Legends

Denver Gaels Hall of Legends

Kieran Brady

Kieran joined the Denver Gaels back in the late nineties and has been an integral part of the Gaels as a player and coach over many years since then.

A native of Chapelizod which is a small village within Dublin City, it sits along the River Liffey right beside the Phoenix park and within earshot of the trains chugging in and out of Heuston Station, named after a young railway worker Sean Hueston who was involved in the 1916 Rising.

Kieran played his football with Dublin GAA club Scoil Ui Chonaill in the Clontarf area. Rumor has it he was also on the panel of the Dublin Minor Football team back in the day.

When Kieran came to Denver he found out about the Gaels and fitted right in with the mens football team. That same team won the North American Junior B Championship in 2000 and Kieran played an integral part in all three games that labor day weekend, so much so that he earned several mentions in the famous “ode” written by teammate Alan Groarke about that glorious and first Championship win. Kieran continued to play for several years after that famous win and played football with the Gaels when we hosted the North American Finals in 2004.

He was also determined to pass on his playing prowess to his offspring and sons Kevin and Connor were part of a Denver Gaels youth team that won silverware at U14 and U16 level. Kieran was always there with the other coaches/parents and Denver Gaels members, Martin Concannon Alan Groarke, Alan Murphy and Shay Dunne that were passing on Gaelic games to their own sons and daughters.
In later years Kieran’s sons Kevin and Connor and daughter Katie played at adult level with the Gaels. Kevin still lights it up on the hurling pitch with the Washington DC Gaels, Connor recently rejoined the Denver Gaels Men’s football team and Katie has played with the Ladies Denver Gaels Football team.

For several years, Kieran has been coaching the Men’s Gaelic Football team; elevating the skills and competitiveness of the Gaels to levels not seen for years. (He also had the misfortune of having to jump into a sevens tournament in San Diego as an emergency sub during the hurling teams famous win at Junior B.)

Kieran is one of those Irish lads that takes great pride in seeing our Gaelic Games embraced by our American born members and goes out of his way to help all codes and teams be successful.

He is most certainly a Denver Gaels Legend and a major part of the success of the Denver Gaels.

Kyle Shane

The Denver Gaels Legend Kyle Shane joined the club in 2007 and immediately became one of the best Camogie players that the Denver Gaels has ever seen. Her passion for the sport and the club sparked a new era for the Camogie team as Kyle led the charge into the creation of the “Rogue Camogs” a collaboration club of members of the Denver Gaels and Twin Cities. The Rogue Camogs, under Kyles leadership, won the National Championships in 2011, bringing home the first cup for a ladies team Denver Gaels history. Kyle’s continued passion for the club expanded over the following years as she joined the committee, holding a number of positions and then finally becoming the club president in 2014. Her time as president saw a large increase in the in club memberships and also helped to bring the club into the national focus as she continued to develop lasting relationships with other clubs from around the USGAA. Kyle stepped down as president in 2015 but has left a lasting impression on the club and and many of the individuals that competed with her over the years. She was inducted into the Denver Gaels Hall of Legends in 2019. 

Shay Dunne

The Denver Gaels Legend Shay Dunne was a founding member of the club and a Gaelic Footballer. Shay moved to Denver from Dublin, bringing along a never ending collection of blue jerseys. He also brought along a strong passion for the game that he wished to share with anyone who would listen. Shay has been a part of every winning team that the Denver Gaels has sent to national competition since he started with the club. Though Shay began his time as a footballer, he has always shown to be a master player and coach of both Irish sports. There isn’t a hurler past or present that can kick the sliotar further or with more accuracy than Shay Dunne, which just goes to show how his combined talents stretch from sport to sport.  His presence on the pitch, on the sidelines and in the club community have driven the club to become a better, more fit, and more tight knit club over his many years with the team. His passion for the club has always been known and felt, and every member that has played with him can feel his enthusiasm for the sport. Shay has held many committee positions over his long tenure with the club. He continues to be a crucial member of our community and plays a vital role in club relationships with other USGAA organizations. He was inducted into the Denver Gaels Hall of Legends in 2019. 

Alan Murphy

The Denver Gaels Legend Alan Murphy Joined the club as a founding member in 1996. Originally hailing from Cork, Alan Murphy can typically be see sporting a red Jersey to club events. His combined love for Cork shows through in the original red and white club jerseys that the Denver Gaels have donned at hundreds of events in our history that he helped to design. His lasting influence and love for the club has been felt by hundreds of members over his long involvement with the team. Alan’s on field talent helped the club win a national football championship in 2000 and a national hurling championship in 2007. His contributions to the team didn’t stop there however. After hanging up his boots  Alan continued to support the club as a coach and manager for nearly all codes over the following years. His mentor-ship and influence assisted the club to yet another championship trophy as the Camogie team won in 2011. His influence will be felt for many years to come, especially on the Hurling pitch as we continue to play “Whole Hearted Hurling”, just as he always preached. Alan has held MANY committee positions over the years and his guidance will always be a guiding light for the club. Alan Murphy was inducted into the Denver Gaels Hall of Legends in 2020.