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Cllrs Aoife Thornton, Marie Moloney and Deirdre Ferris with Sam at the civic reception on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
IT was a rotten, wintry night outside, but a warm welcome was given to members of the Kerry football team at a civic reception to honour the achievements of 2022 at County Council buildings in Rathass on Friday evening.
Last year’s captain Joe O’Connor of Austin Stacks and David Moran of Kerins O’Rahillys represented the players, while team manager Jack O’Connor also attended with County Board Secretary Peter Twiss and County Board Chairman Pat O’Sullivan.
In his address, Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council Cllr Francis Flynn said it was an honour to welcome the All-Ireland champions to the chambers.
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“I don’t suppose that I am giving away any great secrets when I say that in Kerry, we take great pride in our football teams, and in their successes and triumphs. Tonight we recognise another tremendous milestone in the history of Kerry football.”
“After so many years, it was great to have a traditional homecoming celebration once again and the streets of Tralee, Killarney and elsewhere were thronged with supporters to welcome the champions home,” said the Cathaoirleach, who acknowledged the contribution of the backroom team, not least manager Jack O’Connor.
Jack O’Connor. Photo: Dermot Crean
Speaking to councillors, Jack O’Connor said they had a great year, but it was back to business now and he described their defeat to Cork on Wednesday night as a “reality check”.
“It was great from our point of view because it can be difficult to get out of party mode or holiday mode…so it was good for us to get a bit of shock treatment. From now on you’ll see us get back to work and preparing well for the coming season. We’re a bit behind the curve as regards fitness, but we’ll be okay,” he said.
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“Football means so much to the people of this county. It gives us our identity and gives everyone a real lift. We saw that when we came home [with Sam in July] and it was tremendous to see the amount of young people out on the streets.
“We’ll be forever grateful for the reception we got in the towns of Tralee, Killarney, Dingle, Kenmare. But my job is to draw a line under it and start the work again, it won’t be easy but we’ll give it a right go and won’t part with the old canister too easy,” he said.
Jack also wished David Moran and Kerins O’Rahillys the best for Sunday saying he has a soft spot for the Strand Road club after his coaching stint there in 2008.
Chairman of the County Board Patrick O’Sullivan thanked the Council for all the support they have given to Kerry GAA last year especially with the homecoming celebrations in July.
He paid tribute to Jack O’Connor and the commitment of the players, most of whom were out training on Friday night and couldn’t make the reception.
At the close of proceedings, a presentation was made to the Kerry team by Cllr Francis Flynn on behalf of the Council. Scroll down for photos…
Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council Cllr Francis Flynn and CEO Moira Murrell make a presentation to Kerry’s David Moran, Kerry County GAA Secretary Peter Twiss, Kerry County Chairman Pat O’Sullivan, Kerry’s Joe O’Connor and Bainisteoir Jack O’Connor at a civic reception for the team on Friday at Kerry County Council chambers. Photo by Dermot Crean
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When Sam met Sam…Cllr Sam Locke with Sam Maguire on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kerry County Councillors with representatives from the Kerry Senior football team, management and county board at the civic reception on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Cllr Johnnie Wall with Sam Maguire at the civic reception on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
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