THE dedication to Gaelic games demonstrated down the years by Fermanagh's Sharon McGrath was rewarded on Friday, with the Belcoo Gael among the winners at Gradaim an Uachtaráin 2016.
A range of honours were presented at a special banquet in Croke Park with the O'Rahilly's Belcoo official one of four Ulster-born award winners. Sean McGourty (St Gall's Belfast), Bernie O’Reilly (Cavan) and Paddy Beag Gillespie (Naomh Columba, Donegal) were among those who received honours.
McGrath's award citation said she was "an inspirational figure in the club and in the community. She has held roles within the club such as Youth Secretary, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Assistant Youth Secretary and Development Officer, while continuing to coach and mentor Youth teams.
"Despite the tragic loss of her 13-year-old son, Oisín, she has continued to show her support for her son’s team, despite the heartache.''
St Gall's stalwart Sean McGourty was honoured for his contribution to the development aspect of the club both on and off the field. McGourty, father of several Saffron county stars on both the Antrim men's and women's senior squads, was also instrumental in introducing ``a juvenile section that produced many fine teams, littered with dual players. As a result, St Gall's won 13 county Senior Football Championships in 14 years, and hurling championship title at intermediate.''
The awards, organised with the support of club championship sponsors AIB and broadcast by TG4, are staged annually by the GAA and provide the GAA President with an opportunity to acknowledge outstanding commitment and long service across the club, and county network from people whose highly valued contribution may not be recognised on the national stage.
The awards are made on a province and code basis and there are also Gaeilge and International Awards in addition to the presentation of the Annual Dermot Earley Family Award.
GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail said: “I’m delighted to present these awards this evening to incredible members of the GAA, members whose tireless dedication and commitment help make the GAA what it is, the length and breadth of the country and indeed around the world.
“A club family as wide and diverse as ours would not be possible without the enthusiasm of so many people who take great pride and satisfaction in being involved in what is a movement of like - minded people.
“Tonight’s recipients serve as an example to the legions of volunteer members who power the GAA. These people follow in the footsteps of those who did this before them and who influence the generation that will come after them. I laud each and every one of them.
“I would like to acknowledge AIB and Denis O’Callaghan, Head of Branch Banking AIB, for their ongoing support of these awards.
“Their involvement this evening is another tangible example of their support of both our club and county activity and this relationship will be the fore in the coming weeks and months with our club and inter - county championships commanding our attention.”
Buaiteoirí Gradaim an Uachtaráin 2016
MUNSTER - Anne Ryan, Brickey Rangers GAA, Co. Waterford
A founding member of the Waterford Supporters Club in Dublin in 1992. She became secretary of the club in 1995 and held that position until 2012 when she retired Anne Ryan has been a staunch supporter of the Brickey Rangers club for many years. On her return to Waterford after her retirement Anne focused her focus and dedication to Club Déise. Her valiant efforts also saw her claim the Jack Furlong Award in 2013.
MUNSTER - Denis Hurley, Sarsfields Hurling Club, Co. Cork
Denis Hurley, a two - time senior county champion with Sarsfields, has devoted his life to the club and county. Having served as a selector on All - Ireland - winning senior hurling teams in four different decades at county level (66, ’76, ’84 and ’90), Denis also proved a huge addition to administration at club level and he has served in every officer position in Sarsfields for over 65 years.
CONNACHT - Joe McManus, Enniscrone/Kilglass GAA Club, Co. Sligo.
Upon his arrival in Enniscrone Joe immediately became involved in the running of the GAA club. He took up the chairmanship role in 1965 and held the position until 1977. Over this period, he was central to the club’s success in a very fruitful period which delivered a Junior Championship in 1966, a first U16 title in 1973 and a second minor championship in 1975, as well as a Senior Championship final appearance in 1972.
CONNACHT - Liam Bracken, Kilbride GAA, Co. Roscommon
Liam Bracken and the Bracken family have played a huge role in the running of the club for many years. Having held a number of executive positions within the club Liam also put great effort into the coaching of underage teams in the club. Along with this Liam also successfully started up a camogie club which went from strength to strength. His sons Mike, Timmy and James all played and coached at various levels within the club and have given life - long service to it and his grandchildren are now playing at underage level for Kilbride.
ULSTER - Sharon McGrath, Belcoo O’Rahilly's, Co Fermanagh
Sharon has been involved with Belcoo O’Rahilly's all her life and was instrumental in setting up Belcoo’s first Youth Committee to give everyone an equal opportunity. She has held roles within the club such as Youth Secretary, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Assistant Youth Secretary and Development Officer, while continuing to coach and mentor Youth teams. Despite the tragic loss of her 13 year old son Oisín, she has continued to show her support for her son’s team, despite the heartache. She has been an inspirational figure in the club and in the community.
ULSTER - Seán McGourty, Naomh Gall CLG, Antrim
Towards the end of his playing career Seán focused his attention to the development aspect of the club both on and off the field. He introduced a juvenile section that produced many fine teams, littered with dual players. As a result St Gall's won 13 county Senior Football Championships in 14 years, and hurling championship title at intermediate. It was no accident that in 2010 St Gall's contested the All - Ireland club finals in senior football and intermediate hurling, winning the football. There were nine dual players on the teams.
LEINSTER - Ned Flynn, Castletown/Finea/Coole/Whitehall GAA Club, Westmeath
Secretary of his club at the age of 18, followed by roles as Chairperson, County Board delegate and Secretary of the Westmeath Minor/Juvenile board, Ned Flynn has experienced a busy 40 years in the world of GAA. He was renowned for his work with the youth – not least in the transportation of underage players from venue to venue – and his encouragement ensuring game time for so many children down through the years.
LEINSTER - Paddy McMahon, Sean O’Mahony’s GAA, Louth
For more than 50 years of sterling service Paddy McMahon has worked with tireless dedication for the GAA at club, county, provincial and national level. He was always a central figure on the field and showed a leadership which he continued to display off the field where he was involved in so many crucial projects that put O’Mahony’s on a secure footing. His expertise and passion from football to poc fada, from social initiatives to child protection and health and safety, speak volumes about this man’s contribution.
CAMOGIE - Mary Connor, St. Annes Camogie Club, Co Louth
Mary has been a loyal and committed member of St. Anne’s Camogie Club for 51 years. She was inducted into the club’s first “Hall of Fame” award at the club’s 50th Anniversary in 2014. She has served the club in an exemplary fashion over the years as player, coach, referee and in administration. To add to her impressive CV she has also been Chair of Leinster Council and Vice President of the Camogie Association.
HANDBALL - Vincent Brennan, Ballaghaderreen Handball Club, Mayo
Vincent Brennan from the Ballaghaderreen Club in Mayo has dedicated his life to the game of Handball, in particular the code of Hardball - the most ancient form of Handball. Vincent currently hand makes the Hardballs which is a skilled and time consuming process each year for the All - Ireland Championships and has done so for over 20 years. He is widely credited as the main reason that the game of Hardball is still played in Ireland today.
LADIES FOOTBALL - Liam Shinnick, Cahir, Co Tipperary
Liam founded the Cahir Ladies Football Club in 1997 and has been involved in many volunteer capacities throughout the years from coaching through to fundraising. To celebrate his 60th birthday last year he organised a weekend of fundraising in Cahir with all proceeds going to the local hospice and Climb4Clare, a fundraising initiative close to hearts of all members in LGFA.
ROUNDERS - Bernie Healy, Limekiln, Dublin
Bernie Healy has been involved with the game of Rounders for the past 35 years. From the beginning she has helped support all teams involved, providing words of encouragement to every single player no matter what has happened on the pitch. She plays a very special part in the community by lending a hand, giving advice and general support. When it comes to the sport of Rounders she is a caring and passionate person and a natural team leader.
INTERNATIONAL AWARD - Bernie O’Reilly
A native Cavan man, Bernie O’Reilly has given almost 60 years of service to the administration and development of GAA games in the Boston area and North America. The number of clubs in the division has more than doubled from when he first arrived, leaving Boston GAA as one of the leading divisions in North America in both adult and underage levels. In 1967 he was elected chairman of Boston GAA and since then he has been involved with the local and North American board in many different capacities.
EDUCATION AWARD - Tom Fitzpatrick, St. Pats College, Drumcondra.
After a long career as a primary teacher Tom Fitzpatrick joined the staff of St Patrick’s College as the GAA officer in 2001. He has helped to establish and/or oversee the development of 11 College teams, involving 300+ players each year across the four codes of hurling, football, camogie and ladies football. Over the past 15 years Tom has been the face, heart and soul of the GAA in the College for thousands of students.
FAMILY AWARD - The O’ Dea Family, Na Fianna CLG, Dublin
The O’ Dea family have made a huge contribution to Na Fianna GAA over the last 20 years. Anne has been on the Club Executive Committee, GPO Steering committee and also has served as Club Registrar. At County Level she is currently Cathaoirleach of Dublin Go Games Fixtures while also serving on the County Bord na nÓg Committee. Her husband John has coached many juvenile teams from nursery level upwards. John and Anne’s three sons are also extremely active in the GAA. Mark, Paul and Eoin have all played both hurling and football for the club as well as representing Dublin at various levels and codes.
GAEILGE AWARD - Paddy Beag Gillespie, Naomh Columba GAA Club.
Ó 1970 ar aghaidh, d’athraigh baint Paddy le Naomh Columba CLG go dtí rudaí ar siúl as an bpáirc. Idir 1970 agus 1996, ghlac Paddy ról an - ghníomhach ar Choiste an Chumainn cosúil le ról an Chathaoirligh (seacht n - uaire) agus ról an rúnaí (ceithre huaire) a dhéanamh. D’oibrigh sé mar leas rúnaí an Chontae freisin i 1988. Deirtear go raibh grá Paddy don teanga an - soiléir an t - am ar fad sa Chumann, agus bhain sé dioplóma amach sa Ghaeilge in Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh i 2006. Is stairí aitiúla é Paddy faoi láthair, agus tá sé cáilithe mar thuras treoiraithe freisin.
From 1970 onwards Paddy’s association with Naomh Columba also turned to off the field activities. Between 1970 and 1996 Paddy was an active member of the club executive including serving as Chairman on seven occasions and secretary on four occasions, while also serving as assistant secretary on the Donegal County Board in 1988. Paddy’s passion for the Irish language has always been evident within the club. He received a Diploma in Gaeilge from Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh in 2006 and is a local historian and a qualified tour guide.
