From left to right: Philip Delaney - Borris-Ileigh (Secretary), Marian Minehan (Outgoing Secretary), Mike Flynn - Kiladangan (Outgoing Chairperson), Micheal Tierney (Chairman)

Tierney is new North chairperson

Michael Tierney became the new chairperson of the North Tipperary GAA Board at the annual Convention held online on Monday, 14th December last.

By Liam Hogan

The Borris-Ileigh clubman takes over from outgoing chairman Mike Flynn, with the Kiladangan man completing his three-year term.

The meeting was conducted via zoom with the lead officers housed in the new GAA complex in Borrisoleigh and in his opening address, Michael Tierney said he was proud to be elected chairman of the board. He is the first Borris-Ileigh man to take on the role since the late Billy Ryan who was North Chairman 1989-1991.

He praised outgoing chairperson Michael Flynn and secretary Marian Minehan for their great work over the past five years. He had special mention for former chairperson Dan Kennedy who held the role prior to Mike Flynn saying that “he always had words of advice to give. He sympathised with Dan on the passing of his wife Margaret who died last April.)

On a more serious note, the new chairperson said: “The North Board needs to address the problem of recruiting referees and take a serious role in addressing referees problems.”

In his final address as chairperson, Mike Flynn began by reflecting on his three years, especially the year gone by.

“2020 has been a very difficult year, both in sport and in everyday walk of life,” he said.

“I have to complement the GAA in the manner the got the games played. As regards inter-county hurling, it was not so good for Tipperary but there were some great games played in atrocious conditions.

“As I reflect on our divisional hurling we got our minor and Junior hurling complete in time. As regards our North Senior championship there was a lot of questions asking if we were going to play a senior championship or not. We sat down and decided against it for the simple reason we felt it would not be a proper championship without the county players. In hindsight the decision worked out to our benefit because Covid 19 put paid to club championship.”

He concluded by thanking outgoing secretary Marian Minehan and treasurer Noelie Maher for their work over the past three years and he wished the incoming officers the best of luck for the years to come.

In a historic evening, the host club saw another of their loyal sons take on the role of secretary as Philip Delaney had taken over from Kiladangan’s Marian Minehan who had completed her five-year term as Runai.

The convention had two elections where Brendan Shanahan (Portroe) was elected to the position of vice-chairperson, beating Michael Ryan (Nenagh Eire Og) 38 votes to 36 with outgoing PRO John Delaney (Newport) eliminated on the first count.

There was also a contest for PRO where Michael Quinn (Kiladangan) edged out Lorrha’s Michael Kennedy.

2021 North Tipperary GAA Board: President – Matt Hassett (Toomevara); Vice-President – Donie Nealon (Burgess); Chairperson – Michael Tierney (Borris-Ileigh); Vice-Chairperson – Brendan Shanahan (Portroe); Secretary – Philip Delaney (Borris-Ileigh); Assistant Secretary – Vacant; Treasurer – Vacant; Assistant Treasurer – Vacant; PRO – Michael Quinn (Kiladangan); Trustee – John McGrath (Ballinahinch); Registrar – Vacant; Children’s Officer – Cora Moroney (Newport); Officer for Irish Language & Culture – Anthony Floyd (Newport); Coaching Officer – Paudie Malone (Portroe); Development Officer – Jimmy Minogue (Nenagh Eire Og).