Kerry GAA supporters
ALL dressed up and no where to go. That is the stark reality facing the 650 members of the Kerry GAA Supporters Club as they ponder the fall out from Covid-19 and the suspension of all GAA activity in Ireland. With plans for away trips to Dublin and Monaghan during the current National League season suspended and the possibility of Munster and All Ireland championship action hanging on a knife edge, supporters are facing into uncharted territory as they await clarity on whether GAA action resumes later in the year.
“Kerry GAA supporters are among the most loyal and dedicated followers of the sport in the country. Each year they travel the length of Ireland to support Kerry teams. Outside of the sporting element, they are also wonderful ambassadors for Kerry, both from a tourism perspective and from a social context. Since the formation of the Kerry Supporters Club on April 21, 1989, Kerry fans have made a major impact wherever they went. Our away trips are social outings where new and lifelong friends are made and renewed each year. All our members miss this,” said Martin Leane, PRO of the Kerry Supporters Club.
The Supporters Club was set up following a bleak period in Kerry football in the years following a magical period known as the Golden Years and during a lull that lasted from 1987 to 1997. Kerry fans no longer booked holidays for the last week in September. This was a time when the Kerry team needed its supporters more than ever. Sean Kelly, chairman of the Kerry County Board, suggested the establishment of a Kerry Supporters Club at the Golden Years Banquet in Killarney in 1987. Having discussed it with his colleagues in the Executive of the County Board they decided to set up an ad-hoc committee to examine all aspects of establishing a Kerry Supporters Club. The adhoc committee were Jerry O’Leary (Chairman), Donal O’Leary, Denis Reen, Cormac O’Leary, Vincent Counihan and Margaret Lawlor-Slattery
(Secretary). Cormac O’Leary was the first President of the Kerry Supporters Club and drew up the Club Constitution. He also organised a number of benefit meetings at Tralee Greyhound Stadium to help defray the initial costs. Jerry Savage from Ballymacelligott was elected chairman in 1991 and provided great leadership and vision for a ten year period. Donal O’Leary (Rathmore) succeeded Jerry as chairman in 2002 and is still holder of that office. The first overnight trip, organised by the Kerry Supporters Club, was to Donegal in November 1990 and each year since then up to four away trips are organized.
“Each away trip has two or three busses of supporters with many more travelling by car. The camaraderie on the bus is amazing with singing, story telling and other forms of entertainment. The friendships mad on these trips is made for life. Everyone has a specific goal and that is to cheer on a Kerry team irrespective of weather or conditions. Currently the fans miss this, especially our more senior fans.”
According to Martin a lot of uncertainty currently exists in relation to kick starting the GAA season. He feels it is important that GAA supporters should not be held to ransom if games are played behind closed doors.
“Our loyal fans are the vital cog in all GAA activities. They are the 16th man in any game adding a unique blend of colour, noise and atmosphere. I would prefer to see
no games played if fans cannot attend. Currently we are being told that games could be played in October with perhaps a knockout championship in operation. This is very late in the year with possibly bad weather, wet and heavy pitches, gloomy and dark days. Not very conducive for the loyal fans who enhance the finances of the GAA on an annual basis. I really think there is no great appetite by the GAA fans for games played behind closed doors.”
Martin Leane is worried the uncertainty surrounding the start of the GAA season is creating concern for players and adding to their stress and physical and mental wellbeing.
“Currently Inter county players are training on their own following set programmes. There seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel for them. Initially it was hoped play would commence in July, now we are being told in will be at least October. With so much uncertainty, I would love to see the GAA come out and finally say they will suspend all Inter County competition until January 2021. At least then players know where they stand. If limited play is to resume this year then lets get the club competitions up and running.”
Martin believes that Divisional competitions and County competitions are at the heart of the GAA and is confident fans would embrace this.
“However, at the end of the day we must ask ourselves if the players, in all honesty and sincerity, really want to play in the interest of health and safety. Do they want to endanger their family, friends and greater community for the sake of opening the season when the better option may be to wait until January. Hopefully in the coming months we will have a much clearer vision of where we are in relation to Covid 19 and what we can expect from a sporting perspective going forward.”
When the Kerry Supporters Club was established in 1989 its aim was to assist and support the promotion of the Gaelic Athletic Association within Kerry, with particular emphasis being placed on support for all inter-county teams. It also aimed to bring together individual supporters at sporting and social functions and to promote contact between supporters, players and officials. The Supporters Club also supported noteworthy achievement by promoting a scheme of annual merit awards and to organise trips to selected matches.
KERRY SUPPORTERS CLUB 2020 OFFICERS
President: Gerry O’Leary (Tralee)
Vice-Presidents: Maurice Dowling (Ardfert/Castlebar), Michael Allen (Ballyhar), Jim Wrenn (Churchill), Tom Rohan (Castlegregory/Newcastlewest), Tim Leahy (Tralee), Noel Brosnan (Dingle), Kevin Lynch (Tralee), Carmel Mansfield (Chutehall, Tralee), Mark Doran (Dublin/Caherciveen), Dan Dwyer (Kilcummin) Chairman: Donal O’Leary (Rathmore)
Vice-Chairman: Patrick King (Fenit) Secretary: John King (Tralee). Treasurers: Leanne Ryan (Tralee), Martin Leane (Lyreacrompane) PRO: Martin Leane (Lyreacrompane). Registrar: John O’Connell (Tralee)
Committee: John Joe Sugrue (Tralee), Karn McAuliffe (Brosna), Jimmie Shanahan (Tralee), Denis Reen (Rathmore), Gerry O’Leary (Tralee), Dan Dwyer (Kilcummin), Kit Ryan (Tralee), Bridie Howard (Tralee), Grainne Howard (Tralee), Brendan McCarthy (Currow), Triona Brassil (Kilmoyley) and Elaine O’Connor (Castleisland)