Treacy faces big battle to hold onto power

GALWAY County Committee Chairman Noel Treacy faces a big battle if he is to remain at the top table for 2016 as no less than three other candidates have allowed their names to go forward to contest the position at next Monday’s County Convention in the Lough Rea Hotel and Spa (7:30pm).

Padraig Pearses clubman Treacy was elected to the role in 2011 and, at the time, sought to offer a strong hand at a time when Galway GAA was under financial pressure – due both to the downturn in the economy and the purchase of a proposed hurling facility, Mountain South, at an exorbitant price.

He also directed the largely unpopular move of establishing the County Committee as the flagship GAA authority in Galway. This required wrestling control from the hurling and football sub committees which, in effect, were responsible for overseeing the administration of the games in the county up to this point.

Although this transfer of power was a requirement under GAA rule, it did not endear him to the officers and delegates of the respective sub committees and, indeed, led to a public fall-out over the election of sub-committee officers with then Hurling Chairman Joe Byrne at a heated Hurling Convention last year.

Often regarded as single-minded in his approach, the prolonged stand-off between former Galway senior hurling manager Anthony Cunningham and the players saw Treacy’s leadership brought under the spotlight once again as supporters demanded an expedient conclusion to the saga.

Against such a challenging backdrop, Treacy now finds a number of candidates running against him, namely ex-Galway Football Chairman and current County Committee Vice Chairman John Joe Holleran, former long serving Hurling Board Secretary John Fahey and ex-Fianna Fail councillor Michael Regan.

Both Holleran and Fahy represent the biggest challenge to Treacy – in particular Clonbur native Halloran as he would enjoy the backing of the football community. Among the promises he is making is the significant reduction in club levies and the drafting of five-year plans for hurling and football in Galway.

Contacting the Tribune this week, Holleran added: “I have a life time of experience working at club, county, provincial and national levels.  This experience together with my passion for and knowledge of the association leaves me well equipped to lead Galway GAA.”

Full coverage in this week’s Connacht Tribune.