By Paddy White
The North Kerry Hurling Board (NKHB) held their annual convention in the Ballyheigue GAA club rooms last Monday and Chairman Pat Dineen welcomed the new Kerry GAA Chairman Tim Murphy, along with Children’s Officer Bernie Reen and Hurling officer Ger McCarthy.
The Secretaries report showed that 24 of 25 competitions were completed and was a very successful year again for the board.
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Congratulations were extended to Tommy O’Connor who won the 2016 McNamee Award for his publication of the book “North Kerry –A hurling History, to the Kerry Minors in achieving a record 5 in a row of All Ireland Minor hurling titles, to the Kerry senior hurlers on a successful year in 2016 and special mention to Maurice Leahy the Kerry hurling GDA, who is stepping down at the end of this year after 28 years in the role and the Board commended him for his contribution to the North Kerry hurling clubs and schools.
The Secretary, Joe Walsh also acknowledged the clubs and their contribution in the successful running of the games and thanked Timmy Weir, the Fixtures secretary.
NKHB Chairman Pat Dineen in his address thanked his fellow Officers and especially the support of the Kerry County Committee and their competition sponsors Rhyno Quality Feeds.
The Board also acknowledged, the work done by Ger McCarthy the County Hurling Officer in the promotion of hurling in the county and especially Puc Fada and his vision to have the Munster Puc Fada finals held in Kerry in 2018.
Pat wished the new County Chairman Tim Murphy every success in his new role and on behalf of the Board, he also extended the best of luck to all Clubs in 2017 and all Clubs who collected silverware in 2016 and especially to both the Lixnaw and Crotta O’Neill Clubs who are carrying out extensive work at the moment to their respective facilities and continuing success to the Kerry senior hurlers for 2017 along with their new manager Fintan O’Connor.
The NKHB awarded grants to the following in 2016, Causeway Comprehensive School, Kerry County Camogie Board, The U14 hurling and camogie teams that participated in Feile and to students attending Gaeilge courses under Colaiste Chorca Dhuibhne Teo.
Again the main highlights of the past year was the Annual Awards evening for Juvenile and Senior players which was held in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel and to Liam Ross (Centra Ballyduff) and the Hall of fame award going to James O’Connor of Ballyheigue.
Maurice Leahy the Hurling GDA in Kerry is stepping down this year, after 28 years in the role of promotion and development of the game in almost all primary schools in the area.
Maurice’s report reflects the work involved in the development of the game and his contribution to Post primary, Schools leagues, Mini 7’s, Go games Blitzes, Second level competitions, Foundation courses, Club workshops, U15 hurling Blitz as well as U15, U15 and 16 County development Squads.
Maurice will be a hard act to follow. Maurice may invest in a new car as the old one had a mind of it’s own, as almost every Sunday when out from a spin with the family, the car always ended up where a hurling game was been played. (New car and a Sat Nav is on the cards)
Kerry County GAA chairman Tim Murphy in his address, spoke that he had worked with the NKHB in his previous role as County Development Officer and has seen first-hand the major contribution the NKHB has to the community and complemented the Board in their efficient running of the games in 2016 and he is looking forward to working with them in the promotion and development of hurling going forward.