Kennedy vows to work for the good of GAA in Cork after historic appointment

NEW Cork County Board chairperson Tracy Kennedy, from the Killeagh club, has promised to work diligently for the GAA in Cork during her three-year term in office.

In her speech to the County Convention yesterday, Kennedy thanked all those who had paved the way for her to become the first female ever to hold the very high office.

“It is not I who have made history, but you the clubs.

“Six years ago you elected me as your PRO and three years later as your vice-chairperson.’’

In her maiden speech to the Cork GAA delegates in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, she outlined her many hopes and aspirations for the future, one of them being a deepening of the Cork County Board’s relationship with camogie and ladies football.

“It is my hope that both of those codes will be played in the new Páirc Uí Chaoimh and I certainly want that to happen.

“I will make no promises apart from one, I’ll work to the best of my ability for the good of the GAA in Cork and I hope that you will support me on that journey.’’

Meanwhile, outgoing chairman, Ger Lane believed that inter-county teams expenses were staggering and had the potential to cripple the GAA.

It was outlined that Cork inter-county teams expenses for 2017 were €1.7m and that had to be addressed going forward, he said.

“Can we continue to pump this kind of money into our inter-county teams and survive. Most county boards are under pressure and the association will need to have a serious debate on this before it is too late.’’

Lane said that a major disappointment this year was the fact the county’s senior footballers remained in division two.

He was of the same voice as the new chairperson, supporting the playing of camogie and ladies football in the new stadium when it is suitable and available.