Biogs for outgoing 2009 Hurling Committee members

Cill Mochuda na Crócaigh – Aonad Iomána

Coiste 2009

 

 

 

Cathaoirleach - Tom Barry

 

Tom Barry was elected Chairman at the Hurling Section AGM on November 15, 2004.

 

Tom, a Solicitor, comes from a very strong GAA background. Between his father and other relatives there are 11 All-Ireland senior hurling medals in his family. He is married to Elizabeth Bleahen whose brother Hugh played with the Galway senior footballers for many years and several of whose extended family played in All-Ireland Football finals for the western county. Their sons Tomas and Hubert play with the Crokes under 12’s and 10’s respectively.

 

Tom was one of the first Crokes graduates from the Leinster Council Level 1 Hurling Coaching Course. He was a selector with the 2002 Rory O’Connor Shield winning team.

 

At the ASH meeting on May 2002 he was elected Chairman of the ASH Implementation Work Group which has been one of the chief driving forces behind the current move to re-vitalise hurling within the club. “I was lucky to have been brought up in a GAA environment and get great pleasure from attending hurling and football games as well as other sports. While I am particularly interested in hurling I am also keen to see football thrive. At the moment my energies are concentrated on re-establishing hurling within the club. For this to happen the Hurling Section must run its affairs in a progressive and efficient manner and must be allowed grow and develop the game and a love of the game at all levels. With the enthusiasm building up around hurling in the club and with boosts such as the All-Ireland Feile win I am very enthusiastic about the progress we can make.”

 

Tom played both hurling and football with his native Carrigtwohill in County Cork, where the local GAA grounds, Pairc Seamus de Barra, are named after his uncle. For the past 18 years he has been Secretary of the Cork supporters group in Dublin which works to promote the interests of the rebel county in the capital. “I have really enjoyed my time in this role. Over the years we have been very active organising All-Ireland Functions, arranging Golf Classics, helping out the Camogie teams and generally providing assistance to Cork teams. It has been a pleasure and honour to be involved.”

 

Leas Cathaoirleach - Colm Maher

 

Colm (Collie) Maher, the son of the legendary John Maher, can claim a Kilmacud Crokes lineage few can match.

John Maher was one of the father figures of Kilmacud Crokes. He played senior hurling with Dublin and Kilkenny winning a senior All-Ireland medal with the Cats in 1957 and five Leinster titles in all. John’s adult club career was with Crokes with whom he won Dublin intermediate and senior championships in the 1960s. He was one of the leading lights behind the formation of the Kilmacud Crokes club in 1966. He served the club as an officer for many years and was active in the club up until his death in 1988. John Maher is widely credited with establishing juvenile hurling in Kilmacud Crokes.

Colm and his brothers Mick and Sean followed in their father’s footsteps and played senior hurling for the club. Their three sisters Noreen, Joan and Carrie all represented the club in Camogie and their mother, Kay, gave countless hours of quite behind the scenes service to Kilmacud Crokes.

Colm won U16, Minor, U21 and Junior county championship medals with Crokes and one Senior league title, as well as several underage league medals, including three under 21s in a row from 1987 to 1989. A very effective wing or corner forward, Colm played senior championship for Dublin in 1993 and 1994, but it was the 16 years playing senior hurling with his club that gave him the greatest satisfaction. During that time his biggest achievement came in winning the Dublin Senior Hurling League in 1996. He regards that senior team as particularly unlucky not to win a championship, losing the final in 1996 by 2 points and semi-finals in ‘95, ’97 and ‘98. “I was lucky to play with so many good players and great servants of the club. I always particularly enjoyed playing with Ger Hogarty, Niall Butler, John Mitchell and Richie Stakelum and I was particularly proud of the times I lined out on the same team as my two brothers. For me there was nothing to match the joy and pride of putting on a Kilmacud Crokes jersey and giving your best for the club”.

Colm believes in putting effort back into the club. He has been an active member of the Hurling Comittee since 2003, was manager of the minor team for 3 years from 2003 to 2005 and was a selector on the senior team from 2006 to 2008. For the coming year he will revert to coaching younger teams and is co-manager of the U12s along with another ‘Crokes stalwart, Niall Butler and trojan worker Paul Gorman, among others.

He lives in Stillorgan with his wife Olga, sons Johnny (11) and Tom (4), and daughter Kate (8). Johnny, the only third generation hurler currently playing in the club, is established with under 11’s and Kate is a tough corner back on the U9 Camogie team. Tom will be joining the nursery during 2009. Colm says “it is great to see the work being done by the Hurling Section at nursery level. The professionalism with which everything is run would be hard to match and the kids get great enjoyment, particularly from the numerous trips to Kilkenny, Tipp and Cork where they are well able to match the best young hurlers in the country. Kilmacud Crokes is now back in its rightful place as one of the most respected hurling clubs in the country. The All-Ireland Feile win in 2005 was a major boost to hurling in the club and raised the bar for every team coming through behind. It, and other recent under-age successes, will by no means guarantee success in the future but, provided the hard work continues at all levels, it should create a launching pad from which Kilmacud Crokes can dominate hurling in Dublin and Leinster. Hurling is special and has always been a major part of my life. It is important that we strongly promote the game within the club and to do this it is vital the Hurling Section takes the initiative at all levels.”

Rúnaí – Tom Rock

Few men have contributed as much to the Kilmacud Crokes GAA club as Tom Rock.

On his retirement following 11 years as club chairman in a glowing tribute the Christmas 2001 edition of Macalla referred to his legacy of progress and achievement. His term saw the number of teams greatly expand, the winning of the All-Ireland Club Football championship in 1995, the development of Glenalbyn House with its new Lounge, Dressing Rooms, Gymnasium, Board Room, Library and Function Room, the redevelopment of the Paddock into an all-weather facility and the appointment of a full time club coach

Before his stint as chairman of the GAA club Tom was for 10 years Chairman of the Hurling Section and in December 2003 he retired following four years as Chairman of the Glenalbyn Sports Club.

Tom was born on 29th April 1946 in Ballymacward in East Galway. He went to the local National School in Ballymacward, St. Cuan’s Secondary School in nearby Castleblakeney, and then to the Agricultural College in Multyfarnham run by the Franciscans.

He won a Galway Minor Championship medal in 1964. In 1966 (the same year as the Kilmacud Crokes merger) Ballymacward and its neighbouring parish, Gurteen, came together to form Padraig Pearse’s. Tom was a founder member of this new club, which went on to win the Galway Junior Championship in 1967. Other successes followed – East Galway Intermediate Hurling Championship in 1969 (Tom was Captain), and the East-Galway Senior Hurling Championship in 1971.

Tom joined the Gardai in August 1967 and spent all the years from then until 1974 commuting from his base in Dublin to play with his home club. On his marriage to Mary in 1974 he went to live in Ashbourne, Co. Meath and transferred to the local club Donoaghmore. He helped the club to win the Meath Senior Hurling Championship in 1976 and played on the Meath Senior Hurling team in 1976 and 1977.

A change of residence to Templeogue prompted a transfer to Kilmacud Crokes in January 1978 and Tom has been with us since. In 1982 he captained the Intermediate team back into senior ranks when they won the Intermediate Hurling Championship.

By this time he had become involved in organisational matters. He joined the Hurling Committee in 1980, was elected Vice-Chairman in 1981, replacing the late John Maher, and took over as Chairman in 1982.

He continued to play at senior level up to 1985 as well as taking on the responsibility of senior selector/manager in 1984. He has been involved as a selector with the senior hurling team for the past two years.

In May 2003 at the ASH EGM Tom was appointed to the ASH Implementation Work Group. Tom worked as Detective Inspector in Donnybrook Garda Station before his retirement.

Tom says “I have been honoured to serve this club and have always tried to adhere to the legacy bequeathed by our founder members who envisaged a club where both hurling and football were mutually respected. I believe my track record in this regard stands up to scrutiny. It saddens me to see hurling relegated to a secondary activity and not treated with the respect it is due. We will have to work hard to reverse that mindset and go about creating again the kind of club our founders wished for. There has to be much greater liaison between our various sections and open minded leadership throughout the club.”

 

Cisteoir - Brian Geraghty

Brian Geraghty was born in Dublin and originally lived in Sandyford. While in school in Oatlands in Stillorgan he briefly played for Kimacud Crokes. An Accountant in Practice, Brian is married to Theresa and has four children – Matthew, Ruairi, Anna & Darragh. The Geraghty’s live in Ardagh, Blackrock. Both Matthew and Ruairi play hurling and football with the club.

 

As a parent Brian became involved in Crokes again in 2000, in Sunday morning sessions in Oatlands with Donie Dowling and Justin Phelan. He has carried on with Matthew's team since then (U14's in 2008), becoming one of 'gang of four' coaches/mentors running the team and organising several away trips for the group.  Brian also assists with the U9's, as time permits, on trips/matches and training sessions.

 

Away from the playing fields Brian joined the first “Punchestown” Committee with Seamus Clancy in 2003. The Punchestown Race event has gone from strength to strength since its inception. Brian was Committee Secretary in 2004/2005 and was also assistant to treasurer Collie Maher in 2004/5. He joined the All Ireland Sevens Committee as treasurer in 2005. Most recently Brian has joined the Hurling Committee as Commercial Officer for 2005/6 and in 2009 takes the role of Treasurer

 

Leas – Rúnaí - Kevin Collins

Kevin is originally from Mount Merrion is now living in Kilmacud with his wife Yvonne and three children Fiona, Paul and Mark. His father Sean a native of Cork was one of the founding members of the Club and Secretary for 28 years. His mother Kathleen was one of the founding members of the Wednesday Club in Kilmacud Crokes.

 

Kevin went to St Laurence’s BNS and St Benildus College. He briefly played hurling and football for Kilmacud Crokes. He studied forestry in UCD and works for Coillte Teoranta. In his youth Kevin picked stones off the main pitch when it was being developed. He joined the committee in 2006 and enjoys bringing his boys to their matches.

 

Yvonne is from Tramore in county Waterford. Fiona is currently studying Business and Management in college. Both their sons play hurling and football for the Club. Paul plays full back for the U16A’s who won the Dublin Hurling Championship in 2005, 2006 and 2007. This team also won the Hurling Feile in 2005. Mark also plays in the back line for the U13’s in hurling and the U13B team in football.

 

Oifigeach Tráchtála - Paul Gorman

 

Paul Gorman is a Kilmacud native and now lives in Goatstown. An Equity Fund Manager with Pioneer Investments he is married to Frances and they have 3 boys who are active Crokes hurlers. Seán plays with the U12's, Ciarán with the U11's and Liam with the U8's

Paul's father is from Woodford in East Galway and has passed on his strong passion for hurling. While attending St Laurence's national school Paul played football/hurling (with no great distinction) for Kilmacud Crokes

Paul returned to Kilmacud Crokes when his eldest son joined the nursery. Having completed the Foundation Level coaching course he migrated from interested parent to active mentor and he has remained with Seán's group (U12's in 2009) helping organize coaching/games/away trips for the group. He has also assisted, where possible, with coaching sessions in the nursery

Away from the playing fields Paul has become increasingly involved in the Hurling section. He has represented the 1997 intake on the Juvenile Hurling Committee for the past 2 years and in 2008 served as its Vice-Chairman. In a busy 2008 he was a member of the Punchestown Race Day Committee and also acted as Press Officer for the Hurling Sevens organizing the pre-event press launch in Croke Park and operating as the primary club liaison with Meteor, the event's new sponsors. Most recently, Paul has joined the Hurling Committee as Commercial Officer for 2009 where he will (hopefully) be responsible for continuing the recent success of the Punchestown Race Day

 

Coiste - Sean Allen

 

A native of  Newtownforbes Co. Longford.   Sean now lives in Stillorgan Grove with his wife Eileen and children Eamon and Anita.

Eamon plays GAA for both St. Laurence National School and Kilmacud Crokes.   Eamon has reached the 1000 figure with Autographs of inter county players.   Anita plays camogie with Kilmacud Crokes.   Sean is Vice  President of the Longford Association Dublin and travels all over the country to support his native county.   Sean played football at all grades for Clonguish and was a Longford County Minor for two years.   He holds 3 Longford Senior Football Championship medals.

The Clonguish GAA Ground is called Allen Park, after his late father Bertie Allen, who was a Longford County Senior Football Selector for 15 years during which time Longford won National League Leinster Titles.

“I am delighted to be involved with Crokes at a time when things are really happening on all fronts.   The pro active approach being taken by the hurling section has really impressed me and the skill level of hurling being produced has been an eye opener.   I do not want to miss out on these exciting times so I am currently doing the Level 1 Hurling Course hoping to play my part along the way.

 

Coiste – Tom McIntyre

 

Tom McIntyre is a former Chairman of the Kilmacud Crokes Hurling Section, has been a feature on the Kilmacud Crokes scene for over 30 years. A hugely popular figure he is one of the best known faces around the club and is a man known for his tireless devotion not only to the Hurling Section but to the club at large. Tom is one of life’s doers rather than talkers and when there is a job to be done no better man than Mr McIntyre.

 

Brought up in Cloghan Co Offaly Tom joined Kilmacud Crokes in 1972. Over that 31 year period he has played both football and hurling for the club. He was a member of the panel which won the Dublin Senior Hurling Championship in 1976 and over the years he also featured on various league and cup winning teams. He describes Mick Bermingham, Dublin’s first All-Star and now a Crokes Senior Hurling selector, as the best player he played with. Mattie Fox and PJ Hough also get honourable mention. Tom’s hurling career continues as a stalwart defender on our renowned Junior C3 team. Tom’s brothers Michael and Vincent also played with Crokes.

 

Responding to the ongoing marginalisation of hurling within the club Tom was one of the leading lights behind the setting up of the Hurling Review Group in early 2002. This lead to the Lonergan Report which was adopted by the Hurling Section at an Extraordinary General meeting attended by over 200 people in May and the initiation of the ASH programme.

 

Tom says “people recognise that hurling is a unique and special game. It needs to be carefully nurtured and fostered by people committed to its future. If we do not look after it the game will simply fade away and that would be an enormous loss. Very simply, the ASH Programme is about organising hurling on a proper footing within Kilmacud Crokes and creating the conditions within which it can grow and develop. For too long hurling has been pushed to the side. We must have structures and systems which allow hurling to grow and develop. We must all work together to make this an inclusive unified club again. This can only happen if both major GAA games are treated with respect and regarded as equally important within the club. It is also important that we make sure other games such as Camoige and Ladies Football are kept centre stage and I am delighted to see those games progressing.”

 

Under Tom’s leadership the ASH programme made great headway. Highlights included:

 

Oifigeach Cumarsáide – Diarmuid Ó Gallchobhair

 

Diarmuid, an ex pupil of Coláiste Mhuire in Dublin, is an IT Manager with An Post. He joined the committee in 2005 as Communications Officer and became involved with the club when his sons, Oisín and Dara, took up hurling. Diarmuid takes great pleasure from the enjoyment they get from the game. To round off the family involvement, Diarmuid's wife Edel has also been involved in mentoring/managing a number of juvenile teams in the last few years. The Ó'Gallchobhairs live locally in Carysfort Woods, Blackrock.

 

'Going to matches has given me a great opportunity to pursue an interest in photography, as well as supporting the kids. Hurling is a brilliant game and I never tire of trying to catch its essence on camera. I hope I've managed to get the odd good shot!' Many of the images on the Hurling Section website are from Darmuid's extensive archive, which now amounts to over 35,000 photographs. 'However, other people takes photos at matches and other events every week and it would be great to share these on the website. They would also add to the history archive of the Hurling Section.'

 

'The main focus of the Communications role this year will be to look developing and revamping the Hurling Section Website and other communications channels more, so that members and non-members alike will find the facility interesting, informative and entertaining. We have a range of excellent communications means at our disposal. We can use them effectively to keep those who have an interest in our activities fully informed. 

 

It would be great to get feedback on our web, email and text services, as this is how we'll know if we're getting it right! I'd also be really delighted if any member who feels they might have something to contribute to the services we provide could contact us.'

 

 

Oifigeach Margaíochta – Michael Culligan

 

Michael (Mick) - who originates from the hurling stronghold of West Clare! - became involved with Crokes when his son Kevin (now U-12) started playing a number of years ago. Michael won an U-16 and 2 Minor county football titles with Kilrush Shamrocks.

 

After graduating from college he worked overseas for a number of years without any participation in the GAA. His dad Michael won 4 senior county titles with the 'Shams' and represented Clare at midfield for many years. Two of his granduncles won Minor football All-Irelands with Clare in 1929 - a scarce commodity in the banner county.

 

Mick has seen at first hand the enormous strides being made in Crokes Hurling via the sheer dedication and passion of many people. As a football man he is delighted to be involved with Crokes hurling and looks forward to further progress and success for the club in both codes in the years ahead. Michael lives in Cabinteely Village with his wife Jane and their 3 children: Michael, Kevin & Cathy.

 

Oifigeach Earcaíochta – Gerry McGrath

 

Gerry, a native of Ballinkill Co Laois where he played many great years playing hurling, football and soccer with his native club. He joined Crokes in 1988 and immediately made a huge impact in the club. He anchored midfield on the senior hurling team for several years where he combined steely strength, dogged determination with superb skill and mobility. A gentle giant he was not and anyone who made the mistake of trying to mix it with him invariably came off second best.

 

Gerry won senior league and Boland Cup medals with Crokes in 1988 and ’89, respectively, and also went on to win a Junior championship in 1998. He continued to put more back into the club after his playing career had ended by joining the senior hurling management team for two years. Gerry’s brother Nicky is currently manager of the Crokes Senior football team and has two sons Brian and Nicky playing on the team. Fergal his youngest son plays on the minor football team.

 

Gerry lives in Kilmacud with his wife, Mary, his daughter Orla and his son Sean. Both Orla and Sean are very promising all-round sportspeople, Sean being a stalwart on our U-14 hurling and football teams. Orla is one of the leading lights on the Glenalbyn Swim team.

 

A keen golfer, Gerry has lost none of the competitive instincts he brought to the hurling field and has also been heavily involved in many of our successful golfing fundraisers over the years. Despite all other demands on his time he rarely misses an important Crokes hurling match at senior or juvenile level.

This is Gerry’s fifth year on the Hurling Committee where his brief in 2009 is that of Recruitment Officer. Gerry is ideally suited to this job as he is one of the most recognisable faces and one of the most popular people in the club.