East Kerry All Star Awards Presentations

Congratulations to all the recipients of Awards

Check out the Kerryman Newspaper – Wed 17th January 2018 for Photographs and all the information re 2017 East Kerry All Star Awards – the All Star Team of the Year + the Fr Galvin (Intermediate) All Star 2017 –

Held in The Ball Room, Gleneagle Hotel Fri 12 January 2018

 

kindly sponsored by The Kerryman Newspaper,   

The Aquila Club (Gleneagle Hotel) and East Kerry GAA 

 

Awards were presented to East  Kerry GAA –  Senior Team of the year (Dr O’Donoghue Cup competition), Fr Galvin Player of the Year (Intermediate), Young Player of the Year (U21) and Senior Player of the Year  

in addition to East Kerry GAA 

Hall of Fame Recipient Andy O’Sullivan, Spa CLG),

Person of the Year Award Recipient (John Lenihan, Kilcummin CLG + Fitzgerald Stadium) 

and

Special Recognition Award- Pat Delaney , East Kerry Committee + St Pats EK Hurling 

Thanks to our great sponsors – Kerryman & Aquila Club Gleneagle Hotel & our MC – Niall O’Callaghan

Special thanks to Liam Kealy and the Gleneagle Hotel for superb meal and venue, to the Technical Staff, Gleneagle Hotel for great help and to everyone in the Gleneagle Hotel (Patrick O Donoghue MD) and Aquila Club (Eamonn Quigley) 

Special  thanks to the Kerryman – John Feerick, Paul Brennan and Michelle Cooper Galvin  – for wonderful  promotion, help and photographs

Thanks to our MC – Niall O’Callaghan

Citations and Tributes to Award Recipients

Tribute – 2017 East Kerry GAA Hall of Fame Recipient Andy OSullivan

An Officer and a Gentleman  By James Cahill, Spa CLG

My first encounter with Andy OSullivan was fairly innocuous by any standard, but bear with me. Its August 1985 and a fairly average Spa team have beaten a highly fancied Dr Crokes outfit in the ODonoghue Cup final. Cue the celebrations, as a famine of sorts is ended. The setting is the old Castle Heights Hotel and the party is in full swing. Its the early morning hours when the local Constabulary come knocking at the door. A hush descends, and in time honoured fashion the revellers are ushered into the sanctity of the Hotel kitchen as team trainer and Proprietor Bernie ORiordan endeavours to assuage the concerns of the Law enforcers. It takes all of Bernies diplomatic skills to prevent an ambush but as hes doing so, his fully stocked kitchen cold room is being scavenged on, by a ravenous bunch of lock ins, yours truly included. The Loaves and Fishes this was not, as cooked turkey and ham was eviscerated by individuals more familiar with chainsaws than kitchen knives and passed around like snuff at a wake. Hunger was sated amongst the partygoers but Chef Willie and Bernie would return to a kitchen minus hefty portions of food when the dust had settled!!

 In the midst of all the mayhem I strike up a conversation with a total stranger, another of the stricken bar room refugees, a man of sartorial elegance and urbane charm. Pleasantries are exchanged and the spoils of victory analysed but the sudden resumption of celebrations bring a premature end to our conversation. I enquire as to the identity of the mystery man to be told in no uncertain terms by one of my drinking mates, sure thats only Andy the Farmer.

 Country Squire may be, I muse to myself, but the getup and demeanour bear very little resemblance to the small farmers hanging around this neck of the woods. Little did I know that this gentleman was not a cultivator of the land. Youthful innocence, naivety perhaps, or maybe just the haze of alcohol had clouded my judgement. Either way, Andy O Sullivan was about to arrive on the Spa GAA scene and within a couple of years would take over the reins, as Club Chairman. His appointment would coincide with one of the most successful and innovative periods in the Clubs history and mark him out as man to be watched as an up and coming GAA administrator. Under his stewardship Spa annexed two ODonoghue Cup titles and were unlucky not to garner further honours. Re-organization of existing club structures, establishment and devolution of responsibility to individual committees and a strong emphasis on improved income generation were all hallmarks of his tenure in charge. During this period I got to know Andy well and admired his modus operandi. It was clear that Spa was a cause close to his heart and he invested a lot of time and energy on a whole range of activities within the Club. No job was too big or too small and he was never afraid to get down and dirty himself. He put huge emphasis on promoting Spa to best possible effect and in making sure that anyone who wore the jersey or represented the Club, in any capacity, would do so with pride. He had a vision of the role Spa should play in the wider community and the big picture was always his focus. Winning, of course, was important, but not the be all and end all, and he saw the GAA Club as having more than just a sporting remit within a locality. Tradition, of course was important, but in a fast changing society, he saw the need to adapt to changes in society and lifestyles as being critical if sporting clubs were to survive and thrive. In such regard, he was well ahead of his time. Change, of course was necessary, but a process of evolution was required so that the old order would not be completely abandoned before new ideas and cultures were introduced. Andy was full of new ideas but recognised that finance and regular income streams were fundamental to delivery of same. While in the Chair at Spa he worked very successfully in establishing strong links with local businesses and securing valuable sponsorship deals. He had very strong views on making sure that the GAA Club was an open and welcoming organization and was instrumental in ensuring that individuals, new arrivals to the locality or town or people with no previous affiliation, were part of the club structure. Some of our most outstanding club members and officers over the years were individuals who were first introduced and nurtured by Andy. He saw the introduction of new blood and inclusivity as fundamental to the continuing success of the club but that is no surprise as Andy is first and foremost, a people person.

From an early stage it was evident that Andys administrative talents were destined for higher office and very soon he was being courted by the East Kerry Board. Andy was appointed as Treasurer in 1990 and served for a period of 8 years, initially working jointly with Donal O Keefe Gneeveguilla, and in later years with Dan Favier Glenflesk and Pat ODonoghue of Fossa. Once in post, Andy assiduously set about re-structuring and reorganizing the way the Board did business. He saw the vast potential that existed in establishing linkage and mutual association between the Board, in its role as a games promotion body and commercial businesses who were eager to promote their wares. His own business background was, no doubt, a huge plus, in that he could feel the pulse of the business community and he used his vast network of contacts to establish profitable sponsorship deals with a wide variety of companies. In return, sponsors got a good bang for their buck. Games promotion, advertising and presentation were incrementally improved, brand image was sharpened and a more streamlined and professional games administration structure was put in place. It was no surprise that greater accountability in the boardroom was followed by on field success as East Kerry bridged a 27 year gap to win the County Championships in 1997       98 and 99. Success breeds success and East Kerrys on field exploits, no doubt, provided Andy with greater leverage to secure more lucrative and attractive sponsorship packages. East Kerrys end of term financial statements were becoming the subject of envious eyes from fellow District Boards and indeed, from County Board level as the source and extent of various income streams and the prudent management of same became apparent. Boundaries were being pushed in every regard. During these years Andy was front, left and centre in the funding and organization of East Kerry team holidays to Gran Canaria and other such locations. Such holidays were extremely rare for club teams at that time and were the sole preserve of successful inter county teams but they were hugely enjoyable and successful from a team bonding perspective. As one who was part of the touring party in 1999 I can vouch for the ultra professional and highly organized nature of the planning and management of the venture from start to finish. Players and officials from different clubs mixed well, got to know each other socially and a lot of fun was had. More importantly, an on field camaraderie, spirit and group mentality was fostered which made East Kerry more recognisable as a Club rather than divisional outfit and this paid dividends down the line, in the white heat of tough County Championship battles. Andys genial personality, wit and humour made him an indispensable member of any travelling party and a good book could be filled with some of the on tour shenanigans, but discretion, it is said, is the better part of valour!!

Andy answered the Club call and returned as Chairman in Spa on two separate occasions after severing links with the East Kerry Board, safe in the knowledge that the Boards finances and overall health were in a good place. In 2002 I was part of a Club Development Committee in Spa that Andy set up and sat on himself. At the time he felt that Spa needed to significantly upgrade its sporting infrastructure and a highly ambitious development programme was put in place. I can say without hesitation that this Committee was the most hardworking, conscientious and effective group that I have been part of. Over a period of 5 years all the group members put shoulders to the wheel under Andys direction to transform the onsite facilities. Existing structures were demolished and a state of the art Multi purpose Sports Hall, Gymnasium, Dressing rooms, Reception, and Meeting rooms were put in place. Andy was to the fore in every aspect of this considerable building project and was instrumental in mobilizing a huge voluntary effort and identifying specialist assistance and trades from the locality. Many of the individuals involved had no particular allegiance to Spa but gave of their time and skills voluntarily because of Andys powers of persuasion. The word No may be defined in the

Collins dictionary but you wont find it in the Farmer version! He was a proud man indeed when Minister John ODonoghue cut the tape to mark the official opening of the facilities in March 2006. The project was completed on time and within budgetary parameters, true testament to his project management skills.

Andys other big legacy to Spa has become very clear over past few years. He tried unsuccessfully to convince club members over a decade previously to initiate a Lottery but the appetite was not there at that time. During his final term as Chairman he took it upon himself to ensure that this matter was comprehensively addressed. 5 years on the Club Lotto is hugely successful and constitutes the single biggest income stream within club finances, another testament to his financial vision. In recent years Andy has focused his energies on the activities of the Fitzgerald Stadium Committee and spent a number of years in the Chair spearheading a successful fundraising and development programme.

Outside of sport, Andys other big passions are his family and his garden. His wife Kathleen gives him the kind of support only GAA wives specialize in and I know from sideline gazing the great paternal bond and special relationship he enjoys with Ronan, Grainne, Maria,Niall and Diarmaid. The pristine  and perfectly manicured condition of Andys lawn, resplendent with colourful flowers, shrubs and ornate garden features would not be out of place at the  Chelsea Show and its here in the peaceful, tranquil surroundings of Ballaugh that many a plan is hatched as green fingered Andy goes back to nature.

Andys business premises, in High Street, Killarney Carpets, are a Mecca for all sorts. Here, on a daily basis, all human life pervades in an Old Curiosity Shop setting. GAA aficionadas, business reps, politicians, retirees, rogues, clergy and customers all breathe the same air, with Andy acting as the Conductor in Chief and having several balls airborne at any one time. Only the scent of a sale in his nostrils will allow him to leave the hilarity of the assembled company. Killer lines delivered and another sale completed he duly returns, beaming from ear to ear. The crouch of the shoulders, incessant and feverish rubbing of the hands, almost in self congratulatory mode, accompanied by a chuckle, tell tale signs that a pocket has been picked. Yes indeed, have no doubt folks the baby faced assassin with the bedside manner has struck again!

33 years on from the Turkeygate affair all the perpetrators are still at large, much water has flown under the bridge and save being somewhat follicly challenged, Andys boyish demeanour remains unchanged. A chance meeting in an unlikely setting has led to a longstanding friendship. So I congratulate the Board for your foresight in honouring Andys legacy and saluting the type of individual which every club desperately needs, but few are fortunate enough to have.

Beir bua agus beannacht.

 James Cahill, Spa GAA.

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East Kerry GAA Special Recognition Award 1996 to 2018 – Pat Delaney,

East Kerry GAA Board are delighted to present Pat Delaney with a special award in recognition of outstanding and long service over 21 years (1996 to date) to the Board and exceptional service to Hurling in the District and County from 1983 to 2014.

Proud Hurling man Pats inolvement in G.A.A. began long before he departed his native Kilkenny with his club Emeralds as a player and where he served as club secretary. When he moved to Killarney in 1983 in his role with Irish Life Assurance he met up with his fellow Emeralds man Tom Holohan, a founder member of St Pats East Kerry Hurling Club. This set Pat on a journey across the decades where he became entrenched in hurling in the District, recruiting and motivating players , sourcing finances, , keeping St Pats to the fore at Divisional and County level. His passion and love for the small ball is reflected in his committment and long lasting drive to progress and promote hurling over the past 30 years in East Kerry and beyond.

Pat became involved in the club administration in 1986 when in he succeeded Jackie Quirke as Vice Chairman. For his leadership, Pat was awarded St Pats Hurling Clubman of the Year 1991. 2 years later, Pat became the clubs second Chairman and held that position for 18 years, during which he was delighted to see the club win County Junior championships in 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2014. Pat also took a role in team managament, in 1998, where he joined Mike Leahy and Denis Russell as St Pats Hurling Senior team management.

Pats service on the East Kerry Committee began in 1996 when he was elected as East Kerry Hurling Officer, a position he held with distinction for 14 years, until 2011. Parallell with the role, Pat devoted huge time and energy promoting Hurling through involvement at club level (St Pats East Kerry Hurling Club), Regional (South Kerry Hurling Board) and County levels.

In 2011 Pat moved from Hurling Officer and succeeded Andy OSullivan as East Kerry GAA Board Treasurer, a role he fulfilled conscientiously and to the highest level for the now maximum allowed period of  5 years. Pat continues to serve the Board currently being Assistant Treasurer for 2016 and 2017.  Pat has the distinction of serving the Board under four East Kerry Chairmen: Pat Sweeney, Ger Galvin, Dermot Griffin and Tim Ryan. 

His contacts in the financial world and high level of financial expertise were put to good use for the benefit of the club and in latter years the East Kerry Board. With his sense of humour never far away, Pat was never shy about congratulating his native Kilkenny on yet another historic All Ireland Hurling title at delegate meetings and in his annual reports.

During his time as East Kerry Hurling officer Pats many qualities and extensive experience saw him elected Chairman of South Kerry Hurling Board in 1994. He held the position until 2014, during which he served as a member of the Kerry County Board C.C.C.  Pat was  appointed as a Kerry Minor and Senior hurling selector, from 1995 to 2000. An interesting snippett, in Pats first year as selector,  Kerry defeated All Ireland champions Clare in round 1 of the league in Tralee. Pat got great sport from that victory as one of his lifelong friends, Tony Considine, played with and managed Clare. During his terms as selector for Kerry teams Pat enjoyed working  with managers Mike OHalloran, John Myler, Eugene OSullivan and PJ OGrady Adare.

Pat has travelled throughout Ireland and to London with Kerry Hurlers. When asked to name some of the best players during his time as Kerry selector, Pat selected Brendan Sullivan Ballyheigue, Seamus McIntyre RIP Kenmare, John Foley Kilgarvan, John Mike Dooley Causeway, Mike Hennessey Ballyduff, and Christy Ross Ballyduff.

Pat is married to Brigid. Their family is Philip, Mick, Pat, Mary and Edward. Pat takes great pride in his many grandchildren (Dylan, Clodagh, Brook, Lea, Abby, Holly and Rian Patrick) some of whom are juvenile hurlers in Limerick.

Pat is a gentleman to his fingertips with a deep interest and commitment to East Kerry GAA. It is most fitting to mark 38 years of Hurling promotion in East Kerry and 21 years of outstanding involvement with East Kerry GAA Board.

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East Kerry Hall of Fame Recipient 2017 – Andy OSullivan

This years East Kerry Hall of Fame recipient, Andy OSullivan, served the East Kerry Board and his native Spa CLG with distinction over many decades, from the 1980s into the 2010s. Andys great organisational skills and business acumen combined with his genial personality, proved powerful in advancing the business of both District Board and his club, bringing both to a new level.

Andy served  as Treasurer of East Kerry  over 2 separate terms, the first during the 1990s when Andy was joint Treasurer initially alongside Donal OKeeffe Gneeveguilla and subsequently  Dan Favier Glenflesk. During that time, Andy was also elected to the newly instigated East Kerry Competitions Committee (set up in February 1991) becoming an integral part of that innovative  team drivingthe re-structuring and reorganizing the way the Board did business. A more streamlined and professional games administration structure was put in place and to complement this he used his vast network of contacts to establish sponsorship deals with a wide variety of companies. In return, sponsors saw games promotion, advertising and presentation incrementally improved and brand image sharpened constantly improving the profile of the East Kerry Board. This was followed by on field success as the East Kerry Senior team bridged a 27 year gap to win 3 in a row Senior County Championships in 1997, 1998 and 1999. East Kerrys competitions status progressed and accordingly East Kerrys end of term financial statements showed extentive income streams, the prudent management of which became apparent. Boundaries were pushed and Andy was front, left and centre in the funding and organization of East Kerry team holidays to Gran Canaria and other such locations. Holidays were extremely rare for club teams at that time but they were both hugely enjoyable and successful from an East Kerry team bonding perspective. Players and officials from different clubs mixed well, got to know each other socially and a lot of fun was had. More importantly, on field camaraderie, spirit and group mentality was fostered, which paid dividends in the white heat of tough County Championship battles. Andys genial personality, wit and humour made him an indispensable member of any travelling party.

 Andys second term on East Kerry Board stretched from the mid 2000s to early 2010s, when he served as Treasurer alongside Pat ODonoghue, Fossa. Once again his committment to the Board particulary the financial aspects was supreme. Andys tenacity was to the fore leaving no stone unturned to maximise income. Throughout  Andy  was a great supporter of Scr, ever present in Ars Padraig and The Glen Eagle Hotel.

Andys terms as East Kerry Treasurer were interspersed with answering his Clubs call where he proved a most progressive Chairman in Spa on two separate occasions, from 1987 to 1990 approximately and in the early 2000s. During the latter years, Spas onsite facilities were transformed with a hard working committee putting their shoulders to the wheel under Andys direction. Existing structures were demolished and a state of the art multi purpose Sports Hall, Gymnasium, Dressing rooms, Reception, and Meeting rooms were put in place. Andy was to the fore in every aspect of this considerable building project and was instrumental in mobilizing a huge voluntary effort and identifying specialist assistance and trades from the locality, using his great powers of persuasion. Another of Andys legacies to Spa was being instrumental in setting up the currently  succcessful club Lotto. While in the Chair at Spa he worked very successfully in establishing strong links with local businesses and securing valuable sponsorship deals. He had very strong views on making sure that the GAA Club was an open and welcoming organization and was instrumental in ensuring that individuals, new arrivals to the locality or town or people with no previous affiliation, were part of the club structure.

In summary, re-organization of structures, establishment and devolution of responsibility to individual committees and a strong emphasis on improved income generation were all hallmarks of Andys tenure in both East Kerry and his club Spa. Andy has left a great legacy in both club and District and is  most worthy of  being inducted into the East Kerry GAA Hall of  Fame. Andy will be presented with his award at a Gala Banquet on Friday 12 January 2018 in the Gleneagle Hotel. Tickets available Kerry GAA Store and from East Kerry Officers

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2017 East Kerry Person of the Year John Lenihan

This years East Kerry GAA Person of the Year Award recipient, Kilcummins John Lenihan, has given ongoing  service to the GAA community in East Kerry, over many decades, ranging from club, through County (Coiste na ng), Fitzgerald Stadium and East Kerry GAA Board and extending to the broader community.

John played at all juvenile grades with Kilcummin CLG right up to U21. He was involved as a mentor from U12s up, from 1988 right through early 90s, a very fruitful period at underage for Kilcummin. In 1991 the U14 team had a clean sweep in East Kerry and County U14 competitions and so they represented Kerry at the prestigous File competition in 1992. Former Kerry senior Mike Mc Carthy was among this exceptional group of players.

 In 1993 and 1994 John was a member of the organising committee when Kerry hosted the National File Pheil na ng in Kerry both years.

John served as secretary of Kilcummin CLG Coiste na ng for 11 years and was Delegate to East Kerry and County Coiste na ng. John also served on the County Coiste na ng in many capacities in the 1990s. He started as fixtures secretary for U12 games from 1993 to 1996 (reference Caoga Blian ag Fs), moved on to Secretary in the latter end of the decade and served as joint vice chairman in 2001.

His involvement in G.A.A. administration continued when John served as East Kerry Board secretary with chairman  Ger Galvin, from the early 2000s up to 2007,  moving on then to representing his club on the Board as a Delegate. The Chairman of East Kerry Board was also a member of the County CCC. When Ger was unable to attend a meeting of the CCC, John attended in his place.

John was a club referee for approximately 10 years in the 2000s, both District and County, mainly at juvenile football games.

John became involved in stewarding at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney, in 1971  at the young age of 16, for the Munster Hurling Final, Tipperary V Limerick. John attended any training that was provided for the stadium stewards and so built an extensive expertise over the years. He is the current Event Controller in Fitzgerald Stadium, and served as assistant to the previous incumbant, Billy Doolan. John is responsible for the organisation of major events in Fitzgerald Stadium. He is always keen to acknowledge the entire team that work with him  I have a very good team with me and I cant speak highly enough of them. The demands on this role have increased  in recent years  with attendances of 38,000 to 40,000 at Munster Finals and Replays in the Stadium (due to the rebuilding of Parc U Chaoimh).

Other events hosted include 4 finals in File Pheil na ng 2016 Finals.

In 2012, recognising the importance of facilitating access to the necessary training for stewards, John organised a training course, presented by Munster Council, in Killarney to  over 40 Stewards from around the County.

John has also been involved in voluntary Stewarding at a number of events in the area including the  GAA Annual Congress (2004, 2006) in the Great Southern Hotel,  in the tenure of  Sean Kelly (Kilcummin)  as Uachtarn CLG and at the Ordination of the Bishop of Kerry (2013).  

John can always be relied on, by the East Kerry GAA Board, for support and assistance in organising events such as the Homecoming for Kerry All Ireland teams; The Killarney Parades for File Pheil na ng 2016, and to celebrate 50 years of Coiste na ng in Kerry in 2017, both of which started and ended in Fitzgerald Stadium. He also serves as acting club secretary on occasion.

With his ongoing and wide ranging commitment to GAA matters and events in the East Kerry District area John Lenihan is a truly worthy recipient of the 2017 East Kerry GAA Person of the Year Award.

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