Simon Moroney returns as CEO of Munster GAA

Ennis native Simon Moroney has returned to the post of Munster GAA council secretary/CEO four and a half years after he resigned from the position.

He replaces Limerick man Pat Fitzgerald whose shock resignation was announced to a meeting of the provincial council last Thursday at their headquarters in Limerick.

Currently chairman of the Games Administration committee (GAC), a post he was appointed to by association president Liam O’Neill early in 2012, Moroney’s appointment to the provincial body took effect from last Monday.

Following last week’s council meeting, the following statement was issued: “Chairman Sean Walsh informed the delegates that Pádraig Mac Gearailt, CEO/runaí of Comhairle na Mumhan is on administrative leave effective from January 2, 2013, until his contract expires on March 31, 2013. Thereafter, he will not be looking to extend his contract with Comhairle na Mumhan.”

In October last year, the council had sanctioned another five-year term for Fitzgerald.

Last week’s meeting approved a recommendation that Simon Moroney assume the position of acting CEO/runaí of Comhairle na Mumhan from Monday, January 7, until Monday, September 30, 2013.
Moroney, a former Clare County Board secretary, is a highly rated administrator and, early in 2012, he was appointed by Croke Park to supervise Kildare GAA’s financial position after it was confirmed that the Leinster county had severe financial difficulties.

For the past two years, he has also served as a member of the County Hearings Committee in Clare GAA.

In 2007, the Éire Óg (Ennis) club member proposed to the council that an assistant CEO be appointed but the delegates didn’t back his proposal and, early in 2008, he announced his resignation from the post. Shortly afterwards the council appointed Kerry’s Daniel Nelligan as an assistant CEO. When he resigned, Cooraclare’s Enda McGuane was appointed to the position. He stepped down at the end of 2012 and the position is currently vacant.

Fitzgerald succeeded Moroney as the CEO, beating off 12 candidates who had applied for the post. He is a former Limerick County board chairman and also served as Limerick’s GAA development officer. He served as Limerick’s delegate to the council for a short time before being appointed CEO.

Moroney told The Clare Champion this week, “it is a decided advantage to have served in this position before. It would be twice as daunting otherwise. We will review the position at the end of September.”

The annual convention of the provincial body is set for February 8 when former Clare board chairman, Robert Frost from O’Callaghan’s Mills, will become chairman.