 The League continued to decline nationwide over the next years seriously affecting the funding of both the party and the League.At the November 1904 National Convention, the General Secretary of the League, O'Brien's loyal John O'Donnell MP, was replaced by Dillon's close protégé and Belfast ally Joseph Devlin a young MP of remarkable political ability who in time gained complete control and leadership of the entire party organisation.It deprived O'Brien of all authority.