Congratulations to Pat Teehan of Coolderry who today became Chairperson of Leinster GAA. He was elected unopposed the Provincial Council’s convention in the County Arms Hotel, Birr, having served three years as Leinster Vice-Chairman.
A highly-respected GAA administrator, Pat filled numerous roles with the Offaly County Board, including P.R.O., Vice-Chairman, Chairman, and Leinster and Central Council delegate.
He has also been appointed to numerous committees at provincial and national level, and currently sits on the GAA’s Rules Advisory Committee.
Speaking at Convention following his election, Mr Teehan said: “It is a great honour for me to accept the office and position of Cathaoirleach of Comhairle Laighean. I will now become the 35th Cathaoirleach, following in the footsteps of two of Offaly’s finest sons, Seán Robbins who held the post from 1936 to ‘38 and John Dowling who was the incumbent from 1981 to ‘83. Both of these men, like all the other 32 holders of the office, served Leinster with distinction and I hope when my three years have elapsed that I too will have made a hugely positive contribution to Leinster GAA.”
Mr Teehan recalled that, “in 1991 decentralisation allowed me move back to Offaly and, when Noel McCann stood down as PRO that year, I was encouraged by the late Mick Spain of Kilcormac to put my name forward for the county role. I was lucky enough to be elected and so began a 30 year administrative career with Cumann Luthchleas Gael. I was also elected as Club Secretary of Coolderry the same year, a position I held for four years. Nothing like jumping in at the deep end!”
He continued: “Over the following 30 years serving the County Board, I held the position of PRO, Central and Leinster Council Delegate and Referees Administrator, Chairperson of Coiste na nÓg, Vice Chairperson of the County Committee, ultimately County Chairperson. I was appointed on National Committees by seven of the last eight GAA Presidents”
“All of these roles were hugely beneficial to me, gaining me huge experience and knowledge of the workings of our great Association. They also enabled me to make important contacts and learn from many great minds. These experiences were hugely instrumental in me being elected firstly as Leinster P.R.O., then Vice Chairperson and now – culminating in today’s great honour – my election as Cathaoirleach of Comhairle Laighean.”
By kenny Sat 25th Jan
