FORMER Antrim chairman Jim Murray has resigned from his position as the county’s development officer after claiming that there was a “concentrated effort by some county officers to have me removed from the position”.
Murray, who was chairman of the board from 2011 until 2015 and also served in the past as secretary, was elected to his latest role at last year’s AGM.
However, in an email circulated to clubs yesterday afternoon, the resigning Murray claimed that a text message was sent to members of other clubs that left him with “no options”.
In an email confirming his resignation, Murray said: “Please see text below from county officer sent to various clubs. After confirming the integrity of the text, it would appear that there is a concentrated effort by some county officers to have me removed from the position of Development Officer at County Convention.
“This vote of no confidence from the incoming county officers leaves me with no options.
“I have absolutely no wish or intention of getting involved in any more [of] this nonsense, I therefore with regret, tender my resignation, with immediate effect, from the position of Development Officer, and will have my name withdrawn from the nominations for the position of Development Officer at County Convention.
“Thanks to the clubs for your support in the past, and good luck in the future.”
The text message, seen by The Irish News, canvassed for the election of Paul Molloy as development officer at the upcoming AGM.
The text also suggested voting Alec McQuillan and Malachy Delargy in as the county’s two Ulster Council delegates, thereby deposing Jim McLean, who topped the vote in last year’s elections and was appointed alongside McQuillan.
Murray is the second county board official to resign in two months.
In October, assistant treasurer Tyrone Eastwood told clubs that the decision to hold the process by which Corrigan Park was chosen as the venue for the county football final left him “with no alternative” but to step down.
Neither Jim Murray nor county chairman Collie Donnelly were available for comment last night.
