Gooch the toast of Oíche Chiarraí
THE Kerry Association in Dublin held their biggest event of the year last Friday night, with Kerry football legend accepting the 2018 Kerry Person of the Year award after being named as the recipient in January.
Some 300 people, including Mr Cooper’s family, friends, and girlfriend Céitilís Ní Bheaglaioch, attended the celebration at the Ballsbridge Hotel, Dublin, with the association’s Chairperson Keelin Kissane on hand to pass on the prestigious accolade to the five-time All-Ireland medallist.
“The award was presented in recognition of the enormous contribution he has made to Kerry and for the joy, honour and pride that he has brought to Kerry by his exceptional ability and humility and good grace on and off the field,” Ms Kissane said. “He is one of the most admired figures in the history of the GAA and has provided us with many moments of magic.”
In taking the award, Mr Cooper followed in the footsteps of many other Kerry legends, with Páidí Ó Sé, Mick O’Connell, Mick O’Dwyer, and Pat Spillane having previously won the award. The prize has been in existence for 39 years.
There was also much reason to celebrate for Kerry’s five Special Olympics clubs, as Kerry Association in Dublin President Christy McCarthy called them on stage to accept the Laochra Chiarraí accolade for 2018. The group was made up of Kerry Stars, Tralee Together, Skellig Stars, North Kerry Eagles, and the Kerry Fairways Golf Society.
Both awards are based on public nominations, with the final selection made by the Kerry Association committee.
On the night, Mr McCarthy led a round of applause for the late Ted Moynihan, a Kerry Hospice Foundation fund-raising stalwart, who was himself named Kerry Person of the Year in 2017.
“The Committee of the Kerry Association in Dublin would like to thank all of those attended; our long-time sponsor Kerry Group; Dingle Distillery, who provided the lovely Dingle Gin reception on the night; and all those who contributed raffle prizes,” Kerry Association in Dublin PRO Maurice Moynihan said.
“All raffle proceeds will be shared between the Special Olympics Clubs of Kerry and Colm Cooper’s nominated charity, the Kerry Parents and Friends.”