The Laois Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) are to hold a meeting this evening to elect three new officials following resignations from their county board.
At a meeting on April 17, the county secretary, assistant secretary/registrar and PRO all tendered their resignations.
St Paul’s club person Elaine Dempsey and Park-Ratheniska’s Danielle Keane resigned as secretary and assistant-secretary/registrar respectively.
Pauline Hyland of Portlaoise stepped down from the role of PRO citing ‘work commitments’.
In minutes from that meeting, Dempsey and Keane stated issues with ‘the way the county is governed’ as contributing factors to their decisions to resign.
While the executive accepted the resignation of all three, the minutes show that they reject the remark about governance.
They said: “The Executive rejects the implication inferred by the statement in respect of the county governance on behalf of all aspects of the county, County squad management, CODA, Fixtures, Development, Executive and Club County delegates.
“The Executive acknowledged service given by each of the three outgoing officers and wished them well for the future.”
Speaking to LaoisToday, former secretary Elaine Dempsey thanked all of the clubs in the county for their cooperation since she took the role in 2019.
She said: “I took on this role in 2019 and I can honestly say that I put everything into it.
“I got great support from Croke Park, Leinster LGFA and from the clubs of Laois.
“Since I resigned, 15 of these have been in touch with me and I really appreciate their support.
“It was a with a very heavy heart that I took the decision to resign but I felt that I no longer had the support of the chairperson.
“It is the best decision for my mental health and me as the person that I am.
“I would like to thank all the club secretaries and members that I have worked with over the years who have supported me in the role.
“I have made many life-long friends and for that I am very grateful.
“I wish whoever takes on the role the very best of luck in the future.”
A county board meeting to fill the vacancies will take place in the Killeshin Hotel this evening.
An email sent to clubs last night invited them to submit names to fill the vacancies.
It said: “The executive committee welcome nominations from the clubs to take up the position of Secretary, Vice Secretary and PRO.
“Current executive members are willing to step up to allow a functioning county but extra people are needed.
“Please send in nominations ahead of tomorrow’s meeting by 5pm or nominations can be taken from the floor at the meeting.
“All help and support is much appreciated at this time to allow our County teams to continue and to allow our competitions to run.”
At an executive meeting following the resignations, Shanahoe’s Michelle Hughes, who is the current children’s officer, was nominated as secretary.
Portlaoise’s Cara Phelan was nominated as PRO while Margaret Davis of Killeshin is in for the role of registrar.
There are currently no nominations for the role of assistant secretary.
LaoisToday sought comment from Laois LGFA but they were unable to provide one.
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