By Gerry Cody: Photos jbs
It has been quite the run for Community Radio Kilkenny City over the last few weeks.
At the recent National Community Radio Awards, hosted by Community Radio Ireland (CRAOL), the Hebron Road based radio station scooped two gold awards.
Following hot on the heels of the stations McNamee Award for the Best GAA Related Radio Programme, it further enhances the high standards set and attained by CRKC.
At the awards night, presenters Kay Brennan and Eugene Doyle, were both awarded Gold Medals acknowledging their outstanding work. (See last week’s Kilkenny Observer).
It’s fair to say CRKC is doing well on the Gold Medal front when you remember that only a year ago at the CRAOL awards in Galway, Barrie Henriques and Pat Shortall each collected Golds –for the The Liam Mac Carthy Cup script and for Sunday Serendipity.
And it doesn’t end there.
MAYOR’S AWARD
At the City Hall last Monday Night, a large gathering witnessed Mayor Joe Malone present a special Mayor’s Award to the sports team at Community Radio Kilkenny City.
According to Cllr Malone: “When I was elected Mayor of Kilkenny, I mentioned individuals and groups I wished to recognise for their contribution to society. Community Radio is one such group”
Cllr. Malone congratulated the radio team in general and the sports team in particular for the high calibre of work they broadcast on a daily basis.
Since CRKC began broadcasting six years ago, the station continues building a sterling reputation and going from strength to strength.
The station is rich in excellence and experience, and the huge numbers that tune in daily to the 88.7 frequency is testament to that.
However, when it comes to sports, it is fair to say the station is bursting at the seams with extraordinary talent. The comprehensive coverage of all sports epitomises an ethos of community interaction that reflects credit not only on the station, but on their knowledgeable and committed reporters, considered by many to be the crème de la crème.
PHENOMENAL SAYS MAURICE
CRKC Chairman Maurice O’Connor thanked Mayor Malone for the public recognition and for the award. Mr O’Connor described CRKC sports coverage as phenomenal. “When you consider that all contributors work on a voluntary basis, this is true community spirit in action”, said Maurice.
Station manager Declan Gibbons said that it had been a great six years for the station and that the dedication from the team at the sports department is second to none. He praised the work of head of sport Pat Treacy and the diverse team of contributors. Mr Gibbons said that it would be very easy to concentrate on the bigger sporting occasions, but the sports department endeavour to cover all sports, and all grades, and that, he said, is what makes them unique.
A LABOUR OF LOVE
Head of sport Pat Treacy thanked Mayor Joe Malone for the award and he had particular words of praise for his dedicated colleagues involved in bringing sport into the homes of the community. “Apart from it being a labour of love by all who contribute, we do it so anyone unable to attend sporting events can tune in and feel part of the occasion. “For one reason or another people may be unable to attend, but the pride of village or county is very important, and so we facilitate those people. And that is the driving force of the sports department”, continued Pat.
Mr. Treacy welcomed Sinead O’Callaghan and thanked her for the ongoing support from TC Tyres. Pat remembered in a special way the late Tom Cantwell who was so supportive of CRKC from its inception.
“Make no mistake, this sports department is all about team work and it is a fairly simple system. Likeminded people doing what they love and giving back to the community”, concluded Mr Treacy.
After the formalities concluded the large gathering remained in city hall to enjoy light refreshments and sporting reminiscences.
