CARRICKMORE clubman Michael Kerr is the new Tyrone chairman after a dramatic election which ousted the GAA's first female county chairperson.
The deposed Roisin Jordan had revealed that legal action is being considered over what were perceived as attempts to undermine her position.
Eglish woman Jordan was displaced from her role last night after three years of an anticipated five-year term when she was eliminated in the first round of voting at Garvaghey.
Damian Harvey won the first round ahead of Michael Kerr but neither achieved the quota to be elected on the first count, and Kerr was appointed as the new chairman after picking up more of the secondary votes.
The Éire Óg, Carrickmore man, Tyrone's first chairman from a hurling club, had been the standing vice-chairman, a position taken up by former PRO, Eunan Lindsay.
In her address to annual convention – before facing the vote – Jordan hit out at those who acted with sinister intent, and insisted she has always acted in the interests of Tyrone GAA.
“It has been proven that sinister attempts were made to undermine my position this year,” she said.
“Leaks to some media sources were unfounded and have resulted in personal apologies being made to me.
“Earlier in the year an email – allegedly from an un-named Tyrone player – relating to a number of issues did not come from within the panel, but was a fictitious hoax presented to the media, which attracted significant negative publicity. It remains a matter of legal consideration.”
Jordan (pictured) added: “Tyrone GAA must be united in going forward as one entity to advance the Tyrone cause. That remains my primary objective.
“Whatever about my tenure as chairperson, I am satisfied that I act honestly to the best of my ability and in the interests of Tyrone GAA.
“I am prepared to stand or fall upon decisions which are taken within the committee room.”
Referring to the staging of two Tyrone SFC games in Armagh this year, Mrs Jordan said a second floodlit stadium in the Red Hand county is needed to take the pressure off Healy Park.
“Our aspiration in the future should be to build our own stadium,” she said.
“This year my view came to the fore when we had to use the facilities in Armagh twice, because we only have one facility, our own county grounds, which can cater for large crowds and had floodlights.
“There is a need for a second floodlit ground if our championship games are to be played in the second half of the year. Our sincere thanks to Armagh for the use of their facilities.”
And the establishment of a TV channel to stream live coverage of games is another objective of the Eglish club member.
“Tyrone GAA should follow Armagh’s lead and set up TV so we can stream some of our games. This is operated and run by Armagh GAA. In Tyrone this can also be done.’
