Tomás De Búrca and Kyran Kennedy

Tom Burke and Kyran Kennedy discuss their involvement in the GAA in Co. Clare and at national level. Kyran tells of his playing career with the now defunct Ennis Rovers and later with Éire Óg. He talks about his administrative career with the club and with the County Board. He discusses his experiences under different chairmen and stresses the importance of Brendan Vaughan in encouraging clubs in Clare to purchase and develop their own grounds and facilities. Tom downplays his own playing career, stating that his relationship with the GAA was spent mainly as a supporter until he became Oifigeach Gaeilge. He talks about the role of language and culture in the GAA and also the ethos of volunteerism in the country in general. He also refers to his involvement in the Corofin and Inagh clubs. Both men remember their time in school and in St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, where they both studied. They discuss the relationship between hurling and football in Co. Clare, the ban on foreign games and the increase in popularity of camogie and ladies’ football.