Former GAA President is Kerry Person of the Year
GAA footballer and coach Sean Kelly was named 'Kerry Person of the Year for 2008' by the Kerry Association in Dublin at a reception in ESB Head Office on Monday, January 21st.
One of the most important duties that the Kerry Association in Dublin undertakes each year is awarding the title 'Kerry Person of the Year' to a worthy recipient. The award, which is now in its 29th year, is a tremendous honour that is bestowed on a Kerry person of considerable acumen who, through their unique talents and individuality, has brought fame, renown, honour and distinction to their native county. Many well-known personalities were among the large attendance at the reception.
The announcement of this year's award winner was made at the reception at the ESB Head Office by the association's cathaoirleach, Eileen O'Sullivan.
The award, which comprises a specially commissioned piece of sculpture by Cliona Cussen and which is sponsored by the Kerry Group, will be presented to Sean at the association's 56th Annual Dinner at The Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry, Dublin, on Saturday March 1st.
In her address, Eileen described how Sean qualified as a primary school teacher from St. Patrick's College in 1971. He then enrolled in UCD where he received a BA and a HDip in Education.
Upon returning to Kerry to teach in St. Brendan's, Killarney in 1975, Sean coached the school to many successes, the highlight of which was the Hogan Cup victory in 1992.
On the playing field, he won a Kerry Junior Football Championship with Kilcummin in 1973 and two County league titles in 1973 and 1985. He won county intermediate hurling titles in 1983 and 1998 with St. Patrick's, a club he helped found. While in Dublin, he won a Duke Cup in UCD and played with Parnell's. An illustrious administrative career began in 1975 and his rise through the ranks of the GAA's administration is as follows:
- Chairman of East Kerry County Board : 1975-1987
- Chairman of Kerry County Board : 1987 - 1997
- Chairman of Munster Council : 1997 - 2000
- Uachtarán Cumann Lútchleas Gael : 2003 - 2006
- Executive Chairman of the Irish Institute of Sport : 2006 - present
