Offaly man loses out in GAA presidential bid

The former chairman of Offaly GAA, Pat Teehan, lost out in his bid to become the second GAA President to hail from the Faithful County.

In a three-way contest, which took place at the GAA Congress on Friday night last, the popular Coolderry clubman lost out to Armagh's Jarlath Burns, who received 158 of the 277 votes cast by delegates on the night.

Pat Teehan received 70 votes, with the third candidate in the field, Niall Erskine from Donegal, receiving 49 votes.

As President-elect, Jarlath Burns is set to take over the reins of the largest sporting organisation in the country next year.

The only other Offaly man to be elected to the prestigious position of GAA President was John Dowling from Tullamore who was elected to the top job in 1988 and served a three-year term of office.

Pat Teehan has given a lifetime of service to the GAA, and just recently completed a three-year term as chairman of the Leinster Council. He was nominated for the position of GAA President by Offaly County Board in October of last year.