Dromid victory ensures Kerry captaincy for O'Sullivan

GOVERNMENT investment in sport will have a lesser influence in the development of young talent without a flow of volunteers, Sports Minister John O'Donoghue told guests at Kerry's All-Ireland medals presentation on Saturday.

Saying that "volunteerism" had been affected by the Celtic tiger, Mr O'Donoghue said Kerry were fortunate in being able to call on a steady flow of men and women to run clubs. In other areas, like Dublin, it was under "serious threat", he said.

In congratulating Dromid Pearses on winning the South Kerry championship for the first time at the weekend - thus confirming Declan O'Sullivan's Kerry captaincy on his 21st birthday - he highlighted the remarkable success of fellow South Kerry man, Jack O'Connor.

Not only had he guided the county to National League, Munster and All-Ireland titles but he had followed up his success with South Kerry in the county final by plotting the downfall of the minister's own St. Mary's in the divisional decider on Saturday.

Mr O'Donoghue singled out the Dromid Pearses chairman Jeremiah O'Sullivan as a prime example of volunteerism, pointing out that he had held this position for the last 25 years.

Mr O'Donoghue said under the guidance of people like him the club had grown over the years despite a drop in population.

More specifically, he said that while the Government had given €2m to sport in Kerry over the last two years, future investment would "go for naught" if people were not prepared to come forward to assist the youth of the country in developing their talents.

Chief executive of Kerry Group Hugh Friel, the county's sponsor said Kerry's display in winning the All-Ireland final could rank with the best produced by teams from the Kingdom - an opinion also shared by John O'Donoghue. "It was one of the most cohesive team displays I have seen in a long time and you certainly did the Kerry name proud," he said. "We are extremely proud to be associated with you." County Board chairman Sean Walsh said what had made their success so pleasing was the style with which they played - "the way Gaelic football should be played".

He said that was more significant than the fact of winning their 33rd title and that given the background of failures in the previous three years, the influence of Jack O'Connor could never be under-estimated.

Sean Kelly spoke of the privilege it was for him as the first Kerry president of the GAA to present the Sam Maguire Cup to a Kerry captain and, on this occasion, the All-Ireland medals. "One could not wish to present the Sam Maguire to a finer bunch of players, or to a finer captain than Dara Ó Cinnéide," he said.

Jack O'Connor thanked the board executive for having faith in him, at a time when some people questioned if he had the credentials. And, he admitted that after having lost to Waterford as Under-21 manager and then lost the opening league game away to Longford, he felt a bit of pressure.

He said the following league game against Cork under lights in Tralee changed it all.

"That game was make-or-break, absolutely crucial. It was a turning point for the team and the management, a night when supporters really got behind the team and grew that support throughout the year."

He said when he had called the players together in the warm-up area in Croke Park after the mayhem on the field after the final whistle, "We stood in a circle, with the Sam Maguire in the middle and I told them that we had achieved something great together. We had our ups and downs, players were injured and players were dropped but that togetherness was the secret of our success," he said.

People had expressed concern about the direction gaelic football was taking a year ago, he said - but Kerry had proved that there was nothing wrong with rules as long as the game was played in the right spirit.