This year's AGM concludes Risteard O’Flaherty’s 10-year term as Chairman of Na Piarsaigh. Stepping into the position in 2015, Risteard played a leading role in the transformation of our club facilities along with guiding Na Piarsaigh through a period of great success on the pitch. 

Risteard’s tenure as Chairman saw the club grow from having one playing pitch along with the side field to 3 full size pitches, 2 of them sand based and one fully floodlit. This followed the acquisition of 10 acres of land in 2014 under Risteard’s predecessor Timmy O’Connor. Further developments followed with the addition of astroturf to our hurling wall, dugouts on pitch 2 and 3, along with the upgrading of the floodlights on the side field. While significant capital investment was required to improve our facilities, Risteard has consistently prioritised the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the pitches.

Risteard’s vision wasn’t just limited to our playing facilities. He was instrumental in driving the redevelopment of our club bar in 2018. This saw a total transformation of our bar facilities which was complimented by the complete overhaul of our club hall in 2023. This saw our old club hall remodelled into the state of the art multi-purpose hall and kitchen we have today. 

Success on the pitch continued for Na Piarsaigh during Risteard’s time as Chair with our senior hurlers adding 6 county titles, along with Munster and All Ireland honours. Our footballers claimed an intermediate county championship in 2022 while our second hurling team rose through the ranks, winning the Junior A county championship in 2016 and then adding an intermediate title in 2022.

A keen hurler in his day, Risteard was midfield on the Féile team that won the Féile na nGael in Wexford in 1984, beating Toomevara in the final. The team was managed by Fr. Tom Carroll, with the late Bill Reidy part of the management team. Bill sadly passed away in recent days. He continued to feature at all age grades for the club in the subsequent years. He struck a decisive goal in the 1989 U21 county final win against Ahane, our first county championship success in the premier competition. His hurling took a break for a period in the 90’s to pursue a career as a pharmacist and he would return to play junior hurling with the club in the 2000’s. Risteard was a formidable fixture in our full back line in those later years. You quickly learned to clear the area under a dropping ball as it didn’t matter what colour jersey was in his way, Risteard was pulling, and pulling hard. He’d take man, ball and all! I know this from personal experience. A knee injury forced him to hang up the boots in 2009 but he duly stepped into a selector role with the junior hurlers alongside the late Dan Hickey and manager Mick Leonard for our Junior A City Championship success in 2011.

His dad, the late Dr. Richard O’Flaherty was Na Piarsaigh club doctor as well as team doctor for the Limerick hurlers for a number of years, first taking up the post in the early 80’s when club founder Noel Drumgoole was manager of the team. Following closely behind his father, Risteard has acted as medic for almost every team in the club at some point over the years. His pace off the mark was notable, sprinting onto the pitch to tend to an injured player. He did suffer a pulled hamstring in Bruff back in 2017, slowing him down slightly. His sister Niamh is heavily active in Na Piarsaigh today also, carrying out the role of Child Welfare Officer in the current Executive. Niamh’s children Aodh, Cúan and Lua all play with the club.

While Risteard was at the helm during this incredible period of growth for Na Piarsaigh, it is also important to acknowledge those who worked alongside him, the Executive Committee, sub-committees, and members, whose collective efforts helped drive the club forward. Risteard would never settle for mediocrity and consistently insisted that Na Piarsaigh strive for the very best.

As he steps down as Chair, the Na Piarsaigh of 2025 stands transformed from the club he first took charge of in 2015, a testament to Risteard’s vision, leadership, and extraordinary commitment. We extend our sincere thanks to Risteard for his years of dedicated service, with the knowledge that his legacy will be enjoyed by our members for decades to come. While they are big boots to fill, we wish Donie O’Gorman every success as he takes on the role.