On Monday 11th August 2014 the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) held its AGM in the Conrad Hotel, Dublin.
Pat Hickey was elected unopposed for a new four-year term as President of the Olympic Council of Ireland, extending a record term of office since 1989.
Pat had already beaten the previous longest term as President of the OCI, a record held by Lord Killanin, who had served for 23 years between 1950 and 1973.
“I am delighted that I have been elected for another term and I will continue to work hard at the OCI and within the Olympic movement.”
Apart from the normal business of the AGM, there were celebrations and tributes to mark the retiring of a number of long serving Officers and Executive Committee Members. Also, the election of two new officers and four new executive committee members took place. The largest number of changes since 1996.
To mark the contribution of the retiring officers and committee members, there were many tributes and presentations. The retiring Executive Committee Members were Susan Ahern, Mary Baneham, Bobbie Begley and Athletes Representative Jamie Costin – all received presentations to mark the occasion.
The first of the two retiring and long serving Officers – Peadar Casey, who first served as an Executive Committee Member since 1989 before being elected Honorary Treasurer in 1996. Peadar was greatly honoured on the night both in tributes and with tremendous applause for his contribution to the Olympic Council of Ireland. He was presented with both a special piece of Waterford Crystal and the Olympic Council of Irelands Medal of Honour by the President, Pat Hickey.
The second retiring officer – Dermot Sherlock, who first served as an Executive Committee Member since 1985 before being elected Honorary General Secretary in 1992. Dermot was greatly honoured on the night in both tributes and applause for his contribution to the Olympic Council of Ireland. He was presented with both a special piece of Waterford Crystal and the Olympic Council of Ireland Medal of Honour by the President, Pat Hickey.
Dermot Sherlock was also presented with the very prestigious International Olympic Committee Trophy presented by Pat Hickey, in his capacity as IOC Member for his outstanding service to the OCI and the Olympic Movement.
Pat Hickey also presented Olympic Council Medal of Honour awards to London 2012 Chef de Mission Sonia O’Sullivan and Sochi 2014 Chef de Mission Stephen Martin.
The Election of the new OCI Officers and Executive Committee was then finalised with the following results:
President – Pat Hickey ( Judo)was tonight elected unopposed in Dublin for a new four-year term as President of the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI).
1st Vice President William O’Brien (Archery)
2nd Vice President John Delaney ( Soccer)
Honorary General Secretary Dermot Henihan (New Officer – Rowing)
Honorary Treasurer Kevin Kilty (New Officer – Clay Pigeon Shooting)
Executive Members:
Ciaran O’Cathain (New Member – Athletics),
Sarah Keane (New Member – Swimming),
Billy Kennedy (Cycling),
Thomas Murphy (New Member – Boxing ),
Robert Norwood (New Member – Snowsports),
Sonia O’Sullivan (Athletics) ,
Thomas Rafter ( Fencing)
Darren O’Neill (Boxing) , Athletes’ Commission Chairman.
The meeting concluded in a celebratory mode to mark the occasion of change and tribute to remarkable service to the Olympic Council of Ireland.
