2015 Gala Night and East Kerry Awards Ceremony

The 2015 All Star Awards ceremony was held on Friday 29th January 2016 at a Gala Banquet in the Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney. MC for the night was Ger Galvin, Spa. Guests include the Nominees for Awards, Guest Speaker Pat Favier, Glenflesk (former Chairperson of the East Kerry Board), Sponsors representatives from the Aquila Club, Gleneagle Hotel, Patrick O’ Donohgue MD and John Feerick MD The Kerryman Newspaper.

2015 All Star Award Nominees

SHORT LIST OF 24 NOMINEES FOR 2015 EAST KERRY ALL STAR TEAM

IN GOALS:Padraig Mc Carthy (Rathmore),Patrick O’ Riordan (Gneeveguilla)

DEFENDERS:Eoin Brosnan (Dr Crokes), Philip Casey (Kilcummin), Shane Courtney (Glenflesk), Chris Davies (Killarney Legion), Cillian Fitzgerald (Dr Crokes), Cathal Murphy (Rathmore), Padraig (Podge) O Connor (Killarney Legion), Aidan O’ Mahoney (Rathmore), John Payne (Dr Crokes)

MID FIELD:Shaun Keane (Killarney Legion), Shane Mc Sweeney (Kilcummin), Don Murphy (Gneeveguilla), Kieran Murphy (Glenflesk)

FORWARDS:Tony Brosnan (Dr Crokes), Conor Keane (Killarney Legion), Eoin Lawlor (Rathmore), Kevin Mc Carthy (Kilcummin), John Moynihan (Rathmore), Paul Murphy (Rathmore), Brendan O’ Keeffe (Rathmore), George O’Keeffe (Rathmore),Shane Ryan (Rathmore)

2015 EAST KERRY ALL STAR TEAM

In Goal:Padraig Mc Carthy (Rathmore)

Full back line:Padraig (Podge) O’ Connor (Legion),Cathal Murphy (Rathmore),John Payne (Dr Crokes)

Half Back Line:Aidan OMahoney (Rathmore),Eoin Brosnan (Dr Crokes),Chris Davies (Legion)

Mid Field:Shane Mc Sweeney (Kilcummin),Don Murphy (Gneeveguilla)

Half Forward Line:Brendan OKeeffe (Rathmore),Paul Murphy (Rathmore),Kevin Mc Carthy (Kilcummin)

Full Forward Line:Tony Brosnan (Dr Crokes),Eoin Lawlor (Rathmore),Conor Keane (Legion)

SENIOR PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Paul Murphy (Rathmore)

YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Conor Keane (Legion)

2015 Fr Galvin All Star Nominees

Ger O’ Connor (Scartaglen), Ronan Buckley (Listry), Paudie Clifford (Fossa), Brendan Rahilly (Scartaglen)

2015 Fr Galvin All Star (Intermediate player of the year):

Brendan Rahilly (Scartaglen)

2015 East Kerry Person of the Year Award

The 2015 East Kerry Person of the year award was presented to Tom Wrenn (Cordal).

Tom a stalwart of Cordal CLG and of the East Kerry Board, is highly regarded throughout the County, District and local community. A Cordal native, Tom started his connection with GAA football at the tender age of fourteen years, in the late 1960s, an interest and commitment that continues to this day. There were no juvenile boards or committees back then and the under 14 team was the starting point for youngsters. Tom always had a great interest in football and he wanted to be involved and connected with football. Remarkably, within two years of starting to play football, Tom went on to win a senior medal in the Castleisland District final in 1970, aged 16 years. A medal that Tom prizes.

Toms commitment to his community and wider area is very impressive and how he fits in the great amount of time he devotes to the GAA speaks for itself. Tom is the longest serving employee in Ahern’s garage, Castleisland with a work record stretching back to November 1969. He also serves as the church clerk.

After his time playing for the club, Tom went on to train as a referee and for twenty years he was the man in the middle at games throughout the county, where he garnered great respect. Tom especially enjoyed refereeing Ladies GAA football but refereed games at all levels. Club Runa, Richard O Donoghue recall one particularly tough close County League game which Tom refereed over in Gneeveguilla. Tom was assisted on the day by 4 of his own umpires. The game was close, intense and was close to boiling over on occasions. As it approached half time there were a lot of verbals from one team to Tom about he not awarding a very scoreable free to them. During the half time interval Tom asked his umpires for their opinion as to whether they thought he was right in not awarding the free. One of them replied to Tom saying it was probably a free alright Tom, but if I were you, Id try and keep up closer with the play. Tom replies to his umpire ..Ah no, Im better able to referee a game from farther away. There were no more comments from his umpires said as they looked bemused at each other and shrugged their shoulders.

Toms loyalty and dedication to Cordal GAA Club and that of the East Kerry Board and County Board is inspiring. He has unselfishly given fourteen years, representing his club as a delegate and member of the East Kerry Board and eight years serving as a delegate and member of the County Board. As with every role he undertakes, Tom is a valued member of the Board and is thorough in fulfilling his role as a delegate, contributing as appropriate to discussions and reporting discussions, decisions and other matters from the Board meetings back to his club executive, keeping everyone well informed.

Tom has served with distinction in many capacities in his club. Tom took up the position of club treasurer in 1999 and continued for two years until he became secretary at which time his wife Breda took over as treasurer. The dedication of the Wrenn family to the East Kerry Club is very commendable, as Tom and Breda’s daughter Brd is now the Club’s treasurer.

Tom was club secretary for eight years and during this time he was one of the key people in the official opening and naming of the pitch on 5th August 2002, in memory of John Roche. The pitch was named Prc na Clac. During that period two new dressing rooms were constructed with the help of the National Lottery funding.

Tom has been club Chairperson for five years, proving a great leader of the club, supporting team work in all strands of the administration and running of the club. It was when Tom took on the role of chairman of the club that he retired as a referee.

A mark of leadership is the ability to cooperate and compromise for the greater good. Cordal, with Tom at the helm join forces with neighbouring club, Scartaglen for the betterment of juveniles of both clubs. In 2001 the Cordal Minors amalgamated with Scartaglen GAA Club, with the U14 and U16 teams joining force in 2006.

Tom Wrenn has been at the helm as Cordal GAA Club took on the major task of redeveloping the pitch, redesigning the surrounding grounds and constructing a stand. His solid personality and approachability at all times has always and continues to be a great source of confidence for officers, players and members of the club. It was particularly valuable as the club embarked on the journey of highlighting the need to upgrade their pitch, through a publicity campaign in 2013, and then running major fundraising campaigns in order to provide the club with a top of the range sand carpet playing field and new stand. As with all matters in the club, this task was achieved through team work and dedication of many, especially Officers and members of the Senior executive, able led by Tom.

One of the major sources of funding for this project was the All Ireland SuperValu Community Fund Competition, which the club entered in 2013, and through hard work and dedication reached the All Ireland Finals. Tom Wrenn, with help of club officers Richard O’Donoghue and Charlie Farrelly, travelled to Dublin to attend the All Ireland Finals of this SuperValu Community Fund Competition in Croke Park. On that day Tom spoke with pride, affection and emotion of their small East Kerry Club and how the community of Cordal were leaving no stone unturned in order to create a respectable playing pitch for its players, both young and old. Cordal GAA Club were announced the winners of the 10,000 bursary, a massive achievement. These monies were presented to the club at a gala dinner in their clubhouse in Cordal with special guest on the night, Liam O’Neill, then Uachtarn Cumann Luthchleas Gael and RTE’s Marty Morrissey. An evening which will live long in the memory of all in Cordal CLG.

Club Runai, Richard ODonoghue describes that trip to Croke Park. On the day Cordal was one of 4 finalist from all around Ireland and they had to convince the 3 Competition Judges in the strongest way possible that Cordal GAA Pitch was the most worthy of all the projects to win the 10,000. Charlie (Farrelly) gave a very convincing storey with photographs to go along with it. (note: Richard also gave a powerful talk and showed the 3 Judges proof with a 3 minute video clip). Next up was the quiet, emotional and very passionate Cordal Club Chairman Tom Wrenn. Tom had already told Charlie and Richard on the way up in the train that if he could have tears in his eyes when he was doing his piece that it would be very convincing to the Judges.

So now it came to Toms big moment when Charlie and Richard were done. He started off telling the Judges of the torture that Cordal had suffered without a proper pitch and how the children had been going home covered in muck. Richard and Charlie looked at each other in dismay as Toms tears had not materialised as Tom had promised. Charlie nodded to Richard to do something they had previously spoken about, so with that Richard who had been standing beside him, stood on Toms small toe and squeezed on it until the Tears ran down Toms face as he told the Judges we cant face the people on the doors in Cordal again looking for more money, or if we do theyll clear us the next time.we need this 10,000 so badly or if we dont were finished he said.

Ten days later Cordal GAA Club were announced All Ireland SuperValu Winners of the 10,000 for their convincing and most worthy project. It was reputed that one of the Judges said afterwards that he was really moved when he saw the Cordal Chairman shedding tears for his Clubs project.

Cordal GAA Club are very glad to say that the 10,000 was well spent on the new Pitch and that Toms small toe made a full recovery within weeks of the incident.

Another milestone for Cordal GAA Club was the visit of Hector Heochagain to Cordal in October 2013. Following an invitation on the “Breakfast with Hector Show” on Radio Two by the then Club’s PRO Nora Fealey. “Hector goes to the GAA ” was aired by RTE on Monday 7th April 2014. Another proud moment for the Club as Hector highlighted the struggle faced by the small Club like Cordal with the “worst Pitch in Ireland”. Tom featured on the programme where he told Hector “the GAA means everything”.

The redevelopment of the field commenced in late 2013 and was finished and open for playing in June 2014. It was officially reopened on Sunday 7th June2015by An Uachtarn Cumann Luthchleas Gael, Aogn Fearghail, on a day that will live long in the memories of all in Cordal.

Richard O’Donoghue, Secretary of Cordal CLG, describes Tom Wrenn, his friend and Chairperson, as agentleman who is always willing to help out in the club. When asked, Joe O’Connor, Chairperson of Cordal Coiste na Ng, described Tom as always approachable, easy to work with and is always available to contact anytime. It’s the love of his own Club that Tom excels in the most.

Should you ask Tom, what his outstanding memory of his sporting life is, he invariably replies with a glint in his eye, “it can only be the opening of our own GAA pitch last year (2015) by An Uachtarn Cumann Luthchleas Gael, Aogan O’Fearghail, a day I’ll never forget”

Tom Wrenn, with his great commitment, quiet manner and steely determination is a very popular and most worthy recipient of the 2015 East Kerry Person of the Year award.

Sadly, Tom Wrenn passed away in March to after a short illness. All in East Kerry extend their sympathy to his wife, Breeda, daughter, Brid, extended family, Cordal Club and his very many friends. Ar Dheis De go raibh a h-anam Dilis.

2015 East Kerry Hall of Fame Recipient

This years recipient of the Hall of Fame Award, was Dan Kelleher.

Dan has an outstanding record of commitment and contribution to the GAA and wider community. He has been involved in GAA matters in East Kerry and indeed throughout the county, since his arrival from Moorpark Agricultural Research station to Killarney in 1963, to take charge of Killarney National Park. He has had a wide ranging involvement in the GAA over the last 6-7 decades from pitch development to being a trainer and selector, a referee, holding Officer roles in both County and East Kerry Coiste na ng, and so much more. Dan is a gentleman, hard working, with an easy manner, a wonderful sense of humour and an ability to find solutions to problems and issues, quietly and with no fuss.

Dan has served on Fitzgerald Stadium Committee since 1963, on the invitation of then Runai, the late, Michael OConnor. Dans involvement is in the management and maintenance of the pitch in the Stadium. He was instrumental in 1985, in influencing the committee to have a Prunty/Mulqueen pitch laid in Fitzgerald stadium, when he demonstrated how the soil went into a puddle when he rubbed his hand on a sod from the pitch. At that time there was no Prunty GAA pitch in the 26 counties but Joe Prunty had built a number of GAA pitches in the North of Ireland including Queens University. In May/June, 1986, Michael O Connor and Dan met Joe Prunty (from Newtownbutler, Co Fermanagh) in Dublin and the contract was signed. Joe Prunty brought his own machinery and built the pitch in Fitzgerald Stadium in July/August 1986. It was reseeded in September 1986 and cut. The Fitzgerald Stadium Committee recouped the cost of the building of the field the following year, by having a lot of games played in the Stadium, both Hurling and Football.

Most of those involved in the Fitzgerald Stadium Committee, were members of Dr Crokes CLG. and so it fell naturally that it was Dr Crokes Club that Dan joined, in the late 1960s. He is a committed member and supporter and still attends as many games as he can. As a player, in Kerry, he won an O Donoghue Cup Medal in 1968 with Dr Crokes, a County Senior Hurling Championship medal with Killarney team in 1969 and a County Senior Football Championship Medal, with East Kerry, in 1970. In 1969 and 1970 Dan played on the Kerry Junior Hurling sides who won the National League homes Final but went under to Warwickershire, who had won the English Championship, in the National Hurling League Division 2 proper finals those years. Dan also played Hurling with Roughty Rangers when Hurling went into decline in Killarney area this was a combination of players from Kilgarvan, Kenmare and Killarney

A key objective of Dans was to have as many youngsters as possible playing and enjoying the games, out in the fresh air and to encourage and help. In keeping this Dan trained and managed the Dr Crokes Under10s for 20 years, from the 1970s to the 1990s. He was also involved, as a selector with the Dr Crokes Senior Hurling teams for 17 years (1986 to 2001), along with Jackie Looney, Tadhgie Fleming and Niall Keogh, amongst others. During that time, teams for which Dan was a selector won a Junior County Hurling Championship title (1990) and 2 Intermediate County Hurling Championship titles (1999 & 2001). They also won a County Hurling League Division 3 title, 1 Senior South Kerry Hurling title and a couple of South Kerry Junior Hurling Titles. The teams also reached 3 County Intermediate Hurling Finals during that time. Dan also had involvement in the development of the Dr Crokes Pitch at Lewis Road and in the subsequent maintenance and management of these pitches, which were constructed by John Kelly & Son, Ballydesmond.

Dan was a founding member of St Pats Hurling club in 1983 and there was a very close connection between Dr Crokes and St Pats EK Hurling, especially in the early years, including a loose agreement between the two clubs whereby some members of teams in Dr Crokes played competitively on St Pats hurling teams.

The current Chairman of St Pats Hurling, Pat OBrien, says of Dan, By the time St Pats East Kerry was formed in 1982, Dan Kellehers playing career was over. However, his love of GAA and hurling in particular saw Dan become involved in the St Pats project. With no pitch available for competitions or training, Dan came to the rescue and made a field available. Dan also helped train and guide St Pats squads over the years. Under his guidance St Pats won South Kerry Senior Championships and County Intermediate and Junior Championships.

In 1998, Dan was elected President of St Pats a position he has held with distinction. Dan continues to be involved with St Pats teams never missing a game. He is regularly consulted on the sideline and his insights to the game and players are invaluable. He never misses a Committee meeting. His knowledge and contacts within the Kerry GAA confraternity help with our plans and activities. St Pats has been honoured to know Dan Kelleher and have him as a member. On this auspicious occasion St Pats congratulate Dan on his admission to the East Kerry Hall of Fame. Saol fada agus go bhfga Dia an tslinte duit. Comhgairdeachas Dan.

In 1986, Dan was a selector for St Pats team who won the South Kerry Hurling Championship and he was a member of the Publication Committee for the book on St Pats Hurling club published in 2007. He assists in selling the Programmes at the Final of the O Donoghue Cup, the proceeds of which is used to promote Hurling, through St Pats EK Hurling club and Football, through EK Coiste na ng.

Pat Delaney who served as chairman of St Pats for over 20 years, recalls. Dan played in goal for St Pats in the early years. When numbers were down Dan would always stand in in goal to ensure we could field a team and would never let the side down.

Dan refereeda hurling match in Milltown one evening and the ball was won on the forty by a St Pats forward and one of the best goals ever scored in Milltown was scored. However, just as the forward was celebrating his wonder goal, Dan, who had blown his whistle, pointed for a free out. Asked after the game, by the forward, why he awarded the free? Dan said if I had allowed it sure it would be forgotten. How right he was because we still discuss it, after all those years!!

Dan always had great council and advice, if asked. He often told me to just listen and observe and I always found that advice stood to me well over the years.

Dan was always a very loyal and committed St Pats man, for meetings, church gate collections and games. You could always depend on Dan. He is also President of the South Kerry Hurling Board.

Dan also refereed extensively throughout the county, in both Hurling and Football, from 1984 to 2001, for both the County and East Kerry. In football Dan refereed at Juvenile (underage) level and a in hurling he refereed all grades, from Under 12 to Senior, both League and Championship including County Finals at Minor, Junior and Under 21 and County Senior Hurling League Division 1, 2 and 3. Hurling Championship Finals refereed include County Minor Hurling League Final, Kenmare V Crotta O Neills, Senior County Hurling League Division 2 Final. Kenmare V Austin Stacks, and the 2001 County U21 Hurling Championship Final (Kenmare V Ladys Walk) a draw. Dan only put 1 player off in his entire time as a referee, in juvenile and senior hurling and football.

Dans commitment to youngsters playing and enjoying our games led him to serve on the Juvenile Boards (Coiste na ng) of both East Kerry and County Board. He served as East Kerry Coiste na ng Vice Chairman for a number of years prior to 1986 and Chairman for 6 years (1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991) and as Treasurer of the County Bord na ng for a number of years (1991, 1992) and Chairman for 4 years (1993, 1994, 1995 & 1996).

Tadhgie Fleming, Runa of East Kerry Coiste na ng, since 1973, says of his time with Dan as Chairman Dan is a gentleman to his fingertips. He was always a doer. He did not believe in talking about things, if something needed to be done, Dan would always do anything that he expected anyone else to do. Dan refereed so many matches. If a referee was not able to turn up for a game, Dan was always ready to step in and turn up to referee the game. Dans main aim was to that every youngster would play games and enjoy themselves, out in the fresh air, and with no aggravation.

When refereeing Dan believed in correction rather than a sentence. If there was any controversy, Dan would fix it without any commotion. He was never severe on youngster he would just tell them what they were doing wrong and let it up to them to correct it.

Dan helped out, (alongside Tadhgie) with the Dr Crokes Under 12s and U14s. In those days there were no busses and it was a matter of putting as many youngsters as you could into a car and getting the team to the game. Dan often brought car loads of youngsters to games. Dan also helped out when Tadhgie and others took a juvenile group (as they use to do) up to Salthill for a day outing, in a bus. They would take them into the Leisure centre and the youngsters would have great fun in the swimming pool.

Con Griffin, who served alongside Dan as an Officer of both the County Bord na ng Kerry and the East Kerry Board Coiste na ng, says that Dan was excellent to work with. I found Dan sound as a bell. Everything was thought out and prearranged. He was very good. There was a great representation from West Kerry and North Kerry on the County Bord na ng in those years and it was great to work with Dan in those years. He was always very pleasant and excellent to work with. When they served together on the County Bord na ng Ciarra, fellow Officer Gerald White, gave Con and Dan the nick name Sheahans Con and Dan, from the song Barr na Sride .

Johnny Brosnan, Vice Chairman East Kerry Board, did all the fixtures for the County Bord na ng, for 32 years, including when Dan was chairman. He found Dan to be a very good and fair chairman. Every night after the meeting, Dan and all the Officers would say prayers for deceased members of the Coiste. Dan started this practise and it was very much appreciated.

Dan is currently involved with Michael O Shea, Castlegregory, in the development of the centre of excellence for Kerry County Board at Currens, in addition to the laying down of a sand carpet pitch in Austin Stack Park, both by Ormonds. Dan has been involved with Michael O Shea, Castlegregory, since 1985, with the development of the Prunty/ Mulqueen pitch in Fitzgerald Stadium. Dan also advised clubs throughout the county on the maintenance of pitches when the need arises and when requested, eg the Ormond sand carpet pitch in Abeydorney (along with Michael O Shea) pitches in Co Cork, and many others. Dan was involved in the building and landscaping the Deer Park Pitch and Putt Courses in the 1970s.

Dan played a central role in the development of the Port road Pitches. In 1979, St Brendans College (The Sem) had pitches in the Half Moon field, in The Demense, near Killarney House just below the sunken ditch. When Killarney House came over to the state (OPW) it wasnt deemed appropriate to have playing fields in the line of sight to the lake from Killarney House and so the OPW (Dan and Dr Alan Craig) entered negotiations to relocate the pitches. It was agreed at the negotiations that the OPW would develop 2 pitches in Knockreer Estate, Port Road, at their current location. Dan organised the construction of the pitches. Rev Dan ORiordan, Dean of St Brendans, represented St Brendans at the negotiations. He undertook to manage and maintain the pitches in accordance with the agreement and to allocate them, as appropriate, in accordance with the agreement.

Dan had an impressive hurling career in his native county Cork. He started playing Hurling at U14 with Aghabullogoe, Co Cork, in 1948 and ended in 1983. Dan played Senior Football and Hurling with the Muskerry Senior Divisional team. He played hurling with the Cork Minors (1954), Cork Juniors (1957) and made several appearances with the Cork Senior Hurling team in Oireachtas and other tournaments from 1959 to 1964. Dan won 3 Fitzgibbon Cup medals with UCC (1955/1956/1957) and 1 with UCD (1957/1958). He also won a Boland Cup medal in 1962.

With UCC, playing in Cork Co Senior Hurling Championship, finalists in 1957 and 1962 and won in 1963. In 1967 Dan played with UCC against Glen Rovers in Christy Rings last game for his club Dan was full back and Christy Ring corner Forward. In 1953/1954 he won Junior Hurling Championship medals with Macroom, in Muskerry Divisional area; 1955 – Won Mid Cork/Muskerry Divisional Junior Hurling with Aghabullogue, Co Cork (his native Parish & home club); 1978 won Duhallow Divisional Junior Hurling League medal, with Kilbrin, a North Cork Club. This was the clubs first championship title. Dan played and trained the team that year. He trained the Kilbrin team for approximately 4-5 years. Kilbrin club is the home of Dr Croke, Patron of Dr Crokes club, Killarney. 1978 – Also won Duhallow Divisional Junior Hurling League, with Kilbrin. 1979 – won Duhallow Divisional Junior Hurling League medal – with Kilbrin. Dan won 2 Minor Football Championship titles with Macroom in the Muskerry Divisional area

The very high regard in which Dan is held is reflected in his being the President of both St Pats EK Hurling club and South Kerry Hurling Board and a Vice President of Dr Crokes CLG., for very many years. He is a very popular choice for the Hall of fame Award and a most worthy recipient.

2015 All Star Award Nominees

The 45 nominated players were published in The Kerryman of the 13th January 2016

The Short list of 24 nominees will be published in the Kerryman on Wednesday the 20th January 2016, along with the names of the Hall of Fame Award and the Person of the Year Award recipients

TICKETS (35 EURO) WERE AVAILABLE FROM CLUB OFFICERS AND ALL EAST KERRY BOARD OFFICERS.

 

 

 

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