Attracta O'Reilly returns as Secretary of Leitrim GAA

A familiar face will return to the top table of Leitrim GAA after it was confirmed that outgoing Attracta O'Reilly will return to the post of Secretary for the coming year after a County Board meeting on Tuesday evening.

O'Reilly, who held the position of Secretary from 2015 to 2019, takes over the role from Declan Bohan who was elected Chairman at the Board's Convention in December. At that meeting, O'Reilly had stepped down as Assistant Secretary and Secretary of the Hurling Board but the position of Secretary had remained unfilled.

In her report as Hurling Board Secretary, O'Reilly reflected on her involvement with the GAA at County level: "As this is my final report for a Convention in Leitrim I just want to add a little personal note. I started off my involvement with football in Leitrim as secretary of the Minor Board, as it was known then, then in later years I progressed to Secretary of the Senior Board, and finally I progressed to secretary of the Hurling Board / Senior Board Assistant Secretary. 

"It was a pleasure for me to get involved with the Minor Board and to meet and get to know so many people in Leitrim, Connacht and further afield all over the Country. I’ve made many good friends for life. The respect given to me over all those years is something I treasure.

"There are a few people that I have to mention here and I will start off with Stephen Flynn, Mohill who was the person responsible for getting me involved with Leitrim GAA. After a conversation around a kitchen table I was the secretary of the Minor Board in Leitrim replacing the outgoing secretary Diarmuid Sweeney. As I was the first female to be an officer of Leitrim County Board I thank everyone for their courtesy in welcoming me on board.

"Caillin Ellis, Jimmy McNama and Dan Gallogly especially who were the Chairmen of Bord na nÓg during my time as secretary. It was a pleasure working with you all. Terrence Boyle who was Chairperson of the Senior Board when I was in the role of secretary, we crossed many bridges and won a few battles together. We travelled many a journey over the five years. Martin McCartin I will always remember the many trips that we travelled.

"All members of the executive committees, John Prenty in Connacht GAA and all the fellow officers in Connacht. The staff in Croke Park, many of whom I dealt with personally in my roles.

"There are many people in GAA clubs across Leitrim that I have remained great friends with to this day. Walter and Tommy in Ballinamore are two of them just to mention a few. There are a lot more people that I could mention but in case I may omit someone I will not name any more.

"There are events that will always remain with me and one of those was when Leitrim hosted the National Feile in 2007, assisted by Roscommon and Sligo. What a time and fun we had organising that and a superb weekend was had by everyone. A great committee that worked brilliant together and we all share great memories of the weekend and the many meetings and times leading up to the event.

"The opening of the Centre of Excellence in Annaduff is another milestone not to be forgotten. All the Managers and backroom teams of both Football and Hurling over the years and all the players themselves in both codes I certainly will remember those days. Also I would like to say a thank you to all the match officials that officiated at games for me.

"Finally, my time with the Hurlers, who by this time has lost two of their stalwarts, Paddy Phelan and Paddy O’Connor who passed to their eternal resting place R.I.P. to both of them. This year we honoured Paddy O’Connor with naming the Man of the Match trophy after him in the Senior Championship. We also have a Paddy Phelan League competition in Leitrim. No doubt the two Paddies were smiling and looking down on us that day in Cavan when we won the U20 All Ireland title.

"Winning the Lory Meagher in Croke Park in 2018 and our U20 team winning an Ireland title this year were two of the stand out moments over the past few years. Winning an All-Ireland title will always remain a memory to treasure and especially the two homeward bound bus journeys will always stay in my memory. Great singsongs from start to finish.

"My many trips with the hurlers were certainly not without fun and laughter. Like turning up at the airport with an out of date passport or getting lost at the airport (you guys know who I mean) are experiences not to be repeated. And of course Olcan the manager and all the backroom team, it was a pleasure looking after you all. Apologies if I have omitted anything, it’s difficult to remember everything and everyone.

"Lastly to my own family thank you for all your help and patience with me as I went on my journey. I appreciate your understanding of my absences and thank you."