Halpenny elected new Louth County Board chairman

New County Board chairman Des Halpenny

Des Halpenny was last night elected the new chairman of the Louth County Board at its annual convention in The Fairways Hotel.

The John Mitchels clubman, who has served as secretary for the past five years, won the vote to succeed Padraig O’Connor after pipping outgoing vice chairman Declan Byrne 95-25.

Meanwhile, Clan na Gael’s Fra Kieran was elected the new County Board secretary on the night after defeating Bob Doheny by 68 votes to 53, with the latter later being returned to his outgoing position of PRO.

The new make up of the County Board is as follows:

• Chairman: Des Halpenny (John Mitchels)
• Vice chairman: Peter Moore (O Raghallaigh’s)
• Secretary: Fra Kieran (Clan na Gael)
• Assistant Secretary: Sean Carroll (St Mary’s)
• Treasurer: Aidan Berrill (Naomh Mairtin)
• PRO: Bob Doheny (St Kevin’s)
• Coaching Officer: John Grogan (St Patrick’s)
• Development Officer: Tomás O hEocaidh (Oliver Plunketts)
• Central Council delegate: Paddy Oliver (St Patrick’s)
• Leinster Council delegates: Paddy McMahon (Sean O’Mahony’s) and Padraig O’Connor (St Patrick’s)
• Children’s Officer: Stephen O’Connor (St Patrick’s)
• Delegates to Leinster Convention: Des Halpenny (John Mitchels), Declan Byrne (O’Connells), Bob Doheny (St Kevin’s), AN Other (to be elected in January)
• Delegates to Congress: Aidan Berrill (Naomh Mairtin), David Rogers (St Kevin’s)

Halpenny and Byrne in the running for Louth County Board chairman’s position

Current Louth GAA secretary Des Halpenny and vice chairman Declan Byrne will battle it out to succeed Padraig O’Connor as chairman of the County Board at next month’s annual convention.

The duo have both been put forward for the role, with St Patrick’s clubman O’Connor having to step down having served five years in the role after succeeding Paddy Oliver.

Meanwhile, Halpenny also has to vacate the secretary’s role with current PRO Bob Doheny and Clan na Gael clubman Fra Kieran in the running to replace him.

The annual convention will take place on Monday December 8^th in the Louth GAA Centre of Excellence in Darver.

Glenmuir’s Celtic link-up to benefit coaches and players alike

Glenmuir United’s link with Glasgow Celtic, which was announced at the weekend, has given the club exclusive access to the Scottish champions’ academy and development coaches for coach and player education. The relationship with Glasgow Celtic is in its infancy but will grow each season and the Hoey’s Lane club have plans for more exciting programs in the future.

Talks between the clubs are at the next level with Glasgow Celtic’s Soccer Academy manager Mr Willie McNab, who recently spoken to Glenmuir United’s club representatives Mark Sheils (Club Secretary) and Gary Rogers Committee member.

According to Mr Sheils, the link-up will benefit future generations of players at the club.

“Mr Mc Nab was very impressed with the club’s enthusiasm to revitalise grassroots football by constructing and having the best soccer facilities and, in turn, developing youth players in the right way,” he said.

“Glenmuir are striving to implement better coaching for all its coaches and with this partnership at Celtic we hope to further educate both the players and coaches at the club. Celtic will provide the club with session plans and drills for all the coaches and regularly conduct coaching seminars and programmes.

“The key to success of these seminars and programmes will be participation and education. The main objective of the programmes is to make a difference to young footballers across the north east and the promotion for positive change at the under age level.

“At Glenmuir FC we place huge importance on our community work and in this new partnership it will be a major part of that. The young Glenmuir players are the future of the club both on and off the field, and we have seen first hand what great work soccer in the community does and how much fun the kids have at the Glenmuir FC Academy,” said Mark.

Both clubs are looking forward to working with each other and their will be further announcements and publications in the near future through the club website www.glenmuirfc.com and Glenmuir Facebook and Twitter feeds.

Holland steps down from Dundalk role

Dundalk FC have announced that Kevin Holland has stepped down from his positions as bar manager, club secretary and FAI representative.

Kevin, who used to run Oscars in Park Street, had been involved at Oriel Park for five years with his wife Geraldine and son Ben also part of the bar staff during that time.

Dundalk chairman Ciaran Bond wished Kevin and the Holland family well in their future endeavours and said he hoped to see them back in Oriel Park as supporters in the years to come.