Tracey breaks glass ceiling with historic election as county board chairperson

YEARS of service to Cork GAA were rewarded last weekend as Tracey Kennedy of Killeagh GAA was elected chairperson of the Cork County Board, making her the first female chairperson in the county’s history.

The election may have been well flagged prior to the convention, but that in no way took away from the historic nature of the appointment as the former County PRO and vice-chair was elected unopposed to the top job in Cork GAA.

Kennedy was obviously delighted to be chosen by the delegates describing her election as “a huge honour”. She went on to say that.

“It is not I who have made history, but you, the clubs. Six years ago, you elected me PRO and three years ago as vice-chair. My way has been paved by Liz Howard, the first woman elected to a county board; Mary Fitzgibbon, who was the first female secretary of Killeagh GAA club; and Roisin Jordan, the first chair of any county board.

“I acknowledge the many women contributing hugely at club level and urge them to consider moving on to divisional level and above. There’s no point in being the first if you’re the only.”

Kennedy used the opportunity to thank a host of people that had helped her along the way with her family top of the list. She also thanked her club-mates from Killeagh that had influenced and assisted her along the way.

Quoting Ruth Bader Ginsburg of the US Supreme Court – who was a famous advocate for the inclusion of women in all roles in society – Kennedy outlined an obvious reason for more women to get involved. “We know volunteers are hard to come by, so it makes no sense to exclude half of the population.”

In a move that will please many involved in Cork GAA on both sides of the gender divide Kennedy said she wished to further improve the relationship between the Cork GAA that she now leads with ladies’ football and camogie and went on to say that she hoped the ladies would get to play in the salubrious surrounds of the new Pairc Uí Chaoimh soon.

In a call to arms Kennedy stated there would be no Trump like statements coming from her.

“I won’t be making any Donald Trump-like assertions to Make Cork GAA Great Again — Cork GAA is already great. We need to stop talking ourselves down. We have 260 clubs in Cork and we play thousands of games; the service we provide to the community is second to none.

“We brought over €50m in investment to Cork in recent years, and we need to express that pride at every opportunity.”

Kennedy stated that there is plenty work to be done in many aspects of Cork GAA with the youngsters front and centre in that regard.

“Like many speakers here today I see many areas of concern. We have some rural clubs which are facing extinction due to lack of numbers, while urban clubs are struggling to attract volunteers to help them. Rebel Óg is working well in some aspects, but not so well in some others.”

The county teams didn’t go unmentioned by the Carrigaline school teacher and front and centre was the ever-increasing resourcing of the elite players. I won’t be making any Donald Trump like assertions – Cork GAA is great already

– Tracey Kennedy

“We need to balance the need of our club players and county teams, but that is something no county can solve on its own.

“What we need is unity. We all need to remember — players, administrators, coaches, supporters — that we share one goal, and that is the good of Cork GAA. We must unite to achieve that. We are not the county board, you the clubs are the county board.”

Kennedy’s speech went down very well with the delegates at the meeting and she received her first of what undoubtedly will be many standing ovations in the coming weeks and months.

Out-going chairman Ger Lane paid tribute the new woman at the helm in his address.

“Today marks a major landmark for Cork GAA in the election of a new Chairman, the election of a lady, to the most senior administrative position in the county, shows how Cork GAA is open to change to include everyone, where everyone has equal opportunity,” he said.

“Tracey has been excellent officer of club, division and county she has been hugely supportive. A very proud day for her family and her club Killeagh. I offer Tracey a 100 % support and we can all look forward to her leading the county for the next three years.

“To all the new Officers Kevin, Ronan, Pat, Diarmuid I offer my full support too. To the defeated candidates I salute your courage in going forward and losing a contest is no reflection whatever on your ability to do the job.”