Proud night in Silverbridge as Harps host joyful homecoming for new GAA president Jarlath Burns

There were emotional scenes in Silverbridge on Saturday night as the Harp’s GAA club proudly welcomed home its most famous son, Jarlath Burns.

The 41st president of the GAA was met with hugs and handshakes from young and old, as a single piper led him through the club’s Resource Centre to applause.

Among the first to welcome the new Uachatarán through the doors was Silverbridge’s own club president, 93-year-old Pat Traynor.

Clearly delighted to see him, Jarlath Burns shook his fists and spread his arms wide as the pair of presidents warmly embraced to loud cheers.

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The new GAA president was surrounded by children adorned in the Silverbridge club colours, eager participants in a moment of history, or maybe just caught up in the simple joy of the occasion.

The flags in the club’s hall were predominantly blue and gold, but evident were the badges and colours of neighbouring GAA clubs.

Often parish and club rivals, on Saturday evening, it was a moment for the broader south Armagh GAA community to come together in celebration.

For the 56-year-old player turned administrator, it was a relatively short ten mile from Newry’s Canal Court to his home village.

But for Armagh, it has been 57 long years since the county last held the GAA presidency.

Sam Maguire had crossed the border just twice when Lurgan’s Alf Murray was elected GAA Uachtarán in 1964, as only the third Ulsterman to hold the office in the 80 years since the GAA was formed.

He would hold the office for three years until 1967.

Interviewed by Ernest Strathdee for UTV on assuming his new office, Mr Murray spoke of his desire to open to the GAA to a wider audience.

Approaching the 25th anniversary of the Clann Éireann clubman’s death, Jarlath Burns faces similar challenges in bringing a wider body of opinion behind the Casement Park project.

But on Saturday night, those challenges ahead were set aside for a well-earned celebration event.