Delaney’s decades of service recognised
EAST KERRY GAA SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD: PAT DELANEY
EAST Kerry GAA Board are delighted to present Pat Delaney with a special award in recognition of outstanding and long service over 21 years (1996 to date) to the Board and exceptional service to Hurling in the District and County from 1983 to 2014.
Proud hurling man Pat’s involvement in GAA began long before he departed his native Kilkenny with his club Emeralds as a player and where he served as club secretary. When he moved to Killarney in 1983 in his role with Irish Life Assurance he met up with his fellow Emeralds man Tom Holohan, a founder member of St Pat’s East Kerry Hurling Club. This set Pat on a journey across the decades where he became entrenched in hurling in the District, recruiting and motivating players, sourcing finances, keeping St Pat’s to the fore at Divisional and County level. His passion and love for the small ball is reflected in his commitment and long lasting drive to progress and promote hurling over the past 30 years in East Kerry and beyond.
Pat became involved in the club administration in 1986 when in he succeeded Jackie Quirke as vice-chairman. For his leadership, Pat was awarded St Pats Hurling Clubman of the Year 1991. Two years later, Pat became the club’s second Chairman and held that position for 18 years, during which he was delighted to see the club win County Junior championships in 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2014. Pat also took a role in team management, in 1998, where he joined Mike Leahy and Denis Russell as St Pats Hurling Senior team management.
Pats’ service on the East Kerry Committee began in 1996 when he was elected as East Kerry Hurling Officer, a position he held with distinction for 14 years, until 2011. Parallel with the role, Pat devoted huge time and energy promoting Hurling through involvement at club level (St Pats East Kerry Hurling Club), Regional (South Kerry Hurling Board) and County levels.
In 2011 Pat moved from Hurling Officer and succeeded Andy O’Sullivan as East Kerry GAA Board Treasurer, a role he fulfilled conscientiously and to the highest level for the now maximum allowed period of five years. Pat continues to serve the Board currently being Assistant Treasurer for 2016 and 2017. Pat has the distinction of serving the Board under four East Kerry Chairmen: Pat Sweeney, Ger Galvin, Dermot Griffin and Tim Ryan.
His contacts in the financial world and high level of financial expertise were put to good use for the benefit of the club and in latter years the East
Kerry Board. With his sense of humour never far away, Pat was never shy about congratulating his native Kilkenny on yet another historic All Ireland Hurling title at delegate meetings and in his annual reports.
During his time as East Kerry Hurling officer Pat’s many qualities and extensive experience saw him elected Chairman of South Kerry Hurling Board in 1994. He held the position until 2014, during which he served as a member of the Kerry County Board C.C.C. Pat was appointed as a Kerry Minor and Senior hurling selector, from 1995 to 2000. An interesting snippet, in Pat’s first year as selector, Kerry defeated All Ireland champions Clare in round 1 of the league in Tralee. Pat got great sport from that victory as one of his lifelong friends, Tony Considine, played with and managed Clare. During his terms as selector for Kerry teams Pat enjoyed working with managers Mike O’Halloran, John Myler, Eugene O’Sullivan and PJ O’Grady.
Pat has travelled throughout Ireland and to London with Kerry Hurlers. When asked to name some of the best players during his time as Kerry selector, Pat selected Brendan Sullivan Ballyheigue, Seamus McIntyre RIP Kenmare, John Foley Kilgarvan, John Mike Dooley Causeway, Mike Hennessey Ballyduff, and Christy Ross Ballyduff.
Pat is married to Brigid. Their family is Philip, Mick, Pat, Mary and Edward. Pat takes great pride in his many grandchildren (Dylan, Clodagh, Brook, Lea, Abby, Holly and Rian Patrick) some of whom are juvenile hurlers in Limerick.
Pat is a gentleman to his fingertips with a deep interest and commitment to East Kerry GAA. It is most fitting to mark 38 years of hurling promotion in East Kerry and 21 years of outstanding involvement with East Kerry GAA Board.