The Kerryman 26 Wednesday, February 16, 2011

John Contact John Reidy Phone: 066 7142310/087 2359467 email: [email protected] Reidy’s Castleisland website: www.reidypix.com Desmonds’ achievements honoured by civic reception CASTLEISLAND Desmonds GAA Club rounded off what can only be described as a remarkable year for them at the River Island Hotel here on Saturday night. There was a limbering up preamble at the local civic offices on Wednesday. There, their finest achievement in many years was honoured with a civic reception hosted by Kerry Council. In the course of the past 12 months the club has celebrated the 25th anniversary of its All- Ireland Senior Club Championship win in 1985. They did this with a gala dinner at which the legendary and recently retired com- Cllr. Michael Gleeson receiving a copy of Divane's 2011 calendar which mentator, Micheal O chronicles the history of Castleisland Desmonds GAA Club from Denis Divane, Muircheartaigh officiat- MD Stanley Divane & Sons at Wednesday's civic reception. Included are from ed. A memorable night left: John Breen, Kerry County Council area manager; Michael John Kearney, Celebrity Bainisteoir, Derek Burke pictured with Desmonds club members at the was duly recorded in the chairman Desmonds and Derek Burke whose contribution to the club as Celebrity Kerry County Council hosted civic reception on Wednesday. From left: Donal annals of club history. Bainisteoir was praised by all the speakers at the reception. Photo by John Reidy Kelliher, Jimmy Greaney, Mary Horan and Seán Brennan. Photo by John Reidy That was on April 10 of last spring. up by one young, female since its launch in because bereft of com- Many years after his powerful Killarney 15. Jack O’Connor may They hoped, back then, fan on a concrete post November – was pre- munity we are mere leap over the wall, Your glory year of ’85 have some interest in for a good run over the near the Desmonds pitch sented to Cllr. Michael straws blowing aimless- indeed when that exploit raised your Club to adopting and adapting summer months. Little during the height of the Gleeson at the civic ly in the wind. had been almost forgot- membership of the pan- its more demanding did they realise that fever and it survived the reception on Wednesday. Castleisland has deep ten, he was invited back theon of giants of the moves. they would spend the winter. Cllr. Gleeson again and rich history of to be the ordaining game. Being All Ireland I congratulate you, rest of the summer cele- He visited schools with proved what a fine G.A.A. involvement and prelate in the college Club Champions Derek, on transmitting brating a string of high his players and spent speaker he is and he it has played a central that had expelled him. brought the assurance your enthusiasm and profile successes – with whatever time the teach- honoured the occasion role in very many of the Having duly raised a of immortality and the commitment to willing a remarkable finale in ers could give him in in his own inimitable Kerry’s great achieve- number of young men to guarantee of being for- hosts. Your achievement mid autumn. each one. The children and to the point manner. ments. the priesthood he ever mentioned among means that your name The club’s guiding had easy access to him The following is Cllr. The county’s first All cleared his throat and the giants of what con- and fame are forever lights couldn’t even dare and he signed jerseys, Gleeson’s contribution Ireland title was won in commenced his homily stitutes the organisa- secure in this town. You to dream of a better sea- books heads and hands to the historic occasion 1903 and the title was with the following dou- tion’s essence —The have also the unique dis- son as the seniors were and was the nearest in the history of the retained in 1904. Central bly apt Biblical quote: Club. tinction of being the invited to take part in we’ll ever see to the club. to those historic tri- “And the stone which Your triumph in last only person from out- the hugely popular RTE famed Pied Piper. “Ladies and umphs was Dinny the builder rejected has year’s Celebrity side the county to train a 1 Celebrity Bainisteoir Derek’s job was well Gentlemen it is my great Breen, whose name and become the corner- Bainisteoir proved that Kerry team to All series. done and it all culminat- privilege to welcome you fame inspired many. stone.” you are still a powerful Ireland football victory. I To state that the club ed in a trip to Parnell to this joyous occasion Ever since those tri- There have been other and dynamic club, forev- salute you. and its community Park and a glorious final where we celebrate a umphs Castleisland has great names from er pursuing excellence, On behalf of my embraced the notion is a victory over Ballymun great achievement and been to the forefront of Catleisland and sur- forever setting stan- Council colleagues, our woeful understatement. Kickhams. honour the victorious. all that is best in Kerry rounding area that wore dards for other club and area manager, our engi- This universal partici- The return of the team is our football both on and off that hallowed Green and most importantly inspir- neer and our excellent pation was driven in no to the celebrations at rich inheritance and it the field of play. Gold and each bought ing the youth of your staff I salute all here small way by the arrival home on the last evening has shaped our history Mundy Prendiville honour and glory to the area. present on your great of a remarkable young of September will be and moulded our com- later Archbishop of place they deeply loved. The pride that you success and for the mag- man from in the spoken of for years. munities. We are a Perth in Western The Geaneys : Con and have in your Club and nificent manner in form of Derek Burke of There was an historic proud and richly privi- Australia created his Dave, Timmy passion that you have which you represented Crystal Swing fame. angle to another fine leged to live in a county own bit of history when O’Sullivan, John Joe for its jersey was etched your town and our coun- He was the club’s allot- honour bestowed on the where sporting excel- he proclaimed his love Sheehan, The Hannafins in every television face. ty. ted ‘Celebrity club just as the dust of lence has become syn- for the game by eloping and a particular hero of The joy of your triumph Your great victory in Bainisteoir’ and he the ‘Bainisteoir’ victory onymous with all that over the seminary wall mine the powerful and in that exciting final in has added formed an instant bond was beginning to settle – we are and with all that in order to play in the rugged Tim ‘the Tiger’ Parnell Park recalled for further lustre to a town with the players, the if it ever will. we do. 1924 All Ireland. Lyons. More recently many the thrill that is and a county where mentors and the commu- Divane’s annual calen- Each of us is imbued His reward was there have been others victory. football excellence and nity. The children (of all dar provided further with a deep pride in and twofold, a prized All who proudly began their I’m ill-qualified to pride in place are the ages) of the parish sim- assurance of the club’s passion for the commu- Ireland medal and expul- careers in the Blue and speak about the value very essence of our ply adored him as he importance to the com- nity that begot us and sion from the seminary. White - the legendary that the Hucklebuck was being. brought the team to the munity it has served nurtured us. We are He eventually succeeded Charlie Nelligan and the to your successful jour- I wish your great club glory they began to down through the years. always supremely happy in being ordained in elegant Mossie Lyons. ney but I certainly recall continued success and dream of as the summer A copy of the calendar to proclaim our county another college and thus 1950 will always be that even attempting to look forward to many wore on. – which has found its of origin and our birth began his remarkable fondly remembered as master it as Brendan further successes for the Derek’s contribution way to Castleisland community. It is right life as a churchman, the ‘Island won the Bowyer gyrated was far Island town in both local to the club and commu- hearts and homes and proper that it is whereby he was an arch- County Championship, too much for my aching and national competi- nity was pithily summed throughout the world thus. Right and proper bishop by the age of 35. defeating in a replay a limbs and gasping lungs. tions.”