Offaly GAA chairman to run for Central Council delegate

OFFALY GAA chairman Michael Duignan is to run for Central Council delegate at annual Convention on December 12. Duignan told a meeting of the County Board on Tuesday evening that he would be putting himself forward to replace Paddy Scales of St Rynagh's, who must step down after serving his five years.

He also confirmed that he would be seeking a fifth and final year as chairman. The former Offaly hurling star and dual player has won widespread praise for the work he has done since becoming chairman – he ousted Tommy Byrne of Gracefield after a fractious campaign.

He told delegates last night that he would be a very busy man if he was elected to both positions but wanted stay involved in the Offaly GAA Management Committee after he finishes as chairman. He said he wished to go for it as there was an opening there now that may not arise next year. He added that Central Council delegate was a very important position for Offaly and he thought he could contribute at this level.

“I hope to take on the two roles next year and then continue on as Central Council delegate for a further four years after that,” he said.

There is the possibility of other candidates putting themselves forward while he could also be elected unopposed now that he has made his intentions known.

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His decision to go for Central Council delegate will fuel speculation about his ambitions and long term game plan. While he has a national profile thanks to his playing exploits and work as an RTE hurling analyst, being on Central Council would bring him into the hub of GAA politics at the top level. It will lead to inevitable speculation that he could be gearing for a run at GAA president at some stage but all of that is well down the road – first of all he has to get elected in Offaly to serve on Central Council and then, if he has that ambition, he has to travel a very political road, full of twists, turns and pitfalls but that potential is certainly there for him.

Michael Duignan also paid a warm tribute to former chairman Brendan Ward at the start of last night's meeting. The Durrow man was County Board president at the time of his death and and Mr Duignan described him as a “very honest and straight” chairman.