2016 Gala Night and East Kerry Awards Ceremony
The 2016 All Star Awards ceremony was held on Friday 13th January 2017 at a Gala Banquet in the Brehon Hotel, Killarney. MC for the night was Niall O’Callaghan, Dr Crokes C.L.G.. Guests include the Nominees for Awards, Sponsors representatives from the Aquila Club, Gleneagle Hotel, Eamonn Quigley and Paul Brennan, Sports Editor, The Kerryman Newspaper.
2016 All Star Award Nominees
SHORT LIST OF 24 NOMINEES FOR 2016 EAST KERRY ALL STAR TEAM
IN GOALS: James Devane (Spa), Shane Murphy (Dr Crokes)
DEFENDERS: Conor Jenkins (Rathmore), Michael J Kelliher (Rathmore), Cathal Murphy (Rathmore), Paul Murphy (Rathmore), Dan O’Donoghue (Spa), Conor O’Sullivan (Rathmore), James O’Sullivan (Rathmore), John Payne (Dr Crokes), Gavin White (Dr Crokes)
MID FIELD: Daithi Casey (Dr Crokes), Ambrose O’Donovan (Dr Crokes), Brendan O’Keeffe, (Rathmore), Aidan O’Mahony (Rathmore)
FORWARDS: Cornelius Buckley (Gneeveguilla), Micheal Burns (Dr Crokes), Colm Cooper (Dr Crokes), Jordan Kiely (Dr Crokes), Eoin Lawlor (Rathmore), John Moynihan (Rathmore), Michael O’Donoghue (Spa), Mark Reen (Rathmore), Shane Ryan (Rathmore)
2016 EAST KERRY ALL STAR TEAM
In Goal: Shane Murphy (Dr Crokes)
Full back line: Michael J Kelliher (Rathmore), Dan O’Donoghue (Spa), Cathal Murphy (Rathmore)
Half Back Line: Paul Murphy (Rathmore), Conor O’Sullivan (Rathmore), Gavin White (Dr Crokes)
Mid Field: Aidan O’Mahony (Rathmore), Brendan O’Keeffe (Rathmore)
Half Forward Line: Jordan Kiely (Dr Crokes), Colm Cooper (Dr Crokes), Eoin Lawlor (Rathmore)
Full Forward Line: John Moynihan (Rathmore), Shane Ryan (Rathmore), Mark Reen (Rathmore)
SENIOR PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Aidan O’Mahony (Rathmore)
YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Shane Ryan (Rathmore)
2016 Fr Galvin All Star Nominees
Paudie Clifford (Fossa), William Courtney (Firies), Michael Daly (Firies), Daniel OKeeffe (Fossa)
2016 Fr Galvin All Star (Intermediate player of the year):
Paudie Clifford (Fossa)
2016 East Kerry Person of the Year Award
The 2016 East Kerry Person of the year award was presented to Frank O’Mahoney (Firies).
Frank has an impressive record of service to the GAA. A true volunteer, Frank goes about his business quietly and efficiently, not looking for accolades or attention but happy to see things going well. He served in many capacities, over numerous decades, in the club and broader GAA ranging from fundraising, through Secretary of Firies Coiste na ng, Delegate to East Kerry and County Coiste na ng, being an Umpire with referee Padraig OSullivan, around the county and country and Stewarding in Fitzgerald Stadium and Austin Stack Park.
A great club man, Frank played many key roles. Tom Kelliher, Firies summarises Frank was a wonderful worker in the club, over countless years. Regardless of what he was needed, he would row in. You never had to go looking for him. He is one of the unsung heros of Firies club.
Franks trojan work for the club involved fundraising activities, for example, regularly selling Lotto tickets. He was heavily involved in the early developments of the pitch and club house in Farranfore in the 1980s and went on to serve as Secretary of Firies Coiste na ng for 27 years (1988 to 2015), roped in by the late Jerry Foley when he was involved in Coiste na ng.
During this time Frank was also the Firies Delegate to both East Kerry and the County Coiste na ng. Tadghie Fleming, Secretary East Kerry Coiste na ng, paid tribute to Frank saying He rarely missed a meeting and was very loyal. When Frank stepped back from his role as Secretary of their Coiste na ng (in 2015), he left the club in a very strong place as regards juveniles. The club has grown in numbers reflecting the increase in population in the Parish. Frank continued the great work the late Jerry Foley started and saw it to fruition. Behind every good man there is a good woman. Franks wife, Lil, was that person. Backing him up all the way. Regarded very highly in Firies, the club honoured Frank in 2015 when he brought the curtain down on his extensive involvement. Fellow Chariman Sean OSullivan, agrees saying Frank was coming in to the East Kerry Coiste na ng for very many years. Frank and his wife Lil were a great team.
Frank also served as Umpire for referee Padraig OSullivan at senior matches since 2005 all over Kerry, Munster and Ireland. A highlight of this career was when Frank was an Umpire in Croke Park in the 2011 All Ireland Club Championship Final. Thanking Frank and his wife Lil, for starting him as a referee in 2003, Padraig OSullivan, congratulated Frank on the award saying it is very well deserved. Frank is a very modest unassuming man and a fantastic Umpire, always calm and assured. He is dependable on big match days, a very pressured role but he always remained calm and very reliable and a fantastic team player. He was always on time. Even at really short notice, Frank would always help out. He is a very worthy recipient.
Franks commitment is evident in his record of service as an Umpire for Pardraig. These included
3 East Kerry O Donoghue Cup Finals (2007, 2012, 2013)
4 Mid Kerry Senior Finals (2007, 2008, 2011, 2012)
3 Kerry Senior County Finals (2007, 2008, 2010)
All Ireland Intermediate Club Final (Lisnaskee v St James), Croke Park, 2011
U21 All-Ireland Semi Final (Cavan v Wexford), Parnell Park, 2011
National League and Championship games all over Ireland
Franks extensive service to the GAA also extends to being a volunteer Stewart in Fitzgerald Stadium and Austin Stack Park since the early 1970s. John Lenihan, Fitzgerald Stadium Committee says The only thing to stop him being there every match day, is because he Umpires with Padraig OSullivan. Other than that, he is always available, a very dedicated and good steward. You could ask Frank to so anything and he will do it. His attitude is always to ask what do you want me to do? where do ye want me today?.
A very popular recipient of this years Person of the Year Award, Frank OMahoney epitomises all that is good in the GAA. A true gentleman, hard working and committed volunteer Frank O Mahoney is a truely worthy recipient of this years East Kerry Person of the Year award.
2016 East Kerry Hall of Fame Recipient
This years recipient of the Hall of Fame Award, was Dee Ferris. Listry
Dee Ferris, is a most worthy recipient having given loyal and effecient service to the GAA, from the 1960s to the 1990s, to his club, St Finians Hospital GAA team and the East Kerry Board. During this over 30 year period, Dee made a major contribution to the affairs of the GAA in the District.
Dee was born at Listry Cross and attended Faha National School from 1945 until 1952.
John Joe Tangney, Listry who described Dee as a most worthy recipient, sourced the following information on Cornelius Dee Ferris: In 1952 Dee travelled to attend Rockwell College, Co. Tipperary, for his secondary education. Other Kerrymen who attended Rockwell at the time included Mike O Leary (O Leary Printing), Austin O Reilly (former principal of Killorglin Community College) and Dave Geany, Castleisand, who later stared for Kerry at senior level football. It is strange to note, that at the time, 17 Gaelic football players who had represented their counties at minor level attended Rockwell but, the college had no Gaelic football team.
In 1958 Dee left Rockwell to attend college in Dublin, where his flatmate at the time was the late Maurice O Donoghue, The Gleneagle Hotel.
Having completed his studies, Dee returned to Listry to run the family business and became actively involved in Listry GAA club. In 1962, he became Assistant Secretary and Vice Captain of the senior team and this was to mark the beginning of a long and distinguished career as an officer of the club. In 1964, Dee became Secretary of Listry GAA club and held this position for 4 years
In August 1966 Dee married Eileen O Mahony in Firies church.
On 21st March 1967 Dee was to make history by becoming the youngest ever Peace Commissioner in Ireland. The Minister for Justice at the time was Brian Lenihan.
1967 was to be one of the most memorable years in the history of the club. The following section was taken from the club records of that year ……
A field was purchased from the land Commission on 30th May 1967. The people mainly responsible for negotiating the purchase of the field were the late Rev. McCloskey, C.C. Milltown/Listry, the late Michael Buckley, Keel, Chairman of the Club and Dee Ferris, Club Secretary.
In 1977, Dee sold his business and joined the staff of St. Finians hospital, Killarney, as shop manager, where he also acted as joint Treasurer for the hospitals football team until 1982. At the time Dee was also Treasurer of Listry Gaa club.
On 11th December 1982, Dee was elected Secretary of the East Kerry Board, one of the most demanding positions on the board, a position he held for over a decade. In 2012, Dee was awarded the Hall of Fame by his own club, Listry.
Thus, Dee became actively involved in Listry GAA club in the early 1960s and this was to mark the beginning of a long and distinguished career in the GAA. In 1962, Dee became Listrys Assistant Secretary and Vice Captain of the senior team moving up to Secretary in 1964, a position he held for 4 years. During this time Dee was involved in the purchase of the clubs field from the Land Commission, in 1967, a most important development in the clubs affairs.
Dee became Joint treasurer of St. Finians hospital, Killarney GAA team, when he joined the hospital staff as shop manager. From 1977 until 1982 the team won the Connolly Cup, Inter Hospital Competition, on several occasions and Dee shared the memorable days out. He was also Treasurer of Listry GAA club during this time. The major contribution Dee made to his club was recognised in 2012 when he was inducted into the clubs Hall of Fame.
Dee was elected Secretary of the East Kerry Board, on 11th December 1982 and gave outstanding service in one of the most demanding positions for 9 years to the 1992 AGM (24 January 1993). Dee had the unique honour of serving with three different chairmen, namely, Sean Kelly (1984 1987), Pat Favier (1987 1991) and John Kelly (1991 1992). An indication of Dees popularity and efficiency in the role of Secretary of the Board was that when he announced that he was stepping down from the role in 1991 he was pressed to remain for an additional year. All three chairmen paid glowing tributes to Dee.
Sean Kelly expressed delight saying Dee was a fantastic Secretary. He was extremely dedicated. He took the responsibility seriously and did nearly all the work himself, from arranging fixtures to getting referees. This was before we had mobile phones. So he called to me on nearly a daily basis to ensure that everything was done right and that we were up to date. No job was too big or too small for him. I had hoped that he would have gone on to the County Board because he had an awful lot to offer at a higher level. He was a most loyal and dedicated secretary and friend. We had many great nights together and never had a cross word which is unusual for me. We had a very united Board. All Officers did their stuff and Dee was central to that.
Pat Favier says Dee had an individual style which was very effective and efficient. He was very quiet spoken and got the job done. He was very loyal to me as Chairman and overcame a lot of difficulties quietly. He had the job of communicating those decisions and always did so successfully.
John Kelly describes Dee as having a wonderful charisma and sense of diplomacy, two attributes which contributed to his ability to manage difficult situation. Many difficult situations and issues arose during those 12 years from fixtures to Parish Rule issues etc. I use to regularly refer to Dee to find a solution to issues. The popular Dee Ferris is a worthy recipient of this award. He served with distinction during his tenure of office.
Sean O Sullivan, East Kerry Officer says Dee had a great way about him. There were no mobile phones or e mails but Dee was very well able to write and to come around people. He would always have something to say to you. If you had some grievance with Dee and you met him, when you came away you mightnt have got any further with your grievance but you would have it forgotten and would be feeling better.
Dee Ferris is a truely worthy and very popular recipient of the 2016 East Kerry Hall of Fame Award.
2016All Star Award Nominees
The 45 nominated players were published in The Kerryman of the 28th December 2016
The Short list of 24 nominees were published in the Kerryman on Wednesday the 4th January 2017.
The citations for the East Kerry Person of the Year and Hall of Fame recipients were published in the Kerryman Newspaper of the 11th January 2017 along with photographs, articles on the East Kerry All Star Awards and selection process.
Photographs and articles on the Gala Banquet and East Kerry All Star Awards night were published in the Kerryman Newspaper of Wednesday 18th January 2017.
TICKETS (35 EURO) WERE AVAILABLE FROM THE KERRY GAA STORE, KILLARNEY OUTLET CENTRE, EAST KERRY C.L.G. CLUB OFFICERS AND ALL EAST KERRY C.L.G. COMMITTEE OFFICERS.