*Ex Chairman Oliver Fitzpatrick pictured with Vice Chairman Ronnie Pyne. Photograph: Martin Connolly
One of the most anticipated CDSL AGM’s of recent times has been deferred on account of the Level 3 restrictions introduced this week.
Due to be held on Monday, CDSL officials have agreed to set November 2nd as the provisional date for the annual general meeting. Nominations for positions on the CDSL committee have been submitted by clubs in the past fortnight.
As first reported by The Clare Echo, Jason Ryan of Kilrush Rangers is the sole nominee to replace Oliver Fitzpatrick as Chairman of the CDSL with Ronnie Pyne to continue as Vice Chairman. Tony Downey is nominated for the post of Treasurer.
Ennis Town clubman Denis Collins has been nominated unopposed to take on the mantle of Secretary. He will succeed Michael Lydon in the role, both he and Fitzpatrick announced their immediate resignations last month. Former officer, Jim Madden has declined a request to become PRO.
Newmarket Celtic’s Alan McCoy is expected to be elected as Fixtures Secretary with Pyne tipped to work alongside him in this capacity. Ger O’Halloran of Rhine Rovers has been mooted as Ryan’s potential successor as Registrar, the Quin man is parliamentary assistant to Clare TD, Joe Carey (FG).
Earlier this month, a club delegate meeting was held with members of the CDSL Committee where the possibility of reducing club affiliation fees was raised. It was also stated that the Oscar Traynor competition is unlikely to proceed in the coming season. “Outrageous” was the wording used by one delegate to describe the resignation correspondence issued by the departing Fitzpatrick.
With the AGM deferred, it also means the start of the new CDSL season cannot commence until November at the earliest. The ongoing rise in COVID-19 cases in the county is likely to delay this even further.