Kerry council says no to full county council reception for All-Ireland club winners

By Alastair Tibbs, The Kerryman

Kerry councillors have called for a full civic reception at County Council level to honour the three football clubs that won All-Ireland championships this month but they will have to settle for receptions at Municipal District level.

At a council meeting this week, Councillor Jackie Healy-Rae insisted a county-wide reception be held for all three teams, contrary to the tradition of clubs being celebrated within their own municipal districts.

Dingle completed Kerry’s clean sweep of three All-Ireland championships at the weekend, beating Roscommon’s St Brigid’s to take home the All-Ireland Senior Football Club Championship.

It followed the victories for An Ghaeltacht and Ballymacelligott, who won the Intermediate and Junior finals a week ago.

“The magnitude of what has been achieved by these three clubs, they may never again do it,” said Cllr Healy-Rae.

“I think we should honour them here with full civic honours, anything less I wouldn’t agree with it.”

Councillor Maura Healy-Rae agreed, arguing a county level reception should be held considering how unique the achievement was.

“I understand there’s precedent, but Kerry has set a new precedent winning three championships across the board. It’s exceptionally unique,” she said.

Councillor Anne O’Sullivan echoed these comments, adding that this is the first time in history that any county has won all three championships.

The council asked elected members to settle for municipal district level receptions, highlighting its long tradition of associating clubs with MDs.

They added there were five requests already this year for full civic receptions including for Jessie Buckley following her win at the Golden Globes and young scientist award winner, Mercy Secondary School’s Aoibheann Daly.