Bord Na nÓg Parade – A Spectacle of Excitement and Exuberance

The Castleisland parade to mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of Bord na nÓg in Kerry proved a colourful spectacle of excitement and the kind of exuberance that only children are capable of creating on days like this.

While the parade was a celebration of the past – the very distant past – for most of those taking part, the effort and the turnout bodes well for the future of Gaelic games in the areas of the county represented here today.

Nine Clubs from the Area

Nine clubs from the general area took part and regional chairman and organioser, Richard Cotter from Knocknagoshel GAA Club was delighted with the turnout.

“All the Castleisland district clubs took part and they were joined by representatives of Tralee clubs, Austin Stacks and Na Gaeil,” said Richard.

“We were delighted with the turnout when you consider that we had only a little over a week to organise the area. This parade was supposed to be in Tralee but with works going on the streets there, it was decided to hold it in Castleisland.

A Great Honour

“It was a great honour for us to see former Uachtaráin Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, Seán Kelly MEP in attendance and Coiste Na nÓg chairman, Tom Keane also took part.

“We’d like to thank all those who helped and facilitated us with the parade today. Gardaí and a team of local stewards did a great job in making sure that everything went off well as the parade went through the town led by Killorglin Piper, John Costello,” said Mr. Cotter.

It was a fitting tribute to the foresight of the people who set up its own wing for the juvenile side of the GAA in Kerry in 1967.

Dr. Jim Brosnan

The setting up of Bórd Na nÓg all those years ago was at the instigation of the then County Board Chairman, Dr. Jim Brosnan.

“He saw the need for a dedicated competition for underage footballers, outside of school competition. It was to lay down a solid foundation for future generations of underage footballers in the barony,” according to an article on the history of South Kerry GAA some years ago by Kathleen O’Sullivan.

Dr. Brosnan and his contemporaries would have been pleased to see the turnout and the levels of appreciation from ‘the flags’ or footpaths along the route in Castleisland today.

The future looks bright – if this is any indicator.

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