O’Sullivan vexed on Gooch
Addressing last night’s Kerry GAA Convention at The Malton Hotel, Killarney, Patrick O’Sullivan said: “We have come to expect exceptional performances from Colm and hopefully he will not have to wait long more for the Player of the Year award. It is mind-boggling to think for all of his amazing displays that this award has so far eluded him.”
He congratulated Cooper on his eighth All Star award and James O’Donoghue on receiving his first. He described September’s All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Dublin as “a spectacle of football seldom seen in Croke Park”.
Last month the manager of the Kerry senior hurling side, Tom Howard resigned, and O’Sullivan labelled this development as a “wake-up call”. Howard resigned citing a lack of support from some players, despite just missing out on this year’s Christy Ring title.
“The resignation of senior hurling team managers has happened too frequently. We have given the managers the budgets and the resources they required to prepare the teams to the standards that they have set. The players are required to respond and meet those standards. We should not be seeking new hurling management teams on such a regular basis.”
The Killarney native also paid tribute to Tomás Ó Sé and Eoin Brosnan.
“When one reads the account of Tomás Ó Sé’s honours and achievements, we realise the extent of his unquestioned ability, character and talent. What is not listed is the extent of the leadership he gave on the field.”
He thanked Brosnan for his “dedication and commitment”.
“He has won every honour possible on the field and his sportsmanship and discipline has always been of the very highest standard. He is one of the few players to start All-Ireland SFC finals in defence, midfield and attack.”
The cost of preparing the senior footballers rose by €64,000 in 2013 to €241,000. The financial report showed that Kerry GAA had a €284,000 surplus for 2013.
The treasurer’s report also accounted for a capital expenditure of €678,000 for work performed to date on the centre of excellence in Currans.
Chairman: Patrick O’Sullivan (Dr Crokes); Vice-chairman: Ger Galvin (Spa); Secretary: Peter Twiss (Milltown/Castlemaine); Assistant Secretary: Maureen O’Shea (Ballymac); Treasurer: Dermot Lynch (Annascaul); Assistant treasurer: Paudie Dineen (Abbeydorney); Central Council delegate: Eamon O’Sullivan (Castleisland Desmonds); Munster Council delegates: Christy Killeen (Finuge) and Joseph Crowley (Laune Rangers); Children’s officer: Bernie Reen (Rathmore); Cultural officer: Leona Twiss (Milltown/Castlemaine); Development officer: Tim Murphy (Brosna); PRO: John O’Leary (St Pat’s East Kerry/Spa); Coaching officer: Eamon Whelan (St Senans); Hurling officer: Ger McCarthy (Causeway).
