Kildare GAA: 'E' word fails to get a mention but remains front and centre

Final County Board meeting of 2024

With the United States just getting their Presidental Election done and dusted; our own election at home getting the go ahead and the upcoming Kildare GAA Convention a mere month or so away there is a chance we could all be electioned-out before the Big Lad with the white beard appears in late December.
Unusual that the Annual Convention, to be held at Cedral St Conleth's Park this time around (13 December), even warrants much of a mention, such is the usual predictability of the outcome, but that is about to change this time around.
Not that the 'E' word got much of a mention at last Tuesday night's final county board meeting of the year. Far from it.
In many respects though it (election) was the elephant in the room that no one mentioned or spoke of but that is not to say it was not on everyone's mind. In fact rarely have we seen so much 'canvassing' at a gathering such as this without the actual 'E' word being mentioned.
Don't know if there was a pre-meeting directive to those at the top table not to go down the road of mentioning the upcoming election for some of the most important jobs at the top table.
Speaking of the top table, well, we had what I believe was another first with no less than 14 officers sitting at the long table, so many in fact that some of those present ran out of actual table, if you get me drift.
Presumably that problem will be on the final 'snag' list for the new stadium!
Don't think I ever saw previously a dozen +two, officers, in situ at such a gathering, and it did not go unnoticed with one delegate remarking there were only 12 at the Last Supper, and while in many respects this was the last supper for some, this gathering was somewhat different due to the absence of any 'supper.'
Mick Gorman was in the chair for the last time with his five year reign coming to a close; there will also be a change at the vice-chair position, Leinster Council delegate (at least one); Central Council delegate and possibly a few others.
Already we have been informed of a few 'runners' indicating their willingness to go forward for Chair, Vice-Chair; Leinster Council and with the closing date for nominations closing this week don't rule out a few more surprise late entries.
As is the case at this particular end-of-year gathering 'thank-you' statements were as plentiful as snuff at a wake, in fact the only one that was not thanked (along with the local press) was the Hawfield resident dog. Ever present earlier in the season, before deciding to follow the action of the championships from outside the railings, and then was not even given a simple thank-you for his decision to remain off the playing surface
We (press) share his pain.
The Chairman began proceedings thanking everyone involved with the stadium project, and I mean everyone, throughout the last 18 months without the use of St Conleth's Park; those out in Hawkfield who manned the stiles, the sponsors, old, new and possibly ones to come; fellow officers; etc, etc, etc.
Still not a mention of the 'E' word.
The money man, Alan Dunney, was also in buoyant mood, and why not. New stadium opened, on time, on budget to the tune of €18m with the major caviat that it will be all paid for, lock, stock and barrel within 18 to 20 months.
Wow!
That statement somehow seemed to go over the heads of most of the delegates, only one, PJ Doran of Johnstownbridge, felt it right to congratulate those responsible for what he said was a “great performance” and while one might have expected more delegates to join him maybe most, just like those on the expanded top table, had other things on their minds.
Mick Mullen, ah Mick the out-going Chairman of the CCC was next up and boy did Mick take the opportunity to remind one and all of the mighty job he, and his colleagues, have done over the past five years. And why not.
In fairness he never once mentioned the 'E' word but was certainly one who is definitely in full election mode.
Vice-Chair Colm Farrell was also in top form; telling delegates that more work on Hawkfield was on the way, and major improvement will be seen there in the next 12 months.
A bit like a pre-election manifesto.
Wearing his Club Kildare hat the Johnstownbridge man said there were now some 750 Club members, he heaped praise on many but had a special word of thanks for Hon Sec Ollie Ryan.
Colm had a bit of good news, and not so good news telling Club Kildare members will be each getting a new jacket for the 2025 season; the not so good news, individual membership going up sixty euro to €360; double membership, husband/ wife, etc, up to €500.
Seamus O Meade is enjoying his present role, and told the gathering so, adding “I am available to carry on.”
The modesty of it all.
County PRO, Lorraine Wolfe continued the 'thank-you' theme mentioning all her committee by name.
The meeting was informed by Niall Sheridan of a possible move to force clubs to provide stewards for Conleth's, saying 11 new stewards were trained up prior to the re-opening of the redeveloped stadium but only 1 turned up for the county final.
However it was pointed out fairly rapidly from the floor by a delegate that a few of their club members had completed the stewards' course but had heard nothing back since.
Ouch!
The Chair then wrapped up matters on this his final outing at this level by again thanking delegates who represent clubs at county “for the support you have given me” adding “everyone up here (top table) comes from down there (the delegates) very inter-changeable and everything else ; this is our county, we are involved in this together” adding “there should never be a divide between people sitting on the soft seats and those sitting on the hard seats.”
The chairman said that “I know how hard-working and how committed they (top table) are, none of them getting a bob out of it, long days and long nights, we are very lucky to have them.”
Could that be construed as a bit of pre-election canvassing I wonder to myself.
Surely not.
The St Laurence's club man ended saying he sees a great future for Kildare “this project that we have just completed is a credit to everyone involved ... the only negativity I ever heard is coming from baseless people who don't put their names to what they are writing or are saying, that should never be listened to or be tolerated.”
The chairman added that he has been involved for a long number of years at club and county level and he is now stepping away com-
pletely after enjoying a great and very enjoyable tenure with both.
The meeting concluded with, not for the first time, the man in the hot seat being one of the first to head for the exit door.
This time, however, was different, as it will be his last and final exit at county board level.
Enjoy the rest Mick.