North Kerry Hurling Board Centenary [1925 – 2025]
Issued by: North Kerry Hurling Board, 20 March 2025
Further information: Tommy O’Connor 087-9706162 tocatp1@gmail.com
The North Kerry Hurling Board was founded in Lixnaw on 13 April 1925. A range of events are planned to celebrate its 100-year Centenary. Details below.
Thursday, 27 March, 7.30pm at Ballyroe Heights Hotel – launch of a Children’s Hurling Activity Book for distribution to Children in Primary Schools in North Kerry. In association with the initiative, the North Kerry Hurling Board is sponsoring 500 specially commissioned Centenary Year crested sliotars for schools as class prizes.
Friday, 11 April, 7.30pm – a Centenary Mass at Lixnaw Church on to be celebrated by former Kilmoyley and Kerry hurler Rev. Maurice Brick – followed by light refreshments at An Ceolann Cultural Centre, Lixnaw.
Saturday, 12 April, 7.00pm – Centenary Banquet at The Rose Hotel, Tralee. Among the invited guests are the Uachtarán of Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, Jarlath Burns and all surviving past Officers of the North Kerry Hurling Board, together with representatives of each of the North Kerry Hurling Clubs.
Sunday, 13 April at 12 noon – Special full delegate meeting of the North Kerry Hurling Board to be followed by the unveiling of a commemorative plaque at Hermitage Park, Lixnaw by Jarlath Burns.
Saturday, 23 August – launch of a specially commissioned 50-minute film documentary featuring 25 past and current officers and former players detailing their reminiscences of hurling in the North Kerry area.
September & October – compilation of an audio archive of past players and officers to record the story and development of hurling in North Kerry.
Background
The North Kerry Hurling Board was founded 100 years ago, back in April 1925. The first set of officers was: President – Steve Grady [Lixnaw]; Vice-President – Jack McCarthy [Kilflynn] and Secretary & Treasurer – Tommy O’Sullivan [Ballyduff].
Over the years many clubs have come and gone – they include Addergown, Ballyrehan, Ardrahan, Ballinclogher, Cashen Rovers, Garrynagore, Tubrid, Lerrig, Killahan, Listowel, Finuge, Shannon Rovers, Banna, Kiltomey, Blackpool Rovers and Laccamore – plus a few more of very short duration!
Kilflynn won the first North Kerry League final in 1925. Abbeydorney won the most recent final, played in 2024.
Abbeydorney won the North Kerry Senior Hurling Championship for the first time in 2024. The trophy for this competition is the John Joe O’Sullivan Memorial Cup.
The clubs currently affiliated to the North Kerry Hurling Board are: Abbeydorney, Ballyduff, Ballyheigue, Causeway, Crotta O’Neill’s, Kilmoyley, Lady’s Walk, Lixnaw, St. Brendan’s and Tralee Parnell’s.
The North Kerry Hurling Board organises 17 competitions at all age groups from Under 12 up to senior and intermediate. Approximately 180 games are played each year.
Current Officers
Chairman – Joe Walsh (Kilmoyley) 087 6359959
Vice Chairman – Timmy Weir (Abbeydorney) 086 3862109
Secretary – Gavin O’Connor (Kilmoyley) 087 7813634
Assistant Secretary – Noel O’Connor (Causeway) noeloconnor40@gmail.com
P.R.O. – Tommy O’Connor (St. Brendan’s) 087 9706162
Treasurers – Aidan Behan 087 9601496 & Paudie Dineen 087 2595376 (both Abbeydorney)
Cultural Officer – Tom Lawlor (Ballyheigue) 086 6864089
Development Officer – Seamus Buckley (Causeway) 087 1301487
By Sinead Pigott Tue 25th Mar
