Ruane throws down the gauntlet to Holleran

FRANK FARRAGHER

WHAT could have been a very ‘run of the mill’ Galway Football Board Convention this Thursday night in Loughgeorge (7.45), now has a real edge to it after confirmation that there will be a full blooded contested for the position of chairman.

Monivea-Abbey’s Michael Ruane has confirmed this week that he will be contesting the position of chairman, taking on the incumbent John Joe Holleran, who has been at the helm for the past four years. 

Even before last year’s convention, there had been ‘murmurings’ of a challenge to Holleran (Clonbur), but a couple of individuals mentioned as possible candidates did not, in the heel of the hunt, allow their names to go forward. However this year, a real contest is on the cards.

Michael Ruane, a former chairman of the Monivea-Abbey club and referee for a number of years, has been heavily involved in the Galway Football Board for the past 15 years, having served as assistant-treasurer and vice-chairman. He was also chairman of the North East GPC (North Board) for 11 years.

Over recent years, there had been concerns expressed in some quarters at the appointments of the last two ‘outside managers’ – Joe Kernan and Tomás Ó Flatharta – fuelled even further by two desperately disappointing league and championship campaigns.

Holleran though is regarded as a prolific worker and fundraiser for Galway football and he can call on a hard core of support, but Ruane is also ‘very well got’ as a grassroots GAA man, right across the county. It has all the makings of an intriguing contest.  

If Ruane is successful, Paddy Sweeney (Killanin) would take over as vice-chairman. The only other possible contest is for assistant-treasurer where Seamus Connolly (Kilconly) is outgoing. Caltra’s JP Kelly is also nominated.

Meanwhile, in his annual report to Convention, Football Board Secretary, Seamus O’Grady points out that Galway were extremely lucky to have their senior championship finished on time and to have a team representing the county in the Connacht club championship.

He recalls that the objection of Mountbellew/Moylough to the eligibility of a Micheál Breathnach’s player led to appeals to the Galway Hearings Committee, Connacht Council, Croke Park and the DRA (Disputes Resolution Authority), before finally being resolved by a 22 hour arbitration hearing.

“That process, plus the fact that we had three draws in the latter stages of the championship, meant that we were extremely lucky to have the championship finished on time and to have a team to represent the county in the Connacht semi-final.

“I wish to acknowledge the co-operation of all clubs involved in the latter stages of the competition, in having it finished on time,” says O’Grady.

For more, read this week's Galway City Tribune.