A busy but enjoyable time for Kilkenny PRO

The role of a County PRO (Public Relations Officer) has changed drastically over the last decade or so and, with the evolution of social media, the general public can now get any relevant information in an instant.

After Paul Fitzgerald ended his tenure in the role last December, there was a vote that saw the then Junior Board PRO Mary Morgan win out and she’s taken the job in her stride ever since.

“There’s a lot more in it than I would have ever thought as so much goes on behind the scenes,” Morgan said when speaking at the Kilkenny media night which she played a major part in organising. “I’m delighted to be here and it’s certainly fantastic to be preparing for an All-Ireland final.”

Morgan’s job spec ranges from liaising with the media and the release of teamsheets to any breaking news. It certainly can be all encompassing at times.

“The role of PRO varies from day to day and it covers everything from dealing with the media to teamsheets to liasing with the different teams so you are the conduit between the Kilkenny team and the media in many ways,” she said.

“That’s just the intercounty side of it as you then have the club action when that kicks off with the various leagues and championships in the next few weeks.

“There’s a split-season, but it doesn’t really exist for a county board officer.”

The role of a club PRO is very busy, never mind the workload that a county representative has to get through and when you consider that Mary also has a full-time job on top of all this, it means being organised is of utmost importance.

“This week my work has kind of got in the way of my GAA role but that’s the way it is and you have to be organised,” she said.
“I’m hoping to be here again next year and I’ll have learned a lot from this year in how to get on top of things and stay on top of things.

“The current and previous officers have been fantastic; I can pick up the phone and give them a call at any stage no matter what.

“There’s always somebody there to help and we all look out for each other as at the end of the day we are all looking towards the same goal.”

Mary is still the PRO with her own club Piltown and acknowledges that having an interest in what she’s doing is crucial.

“I’m enjoying it,” she said. “It doesn’t feel like work when I’m enjoying it.

“I’m from Mooncoin originally and my earliest memories are from going to matches in Mullinavat with my father - all the games seemed to be there for some reason!

“It was only then when I came back from America and my son started that I became involved as PRO in my own club Piltown and it’s just kicked on from there.”

All-Ireland final week is a hugely exciting time for everyone involved, with the pre-final days proving very busy as the Co Board drum up as much support as possible.

“There’s a number of fundraisers ongoing so we are busy with that with regards promotion and just getting the word out there and getting the supporters behind the team is really important,” she said.

“We want to get the public engaged as the lads deserve to have the entire support of the whole county.

“You go into any parish in the county and the kids’ first love is the GAA - they’ll be wearing their Kilkenny jerseys over the next few months.

“It’s also great to see all the flags going up as well as people painting their houses or their cars,” she added. “It’s just a feel-good factor among everyone and there is a great buzz around the place.”

Mary even gives a quick prediction of a Kilkenny win.

We didn’t expect anything different!