Mixed emotions at convention of numbers and a new Kildare GAA chairman elected

Tommy Callaghan was at the 137th Kildare GAA Annual Convention, Wednesday last, at Cedral St Conleht's Park, Newbridge

An evening of achievement; an evening of excitement; an evening of satisfaction; an evening of disappointment; an evening of relief; an evening of hope; an evening of sadness; and an evening that in the end of the day was all about the numbers.
The 137th Kildare GAA Annual Convention, Wednesday last, at Cedral St Conleht's Park, Newbridge.

Achievement in the immense pride with convention being held at the magnificent redeveloped stadium, a stadium we have dreamt about for years on end, but as we have been told on many occasions in recent times, a stadium that has now finally been delivered, on time and on budget.

Excitement with the election of a new chairman, always an occasion to look forward to when hopefully we will see new ideas, new approach and fresh impetus.

Disappointment for those who courageously put their names forward for top office but in the end came up just short.
Relief for the retiring chairman who has put in an amount of time and effort during his tenure and who can now look forward to a bit of rest and, no doubt, back to his beloved family, and St Laurence's.

Hope is something that comes around at this time, year-in, year-out, and this year will be no different as we forget about the set-backs, forget about the bad days, forget about the disappointments and look forward to a new season, a new year, a new beginning and new hope.

Sadness for many also, for those who are no longer with us and are fondly remembered, especially former chairman John McMahon, and for all GAA folk who departed this world in the last 12 months.

Numbers, it all boils down to the numbers, whether that is in the financial report or the number of votes gained by those seeking office.

Meanwhile this has been a year of elections, locally, nationally and now at county sporting level.

And while there has been much talk in recent times about turn-out, or the lack of turn-out at various elections, Kildare GAA's turn-out at last week's convention reached a level that can only be dreamed about in political circles.

Over ninety per cent turn-out is something that all can be proud of with standing room only, in the Cedral Lounge at St Conleth's Park, the start having to be delayed by fifteen minutes — and no we can't blame The Dubs for that this time around — it was simply a matter of getting everyone signed in and accredited.

While the financial report is always a major element at every convention, the election of a new chairman was, without doubt, what drew such a fantastic attendance as those seeking high office, as they say, ensured they got their support out, while the final list of nominations tells its own story.

No doubt a lot of thought, a lot of planning and maybe even a bit of arm twisting, went into the final declarations, and depending on your point of view, moves that got the result many, but not all, were hoping for.

Like all elections everyone cannot be satisfied with the end result, it is called democracy.

You could cut the atmosphere with a knife as Returning Officer, Eamonn Cunningham, handed chairman Mick Gorman the bit of paper, the magic numbers that confirmed Mick Mullen is the new chairman as he defeated Bryan Murphy by a mere ten votes.
It was tighter, 95 to 85, much closer than many had anticipated but still a fair majority.

No doubt Mick Mullen, the Celbridge clubman, had the backing of the majority of the top table and in the end that proved vital, absolutely vital.

Bryan Murphy, and Colm Nolan who was seeking the vice-chair position, ran a fair campaign but as a very disappointed Murphy admitted after the vote, “it may have been a good campaign but it wasn't good enough.”

Colm Nolan immediately withdrew his name for the vice-chair position, not a surprise as the two ran as a 'team.'

Bryan Murphy immediately congratulated the new chairman; thanked all who supported himself adding “it has been a great experience for Colm (Nolan) and I travelling around to all the clubs, listening to the challenges, and some of the solutions that you brought to us and for that very grateful.”

Mr Murphy added “we live in a democracy and democracy has been seen tonight.

“My one ambition” added Bryan, is that we raise the standards in Kildare and the level of ambition, in four years time it will be 100 years since we last won the All-Ireland and in four years time it will be 30 years since we won Leinster in '98, that is all far too long for a county the size of Kildare; we need to do everything we can to awaken whatever is missing ; we need to come together to find that bit of magic, or whatever it is; I had my ideas but it is over to Mick (Mullen) now and I wish him the very best of luck.”

The Financial Report (as reported in last week's Leinster Leader) made for great reading with a surplus €1.855m; the €18m stadium now with a debt of a little over €3m, a debt that will be cleared, we are told, in 12-18 months.

Chairman, Mick Gorman, was in buoyant form, as he delivered, at times, a very humorous farewell speech to the assembled delegates. He spoke of the achievements during his five year term, culminating with the opening of Cedral St Conleth's Park; success at U20 football level, at minor level at Christy Ring level while not concealing the fact of the huge disappointment of the senior footballers over the past few seasons.

He emphasised, and despite the healthy state of finances, the challenges ahead; offered advice on additional improvements at St Conleth's; thanked the various officers he has worked with, in particular Secretary Christine Murray and Treasurer Alan Dunney.

The Larries man came in for high praise, and sustained applause on more than one occasion.
The Secretary said “your leadership has been invaluable to all and the crowning achievement of your tenure is the completion of Cedral St Conleth's Park” adding that “what once was a dream is now a reality, we all owe you a debt of gratitude.”

Alan Dunney while also heaping praise on the retiring chairman touched on abuse the St Laurence's man received, especially in the last 12 months. “It was simply wrong, totally unacceptable and should not and cannot be tolerated” in the future added the Caragh man.

New chairman, Mick Mullen, in a wide ranging address, thanked and congratulated opponent Bryan Murphy on his campaign saying we all got out to meet the clubs which was fantastic and to hear their views; and I will be taking some of their views onboard.

Mr Mullen said “it is a tremendous honour to be elected as Chairman of Kildare Co Board, I am very proud and humble to accept this role, adding “I will serve this county to the very best of my ability and will, of course, need the support of everybody within the county, the clubs, the delegates, the referees, stewards, the coaching and games staff, our operation manager, the administrative staff, Kildare supporters, the management committee and all sub-committees within Kildare GAA, while I also include the support of the local newspapers, the Leinster Leader, the (Kildare) Nationalist, the Liffey Champion and, of course, our local radio station KFM.”

The Celbridge man added that he was “really looking forward to driving Kildare to the next level; will be working to increase and upgrade the IT systems that will hopefully reduce the burden on the various secretaries in the various roles in the county.”

Mr Mullen added that a review of the club football and hurling championships is already under way, there will be surveys out soon so there will be changes coming there.”

The new chairman ended by saying he was now “reaching out seeking the help of everybody, in this room and in the clubs, we have a number of committees and volunteers that need to assist me in order to make Kildare grow.”

Mr Mullen ended by paying tribute to the late John McMahon, “my friend, your friend, everyone's friend, he will certainly be missed.”