Walsh hopeful 2012 will bring Down joy

Walsh hopeful 2012 will bring Down joy

21 December 2011

DOWN chairman Seamus Walsh is hoping the return to fitness of Ambrose Rogers, Damian Rafferty, Declan Rooney and Conor Garvey will go some way towards offsetting the losses the county has suffered in recent times.

Some observers are of the view that the Mourne men won’t be the force they were following the recent departures of Martin Clarke, Caolan Mooney, Peter Fitzpatrick and James Colgan to Australia. But Walsh is refusing to be downhearted.

“Obviously we are disappointed to have lost such a talented group of players who have now left this country but we feel we now have key men coming back from injury and others who are prepared to make a strong bid for places in the side,” he told last week’s county convention in Newry.

“This is very encouraging. We got to the All-Ireland final in 2010 and that whetted our appetite for glory. But we will take things one step at a time.

“The McKenna Cup will give us an indication of where we are at and then we will see how we go in the National League. An Ulster Championship title would be on our radar but there are eight other counties with the same ambition.”

Outgoing assistant secretary Sean Rooney defeated Kevin Bell for the position of Central Council delegate, while Diarmuid Cahill and John Devaney retained their Ulster Council seats, defeating Gerard McShane.

Last year’s East Down chairman, Paul Blaney, from the Bredagh club, took the assistant secretary’s position by defeating Warrenpoint’s Donal McCormack.

Officers appointed at the convention were as follows: Uachtaran: Paddy McFlynn (Tulach Lis); cathaoirleach, Seamus Walsh (Dun Droma); leas cahtaoirleach, William J Smith (An Glas Drommain); Cisteoir, Seamus Ryan (Clann na Banna); leas cisteoir, Brendan Fitzpatrick (Ath Bhriain); runai, Sean Og McAteer (Mistelligh an Iuir) leas runai, Paul Blaney (Bredach); Oififeach Forbatha, Maureen O’Higgins (Liatroim); Oififeach Oiliuna, Seamus Ennis (Baile Crann); Oifigeach Chaidreamh Poibli, Paul Rooney (Droichead Mhaigh Eo).

Teachta ard Comhairle, Sean Rooney (Droichead Mhaigh Eo), Teachta ard Comhairle Uladh, Diarmuid Cahill (An Riocht), John Devaney (Bredach); Oifigeach na bPaisti, Leo Flanagan (Caislean an Mhuillin); Teachtai don Chomhdhail Uladh, Seamus Walsh, Sean Og McAteer, Seamus Ryan, William J Smith, Kevin Bell (Crois Darach), Sean Rooney; Teachtai don Chomhdhail Naisiunta, Seamus Ryan, William J Smith, Diarmuid Cahill (An Riocht), Sean Rooney.