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New President of Kerins O’Rahillys Richard Walsh with sisters Cora and Shandy, son Ray and daughter Francisse at the clubhouse on Monday. Photo by Dermot Crean
NEW year, new President at Kerins O’Rahillys.
The clubhouse on Strand Road was the venue for a special gathering on Monday to formally inaugurate Richard Walsh as the new President of the famous club, succeeding Mossie Kelly who passed away in August.
New Chairman of Kerins O’Rahillys, Oliver Molloy, said Richard (or ‘Captain’ as he is better known), was a constant at the club for as long as he could remember.
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Richard was born in 1939 at the old cottages Spa Road and the Strand Road club has been a huge part of his existence since childhood.
He has wonderful memories of training in O’Connors field (now Ballyrickard Estate), of games at O’Donnells field (now Cahills Park) and of all the characters he met along the way.
New President of Kerins O’Rahillys Richard Walsh is congratulated by Chairman of the club, Oliver Molloy at the clubhouse on Monday. Photo by Dermot Crean
He made his championship debut in 1958 and played in the infamous semi final win v South Kerry that was overturned on objection. He played in two further County Finals in ’61 and ’63 and was still playing junior up to the mid ’70s.
He joined the committee of the club at the tender age of 16 and was ever present until 2008, working tirelessly to transform the club and its facilities.
He also served as a senior selector throughout the ’70s and ’80s and was part of the management when Kerins O Rahillys won their maiden County League title in 1985.
New President of Kerins O’Rahillys Richard Walsh with son Ray and grandson Nathan at the clubhouse on Monday. Photo by Dermot Crean
He was always there to supervise operations during the days of the Festival campsite. He drove the club bus for years collecting future stars for training and games throughout the county and beyond.
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He fondly recalls attending the 2002 Senior County Championship, the 2006 Minor County Championship wins and more recently the Munster title win and All Ireland semi final appearance at Croke Park as highlights in a memorable journey with the club.
A “true blue”, Richard was deeply honoured at becoming President of his beloved Kerins O’Rahillys, an honour which is richly deserved. Scroll down for photos…
Frank O’Connor with new President of Kerins O’Rahillys Richard Walsh. Photo by Dermot Crean
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New President of Kerins O’Rahillys Richard Walsh with friends at the clubhouse on Monday. Photo by Dermot Crean
New President of Kerins O’Rahillys Richard Walsh with extended family at the clubhouse on Monday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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New President of Kerins O’Rahillys Richard Walsh with family members at the clubhouse on Monday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Declan Quill, Oliver Molloy, Robert Lacey, John O’Connor, Vanessa O’Connor, Ray Walsh, Mark O’Sullivan and Aoife O’Sullivan at the clubhouse on Monday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Norman Foley, John McCarthy, Frank O’Connor, Martin Nix, Philip O’Connor, Shane Ronan and Jeremy Sheehy at the Kerins O’Rahillys Clubhouse on Monday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Martin Cleary, Sharon Walsh and Jennifer Cleary at the clubhouse on Monday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Breda Dyland, Anne O’Donnell and Nora Corridon at the clubhouse on Monday. Photo by Dermot Crean
New President of Kerins O’Rahillys Richard Walsh with Jennifer Byrne, Ethan Byrne and Francisse Walsh at the clubhouse on Monday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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