New look to North GAA Board
By Liam Hogan
There were plenty of changes along the North Tipperary GAA Senior Board at its annual convention held at the Nenagh Eire Og Complex last Friday night.
The meeting took a little longer than ninety minutes, a far cry from the four hour marathon that Donie Nealon recalled in his acceptance speech following election to the position as President of the board following the passing of Matt Hassett earlier this year.
Philip Delaney stepped down from the position of Secretary after his completion of his excellent five year term. The Borris-Ileigh clubman spoke of the pleasure he had in the term and thanked his fellow officers with special mention for Chairperson Brendan Shanahan, Treasurer John Delaney, Assistant Treasurer Pat Murray as well as the CCC members. He also congratulated Bord na nOg Chairperson Joey Murphy for his work in managing it single-handed before he thanked his family for their support from start to finish. He will be succeeded by Toomevara’s Patsy Hanly.
Outgoing PRO Michael Quinn was also stepping down after his five year term was up. The Kiladangan clubman thanked everyone who helped him during his five year term saying it was a pleasure to have worked with quality people representing their clubs. He said he was putting name forward for the County PRO position and he asked for a vote from every club in the division and more. Lorrha’s Michael Kennedy will replace as the new PRO.
County Board Chairperson Jimmy Minogue asked every club to support Michael in his quest for the position, when he addressed the meeting. He congratulated Philip Delaney on his work as secretary suggesting that Philip had impeccable knowledge on the rules of the GAA. “He so often solved a problem with his knowledge,” he said, while also thanking John Delaney for his work in the Win a House Draw last spring.
Earlier, Donie Nealon had expressed the strength of the divisional championships and the need to protect it and county chairperson agreed while adding that clubs need to be wary of a motion proposed by Clonmel Commercials at this Wednesdays County Board meeting seeking a new style county senior football championship which would require one more week to complete than the current system. The new championship, if passed, could take up the space required to complete the divisional hurling championships.
County Board Vice-Chairman Michael Tierney had special mention for his fellow clubman Philip Delaney saying he had worked with him at club, divisional and county over the last fifteen years. No club had anything negative to say about the popular official.
In his address, North Board Chairperson Brendan Shanahan, who is entering his third year in the role, had plenty praise for the outgoing secretary suggesting his workrate was up there with the best including previous incumbents Michael O’Brien, Donie Nealon and Ger McKeogh.
He congratulated Tipperary on their All-Ireland senior and under 20 hurling victories. He also congratulated the clubs that won divisional honours. He praised his fellow officers, especially Treasurer John Delaney along with Assistant Treasurer Pat Murray and his team of gate-checkers adding that the board is extremely lucky with the calibre of people working in key positions.
The Portroe clubman made a plea to clubs to promote the idea of having a referee within their own club. Three clubs have no referee and clubs need to take a serious look at the problem. He thanked the competition sponsors as well as the media who provide great coverage for the games.
Secretary’s Report
In a detailed report, Philip Delaney congratulated the clubs that won honours at divisional and county levels. He detailed the events carried out during the year with mention for the Board honouring the men that helped Ireland win the Tailteann Cup in 1924 which included five Tipp men, Rody Nealon (Burgess), Michael & Jack Darcy (Nenagh), Garrett Howard, Limerick and Tipperary as well as John Joe Hayes, (Moycarkey/Borris). He congratulated Tipperary on winning the All-Ireland senior and under 20 hurling titles.
On the motion about changing the age grades, he said he was in favour saying there was merit as the current format was failing, especially the under 19 age grade.
On discipline, he complemented the referees and their officials for their efforts throughout the year. He said there were 23 referees within the division. They handed out 24 red cards during the year. “It is very unfortunate,” he added “the small element of people still using foul expletives directed at our officials and is totally unexpected. Clubs must take responsibility for their officials and supporters. The Bord and the CCC will stand by the referees.”
Children’s Officer
Children’s Officer Cora Moloney explained the change in Garda Vetting procedures. From now on, applicants must meet their Club Children’s Officer in person and present a completed NVB 1 form, a copy of their Photo ID and a copy of proof of address.
The Club’s Children’s Officer will check the NVB1 form and complete the validation form. Both are kept by the club for six months before being shredded. The applicant takes a photo of both documents to attach to their application on their Foireann Account. After submitting, the application should take approximately 4-6 weeks to complete. It is advised to complete this process on a laptop, she said.
Treasurers Report
Treasurer John Delaney reported an increase in gate receipts for 2025 with the Bord taking in €97,344 as opposed to €84,460 in 2024. Overall he said that income for 2025 brought in €112,737 in 2025 an increase of €11,342 on 2024.
Expenditure for 2025 reached €73,130 as opposed to €104,022 in 2024. This meant there was surplus of €39,607 for 2025 as opposed to a deficit in 2024 of €2,627.
In summing it up, the Treasurer explained the North Board had given a grant of €25,000 to the county board in 2024 but the Board didn’t have to repeat the expenditure in 2025.
OFFICERS
With the passing of the late Matt Hassett during the summer, Donie Nealon said he was honoured to accept the role of President of the North Board. He said it was ironic that when taking on the role of divisional secretary back in 1969 it was Matt Hassett who he replaced.
Donie Nealon said he first attended a North Convention in the late 1940s when he was just fourteen years old. His father had brought him to the meeting in order to make up the full quota of votes required.
The divisional championships received one or two mentions during the meeting and in his address, Donie said that he would like to see the divisional championship played out a little longer time space than the three weeks provided this year.
“The North Board has a strong reputation” he said. “It has supplied three clubs that were crowned All-Ireland champions, Roscrea, Kilruane and Borris-Ileigh while Borris-Ileigh and Toomevara were crowned Munster champions.”
He went on to question the need for penalties to decide the Munster and All-Ireland finals saying it was unfair.
With Donie Nealon vacating the position of Vice President, three time All-Ireland medal winner Len Gaynor (Kilruane MacDonaghs) and former North & County Board Secretary Michael O’Brien (Silvermines) were elected as Vice Presidents. See full list of officers on page 74.