Billy Aspell honoured at Kilcullen GAA
It was a special morning at Kilcullen GAA Club today when longtime club stalwart Billy Aspell was presented with a medal to mark his management of the 1971 team that won the Junior A Championship as well as the Murphy Cup, and Division 2 of the Senior League, writes Brian Byrne.
The medal was presented by Johnny Doyle, Kildare and Allenwood footballing legend. Billy, 94, was unable to be present at the club Dinner Dance in February when that team was specially honoured, so he had a ceremony all for himself today. Several members of the 1971 team joined in today's celebration, which concluded by Billy planting a commemorative tree on the grounds outside.
Opening the event, Nick Egan said it was very important that the club maintain connections with all the great people who had brought it on the journey to today. "We're a club that wants to be bigger in the future, but we can't forget the past," he said, before handing over to club chairman Dan Bell.
The chairman said it was a great occasion, and noted that Billy had been involved in the club's first development committee, and now a new development committee is taking it to the next level, necessary as the town gets bigger and bigger.
Saying that Billy's commitment to GAA was evident from his record of having attended no less than 74 consecutive county finals, Dan Bell thanked him for all that he has done for Kilcullen GAA through the decades, "and I hope that you'll be around for many more." He welcomed Johnny Doyle and expressed his appreciation on behalf of the club for coming along for this occasion, with the Junior Championship Cup.
Christy Howard said that he had first met Billy Aspell when he joined the Kilcullen Boxing Club at ten years of age. He noted at that time the Boxing Club and the GAA Club were virtually the same in membership and officers, and Billy alternated the training for each within their respective seasons. On the GAA side he served on many committees, and was treasurer for some 20 years including that first development committee. Christy recalled moving up through the different age divisions, with Billy as his mentor, culminating in the 1971 win.
"As player-captain I needed all his support, and he was a brilliant mentor and selector," he said. "He loved football, he loved the club, and he loved boxing, and he was also one of the key men in the development of the John F Kennedy Hall for the Boxing Club, when that became the place in Kilcullen." He welcomed the great turnout for a 'brilliant' day to mark Billy's contribution to Kilcullen GAA, to Kilcullen community, and to Kilcullen Boxing Club. "We're thrilled to have you here."
Following the medal presentation, Johnny Doyle recalled the first time he had met Billy, which was at the John F Kennedy Hall when as a young 'very nervous' Irish Ropes Newbridge boxer he was introduced by his father. "I've met you many times down the years since, Billy, and you always encouraged people. That's the kind of person you are. And while we might have gone tooth and nail against each other, Allenwood and Kilcullen, no matter what happened you always had a kind word afterwards."
Saying that it was great to see the club arrange the special morning, and wishing Billy many more years of going to county finals, he also commented on the value of heritage in a club. "History drives the next generation," he said, adding that it was the achievements of the teams that went before 'drove us to try and be a better club'. "There's a Porky Lambe in every club, and there's a Christy Howard in every club, and it's those kind of people that makes the GAA great. When we put the jersey on our back we're representing our club, but when we get together for an occasion like this we're all GAA people."
