*Bernard Keane. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
FORMER CLARE GAA Treasurer, Bernard Keane has launched a bid to become PRO of Munster GAA.
Keane’s five year term as a Munster Council delegate concluded last week and now the St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield clubman is hopeful of securing a role with the provincial body.
A native of Kilmihil, Bernard served for twelve years as Clare GAA Treasurer, prior to this he was Assistant Treasurer for four years and Bord na nÓg Peil treasurer for nine years. He stepped down as Treasurer in 2018.
He served as team liaison officer for the Clare senior footballers during Colm Collins’ eleven year tenure and for Mark Fitzgerald’s season in charge in 2024.
Speaking at County Convention, Bernard told delegates, “My five year term on Munster Council has been completed, the first thing I’m saying is where did the five years go but they are gone, it has been an honour and privilege to serve Clare GAA. I know most players consider it a great honour to put on the Clare jersey, I considered it to be a great honour to represent Clare in Munster, I sincerely thank clubs of Clare for putting their faith in me”.
Keane continued, “the first few years were a small bit scattered because of COVID but we got an awful lot done”. He said, “A lot of people say it is handy gig but I want to remind Joe (Garry) it is far from a handy gig. To represent your county is the greatest honour any man can have”. He thanked John Fawl and John Callinan for their help and support while serving alongside him as the Clare delegates to Munster Council.
“Where would the parishes be without the GAA, it is the focal point of every parish in the county and indeed the country, without the volunteerism we won’t have the GAA,” Bernard added.
Chairman of Clare GAA, Kieran Keating expressed his support for Keane’s bid to become Munster GAA PRO. “Bernard is seeking election in the upcoming Munster GAA Convention in January, to the position of Munster PRO, and we need to seek support for Bernard in that contest from other counties that we may have influence in”.