Larkin new PRO amid canvassing storm

JANE Larkin (Kilkee) replaced Anne Hayes (Lissycasey) as Bord na nÓg Peil PRO at Tuesday’s AGM but the change in personnel was not without controversy.
The outgoing officer claimed her successor had a pre-vote canvass conducted on her behalf, a claim strenuously denied by both Ms Larkin and Kilkee delegate, Dominic O’Shea.
The position of PRO was due to be the only contest at the AGM, as all other candidates were unopposed.
Initially, Ms Hayes and Ms Larkin agreed to stand and following that, county board chairman, Michael O’Neill; treasurer, Bernard Keane; Seán Chaplin (Clare games manager) and Seán Chambers (Cooraclare) were appointed as tellers.
However, just as the vote was being organised, Ms Hayes withdrew, saying a canvass had been conducted on behalf of her opponent for the post.
“I’ll withdraw because I haven’t been canvassing,” said the Lissycasey woman, who has served on Bord na nÓg Peil for 23 years.
“If you think Kilkee have canvassed for Jane, that’s not the case,” Mr O’Shea replied. The only reason Jane Larkin is going forward for the position is not because somebody else is in that position, it’s because it’s something she has expressed an interest in doing. It’s not in any way a reflection on the way Anne Hayes has done her job in the last year. There was no blanket canvass done by anyone from Kilkee. I can guarantee you that 100%.
“In the interests of democracy, we’d love to see Anne staying there, let her name go forward and for a vote to be taken by delegates here tonight,” the Kilkee delegate urged.
Newly elected chairman, John Smith then asked the meeting for a show of hands to ascertain if the club delegates wanted a contest to take place.
“Mr chairman, there’s no point. You shouldn’t ask clubs for a vote on that,” Ms Hayes said.
“The feeling is that you should allow your name go forward, Anne,” Mr Smith replied.
Cratloe delegate, Flan O’Reilly suggested the position not be filled until the January meeting but Mr Smith disagreed with this suggestion, noting that a monthly meeting would not attract as sizeable an attendance as the AGM.
Ms Larkin said she was not prepared to let her name go forward under the circumstances and that she wanted a contest.
She said Ms Hayes had done “fantastic and Trojan work” during her years with the underage football board.
“I’m not comfortable with putting my name forward. I really did not want this to happen. There was no canvassing done on my part,” the schoolteacher stressed.
“Most certainly there was. There was a major canvass done today and yesterday,” Ms Hayes retorted. She stood by her decision to withdraw from the contest.
Ms Larkin eventually agreed to accept the post.