Kerry chairman's AFL warning as Ó Cinnéide heads up SFC review

O’Sullivan confirmed Kerry’s 2014 All-Ireland SFC winning captain Dara Ó Cinneide will head up the review of the county’s senior football championship

WARNING ISSUED: Patrick O'Sullivan, Kerry GAA chairman.

Kerry chairman Patrick O’Sullivan has warned that as many as seven promising footballers in the county are being scouted by AFL clubs.

In his address to annual convention Tuesday night, O’Sullivan suggested some of the county’s best up-and-coming players could be lost to Australian Rules having already seen the likes of Tadhg Kennelly, Tommy Walsh and Mark O’Connor head down under in the last 25 years.

“In 2016, I spoke of the AFL coming to Ireland and targeting the best of the young talent we have. It has come to our attention that there could be up seven Kerry players being looked at by AFL scouts. This is hard to take for clubs and county the time and effort that goes into their development. This year we lost Ardfert’s Rob Monahan to Carlton. I like to wish Rob all the best in his new career.” 

O’Sullivan also confirmed Kerry’s 2014 All-Ireland SFC winning captain Dara Ó Cinneide will head up the review of the county’s senior football championship, describing the An Ghaeltacht chairman’s knowledge of the game as “second to none”.

“The county championship is the blue riband competition in Kerry. It’s been the talk of envy of other counties down through the years. This year, the competition has been criticised over poor turnouts, one-sided games and the strength of East Kerry.

“Over the last 20 years, there have been at least five reviews done, twice with Seán Walsh and once with Jerome (Conway), myself and Tim Murphy.” 

Regarding plans for a new pitch at the county’s centre of excellence in Currans for the exclusive use of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) in Kerry, O’Sullivan warned it is dependent on receiving National Lottery funding.

He estimates integration will mean Kerry needs a minimum of five extra pitches to service the needs of the LGFA and camogie in the county.

“The financial burden will be great on the board and the clubs of Kerry. Without a proper financial plan by the association and Government, the merger will be dead in the water.” 

O’Sullivan is aware of pressure county boards are already coming under because of integration. “At the several meetings I have attended with other county chairpersons, I have learned of the different demands that are being placed on the counties by the LGFA. In Kerry, those demands are not put on us. There is a working relationship and if we can assist, we will.

“When a merger of the associations happens, there will be a huge burden put on the board from preparing teams, pitches and facilities. At the moment, Currans can only support the men's codes. As a board, when we planned Currans, it was to be a training ground for all our Kerry GAA inter-county teams and development squads.” 

He also believes the integration will take a considerable amount of time and the LGFA and Camogie Association need to combine first. “President Mary McAleese said on "The Late, Late Show" in September that the roadmap for the merger of the associations will happen in February. The GPA spoke about equality for its members in February. As a county, I can see the process of integration taking much longer than what some people are expecting.

“The first thing that should happen is the merger of LGFA and Camogie before talks happen with the GAA. When this happens, the next phase can happen. Real thought has to be given as to how this merger is going to benefit the future of our games. The one thing I do know without financial support county boards won’t be able to cope.” 

O’Sullivan revealed Fitzgerald Stadium’s redevelopment Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) commissioned by the Kerry County Board to be considered for Government funding received a positive return. The CBA estimated a new build to cost €78 million and a refurbishing project is priced at €35m. “The county board cannot take on debt for this size of project without Government help,” he added.

He also mentioned the project to develop Austin Stack Park’s Horan’s End will be put out to tender in the spring of 2024. The plan is for the Tralee venue’s capacity to increase to 14,500.

O’Sullivan also highlighted the growing burden of work on club officials. 

“The amount of emails a club secretary receive on a daily base is huge. The Association has to look at how to simplify the demands on club volunteers. Being involved with a club should be enjoyable.”