Athenry News & Views Spring 2026

Spring 2026

Frank and Bernie Burke with their Family. Catherine, Declan, Tadhg & Fionn Curtin. Thomas, Laura, Jessica, Frankie & Paul Burke. Patricia, Ross, Siun & Conan Sullivan. Roisin, Finbarr, Clark, Jake & Rowan Donnellan.

but of trust & community. From a sheep dotted field in the 1980s to the thriving club we see today, the journey of Colemanstown United has been built on generosity & belief. The plaque now stands as a permanent reminder of what can grow from a simple act of goodwill, even one sealed with a £1 coin across a late night bar counter. On behalf of everyone connected with Colemanstown United, past & present, we extend our deepest & most heartfelt thanks to Frank & Bernie Burke and their family. Their kindness gave Colemanstown United a home. And from that home, everything else followed.

Inside, over tea & a generous spread kindly provided by so many volunteers, friends & family gathered to reminisce, laugh & relive the club’s earliest chapters. A special word of thanks to James Barclay, whospent countless hours, often at unsociable times, to produce a wonderful audio piece capturing the spirit, atmosphere & magic of those formative years. It is something truly special & can be heard on our website : www.colemanstownunited.com under the news article for the appreciation event, posted under ‘Community’. The day was about more than a plaque. It was about gratitude. It was about acknowledging that the strongest foundations are not made of concrete,

GAA man Tim hangs up his Kenny Park keys GAA man Tim hangs up his Kenny Park Keys

After thirty-five years of involvement with Kenny Park in a variety of roles, including caretaker Tim Collins has finally hung up his keys and retired from the position. A gentle giant and a friend to all, young and old, players and supporters alike. Tim had his own way of doing things. Never afraid to offer an opinion on players or management, he nonetheless earned widespread respect for his dedication and commitment to ensuring Kenny Park was always a welcoming and enjoyable place to play or attend a hurling, football or camogie game. Born in Rostullas near Woodford, in south Galway Tim attended Portumna Vocational School, where he proved to be a capable hurler. He played for the Galway Vocational School’s team and treasures the memory of marking Kilkenny great Tommy Walsh in

an All-Ireland hurling semi-final. He later won a county Under-16 football medal with St Michael’s. A keen follower of greyhound racing, Tim enjoyed notable success when his dog ‘Park Jewel’, trained by Seámus Fahy, won the Easter Cup at Shelbourne Park. A gifted cabinet maker, he received a scholarship to Rosmuc but, by chance, found his true calling as a chef. While working at the Galway Bay Hotel, he stepped in when the chef called in sick and proved an immediate success. He later worked in Merlin Park Hospital and at Kynes of Claregalway before establishing his own restaurant, ‘The Wayside’, on the Tuam Road in Galway. Tim moved to Athenry, where he purchased the Newpark Hotel. During the 1980s it became known as the “home of Galway

hurling”, hosting successful All Ireland winning teams, club and county meetings and gatherings from across the county. Through his tireless work and pride in the grounds, Tim helped make Kenny Park one of the county’s favourite GAA venues for players of all codes and supporters. Thanks Tim and happy retirement.

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