MICHAEL HASSON says it’s “more likely than not” he will be confirmed as the next president of the GAA's Ulster Council.
The St Mary’s, Rasharkin clubman is currently vice-president and looks to be the natural successor to outgoing president Martin McAvinney, whose three-year term comes to an end at the Ulster Convention next month.
However, he predicts he will face competition for the role: “There’s always competition and that’s good, so I just look forward to whatever happens,” he said.
Hasson, a former player and referee and a member of the St Mary’s club since 1965, has impressive GAA credentials and has held a number of Ulster Council positions. Since being nominated to the Ulster Council in 1997, he has represented Antrim on development and fixtures and served three-year terms as PRO and treasurer before taking over as vice-president.
“It’s certainly a role I would like,” said Hasson when asked if he intended to put his name forward to succeed McAvinney.
“It would be a massive honour and a massive commitment, but it’s certainly a role I would cherish - I’d cherish the opportunity anyway.”
Hasson paid tribute to the work of Monaghan’s McAvinney, who took over from Aogán Ó Fearghail when the Cavan man’s three-year term as president ended in 2013: “Martin has been an excellent president,” said Hasson.
“He has brought over a whole range of things. The President’s Awards were brought to another level in December at the Slieve Donard. There have been a lot of positive things going on and he has been a good president.”
McAvinney’s involvement with the Ulster Council began in 2004 when he was elected as PRO in and he was awarded the Ulster GAA Writers’ Communications Award in 2005. McAvinney moved on to the position of treasurer from 2007-10 and then served as vice-president for the next three years.
McAvinney was also the first chairman of the Ulster code of ethics and good practice committee and, at a national level, was a member of the national central appeals committee and the national PR and publications committee.
