The 2025 Kilkenny Junior Board Convention took place at UPMC Nowlan Park on Wednesday night last, 26th November.
Chairperson Paddy Cooney welcomed everyone to the Convention and congratulated all on the Junior Board on another extremely busy year. He also thanked everyone involved in the Junior Board activities and competitions throughout the year.
In particular he thanked:-
- Sponsors JJ Kavanagh, Iverk Produce, and Countrystyle Foods.
- Clubs
- Referees and match officials
- The media
- The County Board
- The Junior Board Officers and CCC
Secretary Rory Williams presented a comprehensive report, particularly remarking on the organisation required for the 340 games approximately which were staged in the Junior A-F and Under 21 competitions.
Rory also praised the work of the entire committee in completing the busy schedule of games.
He also requested clubs to support our sponsors where possible and the importance of giving respect to referees and their match day officials.
Rory said he enjoyed his first year as secretary, had been looking forward to continuing, but will be moving to the vacant county treasurer role for 2026, with Pat Nolan moving to the junior board secretary position.
This was followed by a detailed review of the accounts by Treasurer Pat Dunphy.
P.R.O John Power also addressed the meeting, and stressed the importance of the Junior grades to clubs, and the value to clubs of using social media to promote their activities. John thanked our local radio stations, Kilkenny Community Radio and KCLRFM, local newspapers Kilkenny People and Kilkenny Observer, County PRO Mary Morgan, and Kilkenny GAA programme editor Gerry O’Neill for assisting the Board in both promoting games, and producing colour match programmes for all finals.
Kilkenny GAA County Board Chairman PJ Kenny, Treasurer Barry Hickey, and vice Chairman Jim Fennelly all congratulated the Junior Board on a successful year and thanked all those involved in running their competitions in a highly efficient manner.
Special mention was made of Vice Chairman Sean Brennan, who had done an excellent job organising fixtures for the junior board.
(Many contributors praised retiring treasurer Barry Hickey for his many years as Kilkenny GAA county treasurer. Barry will be continuing in an assistant position).
The following officers were elected for 2026:
Chairperson: Paddy Cooney, Cloneen.
Vice Chairperson: Sean Brennan, Conahy Shamrocks.
Secretary: Pat Nolan, Blacks & Whites.
Treasurer: Pat Dunphy, Carrigeen.
PRO: John Power, Mullinavat.
CCC Members: Bob Shortall – Clara, John Hall – Tullaroan, Jimmy Murphy – Dicksboro, Jack Kavanagh – Emeralds, Michael Walsh – Erins Own, David Staunton Barrow Rangers
