Proud Clarecastle man John Callinan of sponsors Berwick Callinan presents the trophy to Filip Wiechinski. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
EX CLARE hurler, John Callinan has joined the Executive of Clare GAA.
In what was the only change to the appearance of the Executive, Callinan succeeded Ennistymon’s John Fawl as Munster Council delegate following the conclusion of Fawl’s five year term.
An All Star in 1979 and 1981, Callinan claimed two National Hurling League titles with Clare in 1977 and 1978. The Clarecastle man won county championships with his club in 1986 and 1987 along with three Railway Cup medals with Munster. His firm currently sponsors the U21 club championships in Clare while in 2021 he released his autobiography ‘To Play To Live’.
He was elected to the role at Wednesday’s convention held in Hotel Woodstock where Kieran Keating was returned as Chairman for a fourth term alongside Vice Chairman Michael O’Connor and Assistant Secretary Deirdre Chaplin from Cratloe.
Treasurer Brian Fitzpatrick who has been in the role since July 2023 was returned unopposed. After prevailing in a contest over Caroline O’Connor in 2022, Seán Chambers had no competition for the post of Assistant Treasurer.
Robert Frost who prevailed in a vote against fellow former Clare GAA Chairman Michael O’Neill at last year’s Convention after the vote went the way of O’Neill in 2022 was returned as Central Council delegate.
First elected in 2022, Joe Garry and Neil O’Brien were elected to continue as Irish & Cultural Officer and Coaching Officer respectively.
Following Anne Hayes’ exit in August as PRO, Aaron Carroll of Cratloe made the step-up from Assistant PRO and he was elected to a role on the Clare GAA Executive for the first time as the sole nominee for PRO.
Deirdre Murphy’s paid position as Head of Operations is not voted on by the clubs while the roles of Safety & Facilities Officer, Children’s Officer plus Planning & Training Officer are all appointed positions and they will be held by Ambrose Heagney, Joan Crotty and Paddy Smyth respectively.
Speaking at what was a rather drab Convention, Clarecastle GAA Chairman, Niall Tuohy commented when proposing Callinan, “on behalf of Clarecastle, it gives me great pleasure to nominate John Callinan”. He noted that his club mate was “no stranger to wearing the Clare jersey, he always represented his club with distinction”. Tuohy added, “he is a good friend to Clarecastle, the County Board and to all here”.
Clare GAA Executive 2025:
Head of Operations: Deirdre Murphy (Clooney/Quin)
Chairperson: Kieran Keating (Naomh Eoin)
Vice Chairman: Michael O’Connor (Crusheen)
Assistant Secretary: Deirdre Chaplin (Cratloe)
Treasurer: Brian Fitzpatrick (Clooney/Quin)
Asst Treasurer: Seán Chambers (Cooraclare)
PRO: Aaron Carroll (Cratloe)
Irish & Cultural Officer: Joe Garry (Cooraclare)
Coaching Officer: Neil O’Brien (O’Callaghans Mills)
Central Council Delegate: Robert Frost (O’Callaghans Mills)
Munster Council Delegate: John Callinan (Clarecastle)
Munster Council Delegate: Bernard Keane (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield)
National Congress Delegates: Gabriel Keating (Naomh Eoin), Michael O’Connor (Crusheen), Michael O’Regan (Ruan)
Munster Convention Delegates: Robert Frost (O’Callaghans Mills), Des Farrell (Coolmeen), Neil O’Brien (O’Callaghans Mills)
Safety & Facilities Officer: Ambrose Heagney (Corofin)
Children’s Officer: Joan Crotty (Scariff)
Planning & Training Officer: Paddy Smyth (Éire Óg)
Demographics Officer: TBC
