The race for the top seat in Mayo GAA is up and running ahead of the annual convention of the Mayo GAA County Board, which will take place in the McWilliam Park Hotel in Claremorris on Sunday, December 5 at 5pm.
With outgoing chairperson, Liam Moffatt, announcing last month that he was stepping down as chairperson after two years in the role, the jostling to fill the position he will vacate has begun.
Throwing their hat into the ring to replace him are both current vice-chairperson, Con Moynihan from Ballaghaderreen, and former vice-chairperson, Seamus Tuhoy from Breaffy, who was defeated by Moffatt in a vote for the position two years ago. Both men have served as chairperson of Mayo GAA Bord na nÒg before being elected as vice-chairperson of the full board.
Speaking about his decision to put his name forward again, Tuohy said: "The fifty clubs across this county are the backbone of Gaelic games in Mayo. I am really looking forward to engaging with each of them and hearing their views on how we can bring the county forward. I will spend the next number of weeks visiting clubs and speaking to people across the county to ask for their support in this process.
"I have a number of ideas on how the county board can serve clubs in Mayo and directly help them. If I am lucky enough to be selected I will lead a county board that works with clubs throughout the year and listens to their concerns on a wide range of issues, from fixtures, facilities, to training and resources.
"Mayo has a rich tradition of Gaelic games. I want to bring my many years of experience with my local club and at county board level to this role and drive forward our county to a new era of success that is mirrored in both club and county teams."
Moynihan has also been nominated to retain his position as vice-chairperson and, if unsuccessful as a candidate for the chairperson role, he will contest that election also. If he contests that election, he will face another challenger with former Mayo GAA PRO and current Connacht Council Delegate, Paul Cunnane, this week announcing his intention to contest for the position.
He told the Mayo Advertiser this week that: "It would be my intention to let my name go forward for the position of Vice Chair of Mayo GAA. Davitts have a club meeting this week so hopefully I will receive their support for my nomination. I have been involved with Mayo as both PRO and Connacht Council delegate for the last six years.
"I have worked with clubs and all Mayo teams during this time to help them as best I can. I would hope to be able to continue to help them as vice chairperson in 2022. I have also been heavily involved in the Laochra Mhaigh Eo project which saw over €300,000 raised for the resurfacing works that have taken place in recent months in MacHale Park."
