It's a new look Limerick County Board that will present itself before delegates at the first meeting the New Year at Claughaun.

Youthful Mike 'Spike' O'Riordan sprung the biggest surprise of the convention at Fitzgerald's Woodlands House Hotel in Adare with a comfortable margin of victory over fancied Denis Martin. The Kilmallock official will take over this key position from the long-serving Jimmy Hartigan, who received a standing ovation after he stood down from the job after 21 distinguished years service. An exhaustive campaign on the part of Pat Creed paid off handsomely as the former Bord na nOg official was elected as Assistant Secretary.

Former Football chairman Owen Hayes automatically assumed the Treasurer's post as there was no contest, with Michael McDonnell defeating Johnny Brosnahan for the deputy position on the second count. Paddy O'Sullivan had been eliminated following the first ballot.

Eibher O'Dea of Kilteely/Dromkeen was unopposed for Development Officer.

In a straight-contest, retired Limerick SF selector Billy Aherne won against former incumbent Dan Hickey the Irish Officer position.

Ahane's Helen Cross becomes the first female Public Relations Officer after she defeated Seamus McNamara, following the earlier elimination of Eamon Phelan. Carmel Ryan continues as Youth Officer, part of her role as Chairperson of Bord na nOg (whose convention takes place next month).

As expected, Rory Kiely was easily elected as Munster Council Representative, and will be joined on the ticket by Pat Fitzgerald, a past chairman of the County Board. PS O'Riann of Galbally will continue as the county's Central Council Representative, as he faced no challenger for a job he has made-his-own for a great number of years.

Liam Lenihan's appointment as Chairman was ratified some time back, following the withdrawal of all challengers, including Tim Ryan who lost the vice-chairmanship contest to Michael O'Sullivan at the weekend. In his address, Lenihan said: "I want to lead Limerick forward, I want us all to work together, think positively and act positively; there is no room for negative thoughts.

"I'm under no illusion of the size of the task ahead, the pitfalls, the challenges, but there's opportunity there as well. There will be times when I'll have to make unpopular decisions but I hope everyone will accept it's done for the greater good of the county."

As for the number two in the county, O'Sullivan vowed to tackle the club fixture problems, citing stag parties as a problem, some of which, he joked, "were lasting longer than marriages."

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