THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST

The East Kerry All Star awards, in association with The Kerryman and The Aquila Club, takes place this Friday evening in the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney. Read our full preview coverage inside,

I EXPRESS delight on behalf of all officers of the East Kerry GAA Committee to be associated, once again, with the East Kerry All Star Awards. It is a testament to the clubs in our district that these awards have gone from strength to strength.

This Friday, the ninth Awards ceremony will take place in the Gleneagle Hotel and we look forward to a great occasion. Were it not for our loyal sponsors over those years it would not be possible to continue with these awards. This is an opportune time to acknowledge the sponsorship and support of our joint sponsors. To John Feerick and Paul Brennan from The Kerryman, and Patrick O’Donoghue and Eamonn Quigley from the Aquila Club and Gleneagle Hotel, I say thank you.

2017 will long be remembered in Rathmore GAA Club as an historic year. The club won the Dr O’Donoghue Cup and claimed their fourth title in as many years, in a very exciting and close final against great rivals Killarney Legion.

This Friday players from various clubs in the district are being acknowledged for stand out performances in games throughout the Championship. I congratulate the 24 short-listed players and wish them all the best of luck. The 15 East Kerry All Star recipients will be revealed on the night, along with the East Kerry Senior and Young (Under 21) player of the year. Likewise, I congratulate the three nominees for the Fr Galvin Intermediate player of the year and wish them the very best.

Heartiest congratulations to Andy O’Sullivan (Spa) the Hall of Fame recipient, to John Lenihan (Kilcummin) the East Kerry Person of the Year, and, of course, Pat Delaney (East Kerry and St Pats East Kerry Hurling) who will be honoured with a Special Recognition Award. All three are most deserving of their awards, in recognition of the decades of service to GAA affairs in their club, district and county.

Friday next promises to be a great occasion for all Gaels of East Kerry and beyond when we get together with players, club officials and supporters to acknowledge and award our players and to recognise the contribution made to the GAA over many years by people in our community. A great occasion awaits. I express my gratitude to all the clubs that have supported this awards night in the past and will again this year, no doubt.

Finally, thanks to you, The Kerryman readers, and spectators of our games, for your great support throughout the year.