05/09/2026
This morning we welcomed the Cork Minor Coach Keith Ricken with backroom team member Daniel Spillane , his Captain Joe Miskella and Joes teammates Eanna Lynch and Colm O’Riordan with the Tommy Markham and Tadhg Crowley cups to Páirc Mhichíl Naofa. It’s fair to say , that on the first Sunday in July , after the previous days defeat above in Croke Park for the Hurlers ,we were all deflated ,but , if we weren’t above in Newbridge , we all danced around our front rooms roaring on the Cork minor footballers to All Ireland glory that afternoon. A fantastic performance and achievement ,a ray of light . Keith has been in around Cork GAA a long while now and his record is second to none. He is a class act , a gent and he understands the importance of,first of all , the contribution people like Frank, Paddy and Trevor Barry make to their clubs ,and second of all the need to promote success to the younger generation coming through. His words this morning all sank in. The three lads who came with him this morning, Joe the captain,Colm and Eanna , were a credit to Cork , their clubs Ballincollig and Blarney , and a reflection of Keith Ricken. He deflated us in 2012 in the County Final , we forgot that for this morning. Indeed,his respect of those he himself held in great esteem,went a little bit further when he paid a visit to Paddy Barry Senior a fellow clubman , with the lads also visiting Paddy. Fitting it was in the week Cork GAA celebrate 60 years since the famous ‘66 win when Paddy was the Cork custodian. Thanks to Keith ,Daniel , Joe Colm and Eanna , a credit to Cork GAA . Keith’s words before we started were an inspiration to all of us and it’s easy to see how players want to play for him , his way with words , his respect for the players and parents , not just with Cork , but those who are just learning to catch and kick a ball. “That’s all we want for starters” he said , “to be able to catch it and kick it.” We wish them all the best for the future and thank you for putting smiles on the faces of nearly 200 kids in Páirc Mhichíl Naofa this morning.
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