County Convention: A mighty Kildare season, on-and-off the field of play, recalled

The 138th Annual Kildare GAA Convention was held on Monday night of last week at Cedral St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, where the business of 2025 was reviewed, the financial report was presented, the officers for the coming year decided and one of the most successful seasons in recent times recalled and relived.

Winning the Joe McDonagh Cup, the Tailteann Cup, the minor footballers, again, coming out on top in the McGirr Cup, along with promotion for the senior footballers to Division 2 and the hurlers to Division 1B had chairman, Mick Mullen, in this his first year in the Chair, looking like the cat that had just got the milk.

Hon treasurer, Alan Dunney, again, brought a Financial Report to the gathering that was impressive, with a surplus that any county board would be proud of.

In Alan's term, is it ten years now, he has turned the finances around to quiet incredible levels.

The 2025 accounts shows a surplus of no less than €2.280m and while €2m of that came from the IIP (Immigrant Investment Programme) which went to cut the debt on Cedral St Conleth's Park, €200,000 was transferred to the Manguard Park Development Fund, and after Amortisation of capital grants of €361,680 and Depreciation of €753,830 were taking into account, it left a surplus of some €280,000.

The outstanding loan on Cedral St Conleth's Park now stands at €3.8m, a sum that the Hon Treasurer is fairly confident will be cleared by this time next year.

And that would certainly be some achievement.

Mr Dunney informed delegates that additional ground in Hawkfield is in the process of being purchased, some eight acres in total, the intention being of providing an additional pitch, making it five in total. A decision of a possible all-weather pitch has not yet been decided on but one way or another it is certainly positive news all the way.

In those accounts there was certainly some very impressive figures, such as gate receipts up €200,000 to €687,805; National League receipts up €30,000 to €111,070; income from rent standing at €60,000; Club Kildare income up by just over €55,000 to €447,750 all adding up to a total income of €6m,282,755, an increase of some €1.5m.

On the expenditure side of the balance sheet, match expenses rose by €66,000 while team expenses rose by €270,000; total operating expenditure came in at €4,001,971, leaving an operating surplus of €2,280,764.

Chairman address
Chairman, Mick Mullen, congratulated the footballers and the hurlers on their great successes.

“Reaching Division 2 of the Allianz Football League and winning The Tailteann Cup were immense achievements while adding that the success of the hurlers was brilliant, and while admitting “that the challenges of 2026 will be significant but so too is the potential of this group.”

On the football front patience, continued the chairman, still remains the name of the game; additional coaching expertise has been added, we are building a structure that is sustainable and ambitious in a long term vision.”

The chairman named and congratulated all the managers and the various backroom teams and said “we all look forward to 2026 with hope and belief in what lies ahead.

“We created a new role this year appointing a Football Development Officer in Bryan Murphy” adding “we have already engaged strongly with stake holders across the county and I would like to wish Bryan all the best in that role.”

All-Ireland referee, Brendan Cawley was warmly congratulated while the clubs of Kildare that have done so well in 2025 were all congratulated.

Mr Mullen said that hosting a first home Leinster Football Championship game in 30 years is hard to believe, adding it was a great night, a great win and a fantastic atmosphere.

The improvement carried out in Hawkfield was also mentioned with some €600,000 investment.

The chairman said that while Clubber “has promoted our games in the wider field, the attendance at county final day was down, and that is a concern, and that is something we are going to be looking into.”

The chairman went on to thank all volunteers who give of their time throughout the year giving special mention to outgoing secretary Christine Murray, along with Brendan Woulfe who is stepping down after six years as Secretary of the CCC.

The chairman said that demographics are a major problem, and must be addressed, adding “some of the proposals being brought forward tonight by Syl Merrins, must be addressed regardless of what challenges stand in our way.”

The chairman said that “our club championships have provided great games and great entertainment again this year,” adding that “in 2026 they may need a small adjustment; in 2027 we expect a change in the All-Ireland final, once passed at Congress, and that could see those finals move back to August, if passed it will put pressure in all our champion-
ships and that is something we will have to look at.”

Ending his address Mr Mullen said that 2026 “brings new challenges, on and off the field, integration of the three bodies, growing our games, upgrading Hawkfield and our football development and I believe we are in a strong position to take the next steps with confidence.”

Hon secretary

Christine Murray, who once again came in for great praise, addressed the delegates for the last time, having served ten years in total on the management committee.

Christine said she has enjoyed her time immensely saying “it has been a huge honour to work with the clubs, the players, the volunteers, the officers throughout the last ten years, the dedication, the passion and the commitment of one and all is incredible.”

Christine said that 2025 has been an incredible year, both on and off the field of play, recalling the success of the various teams in both football and hurling at all levels.

The Hon Sec thanked the various officers she has worked with over the years, especially the three chairpersons, Ger Donnelly, Mick Gorman and Mick Mullen; with special mention for Alan Dunney, Louise Conlon, Brendan Woulfe along with Seamus 'Tango' Dooley.

Christine ended her address by saying “it has been one of the greatest honours of my life to be part of Kildare GAA, and while I am stepping away from my official duties, I will remain a proud supporter of Kildare GAA.”

Not for the first time Christine was given a rousing standing ovation.
This lady will indeed be sorely be missed!

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