Callaghan is new Central Council Delegate after close vote

Paul Fitzpatrick

Callaghan defeated Niall Brady (Arva) and Gerry Soden (Laragh United) in a close vote for the position. The total valid poll was 173 votes, leaving a quota of 86.

On the first count, Brady was in front with 65, Callaghan had 59 and Soden had 49. As no candidate reached the quota, the lowest candidate – Soden – was eliminated and after his transfers were eliminated, Callaghan was left with 93 votes to Brady’s 80.

'It was very, very tight, i knew it was going into it, I want to pay tribute to Gerry Soden and Niall Brady, two excellent candidates. It was a contest very fairly run, very professional. I want to thank the Denn club for their backing,' said Callaghan.

'I will do my best to represent Cavan in Croke Park. I got a phone call this evening and my eyes lit up when I saw the phone. The name on it was Peadar Conaty and I think we should think about him here this evening.

'He rang me to wish me good luck from his hospital bed in Dublin and I wish him good health and a speedy return – he has been the chairman of the Killygarry club, a great friend and I’m delighted to get that call this evening. Thanks very much to everyone for their support.'

An emotional Gerry Soden, the outgoing Health and Wellbeing Officer, announced that he would be stepping down from administration at county board level.

'I just want to thank the clubs that nominated me and the clubs that supported me. I also want to thank my home club Laragh United and the chairperson Pauric Rudden. Tonight I bow out from county board administration after 28 years’ service as Asst Secretary, Secretary, Ulster Council Rep and Development Officer. It was an honour and a privilege to hold all those positions,' he said.

Niall Brady offered heartiest congratulations to Kieran Callaghan who he said was a very worthy winner and had the backing of everyone present and himself as a friend.

“Hard luck to Gerry as well, a very good friend of myself and my family over a long number of years,” he said.

Brady, the Arva chairman, referred to his father Phil, a former county board chairman who is unfortunately in poor health at present, and he passed on his father’s best wishes to Callaghan and continues to be a big supporter of Cavan football.