Memorable occasion in Killea

There was great excitement and pride at Killea GAA club and Killea village on Tuesday morning, February 3, when the GAA president Jarlath Burns and NBI chief executive TJ Malone visited to officially launch the partnership between the GAA and NBI.

The occasion was a very memorable one, showcasing everything that is very special about Killea and a strong sense of community, warmth of welcome, and deep pride of place.

From the early preparations of flags and bunting erected, flowers sewn, to the final farewell with a fabulous selection of home baking and the cupán tae, the entire community came together to make sure it was a day to remember.

Killea GAA club were asked to host this event as being one of the smallest clubs in Tipperary and it was a great honour for the GAA club and the whole community.

President Jarlath Burns and Chief Executive TJ Malone and all the guests were welcomed with a guard of honour including members of Templemore’s Thomas MacDonagh Pipe band, Joe Barry and Róisín Barrett, along with the pupils and teachers of Killea NS, who later entertained everyone to beautiful music and songs.

All the speeches on the day reflected both the significance of the small local GAA clubs, NBI connecting rural communities and the importance of the local national school, pride of place and support of the wider community, Jarlath Burns, Tim Quinlan, Chairperson of Killea GAA Club; Canon Conor Hayes, local parish priest and Mary Kennedy, Principal of Killea NS, all addressed the large gathering in attendance in the community centre in Killea.

It was a great honour on the day to have our own local Killea GAA member Dick Buckley in attendance with his medals on display for everyone. Dick has a Munster minor championship medal, a U21 Munster championship medal, and an All-Ireland U21 championship medal. Huge congratulations and well done to Dick was expressed by Jarlath and all in attendance.

Both Jarlath Burns, TJ Malone and their fellow guests expressed their delight and gratitude for the incredible hospitality shown to them, praising the strong community spirit evident throughout the beautiful rural village.

Tim Quinlan, Chairman of Killea GAA club, said it was a hugely proud day for Killea GAA club and the whole community of Killea to have Jarlaith, TJ and their fellow colleagues visit and he thanked them for choosing Killea GAA club to do the launch between the GAA and NBI. Tim also said a heartfelt thank you goes to a number of people who helped to make the day a huge success with great memories - Killea GAA players, Killea NS pupils and teachers, Joe Barry and Róisín Barrett from Templemore Thomas MacDonagh pipe band, Canon Conor Hayes, all who took time to be here on this special day, all the ladies who helped out in the kitchen and provided the beautiful refreshments, and all who helped prepare the GAA grounds and the hall in preparation for this very successful and very memorable day.