Culhane throws down the gauntlet to outgoing GAA Chairman Kearney

FUNDRAISING supremo Mick Culhane has launched a determined bid to oust beleaguered County GAA Chairman Pat Kearney by furnishing clubs with his vision for Galway GAA in a glossy brochure ahead of the annual convention.

Culhane, who is best known for the work he has done with the Football Supporters Club, has been actively involved in Galway GAA for the past 30 years, having worked closely with former All-Ireland winning manager John O’Mahony, ex-Galway hurling boss Conor Hayes, and, more recently, as a selector with Galway’s minors (2011) and U20s (2019).

With it emerging in recent weeks that Culhane had put his name forward to challenge Kearney at THE Galway County GAA Convention in the Salthill Hotel on Monday, December 16, the Manging Director of Murray & Spelman Ltd upped the ante late last week by producing a comprehensive manifesto for Galway GAA.

Among his key objectives is to maximise revenue. He notes with Galway GAA having an income in excess of €4 million, “it needs to be run like a business”. Culhane continues: “To be competitive at the top level we must learn from the best. The successful counties have brought a professionalism to their organising committees which I intend to bring to Galway.”

There is no doubt that outgoing Chairman Pat Kearney has held the positionin one of the most turbulent periods in Galway GAA. While the controversy over financial irregularities arose before he took up office, the manner in which the controversy has rumbled on during his tenure could be damaging to his re-election bid.

The damning findings of the Mazars Report — in which numerous deficiencies in Galway GAA’s finances were catalogued — along with a statement from primary sponsor Supermac’s asking where the money their company has raised has gone, piled further pressure on the Chairman.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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