*Rebecca Sexton. Photograph: Natasha Barton
CLARE GAA’s first ever female Treasurer has stepped down from the role.
Quilty native Rebecca Sexton has confirmed she has resigned as Treasurer and Clare GAA are now in the process of trying to elect her successor.
First elected in December 2021, Rebecca replaced the outgoing Michael Gallagher, a former Garda. She had been unable to attend recent meetings of the County Board and has bowed out from the role officially in recent weeks.
During her two years in the role, Rebecca had been praised by fellow officers and clubs alike for her handling of the county’s finances. Naomh Eoin delegate, Gabriel Keating told the 2022 County Convention that she added “vision” to the top table on the back of “a wonderful year financially”.
As Treasurer, Sexton ensured that Clare GAA kept stalls for patrons to pay cash as entrance rather than adopting an entirely cashless policy. “We are mindful to assist people who have access to get online to buy tickets, that is for club games, Munster and National League games are completely outside our remit,” she previously explained to club delegates.
From the Kilmurry Ibrickane club, she unsuccessfully tried to maintain entrance fees for children aged fourteen and upwards which were introduced in 2022. An Éire Óg motion was unanimously passed at Convention seeking free entry for under sixteens to all games with delegate Rory Hickey remarking, “let them spend the fiver on sweets instead”.
Wednesday evening was the closing date for nominations to appoint Rebecca’s successor. Prior to this, one nomination had been received by Clare GAA and if a further candidate is put forward it will be up to clubs to elect the new Treasurer whereas if only one candidate remains they will be automatically elected to serve until County Convention later this year.
A new Treasurer will be appointed at the July meeting of the County Board which takes place on Tuesday. Sean Chambers who defeated Caroline O’Connor in a vote at Convention to remain as Assistant Treasurer remains in his post.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, Clare GAA Chairman Kieran Keating paid tribute to the outgoing Sexton. “She came in as Treasurer when I came in as Chairman, we worked well together and I am sorry to see that she is unable to continue in the role, I have thanked her personally for her contribution to Clare GAA and I look forward to seeing her at games when the club championships get going in July”.
Strong financial acumen is essential for whoever takes on the role, Keating explained. “We’re a business turning over in excess of €3m, it is closer to €4m if you include our fundraising stuff, it takes competence to properly manage the incomes and outgoings for a business like Clare GAA. We will be hiring extra Games Development Officers which is extra staff coming on board and we are increasing our budgets on that side, we have to fundraise and raise money for the current spending accordingly. It is a business job we’ll say but that doesn’t mean the Treasurer needs to be an accountant,” the Cross native explained.
Clare GAA’s current big fundraiser for 2023 is Win A House in Ennis, tickets for which can be obtained by visiting winahouseinennis.com.
