The GAA is pleased to confirm the recipients for Gradaim an Uachtaráin 2020, which will be presented at a special banquet in Croke Park this evening.

These prestigious annual awards, organised with the support of AIB and broadcast by TG4, affords Uachtarán CLG with an opportunity to acknowledge outstanding commitment and long service across the club and county network.

The 11 awards are a cross-section of people who have shared the common theme of making an inspirational impact on their code and also their club and community.

Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Seán Ó hOráin said: “The GAA exists because of the volunteer effort of inspirational people.

“The impact and infectious enthusiasm of these people is the beating heart of what our great Association has grown to be for more than 130 years.

“These awards present us with an all too rare opportunity to stop and reflect and say thank you to a group of people who have made and who continue to make a life-long contribution to the GAA and who are such magnificent role models.

“There are 11 awards presented here across all codes and all walks of the GAA life. In their own way they are ambassadors and shining examples of the countless other volunteers at home and abroad who give so much of themselves for the betterment of the GAA and who we are proud to be able to call our own.

“Ba mhaith liom tréaslú le gach duine a bheidh ag fáil gradam anocht. Tá na gradaim seo á mbronnadh oraibh mar aitheantas ar an obair mhór atá déanta agaibh i gcur chun cinn gnéithe éagsúla de chuid Chumann Lúthchleas Gael. Comhghairdeas libh go léir agus go maire sibh bhur ngradam.

“I would like to acknowledge AIB and Maol Mhuire Tynan, Head of Public Affairs, for their ongoing support of these awards and of their wider commitment to Gaelic games.

“Míle buíochas also to TG4 for their assistance in helping us to bring these awards to the widest audience possible and for the work they do each year in showcasing Gaelic games.”

The 11 awards are made on a provincial and code basis. As well as Gaeilge, Education and International Awards, the presentation of the annual Dermot Earley Family Award will also be made.

The GAA Presidents’ Awards (Gradaim an Uachtaráin 2020) will be broadcast tonight on TG4 at 7:30pm (Live from the Hogan Suite in Croke Park).

Buaiteoirí Gradaim an Uachtaráin 2020

CONNACHT AWARD: JOHN MCANDREW, St Michael’s GAA Club, Sligo

Every GAA club needs a reliable person to ensure that they have the necessary funds to allow them to function – off the field and on. It’s often a thankless job, but vitally important to enable clubs to survive and one such inspirational figure in this field is John McAndrew of St Michael’s in Sligo.

John started out his involvement with his club in the late 70s as a player before proving himself to be invaluable with his fundraising efforts and in helping to organise the weekly card game. When the card game evolved over time into a club lotto, it was again John who proved instrumental in its organisation and success.

To this day the club benefits from the vital support of the locality which is secured through the lotto drive by John, his wife Ann and by Harry and Jacinta Clarke.

It’s not only the club that benefits from his fundraising skills, as he is also the treasurer of the Markievicz Park committee and is a regular volunteer steward on match days.

It is John’s enthusiasm and drive which shines through at all times and being always on hand, sometimes at short notice, to travel the length and breath of Sligo and indeed Connacht to assist at stewarding at GAA matches contributes to him being such a popular figure.