Kerry Treasurer queried on unanswered questions at low-key Convention 

The Bishop Moynihan Cup. Pic: James Crombie, Inpho

In a very low-key and poorly attended Kerry GAA Convention, the only motion that was on the agenda - from Tralee Parnells hurling club, suggesting that the Hurling Officer should be appointed and not elected - was withdrawn and not discussed.

When Treasurer Paudie Healy finished his power point presentation of his financial report, (the main points were already published in the media over a week ago) a couple of queries were raised from the floor.

Bill O’Riordan (Gneeveguilla) asked why the winners of the county leagues no longer receive €800 or a set of jerseys from the sponsors, the Cara Credit Union.

County Secretary Peter Twiss said that this practice had been discontinued during Covid, but Mr O’Riordan conveyed his unhappiness that it was never addressed at a County Committee Meeting.

Matt O’Neill (Dr Crokes) asked why his four questions - that he had submitted by email to the Treasurer - were not answered at Convention.

Mr O’Neill said that one of his questions was about the value of the Bishop Moynihan Cup that is valued on the balance sheet at €11,000, while he had been told that it was worth at least €100,000.

Treasurer Paudie Healy responded that he did not get the email with the four queries from Matt until late on Tuesday evening and said: “I just had no time to check this figure out as it would take a lot of digging, and if I got it a few days earlier, I would have had time to provide the answer.” 

Mr O’Neill challenged two different wage figures in the accounts but again Mr Healy responded by saying that he did not have time to take a look at it: “I will answer any question but I don’t want to give out inaccurate information."

County PRO Emma Sweeney said the key areas that will be the focus of the PR, IT and Marketing Committee will be: (1) Review and upgrade the website. (2) Monitoring and adapting to evolving media and communication trends. (3) Furthering collaboration with club and district PROs and (4) Showcasing what “Pride in Kerry” means on club, county and global scale.

As there was no officer opposed or had to opt out on the five–year rule, all the officers were retuned unopposed and the following is the executive for 2026. 

The Children’s Officer, Planning and Training, Demographic Officer and Health and Wellbeing were appointed at Convention, not elected with both Demographic Officer and Health and Wellbeing being members of the County Board but not the executive.

Kerry GAA officers for 2026:

• Chairperson: Patrick O’Sullivan (Dr Crokes) 
• Vice-Chairperson: Liam Lynch (Austin Stacks) 
• Secretary: Peter Twiss 
• Assistant Secretary: Tommy Cronin (Fossa) 
• Treasurer: Paudie Healy (Kilcummin) 
• Assistant Treasurer: Tom Keane (St Mary’s) 
• Central Council Rep: Maurice O’Mahony (Ballydonoghue) 
• Munster Council Reps (2): Paudie Dineen (Abbeydorney) and Terence Houlihan (Laune Rangers) 
• PRO: Emma Sweeney (Ballymacelligott) 
• Children’s Officer: Áine Ní Shuilleabháin 
• Cultural Officer: Tomás hAiniféin (Lispole) 
• Planning and Training Officer; John O’Leary (Spa) 
• Demographic Officer: Michael Murphy (Knocknagoshel) 
• Coaching Officer: Joe Costello (St Pats) 
• Hurling Officer: Liam Ross (Ballyduff) 
• Health and Wellbeing Officer: Matt O’Neill (Dr Crokes)