It emerged this week that there will be a challenger for the postion of PRO of the Mayo GAA County Board at the upcoming county convention next month.
Ballycroy native Michael Gallagher, who is well known as sports journalist for many years in the county has allowed his name to be put forward by his club Ballycroy to contest the postition currently held by Davitts clubman Paul Cunnane - who has held the position for the past four years and can hold the role for one more year.
Annoncing his candidacy for the position in a statement released earlier this week Gallagher said: "I’m delighted to announce that I have accepted the nomination of my club, Ballycroy, to go forward for the position of Public Relations Officer (PRO ) of Mayo GAA at the upcoming convention in The Broadhaven Bay Hotel, Belmullet.
"I do not take this nomination lightly and accept it as a great honour! Mayo GAA should be surrounded by positivity, possibility and promise, but too often we find ourselves mired in controversy and confrontation. This is not what Mayo GAA should be about. We should be communicating from a position of class, instead we find ourselves, frankly, darkened by crass behaviour.
"The Public Relations of Mayo GAA is of vital importance. Portraying the vibrancy of our people and our great sporting community in a positive, transparent, confident and composed manner will be at the forefront of my thoughts, if I am lucky enough to attain the position.
"I’m well aware that the Mayo senior team is the flagship of our association here in the county, but I’m also cognisant of the fact that each and every club needs to be assisted in the development, knowledge and growth of their traditional and social media activities. I will urgently address the needs and requirements of our grassroots if I am lucky enough to attain the position.
"The clubs are the lifeblood of our association and we should never lose sight of that. I have been blessed to play with both my native club, Ballycroy, and Islandeady; as well as holding every administrative position in Ballycroy from County Board Delegate to Chairman; before spending many years coaching with Castlebar Mitchels and Davitt College.
"Therefore, I’m well aware of club requirements at all levels and the need to support the volunteers on the ground. Hand-in-hand with that, is the need to portray the best of Mayo GAA on a national and global stage in a fair and balanced manner. I am ideally positioned to do this, having worked as a professional journalist for 20 years, before recently taking up other employment. This career-change has allowed me to now accept my club’s nomination to contest the PRO position.
"I look forward to speaking with all club delegates and interested parties over the coming weeks in the run-up to what will be a vitally-important day in the sporting history of our great county. Let’s move forward together!
