A HOST of Kerry legends and stars descended on London this evening in a bid to help further boost the kingdom's run of sporting success.
A fundraising dinner took place in the capital to help raise funds to go towards the completion of a new GAA Centre of Excellence in Kerry.
Over 450 guests attended the event at the Grange Hotel in St Paul’s, brushing shoulders with the likes of Marty Morrissey, the Spillane family, Darragh Ó'Sé, rugby's Mick Galway and Diaspora Minister Jimmy Deenihan.
The Sam Maguire and Liam MacCarthy cups were also on show.
Patrick O'Sullivan, Chairman of Kerry GAA said: "It was another epic moment in Kerry football history last September when the team clinched the All-Ireland Senior Championship over Donegal in Croke Park.
"Tonight we celebrate the coach and players earning last year's win. Most of all we are here to ensure that the success that Kerry teams have earned will continue into the future."
Kerry legends and fans having fun. Photo - Malcolm McNallyAs the official media sponsor on the night, The Irish Post was there to capture all the action at the Friends of Kerry Fundraising Dinner.
The partnership has been borne out of The Irish Post’s longstanding role as the voice of the Irish community in Britain for over 45 years, during which time the paper has supported and championed the GAA community in Britain and Ireland.
"We are proud to help invest in the future of Ireland's national sport, which is the lifeblood of the Irish parish," said The Irish Post's Commercial Manager Sarah Murphy.
"The GAA creates vital links and opportunities for the next generation - a large proportion of whom will most likely grace British shores at some point in their future.
"Congratulations to the organising committee on what has been a great evening."
Maggie Doyle from Irish TV and MC for the evening Marty Morrissey. Photo - Malcolm McNallyMoney raised on the night will now go towards developing training areas at IT Tralee and in the village of Currans.
The new state-of-the-art facilities will cost in the region of €5.8million to complete, of which €4.7million has already been raised.
At IT Tralee, Kerry GAA are building their own full size GAA pitch, dressing rooms, players’ lounge, meeting rooms and offices.
Shared facilities with the third level institution are also planned including a high performance gym, sports hall, aerobics rooms, leisure theatre, hydrotherapy pool, massage suites, synthetic pitch and an existing sand based pitch.
The Currans project includes two phases with the first part – which is hoped to be completed by 2016 – featuring two full size floodlit sand-based GAA pitches, dressing rooms, a players meeting room and a maintenance building.
Then between 2016 and 2020 it is anticipated that three further floodlit sand-based pitches, one full size all-weather synthetic pitch, additional dressing rooms, a jogging track, and a players catering facility will be added.
Kerry minor and a world champion Irish dancer Tomas Ó Sé showing former Irish rugby international Mick Galwey a few steps. Photo - Malcolm McNallyKerry Association London Chairman John Tuite said: "Kerry tradition has produced fantastic players who have given much. whilst this tradition is our strength, we have fallen behind in terms of facilities and equipping our teams.
"Tonight we have an opportunity to provide that help by fundraising for the Kerry Centre of Excellence, which will cater for 20 county teams, all codes, male and female from senior to under 14."
He added: "Gaelic games are interwoven into the fabric of Irish life, nowhere more so than in Kerry. Our teams are the pride of the county."
Pieta House and Friends of Kerry, a charity for children with disabilities, also benefited from this evening's fundraising dinner.
Mick Galwey, Eoin Liston and Jimmy Deenihan giving musician Liam O'Connor a lift. Photo - Malcolm McNallySee More: Featured, GAA, Ireland, Kerry, Sam Maguire
