this, after a long debate this is Mick Mullen trying to do what is best for Kildare GAA and if given the chance we will have fun along the way, remember this is my pastime, as well as being a very responsible job, and we have to enjoy it.”