Is lá iontach é seo do Kilmochuda-Na Crocaigh – lá a leirionn an ceangailt atá ag an gclub seo, ni amháin leo súid atá tógtha don spórt, ach leis an pobal uile i ndeisceart Baile Atha Cliath.
I am delighted to be here this evening to launch the three-year sponsorship deal between Superquinn and Kilmacud-Crokes’ GAA club.
I would like to pay a warm welcome to Bernard McNamara and Jerry O’Reilly from Superquinn here this evening. Your generosity in sponsoring Kilmacud-Crokes over the next three years will ensure the ongoing success of this vibrant GAA club. It will enable this club to maintain the level of influence that it has enjoyed in this community since its establishment in 1959.
For, as evidenced by the 80 plus teams being fielded by this club today, Kilmacud-Crokes is a true sporting and social magnet on Dublin’s south side! And now thanks to Superquinn’s commitment and generosity, that status is guaranteed for the years to come as well.
The value of clubs like Kilmacud-Crokes lies not just in the sporting prowess they bring to a particular area. More important is the sense of community, loyalty and voluntary spirit that is ignited by a dynamic club such as this. And those qualities are certainly to be found in abundance amongst the many individuals who give so willingly of their free time and energy for Kilmacud-Crokes. To my mind, the glue that binds the Gaelic Athletic Association together comes in the form of what I call the three Ps – Passion, Perseverance and Partnership. Passion and Perseverance are what drive the voluntary effort behind this club at every level. Partnership is what has brought Superquinn and Kilmacud-Crokes together to ensure your ongoing success.
And Superquinn has certainly made a wise choice in supporting Kilmacud-Crokes. Little could the founding fathers have known back in 1959 how successful this club would become both on and off the pitch. Since 1966, you can boast of Dublin Championship victories in almost all grades in football and hurling. The ladies have also added to those triumphs with senior status in camogie and football. That is certainly an impressive roll call that many would aspire to today.
Talking about roll calls, I have also the honour of performing another special duty this evening.
2005 will rightly go down in Kilmacud-Crokes’ sporting annals as a particularly historic year. And that is thanks in no small way to the triumph of the Under-14 hurlers at Féile na nGael in Cork this year.
Having celebrated Cork’s two in a row Championship victory in Croke Park just over a week ago, no one is in any doubt as to the skill and determination of the mighty rebels. It goes without saying therefore, that to beat any Cork hurling team is a huge achievement. But to beat Cork’s aristocrats in the form of “the Rockies”, Na Piarsaigh and Erin’s Own on their home turf is akin to Daniel going into the Lion’s Den – and stealing his dinner! This year’s 2005 Féile na nGael champions - the Kilmacud-Crokes’ Under-14 hurlers – have definitely proved themselves to be the lions of the future!
In particular, I would like to pay tribute to manager, Pat Halpin, for steering these young hurlers to this historic victory. Under your guidance, Pat, we can confidently predict that hurling is set to thrive in Dublin into the future.
In GAA circles, Féile na nGael is justifiably regarded as the third most important competition following the annual hurling and football senior championships and the club championships. Its attraction is that it is focussed on the young blood of the GAA – the boys and girls who will be the future backbone of the Association. It enables young people to come together, develop their skills and make friends – often with many of their future rivals – in clubs the length and breadth of the country.
Given the importance of the festival in terms of developing our young people I am delighted that it has the full support not only of the GAA, but also the Department of Education & Science, the Irish Sports Council and other Government bodies and cultural agencies.
Talking about support, I am delighted that under the 2005 Sports Capital Programme allocations, Kilmacud-Crokes was recently awarded a grant of €320,000. As you will know, the Sports Capital Programme is the primary vehicle used by the Government to deliver high-quality sports’ facilities to voluntary sporting organisations across the country. I know that you have great plans to develop an all-weather training pitch at “the Paddock” and a hurling skills wall here at Glenalbyn. Your vision in developing such facilities is further testimony to the innovation and hard work that is at the heart of this club.
Innovation is what has enabled Kilmacud-Crokes to forge the partnership we celebrate with Superquinn today. Furthermore, it is what has brought success after success to this club over many years – the Féile na nGael victory being yet another feather to add to your cap this year.
I have no doubt that there will be many more good news stories from Kilmacud-Crokes in times to come. I wish you every success with all of your hard work and I look forward to hearing about your ongoing developments.
Thank you. ENDS