Neary set to replace O’Toole as Mayo secretary

Neary set to replace O’Toole


Mike Finnerty
mikefinnerty@mayonews.ie

ACTING Mayo GAA Secretary Vincent Neary looks set to take over the role on a more permanent basis after a County Board EGM is held on Wednesday, February 6.
The well-known Bonniconlon clubman, who has been Assistant Secretary for a number of years, is the clear favourite to succeed Kevin O’Toole, who stepped down from the position last week due to ‘family circumstances and work commitments’.
The Tourmakeady official had been in the voluntary post for just thirteen months.
The Mayo News understands that Vincent Neary, who is also an accomplished referee and GAA administrator at Bord na nÓg level, is in pole position to be elected to the position if he allows his name to go forward.
Neary and Noreen McManamon from Burrishoole GAA club both contested the position with O’Toole at the County Convention in December 2011.
However, the likes of former Mayo GAA PRO Noelle Horan, current PRO Aiden McLoughlin and former County Board Secretary SeΡn Feeney are other potential candidates who may be nominated by Mayo GAA clubs in the coming weeks.
Nomination forms are expected to be circulated to clubs in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the Mayo GAA Executive paid tribute to Kevin O’Toole in a statement last Thursday night after the 54 year-old confirmed his intention to step aside.
“Due to family circumstances and work commitments, Kevin has stated that he would be unable to commit to the time that the position requires,” said the statement.
In a letter to the Executive of the Mayo County Board explaining his decision, Kevin O’Toole stated: “I would like to sincerely thank the officers of the board, the management committee, the members of the county board, the various team managements, the members of the various sub committees, and the clubs for the help and support that I have always had both as Runai and PRO of Coiste Chontae Mhaigheo.
“It has always been a privilege to be involved with Mayo GAA and it was an honour that I greatly appreciate to have been able to serve as Runaí.”
“The Mayo County Board would like sincerely to thank Kevin O’Toole for his service and work for Mayo GAA.
“In 2012, his first year as County Secretary, Kevin put in a tremendous amount of work and commitment which was invaluable to the clubs and management committee of the county. We wish Kevin and his family all the best and we hope to see Kevin back in some capacity again in the future. The Mayo County Board has begun the process of replacing Kevin O’Toole as County Secretary,” the statement concluded.