Newly-elected Donegal county chairperson Mary Coughlan says she wants respect and ‘’no solo runs’' among those involved in GAA administration in the county.
The ex-Tanaiste was confirmed as the first-ever female county chairperson in the history of Donegal GAA at Convention on Wednesday night and her remarks are a reaction to reports of some bitter clashes at recent county committee meetings.
Coughlan admitted the role was a big challenge for her but one she was “not going to be doing on my own.’’
She continued: ‘’I told all the delegates that I would be seeking their help and the help of all their clubs as well.
“There has to be a reciprocity as we as an organisation have to help the clubs, some of them are struggling.
“We respect everything and it’s all about working together. I think by doing that and leaving out the solo runs it will work out well.”
Coughlan heads a strong female representation at the top-table with Mary Kelly (assistant secretary), Grace Boyle (treasurer), Caitriona Ui Shuibhne (language and culture) and Sinead Breen (PRO) also prominent.
When asked what the new job meant to her she said: “It is hugely important to me and it is hugely important to women who are members of the GAA and have been at the forefront of GAA activities for many years.
“I am delighted, but this is not about one person, it is about the amalgam of people who make up the executive and the county board.
“And hopefully with a good team elected here tonight we will be able to go forward with resilience and be sustainable now and deal with the challenges ahead of us.
“A lot of work has been done by the previous group who have stepped down and I am looking forward to working through all aspects of the GAA.”
Coughlan was secretary of her native St Naul’s club for 11 years.
‘’I thoroughly enjoyed it and I felt that when I left political life I would give back to people who had given so much to me. And we have a big GAA connection as well.
“But I was also asked by a number of clubs about putting my name forward who were anxious for change when the present chairperson Fergus McGee indicated that he did not want to step forward.
“I said I would do so on the basis that we would revert back to what is hugely important and that is respect, respect for the office, respect for the people who are doing their utmost.
“What I am hoping to do is my utmost on behalf of the clubs and with the executive and it was very clear tonight that everybody wants to do their level best.”
The year ending has been a turbulent one in the county but Coughlan is hopeful that better days are ahead
“I would to see a lot more than just football developing and we heard here tonight about how well hurling is doing and there is a great anxiety out there among parents that we re-invigorate our Academy and that we make a huge effort into encouraging more membership and volunteerism is in itself very fulfilling, but at the same time every club is looking for more volunteers.
“It is a lot more than just football and while the county is hugely anxious for success and that will be a matter for Jim McGuinness and his team along with the underage and hurling. "
Coughlan’s predecessor Fergus McGee said he did not have full support among his colleagues at times, something the new chair described as “very regrettable.”
“I had hoped that he would have continued, but that was a personal decision of his.
“We will have a meeting shortly and a key point is the governance of the county executive and that we re-instil respect and appreciation.
“That is not to say that everything is going to work out and I am not naïve but that everyone will do their job to the best of their ability.’’
She added that the GAA was all about “participation, camaraderie, enjoyment, about friendship, about belonging, about who you are and we have opened up the GAA as an all- inclusive organisation and we want to see and build and develop that.
“It gives great joy and fun and that is something that needs to get back into the GAA as well.”
