Sport and business can draw many comparisons as the key to success in both is hard work aligned with a team effort that nearly always achieve the necessary goals.

Many businessmen will tell you that they admire the Kilkenny hurling for the work ethic, determination and team spirit that they have displayed over the past number of years.

To say that all these attributes have paid off is an understatement to a county that is seeking an historic fifth consecutive senior hurling title. There can be little argument that the current Kilkenny team are the greatest side to have grace Croke Park.

Whether or not they achieve that historic five-in-a-row remains to be seen, but without any shadow of a doubt, this side will be spoken about for many generations to come.

Kilkenny supporters are appreciative of what these played have achieved since 2006 when the current run started as they have been many a great day out by Henry and Co.

This year will be no different as they take on Tipperary in a repeat of the 2009 final as these fierce old rivals go head to head in the quest to lift the Liam McCarthy Cup.

The scramble for tickets is well underway as Kilkenny and Tipp supporters bid to ensure they take their place at GAA headquarters on the first Sunday of September.

For this All-Ireland hurling special of Hogan Stand, we profile Kilkenny company K. Connolly Transport Ltd and speak to director Leone Connolly about the success of the company and their admiration for the Cats.

K. Connolly Transport Ltd was established in 1994 by Kevin himself. The company is located in the village of Gowran and is actually situated directly across the road from the Young Irelands' pitch, home to Kilkenny legends DJ Carey, Charlie Carter and Pat O'Neill.

Hurling is in the blood in these parts and Leone revealed that the excitement has really being building in the weeks leading up to the final.

"There is more and more talk about the five-in-a-row now and everyone is getting excited about the prospect of the county creating history," said Leone.

"There are an exceptional group of players, who have worked very hard for what they have achieved. It would be great to see them with it again this year."

 "We would help out with buying tickets when we can and we would support the club. One of our lads is mad into the hurling and he is being coached by Pat O'Neill at the moment, and to have such a hurling legend coach them is great for the kids. Charlie Carter does a lot of work at underage level and it is great to see them give something back."

Like the Kilkenny players, the husband and wife team of Kevin and Leone have worked hard down through the years to be successful in business and they have certainly moved to the top of their field.

From the time, the business was established in 1994 and only one truck was in operation, Kevin Connolly Transport can now boast of a fleet consisting of 50 units that include artics, rigids and vans.

Specialising in general haulage, the company not only operates across the 32 counties, but the U.K and Europe as well and Leone stresses that their success is in no small part to their loyal employees, many of who have been with them years.

"We have a great staff, all of who have been willing to pull together. If a job has to be done, they will do it regardless of the time. Obviously, over the past year or so, things have become a lot tighter due to the current economic recession, but fortunately, we have not had to let anyone go. The key to keeping our heads above water is diversity and we provide a wide range of services in the haulage industry."

One of the newest services that K Connolly Transport Ltd is providing is warehousing and storage as they move in a new state of the art 40,000sq ft premise that comprises of offices also.

"The volumes of goods have certainly decreased and it is important to take up the slack in other areas. We feel that the warehousing gives an extra option and we're hopeful that it will be a big success.

"Our main aim is customer satisfaction and if we can maintain that we will be very happy. These are difficult times, but they have to be met head on, otherwise you will go under."

The preferred choice of truck for the haulage firm are Scania, DAF and Volvo all of which are kept fairly new and well maintained in order to avoid unnecessary downtime.

"Our fleet of vehicles would be between 05 and 10 models. Our maintenance is carried out by the dealers that we buy them off and we have a good relationship with those. It is important to keep the fleet well maintained as this avoids breakdowns. Customers don't want to be waiting any longer that necessary for their goods and on time delivery is something that we strive to achieve all the time."

In 2007, Kevin and Leone decided to join Total Pallet Network (TPN) covering the Carlow and Kilkenny areas. This allows the customer to do all their business with just one haulier.

TPN works on the idea that its members transport goods from its main hub in Dublin to the areas that they generally cover and Leone feels that this has been a great success.

"We are delighted with the way it has been going with TPN. It is very efficient for both us and our customers."

In the coming months we hope to increase the size of our business shipping and storing pallets and cartons for delivery in our local area and the rest of Ireland and the UK.

Kevin and Leone are driven to succeed just like the Kilkenny hurlers and whose to say that both groups will not have further success in 2010 and beyond. 

Tweet

Most Read Stories