Unveiling of the Tom Wrenn Memorial Stand
Saturday, June 24th was a poignant evening for the club as the community and its friends gathered together in Cordal’s blue and gold abode to pay a lasting tribute in the memory of Tom Wrenn, former Cordal GAA Club chairman, church sacristan and an upstanding member of the community.
Report: Paddy Flynn, Cordal, GAA Club PRO / Photographs: Nora Fealey
The evening was to be marked by the naming of the club’s stand in his honour.
Co-ordinated by Charlie Farrelly
The unveiling ceremony was co-ordinated by Charlie Farrelly and there was numerous speakers as Charlie kept things light hearted and kept the audience entertained.
Club chairman, Maurice Costello was first to speak and he welcomed members of the Wrenn family; local and visiting supporters and guests: Sean Kelly, MEP; Brendan Griffin, TD., Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport; Tim Murphy, Kerry County Board chairman
He also praised the strong turnout and described how far the club has come.
Sean Kelly spoke of the ‘heart and soul’ of Tom Wrenn and recently deceased club stalwart Jimmy Roche whose strong spirits helped to create a football club that would be there for future generations.
Happiness Tinged with Sadness
Club secretary, Richard O’Donoghue talked about the day being one of happiness tinged with sadness. He praised the two men Cordal have lost in recent times in Tom Wrenn and Jimmy Roche.
Richard explained how both men helped to mould the club together and how they continue to spur us on.
He praised the quick response by newly appointed Minister of State, Brendan Griffin, TD upon receiving invitation to the event.
Richard also thanked Knocknagoshel GAA Club for obliging the host club by have their SFL game played in Cordal before the unveiling of the stand.
Pat Ahern spoke on behalf of Ahern’s Garage, Castleisland who kindly sponsored the plaque for the stand.
Face of Testing Business
Pat said that Tom was the face of their vehicle testing business and spoke fondly of Tom’s long career with Ahern’s Garage and how happy they were to be a part of this gesture in his memory.
Minister of State for Sports and Tourism, Brendan Griffin, TD praised the Cordal set up and compared it to his own club in Keel as a small club yet greatly punching above it’s weight.
He praised the event as a means of preserving the legacy of the two, late club giants of Tom Wrenn and Jimmy Roche.
Minister Griffin also noted that the event was the first official Kerry engagement he attended as a minister.
Big Part of Father’s Life
Brid Wrenn spoke on behalf of the Wrenn Family. She thanked the different speakers and Cordal GAA Club which had been such a big part of her father’s life.
She congratulated Canon O’Mahony who recently celebrated his diamond jubilee. She also spoke about how happy her father would have been to see Brosna man Tim Murphy appointed as county board chairman.
Tim Murphy then gave a fitting description of Tom Wrenn. He said if you were trying to describe how to be a great community person in a manual you’d describe Tom.
Genuinely Praising Tom
Canon O’Mahony praised Tom Wrenn who had been a very good friend to him as Cordal sacristan. He said how wonderful to it is to hear people genuinely praising Tom.
The stand was finally blessed by attending clerics and unveiled by Tim Murphy.
The Cordal GAA Club stand from henceforth is to be called the Tom Wrenn Memorial Stand in his honour.
It was fitting to see such a great crowd for the unveiling. We’d again like to thank everyone who attended, to those who spoke at the event and of course to Ahern’s Garage for sponsoring the plaque for the stand.
Cordal V Knocknagoshal Division 5 Senior Football League
Cordal Senior’s played Knocknagoshal to claim their sixth win out of six in this year’s Division Five County League.
The win was fitting on the evening of the club’s unveiling of the Tom Wrenn Memorial Stand in memory of the late club chairman who sadly passed away last year. Cordal held an eleven point lead with 0-16 to Knocknagoshal’s 0-05 at the final whistle.
Cordal on Scoring Frenzy
The first half kicked off with a Cordal point scored by T.J O’Connor. This was followed by a Knocknagoshal point scored by David O’Donoghue before Cordal went on a frenzy and scoring eight points in a row.
The second quarter was more even with Cordal missing scoring opportunities. Both sides scored two points a piece.
Half time left Knocknagoshel down by nine points at 0-3 to Cordal’s 0-12.
More Prosperous for Knocknagoshel
The second half was more prosperous for Knocknagoshel they heavily defended their goals and reduced Cordal’s amount of points scored from twelve to four. Knocknagoshel added two points to their own tally.
A crucial moment came in the tenth minute when Cordal goalie Sean Óg Ó Ciardubháin saved a near goal for Knocknagoshal.
Cordal only managed to add one final point, scored by Philip Griffin, in the fourth quarter due to Knocknagoshal’s good defending.
Full time left Cordal on top at 0-16 to Knocknagoshe’s 0-5. Well done Cordal on another win!
The Cordal team: 1. Sean Óg Ó Ciardubháin; 2. Johnny O’Connor; 3. Michéal Cahill; 4. Pádraig Ó Brosnacháin; 5. Flor Griffin; 6. John Brosnan; 7. Gary O’Leary; 8. Donal McCarthy; 9. Kieran O’Donoghue; 10. T.J O’Connor; 11. Philip O’Connor; 12. Brian Reidy; 13. Michael Flynn; 14. Philip Griffin; 15. Billy Cronin; Subs: Jason Cronin, Pádraig O’Connell, Tim O’Donoghue, Tomás Brosnan, Sean Walsh and Kieran Enright. Referee: Tom Lynch of Kerins O’Rahillys.
Fixtures: Cordal V Austin Stacks: Cordal Seniors play Austin Stack’s B team this Saturday at 6pm in Austin Stack’s.
June Lotto at Kearney’s Bar
The Lotto Jackpot for June is up to €2,800. The Lotto draw will take place this Friday, June 30th in Kearney’s Bar, Castleisland.
As always you can get your Lotto tickets from our sellers. You can also buy them at Kearney’s Post Office or at Jackie Reidy’s Menswear.
You can also go to www.cordalgaa.com to buy your tickets online. Richard O’Donoghue and his team are in charge of this month’s Lotto.
Please keep playing and supporting our Club Lotto. However you play, the Best of Luck from Cordal GAA Club.
Lisa McHugh Concert Almost Upon Us
Our Lisa McHugh concert is less than a month away. You can buy tickets from our club officers, at advertised retail sellers and online at www.cordalgaa.com. Don’t Forget – It’s going to be a night to remember!
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