The new layout of the Carlow GAA county board has been determined following a virtual Annual Convention.
With officers and delegates gathering remotely on Tuesday night, Clonmore’s Jim Bolger was elected the new chairperson of Carlow GAA and is set to commence a five-year term.
Incumbent chair Seán Campion departs the role having completed his own five-year term and but remains with the board, elected to the role of treasurer unopposed. He will be assisted by Grange GAA’s Johnny Doyle.
Bolger is the first Clonmore clubman to hold the role and brings a wealth of national experience having previously served as Leinster GAA chairman and having run for president of the GAA in 2019.
He was an inter-county player at all levels and former inter-county coach and selector at both underage and adult levels.
Kilbride’s Liam Foley was also in the running for the chairman’s position.
Other officers
Naomh Eoin Myshall’s Tommy Murphy was elected to the honourary role of Úachtarán CLG Ceatharlach with Bagenalstown Gaels Liam Barry missing out.
Eire Óg’s John Dunphy and Tinryland’s Cormac O’Toole (treasurer) depart the county administration, both completing their time as officers.
The full list of officers includes Tommy Murphy (president), Jim Bolger (chairperson), Eddie Byrne (vice-chairperson), Michael Doran (secretary), John McDonald (assistant secretary), Sean Campion (treasurer), Johnny Doyle (assistant treasurer).
Also returned for 2021 are Ger Lennon (Central Council rep.), Vinny O’Brien and Michael Whelan (Leinster Council), Linda Redmond (PRO), Brian O’Neill (development officer), George Darcy (children’s’ officer) and Martin Barry (coaching/officer).
Down to business
With Niall Carew appointed manager of Carlow’s senior footballers in the wake of Turlough O’Brien’s departure earlier this year, one of the duties of Bolger as chair will be to seek out a replacement for Colm Bonnar.
The Tipperary native left the role as senior hurling manager in recent weeks with a replacement yet to be publically named.
As league hurling looks set to return to action mid-spring, it shouldn’t be too long before we see some white smoke coming from Netwatch Cullen Park.
