A large crowd attended the Kilkenny GAA Supporters Club (Dublin Branch) AGM which was held in the Academy Plaza Hotel on Tuesday November 28th. After a meet and greet with tea and coffee, the meeting was opened by Niall Butler as Chair with some introductory words and an invitation that the meeting take a moment of silence in respect of bereavements over the year. Seamus O’Neill, Club Treasurer, provided a report detailing the Club’s accounts for the year before delivering a Secretary’s report summary. Jim Dunne, as Joint Membership Secretary, provided a comprehensive report on membership and asked those present to make a special effort to encourage existing members to renew and to get extra members to join.
Chairman Niall Butler thanked the Kilkenny GAA officers and representatives for their attendance and partnership approach and to the Club officers and committee their efforts through the year. He reiterated the role and purpose of the Dublin Branch and that our support extends to hurling and camogie teams from Kilkenny, at club and county level, when playing matches in the capital. Niall then detailed events of the past year, congratulating the Shamrocks on their All Ireland win and Derek and the team on retaining the Leinster Championship and reaching back to back All Ireland finals. He laid out Supporters Club plans and fundraising initiatives for 2024 and invited suggestions from the floor for ideas and initiatives and thanked the membership for all the support over the year.
Kilkenny Co. Board chairperson PJ Kenny then oversaw the election of club officers. All existing officers were returned unopposed and Laura Dalton was nominated from the floor and elected to the role of vice Secretary. In his follow on address, PJ provided an overview of topical issues such as Michael Fennelly’s role as Performance Lead, the new gym in Dunmore and initiatives in fundraising. PJ extended congratulations to the five Kilkenny players named as 2023 All Stars. PJ then showed those in attendance the soon–to-be-launched Kilkenny jersey and thanked the Dublin Branch of the Supporters Club for their support and generous contributions to Kilkenny GAA teams. Tommy Maher from the Kilkenny Branch of the Supporters Club then delivered a talk on Digital Marketing and outlined the exciting potential around the utilisation by the Co Board of Myclub360, a software hub that will provide access to news, educational courses, skill-building opportunities and provide potential for revenue generation.
Niall then invited Kilkenny Senior Hurling manager Derek Lyng to address the meeting in advance of his presentation to Richie Hogan on behalf of the Dublin Branch. Derek spoke of Richie’s immense contribution to Kilkenny hurling, his exemplary attitude and his commitment and dedication shown. He described, whether it be as a teammate or manager, that it was always worth it, even to have Richie on the pitch for just one minute. Richie then took the microphone to thank the Supporters Club acknowledging his time spent in Dublin and, in a humorous exchange, the assistance provided by one Supporters Club officer in particular along the way.
As a final act of the night, Niall invited Seamus O’Neill to present a framed print to Club President Eddie Nolan by way of a delayed acknowledgement of his immense contribution to the Supporters Club for over twenty years, most of them as Chairman. Eddie then delivered a few words by way of acceptance.
Niall brought official proceedings to a close and a selection of hot food and sandwiches prepared by members of the excellent hotel team were enjoyed by all. Those in attendance got the opportunity to mingle and many took the opportunity to get a photo with Richie, Derek and of course, Bob O’Keeffe (aka the Leinster Senior Hurling Cup!). Kilkenny calendars were fresh off the press and for sale on the night along with the excellent book, Power – A Family Memoir with proceeds to Cois Noir and Kilkenny/Carlow Homecare.
Click HERE for photos of the evening.
By Mary Morgan Tue 5th Dec
