Duignan elected chair of Offaly County Board

Michael Duignan has been elected as the new chairman of Offaly County Board.

The St Rynagh's clubman and two time All Ireland SHC winner was elected at the county board's convention held in Tullamore last night. He ran against the incumbent chairman Tommy Byrne and secured 76 votes to Byrne's 62.

Duignan ran as part of a four man ticket that included former All Ireland hurling referee Brian Gavin, Dervill Dolan and Colm Cummins.

Gavin was elected as the county's Leinster Council delegate, while Dolan also succeeded in being elected treasurer. Cummins failed in his bid to become the vice-chairman, losing out to Rhode's James Murphy by two votes.

A number of positions on the county board remain vacant following the decision by a number of office holders to step down, including PRO Mary Dunne and cultural officer Brian Flynn.

In addition to his two All Ireland SHC titles, Duignan also one five Leinster championships and one National Hurling League title during his 14 year career with the Offaly senior hurling team. He also won for Offaly SHC titles with St Rynagh's, as well as a Leinster club title.