This article was co-authored by Anne Holland.
Andrew O'Sullivan
Andrew O' Sullivan is a most worthy recipient of our Lifetime Achievement Award. He has shown great commitment to Spa GAA and our club has benefited enormously from this. Despite showing early promise in Arthur O'Keeffe's field, Andy decided that his real talents lay in administration. Visitors to Spa are amazed at our facilities; many of these were developed under Andy's stewardship.
Spa's lastgreat era of O'Donoghue Cup success coincided with Andy's first term asChairman in the late eighties. His loyalty to his club was really exemplifiedby his accepting the role of Chairman for a second time. During this period in2012, at Andy's insistence, the Spa Lotto was launched. This has now become ahuge success and is our main source of income.
InevitablyAndy's talents were in demand further afield, culminating in his election asChairman of the East Kerry Board. A lengthy period as Treasurer put theDivisional Board on a sound financial footing. This provided the backing neededfor the great East Kerry 3-in-a-row team of the late nineties. Due recognitionfor his services was marked when he was inducted into the East Kerry Hall ofFame in 2018.
He continuesto serve on the Fitzgerald Stadium Committee and is Chairman of the SpaCommunity Employment Scheme. Over the years he has acted as selector fornumerous Spa Junior teams. Andy's input into development committees in Spawas remarkable and led to many a lively discussion. However when the floor ofthe sportshall was finally laid everybody agreed that it looked "lovelydown".
Those whowork closely with Andew O Sullivan say that he is progressive andforward-thinking and always insists on the highest standards.
Ta an gradam seo thar a bheith tuillte agat Andy. Ta súil againn go mbainfidh Kathleen agus tú féin taitneamh as an oíche speisialta seo.
Ann Mangan
Ann has done Trojan work for her beloved Spa club over the years. Veryactive in the cultural and social sidebut also a great supporter of our footballers. She’s synonymous for her setdancing and passed on the talent to her All Ireland winning daughters, Trionaand Mairead. She still teaches every Monday night to beginners and advancedhere in the Torc Hotel.
Married to former Club Chairman, Gerard and was a great “First Lady”.Her family, the Cronin’s from theWoodline in Kilbrean, have covered probably every role in the club over theyears. She was our Scór officer for many successful years until she passed thetitle to her sister Sheila McCarthy. She continued in East Kerry as ScorOfficer and was a delegate and PRO for Scor on Munster Council. Ann Helped setup Social committee and chaired for many years hosting Rambling House evenings,Food Workshops and Who’s Got Talent.
Nowadays she is charged with a new committee introducing fundraising initiatives for the Club. Also helps out with the Clubhouse Hall bookings. A great supporter of everything Spa both on and off the field. Always on hand to offer expert advice if requested. Retired St Finian’s Health Care Nurse but is probably busier than ever. As grandmother to gorgeous Reidín, secretary to Comhaltas Cill Airne, set dancing in Fleadh with the over 35s category and very proud winning her first All Ireland in Derry in 2015.
Senior Male Player of the Year: Nominees
Eoin Fitzgerald
This isEoin’s first year being nominated for Senior Player of the Year and hisdisplays have definitely warranted him being shortlisted. Eoinusually found himself in the halfback line but was assigned the oppositiondanger man in the corner on occasion also.
He put in lots of great performances and we hope that there is more of the same to come this year, Eoin is a most deserving nominee for this award.
Evan Cronin
Last year’s winner finds himself nominated once againfor the John Doyle Cup. Evan certainly kept the scoreboard ticking over in manygames this year which was instrumental in Spa maintaining Division 1 status.
Evan usually found himself at either full forward or in the corner and wasn’t afraid to take his chance when the opportunity arose.
Michael (Stam) O'Donoghue
Having been nominated in 2016, Stam is back in the mixfor Player of the Year after a series of very good displays. Some nigglinginjuries threatened to derail things at one stage this year but diligent workin the gym meant he was able to overcome them.
Mike spent most of the year playing his football in the full forward line, however, there were occasions when his presence was needed around the middle and he fulfilled these duties with the minimum of fuss.
Senior Female Player of the Year: Nominees
Gina Crowley
Gina is a recent transfer to the club from Kenmare and a great asset to the Senior Ladies. Slotted in well and a great team player. Gina has tremendous experience as former Kerry Senior player and certainly proved vital in many games. As a result she’s nominated in her first year for player of the year. Played in defence throughout the year and was influential in keeping the opposition’s scoring tally to a minimum.
Gina is a winner of both a County Junior and Senior Championship in 2018. We are delighted that Gina has joined Spa and look forward to many years watching her in the Blue and Gold. She brings out the best in our younger players and encourages them to do best. A worthy nominee and a great addition to our senior ladies squad.
Loretta Maher
Loretta (Lottie) joined us from Duagh and a sister of retired Kerry senior Anthony Maher. A great player who leaves it all on the field. Her tall statute gives her the advantage over most players in mid field and she takes full advantage. She’s like the energiser bunny all over the pitch as she covers every blade of grass. A great fielder with excellent distribution helps put our forwards into great scoring positions.
She picked up the Kerry Senior Championship Player of the Match for the final against Rathmore. Like Mairead, another great basketball player who has great speed and control with the ball. Also first time nominee and Lottie is another great choice for Player of the Year.
Mairead Finnegan
Mairead had a great year on the playing field with Spa. Her lightning speed and deadly accuracy in the forward line always contributed to the success of the team. Her first time being nominated as she took a little time off away from the field to become a mom. Mairead’s athleticism and strength proved that the rest did her the world of good. Her basketball skills also contribute to making her an All Rounder both in attack and defence. Her skills have gone from strength to strength coming up the ranks in county from underage right through to senior.
Top scorer for the Senior ladies this year and her performance in the Junior County final was outstanding. She won the Kerry Ladies Junior A Player of the Match performance in the final against Milltown/Listry . Like her fellow nominees a worthy nominee for Player of the Year.
Junior Player of the Year (Pat Corcoran Award)
CoreyDoyle put in a number of excellent performances for the juniors this year, nonemore so than on a cold, wet, windy evening in Currans when Spa won the BarrettCup. On a night when conditions made playing good football impossible, Coreyshone with an imperious all round display, with his free taking especially eyecatching. His 1–06 on the night of the final, when added to his 1-10 haul inthe semi final, paint a far more accurate reflection of his year than any wordscould do justice to.
Tall and rangy but with an eye for goal, he covered every blade of grass playing for the juniors this year, while also proving to be the most deadly of assassins from placed balls. He is a most deserving recipient of the Pat Corcoran Award and we look forward to watching Corey develop further in the Spa Senior jersey.
Young Player of the Year (Aidan Cronin Award)
Ifcommitment, attitude and a constant willingness to excel and improve oneself iswhat a Player of the Year should be, then this nomination certainly fits thebill. Ollie Cremin’s attitude this season was second to none leaving no stoneunturned in his professionalism, work rate and dedication. Throughout the yearhe controlled his defense in a difficult period for the Spa minors. If hecontinues on his current trajectory, Ollie has the potential to become a topgoalkeeper for the Spa Seniors in the years to come.
Many an evening Ollie and his twin brother Connie cycle to Spa, train hard and pedal home again. It’s all about going the extra mile and this is why Ollie deserves tonight’s accolade. Suffice to say if all younger players had a similar work ethic football in Spa would blossom further. Congratulations Ollie, a most deserving winner of the Aidan Cronin Award for 2018.
Kerry Juniors: All-Ireland Junior Champions
Spahave a great tradition of producing numerous key players for the Kerry JuniorTeam over many years. Last year was no different as Dan O’Donoghue and EvanCronin assumed the mantle in playing pivotal roles in helping Kerry succeed inacquiring a fourth All-Ireland Junior Championship on the trot.
Danmarshalled a potent rebel attack from full back whilst Evan from right halfforward wheeled off 5 crucial points in a two point victory in a closely foughtMunster Final against Cork.
Ourtwo Spa ambassadors played against Kildare in the Semi Final coming out on topon a 2-17 to 1-14 score line in Navan to qualify for a fifth All-Ireland Finalin a row.
Ina hard fought game against Galway in the All-Ireland Final Dan and Evan onceagain acquitted themselves nicely as Kerry triumphed via a late penalty to getover the line on a 2-13 to 2-11 score line.
We in Spa are very proud of Dan and Evan’s accomplishments in the Green and Gold of Kerry and long may it continue.
1968: A Historic Victory for the U16s
Given that it was a first victory atJuvenile level for the club, and the fact that it followed hot on the heels ofthe initial O’Donoghue Cup victory of 1966, the East Kerry Under 16Championship victory of 1968 heralded a bright and successful future for thethen fledgling Spa GAA Club.
Dr Crokes proved too good for Spa in Round1, a game that was played in the outside pitch in Fitzgerald Stadium but Spasubsequently recovered from this setback with victory over Legion and thenqualified for a semi-final place following victory over Glenflesk. That game,refereed by Derry Crowley, was played in Knockanesand and it will be recalledthat Spa recovered from goals by PaudO’Donoghue (Lisbaba) to secure victorywith two late goals courtesy of Diarmuid O’Sullivan and Cathal Kelliher.
The semi final saw Spa have home venueagainst a Dr Crokes side, who, with the likes of Niall Brosnan, Mike Sexton andGreg O’Donoghue among their ranks, were raging favourites to advance to thefinal. Despite an early injury to Paddy Moynihan (Clasheen), it was nip andtuck between the sides in the first half and it continued in that vein untilthe three quarter stage when a high ball from Paudie O’Mahony was finished tothe net to give Spa the lead.
The victory was as welcome as it wasunexpected and testament to that was the fact that after the game, when clubchairman Tadhg O’Sullivan – a man well known for his meticulous recording offixtures – was asked when the final was fixed for, his reply was “That is onedate I did not mark in my diary!”
Training sessions were held prior to thefinal against Rathmore under the keen eyes of mentors Donie O’Leary, TadhgO’Sullivan and Denis J. Fenton, and for the final, the Spa club even affordedthe team the luxury of a second bottle of Lucozade to add to the customarysingle bottle for the half time refreshments!
The game, played in mid August inFitzgerald Stadium, turned out to be a one sided affair with Rathmore, who werebackboned by the likes of Dermie Moynihan, John D. O’Keeffe, John and Dan JoeCahill, never recovering from early goals from Jim Naughton and John O’Mahoney,and with Spa dominating around midfield they went on to score six goals in allin what was an emphatic victory.
There was no photographic presence at thefinal but Spa did get together in the Stadium a couple of weeks later for ateam photo. Incidentally, one of the starting fifteen missed that photo calldue to the fact that he was required to help out at a neighbour’s threshing –changed times indeed!
Team: Neilly O’Sullivan (RIP, Knocknaskeha), Tim O’Regan (Upr Park Road), Larry Kelly (Gortroe), William Herlihy (Cummeen), Tom Forde (RIP, Ballydowney), Pat Joe O’Leary (Knockeragh), Tim O’Brien (Aghadoe), PaudieO’Mahoney (Capt. Woodlawn), Paddy Moynihan (Clasheen), DiarmuidO’Sullivan (Lissivigeen), John Cahill (Tullig), Cathal Kelleher (High St), John O’Mahoney (Woodlawn), Jim Naughton (Tullig), Paddy Moynihan (Ardaneanigh).
Subs: Noel O’Sullivan (Ballaugh), Dermot Griffin (Barleymount), Dave Herlihy (Cummeen), Ger Cronin (RIP, Knocknaskeha), Donie Foley (Barleymount), Mick Clifford (Barleymount), Denis Fenton (The Park), Dan O’Leary (Knockeragh), John O’Sullivan (Knockeragh) Sean Looney (Park Road), Neilly Kelleher (RIP, Tiernaboul)