Power Man!

Sean Walsh, Chairman of the Kerry County Board, is also a Shift Operative with ESB in Tarbert Generating Station. Sean has held this position since 1998, having been a member of the Executive of Kerry County Board since 1988. Prior to this period he was Chairman of Moyvane for 12 years. Sean himself played football, winning two Senior County Championships with Feale Rangers in 1978 and 1980. He also holds two All-Ireland ESB medals with Tarbert Station.

Sean told EM that his position as County Board Chairman is extremely busy. "It's a 7-day-aweek job and is a lot more difficult given I do shift work. There is no way I could do this without the help and co-operation of my fellow workers and management here in Tarbert for which I am very grateful." Sean feels strongly about the fact that, particularly in rural areas, the GAA has been a tremendous outlet and facility for the youth of the country and for local communities generally.

With all the publicity around the Tyrone and Dublin teams recently we asked Sean how he felt about Tyrone's success last year. "Anyone who analysed Tyrone football for three or four weeks last year, as we did, will recognise that they play a very good brand of football. In 2003, they decimated us for the first 20 minutes, and it was among the best play ever seen in Croke Park." Sean supports the view that Croke Park should only be opened in a limited way. "We in Kerry supported Congress in their decision for limited opening of Croke Park. But we made it quite plain that we would not be supportive of opening up other grounds at Provincial or County level."

He also believes that improved player welfare is better for the GAA than semi-professionalism. "With the amount of funds which will be generated through games in Croke Park over the next 10 years, it should be possible to improve player welfare in every county, but not on a pay-for-play basis. We in Kerry have an excellent record in how we meet the expenses of our players."

So is Sean realistic on their chances of winning the Christy Ring Cup? "Kerry hurling goes through peaks and valleys, and last year was a valley for us. However, regarding players in the 14 to 18 age group, the standard has never been higher. But they play in a very strong hurling province, where teams aim at the Liam McCarthy Cup. So there's an element of catch-up involved for us." The Minor footballers came very close to All-Ireland success in 2004, so what steps are being taken to make 2006 their year? "We've put a comprehensive development plan in place for all our players, from under-14 to minor over the next five years. It will be seen in each training session, and it's a stepping-stone to future success.