Peter O'Halloran elected Co Board chairman

Drumconrath clubman Peter O'Halloran was elected to the position of Meath GAA Co Board chairman for the first time at Monday night's annual convention in Navan following a straight vote with the only other candidate, Eamonn Barry from the Walterstown club.

There was one other nomination, but Francis Flynn did not contest the position and Peter O'Halloran was returned on a vote of 111 to 70.

St Ultan's clubman and former Fé 18 chairman John Kavanagh took the vice-chairman's position with a 140 to 41 victory over Arthur Reilly (Boardsmill) while Mairead Delaney was returned unopposed to serve as the first female secretary.

Former PRO Anne McDonnell (Summerhill) returned to the Co Board in the position of assistant-secretary after she won a contest with Emma Kearney (Wolfe Tones) by 104 to 73.

Slane clubman Jim Mullery had no opposition for the role of treasurer and was returned to serve a sixth term as the five-year rule does not apply to that position. Francis Flynn was elected assistant-treasurer on a 106 to 74 vote against Eamonn Barry.

Ciaran Flynn was elected PRO unopposed making it the first time that a father and son will serve on the Co Board.

The Central Council position was also a straight shoot-out between outgoing officer Paddy Kelly (Kiltale) and the former chairman Conor Tormey. Kelly held the seat with a 106 to 72 margin.

Three candidates stood their ground for the two Leinster Council positions with the PR system used to determine the outcome. Brendan Cummins (67) and Francis Lynch (54) held their seats with Brian Carberry (43) missing out narrowly.

Jason Plunkett was returned unoppsed to serve another term as development officer while Denise Morgan (St Colmcille's) took the role of Irish officer, unopposed.

The final position of coaching officer went to Greg Carry (Castletown) who narrowly defeated outgoing officier Noel Dempsey by four votes, 81 to 77.

Officers elected: chairman – Peter O'Halloran (Drumconrath); vice-chairman – John Kavanagh (St Ultan's); secretary – Mairead Delaney (Dunshaughlin); assistant-secretary – Anne McDonnell (Summerhill); treasurer – Jim Mullery (Slane); assistant-treasurer - Francis Flynn (Seneschalstown); PRO – Ciaran Flynn (Dunsany); Central Council – Paddy Kelly (Kiltale); Leinster Council – Brendan Cummins (Dunsany), Francis Lynch (Kiltale); development officer – Jason Plunkett (Clonard); Irish officer – Denise Morgan (St Colmcille's); coaching officer – Greg Carry (Castletown).