Kerr blasts ‘negativity’ within the County

“NEGATIVITY’ running through Tyrone GAA in the form of online abuse will prompt ‘good people’ to walk away from the Association, chairman Michael Kerr has warned.

In his address to the annual County Convention at Garvaghey on Tuesday night, where he was returned unopposed to serve another twelve months in the top seat, the Carrickmore man lamented the fact that the negativity he perceived ‘running through our county’ was continuing to get worse.

He voiced his concerns over the detrimental effect this had on the county and its many volunteers, both short and long term.

“ This negativity is being engineered by a very small group of people. This is so damaging to the people volunteering and working hard for our county. Over the last few years I’m constantly listening to people muttering in the background giving out about this should have done, he’s useless, or they haven’t a clue.

“ Our volunteers are even being abused online by so called ‘Gaels’. This to me is unacceptable behaviour and absolutely disgraceful. Do these people, that do this, realise the amount of time and energy real volunteers put into this county? Sooner or later good people are going to walk and there will be no one to pick up the pieces.”

Mr Kerr stated that the problem was compounded by the fact that much of the abuse emanated from within Tyrone itself.

“ It’s difficult to take negativity and abuse from outsiders but you just take it on the chin and get on with it. But when it comes from within its totally unacceptable.”

While not referencing specifically the much-publicised fall-out from the streaming cost for the Tyrone County Finals, the chairperson made it clear that he felt it important that the County Board officers were seen to be singing from the same hymn sheet.

“ Even some committee members bring it on themselves to discuss our affairs outside meetings and then put their own spin on what should or should not have been done. this is unacceptable!

“ When you lift the papers and you see all that has been discussed published, you know there is a mole. If, it’s because they are working to their own agenda, they are not thinking of the good of our county or the GAA and we don’t need them! Thankfully it’s only a very small group of people but there is no room for them in our county.”

The Tyrone 2022 Management Committee

Chairman: Michael Kerr (Eire Ogs)- elected unopposed

Treasurer: Niall McKenna (Killyclogher)- elected unopposed

Vice-chairman: Martin Sludden (Dromore)- elected unopposed

Secretary: Dominic McCaughey (Trillick)- elected unopposed

Vice-treasurer: Sean McGuigan (An Charrig Mhor)- elected unopposed

Central Council Delegate: Benny Hurl (Ardboe)- elected unopposed

Ulster Council Delegates (2): Michelle Cox (Drumragh) 49 Votes elected; Conor Sally (Omagh, 44 Votes elected; Peter Kennedy (Derrylaughan) 26 Votes

Coaching Officer: Damian Harvey (Cookstown)- elected unopposed

Culture and Language Officer: Stephen Hughes (Dungannon)- 98 Votes elected; Michael McCaughey (Beragh) 21 Votes

Hurling Development Officer: Eunan Lindsay (Glenelly)- elected unopposed

PRO: Eugene McConnell (Clogher)- 101 Votes elected; Oliver McVeigh (Donaghmore)- 17 Votes