IT’S great gift to the Gaelic Athletic Association has been the most innovative head of the organisation in its history but, not content with that, Kilcummin GAA club just keeps on giving and growing and is now regarded as one of the strongest in the county – on and off the field.
The club at which Seán Kelly first learned to lace his boots, before progressing to become a ground-breaking President of the GAA, has just enjoyed one of its most successful years with officials and grassroots members gathering at the weekend to celebrate a job well done.
Kilcummin has now become an established and respected production line for high-quality inter-county players and, while Brendan Kealy and his understudy between the posts, Shane Murphy, both currently figure in Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s senior set-up, there is no shortage of under 21, minor and junior Kilcummin stars making their mark with their county.
In the recent McGrath Cup clash with IT Tralee, stand-in senior team boss Darragh Ó Sé relied on no less then three Kilcummin clubmen to represent the county with Shame Murphy manning the goals, Donal Maher lining out at wing back and Kevin McCarthy at the top of the right.
Now more than holding their own on the top flight of the Kerry County League, Kilcummin also had four players nominated for the 2014 season Aquila Club sponsored East Kerry GAA All-Stars with midfielder Kevin Gorman and Noel Duggan both making the ultimate cut.
And, not to be outdone, the Kilcummin senior ladies team triumphed, in some style, in the county league after a brilliant season that saw them outperform all other pretenders to the throne.
There was major cause for celebration, therefore, when the parish turned out in force for the annual club awards ceremony in the clubhouse on Saturday night with Kerry ladies’ team boss, Alan O’Neil, the guest of honour to present the league medals to the victorious ladies.
Noel Duggan, who had a terrific year, was a very popular choice for the player of the year accolade while Eamon O’Doboghue was named junior player of the year.
Eimear Casey brought home the ladies’ player of the year prize while the dynamic Christy O’Leary was honoured for his contribution to ladies football in the club.
Club chairman and top class officer William Fleming was the deserving club person of the year award recipient and special merit awards were handed out to Tom O’Sullivan and Denis Crowley.
Other prizewinners on a most enjoyable night included Aileen Moriarty for her dedication to Scór competitions and the All-Ireland winning Scór set dancers.
Although the recently wed Brendan Kealy was away in Derry on National Football League duty with Kerry, a special word of congratulations was conveyed to him to mark his All-Ireland final success with his county.
