Andy O’Sullivan to be inducted into East Kerry GAA Hall of Fame

2017 EAST KERRY HALL OF FAME RECIPIENT: ANDY O’SULLIVAN

THIS year’s East Kerry Hall of Fame recipient, Andy O’Sullivan, served the East Kerry Board and his native Spa CLG with distinction over many decades, from the 1980s into the 2010s. Andy’s great organisational skills and business acumen combined with his genial personality, proved powerful in advancing the business of both District Board and his club, bringing both to a new level.

Andy served as treasurer of East Kerry over two separate terms, the first during the 1990s when Andy was joint-treasurer initially alongside Donal O’Keeffe, Gneeveguilla, and subsequently Dan Favier from Glenflesk. During that time, Andy was also elected to the newly instigated East Kerry Competitions Committee (set up in February 1991) becoming an integral part of that innovative team driving the re-structuring and reorganising the way the Board did business. A more streamlined and professional games administration structure was put in place and to complement this he used his vast network of contacts to establish sponsorship deals with a wide variety of companies. In return, sponsors saw games promotion, advertising and presentation incrementally improved and brand image sharpened constantly improving the profile of the East Kerry Board.

This was followed by on field success as the East Kerry Senior team bridged a 27-year gap to win three in a row Senior County Championships in 1997, 1998 and 1999. East Kerry’s competitions’ status progressed and accordingly East Kerry’s end of term financial statements showed extensive income streams, the prudent management of which became apparent. Boundaries were pushed and Andy was front, left and centre in the funding and organization of

East Kerry team holidays to

Gran Canaria and other such locations. Holidays were extremely rare for club teams at that time but they were both hugely enjoyable and successful from an

East Kerry team bonding perspective. Players and officials from different clubs mixed well, got to know each other socially and a lot of fun was had. More importantly, on field camaraderie, spirit and group mentality was fostered, which paid dividends in the white heat of tough County Championship battles. Andy’s genial personality, wit and humour made him an indispensable member of any travelling party.

Andy’s second term on East Kerry Board stretched from the mid 2000’s to early 2010’s, when he served as Treasurer alongside Pat O’Donoghue, Fossa. Once again his committment to the Board particulary the financial aspects was supreme. Andy’s tenacity was to the fore leaving no stone unturned to maximise income. Throughout Andy was a great supporter of Scór, ever present in Arás Padraig and The Glen Eagle Hotel.

Andy’s terms as East Kerry treasurer were interspersed with answering his club’s call where he proved a most progressive Chairman in Spa on two separate occasions, from 1987 to 1990 approximately and in the early 2000s. During the latter years, Spa’s on-site facilities were transformed with a hard working committee putting their shoulders to the wheel under Andy’s direction. Existing structures were demolished and a state of the art multi purpose sports hall, gymnasium, dressing rooms, reception, and meeting rooms were put in place. Andy was to the fore in every aspect of this considerable building project and was instrumental in mobilising a huge voluntary effort and identifying specialist assistance and trades from the locality, using his great powers of persuasion.

Another of Andy’s legacies to Spa was being instrumental in setting up the currently succcessful club Lotto. While in the Chair at Spa he worked very successfully in establishing strong links with local businesses and securing valuable sponsorship deals. He had very strong views on making sure that the GAA club was an open and welcoming organisation and was instrumental in ensuring that individuals, new arrivals to the locality or town or people with no previous affiliation, were part of the club structure. In summary, re-organisation of structures, establishment and devolution of responsibility to individual committee’s and a strong emphasis on improved income generation were all hallmarks of Andy’s tenure in both East Kerry and his club Spa. Andy has left a great legacy in both club and District and is most worthy of being inducted into the East Kerry GAA Hall of Fame.