Monica Dillane and Moira Horgan at the launch of ‘The Road — A History Of Kerins O’Rahillys GAA Club’ at the clubhouse on Strand Road on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanTHE Blues faithful were out in force on Friday night for the launch of a new book on the history of Kerins O’Rahillys GAA Club.
Spanning more than 550 pages, ‘The Road — A History Of Kerins O’Rahillys GAA Club’ chronicles over 100 years of pride, passion, and footballing excellence in the Strand Road area and it was launched by Dick Spring at the clubhouse in front of a packed attendance of club members, former players, politicians and representatives of the county board.
Among the well-known faces in attendance on the night were Minister Norma Foley, Sean Kelly MEP, Vice-Chairperson of Kerry GAA Liam Lynch Kerry GAA legends Sean Walsh, Eoin Liston, Ogie Moran, Jimmy Deenihan, David Moran and Tommy Walsh, while RTE’s Paschal Sheehy also picked up his copy.
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Radio Kerry’s Deirdre Walsh (who is also a member of the club) was MC for the night and she introduced former player, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dick Spring to perform the official launch
The secretariat…former club secretaries Martina Griffin and Pat McTigue with current secretary Moira Horgan, at the launch of ‘The Road — A History Of Kerins O’Rahillys GAA Club’ at the clubhouse on Strand Road on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanIn a hugely entertaining speech, Mr Spring spoke about his family’s illustrious association with the Strand Road club through his father, All-Ireland winning captain Dan, and indeed his own exploits in blue, with his words clearly displaying his family’s great grá for the club.
Anecdotes from the field of play and his explanation of the origin of the ‘Narie’ nickname — suggesting an Afrikaaner influence to the moniker — drew peals of laughter from the audience.
Mr Spring was full of praise for the committee and said it was a book that when you open it, it’s hard to put it down. He described it as “a joy” and “a great work”.
The highly anticipated book has been years in the making by a dedicated club history committee and Pat Flavin spoke on their behalf, detailing the labour of love which has resulted in the book containing more than 300 rare historic photographs and untold stories unearthed from family archives, attics, and drawers across the county.
Dick Spring with Tom and Eileen Shea at the launch of ‘The Road — A History Of Kerins O’Rahillys GAA Club’ at the clubhouse on Strand Road on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanHe thanked all the committee members but especially Paul Mullins and PJ Ronan who put enormous work into the book and he also expressed gratitude to Liam Hayes of publisher Hero Books for the great job he did in ensuring a top quality end result.
Chairperson of Kerins O’Rahillys Oliver Molloy thanked everyone who was involved in the book for their time, effort and expertise in putting together such an amazing tome.
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He also wished Margaret Kissane the best when she takes over the newly refurbished Charlie’s Bar when it reopens next week, a venue that will host more fantastic events like last night to bring the community together. Scroll down for photos…
Peggy Dowling and Kayrena Dowling, daughters of the legendary John Dowling, with Mary Murphy, daughter of Dowling’s Kerry and Rahillys teammate Mick Murphy from Ventry, at the launch of ‘The Road — A History Of Kerins O’Rahillys GAA Club’ at the clubhouse on Strand Road on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Paschal Sheehy, Cathal Sheehy, John Crean, Club President Richard Walsh, John Keane and Bernie Keane at the launch of ‘The Road — A History Of Kerins O’Rahillys GAA Club’ at the clubhouse on Strand Road on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Sean Walsh with Sean Kelly MEP and Morgan Nix at the launch of ‘The Road — A History Of Kerins O’Rahillys GAA Club’ at the clubhouse on Strand Road on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Padraig Hayes, Peggy Dowling, Kayrena Dowling, Antoinette Sayers, Naoise O’Connor and Jimmy Deenihan at the launch of ‘The Road — A History Of Kerins O’Rahillys GAA Club’ at the clubhouse on Strand Road on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Frank O’Connor, Ger Moran, Haulie Kerins and Monica Dillane at the launch of ‘The Road — A History Of Kerins O’Rahillys GAA Club’ at the clubhouse on Strand Road on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Reggie Griffin and Mike Halloran at the launch of ‘The Road — A History Of Kerins O’Rahillys GAA Club’ at the clubhouse on Strand Road on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Dan Walsh, Breda Dyland and Edmond Quirke at the launch of ‘The Road — A History Of Kerins O’Rahillys GAA Club’ at the clubhouse on Strand Road on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kelly-Ann Roantree, Erica Quill and Carmel Quill at the launch of ‘The Road — A History Of Kerins O’Rahillys GAA Club’ at the clubhouse on Strand Road on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Helen Dowling and Anna Marie Flavin at the launch of ‘The Road — A History Of Kerins O’Rahillys GAA Club’ at the clubhouse on Strand Road on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Sharon Walsh, Club President Richard Walsh, Nathan Walsh, Mike Griffin and Francisse Walsh at the launch of ‘The Road — A History Of Kerins O’Rahillys GAA Club’ at the clubhouse on Strand Road on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Aine McQuinn Ryan, Vice Chairperson of Kerry GAA Liam Lynch and Catherine Ryan at the launch of ‘The Road — A History Of Kerins O’Rahillys GAA Club’ at the clubhouse on Strand Road on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Brendan O’Brien, Minister Norma Foley, Sean Kissane, Naoise O’Connor, Peggy Dowling and Antoinette Sayers at the launch of ‘The Road — A History Of Kerins O’Rahillys GAA Club’ at the clubhouse on Strand Road on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
