Speculation grows over next GAA chairman

With the closing date for nominations for the annual convention of Clare GAA still a week away, speculation is increasing as to the likely candidates for the post of chairman.

Vice-chairman Joe Cooney has yet to confirm whether he will seek the position. The popular view is that the Fine Gael councillor will be elected as successor to Michael O’Neill should he decide to put his name forward for the position but he may not stand in this election and instead focus on the local government elections in 2014, particularly in view of the recent proposal to reduce the number of councillors in each county.

There has been speculation in the past week that Cooney’s O’Callaghan’s Mills clubmate Noel O’Driscoll will seek a nomination while Doonbeg’s Michael Neenan is another who has not ruled out putting his name forward.

Former chairman Michael McDonagh’s name has been linked with both the chairman’s and vice-chairman’s positions. The name of Syl O’Connor, whose term as PRO ends at the convention, has also been linked with the chairman’s post.

Former Bord na nÓg chairman Sean O’Halloran is being linked with a number of positions, including that of chairman and there is little doubt that he would have huge support if he were to seek election.