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 On
April 13th 2002, Kilcummin’s Sean Kelly was elected president
elect of the country’s greatest sporting organisation, the
Gaelic Athletic Association, and in april of 2003 he was inaugurated
as Uachtaraín.
Sean became the first man in recent times to be elected at the first
attempt, and of course he is the first Kerryman to hold the position.
He took over from Sean McCague to become the 35th President of the
GAA at annual congress 2003, held in Belfast.
Sean was one of 6 boys and 1 girl born to Padraig
and Hannah Kelly.. The Kelly family were steeped in the tradition
of the GAA - his grandfather Brian was involved in the purchase
of the present Kilcummin field from the Earl Of Kenmare way back
in 1937, and in Sean’s own words, he cannot even remember
a time when he wasn’t playing football at home in Kilcummin.
“From the time I could walk, I’d say I had a football
in my hand”, he states.
He was educated at Kilcummin N.S., St. Brendan’s
College, Killarney, St. Patrick’s Training College and U.C.D.,
where he received first class honours in the B.A. Higher Dip. Examination.
His first teaching post was in Cromcastle Primary
school in North Dublin, and in 1975 he took up a teaching post in
St. Brendan’s College, Killarney.
Sean is married to Juliette (nee McNeice) from
Killarney, and they have four children - Padraig, Mairead,
Laurence and Julie. They reside in Gortroe, Killarney.
Sean - The Genial
Administrator
 “You
don’t elect a President of the GAA on sentiment. You elect
him because he is properly equipped to do the job, whether he is
from Kerry or anywhere else.”These words were uttered by Sean
Kelly in the weeks leading up to his election as President elect
of the GAA - and how true they are!
A quick glance at Sean’s playing and administrative career
shows that he is indeed well endowed with all the virtues necessary
for such a high-profile task.
The Player
 1973
was the highlight of his playing career, winning a County Junior
Championship, East Kerry Senior Championship and County Division
3 League title.
Won 2 County Intermediate Hurling titles with St.
Patrick’s, East Kerry.
A selector when St. Brendan’s College won
the Hogan Cup in 1992.
The Administrator
1975 - Became chairman
of East Kerry Bord Na nOg.
1976-77
- Chairman of Kilcummin GAA Club.
1978-86
- Chairman of the Easy Kerry Divisional Board
1982 - 86
- Vice Chairman of the Kerry County Board with responsibility for
Hurling
1987 - 1997 -
Chairman of Kerry County Board
1995 - 1997
- Vice Chairman of the Munster Council.
1998 - 2000
- Chairman of the Munster Council.
2003 - 2006 -Uachtaran
C.L.G.
Sean's term of office came to an end at Congress 2006 which took place in his own home town, Killarney. He was succeeded by Nicky Brennan of Kilkenny.
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