Kildalkey reflect on a year to remember

It was the trophy cabinet at the front of the dining hall in the Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim that immediately caught the eye. Bathed in light the specially constructed, well-crafted piece of furniture was divided into individual sections flanked on each side by an assembly of balloons. Blue and white balloons of course.

Each of the sections housed a handsome, sparkling trophy. They were the coveted pieces of silverware won by various Kildalkey teams during 2023 (six in hurling, one is camogie as well as the Club of the Year award).

The trophy-laden cabinet was a powerful symbol of the remarkable run of success Village teams achieved. The litany of triumphs included, of course, an unprecedented three adult hurling championship titles - at senior, intermediate and junior levels.

And it wasn't just the hurlers who scooped trophies. The club's camogie team also achieved success with a league crown. Kildalkey teams in general reaped a rich harvest of trophies from a variety of competitions entered.

At the start of the night's festivities there was a 'Parade of Champions' with players from the various victorious teams walking into the hall to a standing ovation from the 300 plus guests. The event's organising committee ensured the evening's proceedings clipped nicely along. After all 67 players had to be presented with championship medals in the various grades. There was a lot to get through.

The MC for the night was that knowledgeable hurling man and commentator Frank Dempsey. He compered the evening with skill and humour reminding those in attendance how Kildalkey's treble was unique not only in Meath but in the GAA generally.

Those belonging to an older generation who were in attendance could hark back, and it wasn't very long ago, when Kildalkey struggled to find enough players to make up teams and when defeats, including a litany of painful, heartbreaking setbacks in county finals, ensured they stayed outside the golden circle.

That changed, changed comprehensively in 2009 when the first of three successive SHC crowns were claimed under manager Pat O'Halloran. Since then they have won a further three senior titles.

In seeking to find a reason behind Kildalkey's rise to prominence MC Dempsey talked on stage to Nick Fitzgerald, the manager of the successful intermediate and senior Kildalkey teams in 2023 (the junior team boss was Martin Carr).

Fitzgerald, (who won a GAA's President's medal and was also referee of the year in Meath) talked of how, out of a small population, Kildalkey have sought to make the most of what they have.

He talked about how "a lot of work has gone into the club by a lot of people" asserting that there is no secret formula to the story. Instead it's about hard graft - and unity of purpose. It's also about building a strong underage structure. "You have to get them as early as you can with a hurley in their hands," he added.

The Hall of Fame award went to club stalwart Pascal Carr. He is one of the unsung heroes of the GAA, one of those who are content to do his work away from the limelight. His spread of volunteer work for Kildalkey Hurling & Camogie club has been varied over the years involving a large variety of roles essential to the running of any club. His dedication and commitment was warmly acknowledged.

These days Kildalkey have a hurling wall but he could recall the days when the club had very little. "The only wall we had was around the pitch," he added. He also reflected on how in the early days of the club's first camogie team there was sometimes only two cars available to bring the players to games. Now it’s different.

Kildalkey chairman Tosh Brady paid tribute to the dedication of those currently involved in the club as well others through the years. "I'm fortunate to be chairman in this great era for the club but it's the work that is been done by others now, and by people before me, that should be acknowledged, the high standards that have been set at adult and underage levels by so many." He also paid tribute to the unstinting generosity of Kildalkey's main sponsors - Harmon Oil.

There was a prize on the night too for one winner who could answer a quiz question. How many sets of twins played for Kildalkey teams in 2023? Was it nine, 11 or 13?

The answer was a lucky 13. Another remarkable statistic from a truly memorable year for the Village. The well-stocked, highly decorative trophy cabinet a potent reminder of that fact.