A GROUP of card playing enthusiasts, who had planned a fundraising card drive for charity in memory of a late great friend, were forced to cancel the event three quarters of the way through due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Several two-person teams had entered and although most of the earlier rounds were played, the event had to be abandoned due to social distancing requirements. Although they have been unable to conclude the event, a decision has been made to donate the proceeds raised at the time through the card drive and a draw.
Those involved will shortly be making a donation to the Comfort for Chemo fund which represents funds raised at the time.
The group in Spa are honouring the memory of the late Johnny Batt Cronin who passed away in 2019.
Hugely popular in the community, Johnny Batt, originally from Tiernaboul, was married to Margaret Cronin of Coolcorcoran and they had four sons.
An outstanding footballer, he won no less than seven O’Donoghue Cup medals with Spa as well as a county intermediate championship medal in 1974 and a county league division one title two years later.
He was also a member of the star-studded East Kerry divisional side that won the inaugural All-Ireland Club Championship in 1971 with a victory over Bryansford of Co Down.
When he hung up his boots, Johnny trained and coached many underage teams and was honoured with a hugely deserved lifetime achievement award by his beloved Spa GAA Club in 2015.
He was also a champion card player, winning the Spa Championship of Kerry 31 Card Drive on two occasions.
At a special draw for those who had supported the event, the following prizewinning teams were announced:
- €100 voucher for the Great Southern Hotel: John Kerins and Tim McCarthy
- €100 voucher for the Great Southern Hotel: Con Lynch and Alan Cronin
- €100 voucher for the Great Southern Hotel: Finbarr Godfrey and Tim Regan
- €50 vouchers for Killarney Carpet and Furniture Centre: Seanie Kelliher and Connie Doolan
- Bottle of whiskey and a bottle of wine: Peter Cahill and Barry Duggan
The fundraiser was in aid of the oncology cepartment in University Hospital Kerry.
