Ballyduff gathers to celebrate 25th

THE annual Ballyduff GAA social is always a popular event for the famous north Kerry club but even more so when Neilus Flynn happens to be sitting proudly at the top table, as he so often does at Ballyduff socials.

The Rose Hotel in Tralee was the venue for Saturday evening’s victory dance as over 200 guests celebrated another magnificent year for the green-and-white as Ballyduff secured its 25th senior hurling title, making them the true kingpins of Kerry hurling.

Club Chairman Liam Ross said that while Saturday’s occasion is always a glitz and glamour affair for the club faithful, it’s equally an opportunity to reflect on a busy season and to look ahead with optimism to 2018.

“We found it hard at the start of 2017 to field a team with injuries and emigration. But thankfully they all came back in time which bolstered our chances. Once we got through the early rounds of the championship we knew we would be hard to beat,” said Liam.

Chairman of the Kerry County Committee Tim Murphy spoke on the night about Ballyduff ’s rich tradition and contri- bution to Kerry hurling, while former Tipperary star, Brendan Cummins – currently involved with the Kerry senior hurling side – congratulated Ballyduff on their success and praised the constant effort there is in Kerry to keep improving the game of hurling.

The club this year decided to honour players in both codes and Padraig Boyle was named 2017 Hurler of the Year, while Paul Costello is Footballer of the Year. A special club presentation was also made to two stalwarts of Ballyduff GAA, Jack Harrington and Paudie County, who between them have given over one-hundred years’ service to the club.

It was a memorable year for the Boyle family too, who between them have now amassed more medals than an entire US Airborne Division. In 2017, the Boyle brothers - whose dad Liam won 10 championships in his day - brought the family’s senior county hurling medal tally to 41.

“What the Boyle’s have achieved is phenomenal really, and one of the things I love about this club is when the chips are down everyone puts their shoulder to the wheel. The club’s in rude health and thankfully we have very strong underage structures in both hurling and football. The dual player is a unique player and it’s something we’re proud of,” said Liam.

Photo by John Cleary. Enjoying the Victory Social were front, from left: Caitriona Boyle, Laura Boyle, Natalie O’Connor, Martina McElligott, and Colette Casey Goggin, Ballyduff. Back left: Aidan Boyle, Tony Goggin, Kenneth Boyle, Colin Boyle, and Liam Boyle, Ballyduff.

Photo by John Cleary Glamour at the Ballyduff GAA Victory social at the Rose Hotel, Tralee, on Saturday night. Left: Emily O’Rourke, Emma O’Connor, Sarah Kennelly, Chloe Boyle and Katelyn O’Connor.

Enjoying the Ballyduff GAA Awards Dinner dance in The Rose Hotel,Tralee, on Saturday night were Patricia Connolly, Catriona Boyle, Laura Boyle, Gillian Lucid, Natalie O’Connor and Martina McElligott.

RIGHT: Dylan Moriarty, Eilish Kirby, Joanne Moriarty and Sean Lucid

Kerrie, John, Molly and Emily Ross; and William Quinlan enjoying the Ballyduff GAA Victory Social in The Rose Hotel on Saturday night.

The ladies of the Ballyduff GAA having a great night at the Ballyduff Victory Social.

ABOVE: Paudie Dineen, Rita Dineen and Jack Harrington at the Ballyduff GAA social in The Rose Hotel on Saturday.