NEWLY ELECTED CORK GAA chairperson Tracey Kennedy has welcomed the extension of secretary Frank Murphy’s tenure for another year and believes the county faces a major challenge in finding his replacement.
Murphy has filled the role of Cork secretary since 1972 and it was announced in October that he would be remaining on for a further year with the position to be advertised at the end of June next year.
Kennedy, who made history yesterday at the annual Cork convention in becoming the county’s first female GAA chairperson, spoke of the valuable knowledge and experience that Murphy possesses.
“I know there’s a lot said about Frank but I for one am very, very glad that he’s staying on for another year because until you work closely with him, you may not be aware of just exactly what he has to offer,” stated Kennedy in an interview with Red FM’s Big Red Bench.
“What I can say is that he is going to be very, very difficult to replace. In fact we may never replace his depth of knowledge and his level of experience.
“He can draw from a huge well of experience when it comes to any situation. There’s very little he hasn’t dealt with at some stage before. Yes, change is important and obviously people need to move on.
“But that is going to be a big challenge I would say at the end of this year replacing Frank and moving forward without him in that pivotal role. Now it’s one I’m certain we can overcome. The reality is that no one is irreplaceable but it will be very, very difficult to replace Frank.”
After becoming Cork’s first female GAA chairperson, three years after Tyrone’s Roisin Jordan was elected the first female chairperson of a GAA county board, Killeagh native Kennedy hopes it will pave the way for more women to get involved in GAA in Cork.
“People said today – and it’s true – that it’s important that Cork of all counties would be able to elect a woman chairperson because Cork would be traditionally seen as a very conservative county.
“It is I suppose a step forward and it does show anyone that is willing to do the work can get elected in Cork.
“I would hope that many women who are out there who are involved in the GAA, because there are many of them and I’ve been dealing with them now – really efficient, capable, visionary women – and I would love to see more of them getting involved.”
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