Kilkenny Junior Board reflects on busy season at AGM

Respect for match officials and praise for a hard-working committee that saw more than 300 games played in the year were among the key points made when the Kilkenny Junior Board held their Convention at UPMC Nowlan Park recently.

Chairperson Paddy Cooney (Cloneen) 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 sponsors JJ Kavanagh & Sons, Iverk Produce, and Countrystyle Foods; clubs; referees and match officials; the media; County Board and Junior Board officers and CCC.

Secretary Rory Williams (Kilmacow) presented a comprehensive report, remarking on the organisation required for the 340 games which were staged across the Junior grades from A to F and under-21 competitions.

The secretary praised the work of the entire committee in completing the busy schedule of games. He spoke on the importance of giving respect to referees and their match day officials and also urged clubs to support sponsors where possible.

Mr Williams said he enjoyed his first year as secretary and had been looking forward to continuing, but will be moving to the vacant county treasurer role for 2026, with Pat Nolan (Blacks & Whites) moving to the junior board secretary position.

This was followed by a detailed review of the accounts by Treasurer Pat Dunphy (Carrigeen).

PRO John Power (Mullinavat) 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. He thanked the local newspapers and radio stations, 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 chairperson PJ Kenny, treasurer Barry Hickey and vice-chairperson 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.

Many contributors praised retiring treasurer Barry Hickey for his many years as Kilkenny GAA County treasurer. Barry will be continuing in an assistant position.

Special mention was made of Vice Chairperson Sean Brennan (Conahy Shamrocks) who had done an excellent job organising fixtures for the junior board.

Officers elected for 2026 were 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 (Erin’s Own), David Staunton (Barrow Rangers).