Published: Wednesday, 16th December, 2009 6:00pm

Former Chairman Séamus Ó Faoláin takes Central Council seat

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ONE of the most significant developments from Monday evening's Westmeath GAA Annual Covention in Kinnegad was the election of the long-serving Séamus Ó Faolain as the county's new Central Council delegate. Mr. Ó Faolain, who recently retired from his post at St Mary's CBS, Mullingar, replaces the outgoing Liam Martin (St Loman's), and officially takes up the position in April.

St Loman's club man Liam Martin had served in the position since 1995 and said he fully supports Ó Faolain's election.

Ó Faolain's quest to become Central Council delegate was not contested at Monday's meeting, after Richard Browne (Maryland), Des Maguire (Mullingar Shamrocks) and Tony Robinson (Ballinagore) withdrew from the race.

Speaking after his election, Ó Faolain - who previously served as Westmeath GAA Chairman for more than 20 years - said he will carry the best interests of Westmeath football and its clubs into his new role.

"I always said I'd have a great interest in taking the Central Council role and I'm delighted to do so," said Ó Faolain.

"Liam Martin has done a terrific job over the years and we're all very proud of the way he represented the county. I'm aware I have a difficult act to follow and I will certainly be going to Liam and picking his brains on certain issues. I'm sure Liam won't mind me consulting him from time to time.

I'm very honoured to be elected by the clubs and it's also a great honour for my club's, St Malachy's and Castletown-Geoghegan. My sole objective in my new role is to represent GAA in Westmeath in a dignified and productive manner, and I really look forward to starting the role in April," Séamus added.

County board chairman Tom Farrell also welcomed Ó Faolain's election, saying: "Séamus brings a wealth of experience to the role of Central Council delegate and has given a lifetime of service to Westmeath GAA. I welcome Séamus back to the fold and I'm sure he will perform brilliantly in the role."

Outgoing Central Council delegate Liam Martin thanked all the clubs in Westmeath for their co-operation and progress since he took the post in 1995. He said his work in the role coincided with a very productive period in the history of Westmeath GAA and said he was "delighted" to have been involved during such a fruitful period.

Liam added: "Séamus is a tried and trusted official and I know he will serve Westmeath well in his role as Central Council delegate."

Meanwhile, both Tom Farrell and Liam Davitt were re-elected unopposed as chairman and vice-chairman respectively, but Pat Lynagh's position as secretary was challenged by Des Doolin, however, Lynagh comprehensively prevailed following a vote (127-12).

Des Doolin (Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall) said his challenge to Lynagh's position was "not personal" and that he feels every officer on the county board should be put under a certain amount of pressure to retain their positions.

Doolin said: "I want to make it clear I'm not disappointed at all to lose the vote and wish Pat all the very best for 2010. However, I feel all positions on the county board, wherever possible, should be contested every year. It's like the player on the pitch...they need to feel there is a decent substitute on the bench, so he looks over his shoulder and knows he has to keep performing or up his game. I don't think it's healthy for the association if positions aren't contested. But I assure Pat that he has my full support in his position as secretary for 2010."

Denis Coyne (treasurer), Pat Collins (Development Officer), Aidan Davitt (Officer for Irish Language), Pat Reilly (Public Relations Officer), and Billy Foley (Coaching Officer) were re-elected unnopposed, while Tony Robinson saw off the challenge of Billy Flanagan to become the county board's new youth officer.

Billy Flanagan had served as a county board official for eight years - six as youth officer - and was sad to leave the post, saying: "I congratulate Tony on his appointment and he will make a great youth officer. His priority and main interest is in the development of youth. It's the end of an era for me and I'd like to thank all the clubs for their support over the years. I feel I've been involved in several successful initiatives, however, I took a firm stand on something I believed in strongly earlier in the year...and I've been hammered on this issue ever since. Sadly, for me, this also brings an end to a 60-year association between the Flanagn family and the county board."

Tony Robinson withdrew from the race to represent the county at Leinster Council level, leaving the path clear for Joe Martin (Ballymore) and Sean Sheridan (Tyrellspass) to fill these positions, while Kieran Martin will be the county's delegate at Congress Under-21 level.

Sean Sheridan and Eugene Dolan are the county's two representatives at Congress, prevailing in an eight-strong contest also involving Michael McHugh, Tony Robinson, Richard Browne, Denis Coyne, Peter Shanley and Jim Whelan. Also, the five Leinster Convention delegates for Westmeath will be Albert Lowry, Michael McHugh, Denis Coyne, Sean O'Brien and Jim Whelan.