A recent fundraising trip by Kerry GAA officials in New York has managed to raise $210,000, (€158,538) for a Centre of Excellence at Currans.
The county board delegation to New York was led by legends Eoin 'Bomber' Liston, Mikey Sheehy, Ogie Moran and Darragh O Se, who share a haul of 29 All-Ireland medals.
The former Kerry greats were led by county board chairman Patrick O’Sullivan, Michael McCarthy and John O'Dwyer.
Fundraisers at Rosie O'Grady's on May 10 and Waccabuc Country Club on May 13 are understood to have raised approximately $25,000 each and it is understood that 10 further donations totalling $160,000 have been secured, bringing the final tally of cash promised to $210,000.
Mr O’Sullivan said the trip targeted the Kerry diaspora and about 25 per cent of the total raised was down to Sneem native Johnny Riney and the Kerry supporters' club in New York, writes the independent.ie. While Kerry County Board officials would not comment directly on the figures, they labelled the venture "very successful", writes the Kerryman, but they also said that some of the cash raised may only be a "commitment" at this stage.
A site has already been bought in trust for the Centre of Excellence, which has been approved by Croke Park. The total estimated cost of the development is $3.5m (€2.7m) but $1.3m (€1m) has been secured in a grant from the Munster Council, reports independent.ie. A further €1.25m in fundraising is required.
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