Next in the series of interviews with the Kiladangan diaspora dotted around the world, we have former intercounty footballer Niall Kelly who has been based in San Francisco since 2008. Niall talks about his memories of the club and how life is treating him in San Fran.

1. So, let’s wind the clock back to a time before you left Kiladangan and tell us what your connection was with the Club?

They say hurling skill can skip a generation, unfortunately for me it skipped a brother. Football was always what I was good at and this was mainly due to great club men like Vincent Mulligan, Tom Delaney and Tom Kirwan. Vincent was really a massive influence in directing my attention more towards football as I was growing up. I remember when Kiladangan won the County Junior Football title in 1990, Vincent would let me stand in goals for training. I was maybe 13 and was training with the likes of Colm & Cathal Egan, Sean & Eamon Kelly, Brian Flannery, Paul Murray, Donal Flannery and Michael Holland and none of them took it easy on me at all but I used to really enjoy going to the training. I feel back then when we had disappointing years with the hurling, winning the big ball seemed to keep the club going. When we won the Junior B County football final in 1997, it was our first county title since 1990 and we had the likes of Enda Nolan, Tommy Connors, Gerry Slattery, Karl Hogan, Eddie Fogarty who were part of the Intermediate Hurling team that won the North Final in 2001 (which was one of my fondest memories) and this kick started the hurling revolution at the club. My last year was memorable as we won the North Senior Hurling Championship for the first time in 50 odd years

2001 North Intermediate Hurling Champions (Niall is in the back row, second from left)

2. When did you move and what was it like getting settled in and established?

I moved to San Francisco in November 2008. I was lucky as I was starting work with my sister’s company and also had a brother that lived here also so it was easier for me to settle in than others. There is a very large Irish contingent over here and they always make you feel welcome.

3. Can you briefly describe to us your life now, work, family (if any) and have you time to be involved in GAA activities?

I work as a Project Manager for an underground construction company where we install water and sewer facilities for public agencies. I got married in 2014, my wife Erin is originally from Florida and we have two children Alyxandra who is 2 1/2 years and Jack who is 8 months.

The GAA over here is constantly growing and I was lucky to spend several years playing and coaching. It took me a while to get to grips with playing 13 a side especially playing in the full back line. Unfortunately, injuries caught up with me. I had a couple of back operations and I ended getting my back fused which ended my playing days

Alyxandra and Jack

Alyxandra supporting the Kiladangan colours

4 .Looking back again at your time in Kiladangan, what would be your prominent memory of being around the GAA field in Puckane?

Ever since I was young all I remember is spending the long summer days in the hurling field. Back then, the field ran from Puckane to Ballycraggan and matched the grade of the road. I remember going to the GAA camps and the 20 a side matches we used to have against each other.

5. We’ll assume you manage to get back ‘home’ for the odd family reunion, holiday etc, can we ask what do you look forward to the most?

Definitely catching up with family and friends, sausage rolls and a bottle of Lucozade from Kennedys. A few drinks in Una Powells.

6. Tell us a little bit more about your life away from Kiladangan, for instance, what’s your weekly routine, how do you attack the weekend, and what’s a holiday from where you currently live?

Life starts early in San Francisco - we are usually up by 5:30 am and in the office for 7:00 am. I’m usually home by 5:30 pm and then I am babysitting until 7pm (I was told it's not babysitting when it’s your own children). Weekends could consist from going on hikes with the family, wine tasting or just hanging with friends. Since my wife's family are still in Florida we do travel there a lot. I love going to Hawaii, Las Vegas and Portland.

7. Do you have a message to send home to Kiladangan?

Firstly congrats on the all your success on and off the field. It's great to see ye going from strength to strength.

Secondly it’s great to get the updates (Twitter) from nearly every single Kiladangan match while being so far away.

Niall was a member of the Kiladangan Junior 'B' team that reached the Munster Final in February 2007

8. Who is your favourite Kiladangan player, past and present?

Past Player: Michael Holland (he was an amazing footballer)

Current Player: Eoin Kelly???? (he is still playing right?)

9. Have you any funny memories/stories from your time involved with Kiladangan, be it whilst playing, supporting etc.

After we won the County Junior Football in 1997, we had started the celebrations in Kennedys, and we were heading for McGraths. There was about 20 of us. I remember Enda Nolan taking off on a sprint up the road with the cup and we all duly followed. It was like a scene from Braveheart.

And a few random questions to finish:

10. If there was a transfer market in hurling, who would you buy for Kiladangan?

I would concentrate more on keeping hold of who we have than buying any one.

11. Name any 4 people (dead or alive) that you would invite to dinner?

Jurgen Klopp, Barack Obama, Ronan O’Gara, Billy Connolly

12. What’s your favourite sporting moment of all time?

I can’t pick just one:

Munster Football Finals 2002, 1998, 1995

Ireland v England Six Nations 2007 in Croke Park

Ireland v New Zealand 2016 in Chicago

Coaching the Kiladangan Camogies (I was threatened by Mags Minehan to state this)

IN TROUBLE! Niall receiving a yellow card whilst playing for the Tipperary Senior Footballers

Check out Niall hitting the head lines after his late point earned Tipperary a draw (against the odds) against Cork in the Munster Senior Football Final in 2002: article

If you would like to take part in our 'Kiladangan Abroad' interview series then please Whatsapp Michael on 087 254 8583.