KERRY THE GREATEST BENEFACTOR OF NATIONAL CLUB FUND

THE Kingdom is still All-Ireland gold when it comes to football as the results of a new AIB initiative demonstrated this week in revealing Kerry as the single biggest benficiary region in the land.

And it was the Listowel Emmets that benefitted more than any of the other 806 participating clubs in the country - receiving a cheque for €2,500 under the AIB Home Insurance GAA initiative from none other than Stephen Stack - the All-Ireland winning Emmets man and Listowel bank branch manager.

That might sound as if Stephen had a direct role to play in the generosity. But the success of the Emmets and all Kerry clubs was down to customer activity at the Kerry branches.

His presence as bank manager and that of Listowel man Sean Healy as AIB regional manager no doubt played a great part in the promotion of the initiative, with staff also working hard to make sure Kerry clubs would benefit.

New insurance customers were asked to nominate their chosen clubs, with the bank donating €50 to the club provided the customer’s policy remained in force for three months.

But clubs also had to register – a key requirement if they were to be in a position to benefit.

“Speaking as a Listowel Emmets man I am exceptionally proud that our customers in the town supported the club to such an incredible extent,” Stephen Stack told The Kerryman.

And the winning Kerry performance was much to the delight of Sean Healy in particular - who is over all the banks here as regional manager. “It was an outstanding result for the county, to emerge as the greatest beneficiary of all our 19 regions. I wish to thank all of our customers and staff for this wonderful achievement,” Mr Healy said.

Kerry clubs earned a combined €12,050 - with Clare and Limerick combined coming in second place on €11,600. North Kerry clubs benefitted to the tune of €4,450. Laune Rangers and An Ghaeltacht were meanwhile joint second - receiving €1,100 each. AIB is urging all clubs to register now for 2018.

LISTOWEL AIB Branch manager Stephen Stack, (front right) presenting the Listowel Emmets with a cheque for €2,500 – the single greatest donation made to any club nationally under an AIB initiative that saw the bank making donations to clubs nominated by...