Rebuilding Mayo GAA confidence is Tuohy's priority
THE next five years for Mayo GAA is going to be crucial in the rebuilding of confidence within the organisation which has taken a bit of a battering in light of the deepening saga which has seen Mayo County Board and the International Supporters Foundation embroiled in a war of words which could now end up in the courts unless matters are resolved.
Vice-chairman Seamus Tuohy is determined to restore that confidence if elected as chairman at Sunday’s convention in the Broadhaven Bay Hotel in Belmullet.
The job of being chairman of an organisation such as the Mayo board - which is now effectively a business organisation with an annual turnover of almost two million - has always been an onerous one but the new chairman - whether it is Tuohy or Liam Moffatt - faces the added pressure of uniting a divided family, getting them to set aside their differences and row in behind him, but that can’t happen until issues with the Foundation are resolved.
Tuohy is an able administrator, is hugely proud of his club Breaffy and has given active service to the GAA both as chairman of the Board na nÓg and also a chairman of the CCV, but he first has to be elected and faces a formidable opponent in Liam Moffatt (see separate interview on opposite page).
He has avoided being tainted by the row with the Foundation as he has been pretty busy ensuring the fixtures calendar has been adhered to, while he has been a huge advocate of health and wellbeing, with each club now having a health and wellbeing officer and that has proven very valuable in terms of promoting positive mental health within the GAA.
So the obvious question for the vice-chairman is where we are heading in Mayo GAA and can the stand-off between Mr. O’Leary’s Foundation and the board be resolved?
“In light of what has been going on in recent months in relation to governance issues within the Mayo Board, my first task if elected will be to rebuild confidence, trust and respect within Mayo GAA. That is first and foremost on my agenda,” he said.
Tuohy believes this can only be done with the support of Croke Park and if it takes mediation down the road then he is more than willing to support such a move in order to resolve the impasse which is now dragging on for far too long.
“The feedback I am getting from the clubs is that they want this dispute resolved. We know the damage it has done and Croke Park are likely to hold a meeting with Tim O’Leary this week and a lot will depend on the outcome of that meeting but it is important for everyone involved that all matters are resolved and we can get back to the important issues of football and planning for the future,” he said
He said reaching an agreement would not be easy given the complexity of the issues involved and the collateral damage that has already been inflicted on Mayo GAA by the Foundation controversy which has dominated the national headlines.
“Look, mistakes were made on both sides and hopefully we will learn many valuable lessons. Already I’m delighted to see positive motions coming from clubs in relation to governance within the Mayo Board,” he said.
He added: “Mayo GAA is now big business and like any big business it needs to be run properly, with all issues over governance being addressed, and it is good to see
there will be new faces around the top table after Sunday’s convention.”
That said, he also said those who are vacating their positions having served their time should not be forgotten for all the work they put in.
“All that work is voluntary and it is important for people to know that. These are genuine people who have the interests of Mayo GAA at heart and they have done a lot of good work over the years and that should not be forgotten,” he said in a reference to the end of Mike Connelly (chairman) and Kevin O’Toole’s (treasurer) terms in office.
Tuohy regrets that a good year on the club and inter-county scene should be overshadowed by other issues off the pitch and the fallout from the fundraising venture in New York where Mayo got their championship race up and running.
“I know those in the clubs just want confidence restored and for the board to get doing what we do best in Mayo - promoting and running our games.
“It was a great year, with Mayo winning the National League and clubs such as Ballintubber, Kilmaine and The Neale all doing well at county and provincial level.
“What epitomises the GAA for me was Eastern Gaels, a club 35 years in existence, winning a first ever county title.
“That is at the heart of what the GAA is all about and we should not lose our focus.
“Hopefully our problem with the Foundation will be resolved with the help of Croke Park and through mediation and I am willing to give any help I can to restore confidence in our board,” he said.
Along with the contest for the chair, the position of PRO, which is currently held by Paul Cunnane, will be contested by Michael Gallagher, while Valerie Murphy from Charlestown will be the new treasurer. Sean Feeney from Ballintubber will be the new president.