Why this week is different

Kilkenny Supporters’ Club secretary Jim Freeman

“After we defeated Tipperary, we immediately began our planning for the All-Ireland final. Our first main event was a corporate banquet in Langton’s House Hotel in Kilkenny City on Sunday night.

Despite the economic climate it proved one of our must successful, with 450 — the venue’s capacity — in attendance. The crowd was made up of a mixture of business people and individuals who each paid €50.

Back in the days of the Celtic Tiger, you would have got double or treble that amount from people but we have cut our cloth to measure. We are also very aware of the fact that we are returning to the same people every year that Kilkenny are in the All-Ireland final. Paddy Power of the bookmaking firm was our guest speaker while Brian Cody was interviewed on the night. It was a very entertaining occasion and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. The full event was sponsored by the hotel and credit is due to them.

“This week we also hope to raise extra monies with the sale of jerseys, flags, polo shirts and the like, which will be available at training on Wednesday night and in the city until Saturday evening.

But the biggest event on the horizon is the official banquet at the CityWest Hotel in Dublin on Sunday night. All 460 tickets are sold, each costing €60, and hopefully it’ll be a night to remember.

“But, win, lose or draw, we are also appealing to all Kilkenny fans to come to the hotel later that night for a massive disco with the cost of entry at €10.

“The monies raised from these events go to the Kilkenny training and holiday funds. We work hand in hand with the Kilkenny County Board. Indeed our accounts are audited each year and form part of the financial statements of the board which are produced at convention every December, which, to the best of my knowledge, is unique in GAA.

“We currently have 1,200 members in the Supporters’ Club and have also developed a business membership section whereby around 120 companies in the county have their services, and links to their organisations, on the Kilkenny County Board website. We are only a small county and the key thing to be successful is to use and maximise the resources which are available to us. But it is a huge boost to have so many former big-name players involved in the Supporters’s Club, which is preparing for a 16th All-Ireland final since its formation over 20 years ago.

“The mood in the county is quiet at the moment. People realise there is a big gap to make up after the defeat to Galway in the Leinster final. Training at Nowlan Park on Wednesday night will hopefully be the start of the hype and the excitement in Kilkenny.”

Interview: Colm O’Connor