Clonbur's John Joe Holleran will head up Galway football in 2008 after he was elected Football Board chairman unopposed on Monday night.

CHANGING OF THE GUARD: Outgoing chairman Pat Egan (right) congratulates John Joe Holleran who has taken over as the head of Galway Football Board. Photo: Declan Monaghan

Pat Egan, chairman for the past 17 years, decided to stand down and allow his vice-chairman of the past eleven years take over the top job job in Galway football.

Holleran said that his appointment as chairman fulfilled a lifelong ambition and he vowed to do everything in his power to promote and develop Galway football.

He praised the work of Egan whose tenure had seen eight All-Ireland titles comes to Galway ? two seniors, two U-21s, a minor and three All-Ireland cub titles.

Egan said he enjoyed every minute of his 17 years in charge and while the All-Ireland wins would always be remembered, he felt the greatest achievement was the development of the modern training centre at Loughgeorge.

The Corofin clubman paid tribute to the clubs and delegates who had supported him down through the years.

He said the most significant development had been the appointment of John O'Mahony as manager a decade ago.

"He changed the face of Galway football and we are still feeling the benefits of his years in charge," said Egan.

In the only election of the Football Board Convention, the outgoing assistant treasurers Paddy Sweeney of Killanin defeated Kilconly's Seamus Connolly by 54 votes to 48.

A number of motions were discussed with a move to start the U-21 championship in the Spring due to be moved after Christmas.

An effort to get NUIG to participate in the county league, or else be barred from competing in the championship, was ruled out of order.

And a motion from the Fr Griffins-Eire Og club to enter a team from the city in the senior championship made up of two intermediate and one junior club, failed to get off the ground.

The Board's finances showed a drop in income from €700,416 to €682,156 while expenditure rose from €655,293 to €753,470.

Team administration expenses cost €434,918, up from €389,749.

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment