Speech by the Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern, T.D.,at the Launch of Seán Kelly’s Memoir ‘Rule 42 and all That’ in Croke Parkon Wednesday, 7 November 2007 at 6:30 pm
A chairde go léir,
Is cúis áthais dom a bheith in bhur dteannta chun leabhar Sheán Uí Cheallaigh a sheoladh. Tugann a leabhar léargas dúinn ar a shaol, ar na bearta móra a rinne sé ar mhaitheas ár gcluichí náisiúnta, an Chumann Lúthchleas Gael agus ar mhaitheas na tíre dá bharr.
Níl amhras ar bith inniu go bhfuil ré nua tagtha i gcúrsaí spóirt in Éirinn a bhuíochas le fís agus misneach Sheáin.
This year, Ireland marked an historic turning point in its sporting history as we witnessed rugby and soccer being played on the hallowed grounds of Croke Park. The playing of that rugby international between Ireland and France will be remembered by some for the quality of its rugby and for the blow to Irish victory in its final moments!
But above all, it will be remembered by people across Ireland as a sporting highpoint like none that has ever gone before. Regardless of the scoreboard, we were all winners that day: Irish sport, Gaelic Games and the people of Ireland. That event in Croke Park was a tangible sign that a new era had dawned for sport in this country.
With the passing of the motion on Rule 42, the GAA had further extended the hand of friendship and solidarity to our rugby and soccer players as fellow sportsmen proud of their nation and proud to represent its people. By this ecumenical gesture, the GAA has exemplified a spirit of true sportsmanship, patriotism, openness and generosity.
And Seán Kelly, in his tenure as President, was the catalyst that brought it all about. Seán, you have steered the GAA safely and assuredly through uncharted waters. I am delighted to launch your memoirs – aptly and interestingly entitled "Rule 42 and all that".
It may be an unusual title but it encapsulates the complexities of your life’s journey and throws light on how you arrived at key decisions which have opened up new opportunities for Irish sportsmen and women.
Sean’s memoirs begin at a natural starting point - a place close to his heart. It is a place not known to many. But Knockataggle is that beautiful gem in the Kerry landscape Seán calls home.
What good beginnings for a story of endeavour such as his – fond childhood memories, a childhood immersed in a culture of Gaelic Games and all that was good about country life.
Some famous Kerry people might tell you that Kerry is the spiritual home of Gaelic football. Whether or not we all entirely agree, one thing is sure: Seán benefited enormously from the first passion of the Kelly household - Gaelic football. Ultimately, Ireland did too. And we are all thankful for it.
He always had a generous nature. Not the kind to hold on to his Communion money, the book records how he spent his on a small football! It may have been a small football but as we know - From small acorns do mighty oak trees grow. Little did Sean know, in those early days, the enormous impact his passion for football would yield in the years ahead.
This book shows how his love of Gaelic games was nurtured through every phase of his life, from his time in Kilcummin National School, the CBS and St. Brendan’s and throughout adulthood too. And he returned the favour a thousandfold to his country, in his work with the GAA.
It is to his time at St. Pat’s Teacher Training College that he largely attributes his ecumenical spirit. This laid the groundwork for his achievements in his future posts.
But his success in ascending the ranks also hinged on a combination of personal qualities, namely a gift for innovation, a questioning mind and a drive for modernisation - all coupled with his love of GAA and his appreciation of the importance of all sports to all people. What a magical combination of qualities this turned out to be!
As the title of the book implies, his memoirs show how the scene was set for the most divisive and yet ground breaking events in the GAA’s history. And it captures it all as effectively as Sean’s achievements captured the imagination of people in Ireland and far beyond our shores.
Of course, a time of change is always difficult – for those who are in favour as much as for those who are not. Change brings apprehension, doubt, sadness and its fair share of criticism for its instigators too. But where change is grounded in vision, those negative emotions are gradually and inevitably dispelled.
Hindsight is the perfect science - and as we look back at the year to date, we can truly say that things have moved on. Seán’s hope, that Croke Park would reflect the Ireland of the welcomes, has become a reality. That reality is an expression of a self-confident, modern nation that has come of age.
There is no doubt, it would have been a source of huge disappointment to all Irish people if our international soccer or rugby teams had to play “home” games abroad.
This would have diminished Ireland’s international reputation. There would also have been a significant economic cost to the country as a huge amount of commercial revenue accruing from international games would be lost.
I believe the agreement reached on the use of Croke Park is a win-win deal for all three sporting organisations. The GAA are receiving extra revenue in rental income which can be used to further promote and develop our national games. The FAI and IRFU also benefit from having the marvelous facilities at Croke Park at their disposal for major internationals while Lansdowne Road is being redeveloped.
Along with ensuring the successful conclusion of the initial deal for the use of Croke Park by the IRFU and the FAI during the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road, Sean also saw through the completion of the re-development of Croke Park during his tenure as Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael.
As I have said many times before, Croke Park is today a world-class stadium of which the whole of Ireland should be proud. Indeed, it would be fair to say that it is the real Theatre of Dreams. And Seán was the man who helped to make these dreams come true. The redevelopment of Croke Park has been a spectacular success. For those of us who shared Seán’s vision of the spiritual home of Irish sport being the equal of any other great sporting arena on the globe, this is a proud achievement.
As Minister for Finance in the early 1990s, I was delighted to have been able to allocate the first grant of €6.35 million towards Phase 1 of the redevelopment of Croke Park. As Taoiseach, I have continued that support.
In recent years, the Governments I have been privileged to lead have provided more than €107 million towards the cost of redeveloping Croke Park. This support was entirely appropriate to achieve this jewel in the crown of Irish sporting infrastructure.
I make no apologies for saying this country’s keenest competitors and sports teams are entitled to have world-class sporting facilities. Great, great credit is due to the G.A.A. for having the commitment, tenacity and vision to transform the stadium. Seán, you were at the apex for many years of the GAA’s efforts to modernise Croke Park and that wonderful stadium is a lasting monument to your achievements.
Magnificent occasions deserve magnificent settings and this was certainly true of the wonderful spectacle of joy and sportsmanship shown by the athletes at the 2003 Special Olympics. It was an event the people of this country will never forget. It is very significant for Ireland and for the GAA in particular, that on the first time ever the Special Olympics were held outside of the USA, Croke Park was the venue for its opening and closing ceremonies. And this too must be a source of fulfilment for Seán himself as he reflects on such an historic milestone for Ireland. It is a measure of the vision Seán held of Croke Park reflecting the Ireland of the welcomes. Our country could not have extended a warmer welcome to the participating athletes and their families.
In terms of the development and promotion of Gaelic games themselves, Seán has also left an indelible mark. I want to pay tribute to his involvement in the introduction of the Christy Ring, the Nicky Rackard and the Tommy Murphy Cups which I believe have been a great innovation and an outlet for the further nurturing of inter-county football and hurling.
Seán has also has helped to give our local clubs an even greater chance to shine and excel. I particularly welcome the emphasis the GAA placed on further invigorating the All-Ireland Club Championships during Seán's tenure. This showed a real understanding of the strength of the GAA at grassroots level and the pride and affinity people feel for their own local club.
As the current Executive Chairman of the Irish Institute of Sport, Seán is continuing his life of service to this great sporting nation. This organisation was launched in July 2006 by another great Kerryman and lover of sport, the current Ceann Comhairle, John O’Donoghue. This initiative marked a very clear statement of Government commitment to investment in Ireland’s sporting infrastructure. Seán’s role places him at the forefront of our efforts to assist our elite athletes and to build up the support platform which will allow them to achieve even greater success.
Seán Kelly was the first Kerry man ever to occupy the post of Uachtarán of the Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, and he has led the way with enormous vision, strength of character and integrity. He has shown respect for the past. But he doesn’t live in the past. Rather he looks with optimism to the future and invites us all to do likewise. We can safely say tonight that Seán Kelly’s legacy will be as lasting as his achievements are momentous.
Well done Seán! I wish you every success in your endeavours as Executive Chairman of the Irish Institute of Sport. I recommend your book to everyone.
ENDS.