Rockwell Rovers' and Tipperary's Sandra English is deserving winner of GAA President's Award

The presentation of the Gradaim an Uachtaráin CLG at Croke Park last week, an event covered live on TG4, included the Munster winner, Sandra English of Rockwell Rovers GAA Club, New Inn, Tipperary.

At the event, Uachtarán Cumann Luthchleas Gael, Larry McCarthy said: “The success of the GAA has always been down to the people who, through their loyalty, selfless dedication and commitment, have invested so much to ensure that for almost 140 years the Association has gone from strength to strength.  

"Gradaim an Uachtaráin affords us the chance to single out people who are responsible for extraordinary service to Gaelic games.

“In saluting the deserving, we are mindful that they are ambassadors for the thousands of people who do so much for the betterment of our Association. I warmly congratulate all of our recipients and acknowledge the support of TG4 and AIB in this most worthwhile initiative”.

The eleven awards were made on a provincial and code basis.

They included the Gaeilge, Education and International Awards and the presentation of the annual Dermot Earley Family Award.

MUNSTER WINNER- SANDRA ENGLISH, ROCKWELL ROVERS

Although Sandra English is mostly associated with the Rockwell Rovers GAA Club, she is also renowned in the parish of New Inn and Knockgraffon for her community involvement. The old adage, which states that if you want something done, ask a busy person, is absolutely true in her case.

Sandra first came to the fore with her active involvement in the promotion of TG’s Celebrity Bainisteoir when the Rockwell Rovers GAA Club was featured in 2009. 

She is now PRO of Rockwell Rovers, having completed four years as secretary, during which time the club developed and opened the new all-weather playing area and walkway at Páirc na nGael, New Inn. She is a most active member of the club and was foremost on the committee that produced the club history in 2019, with the involvement of GAA historian Seamus King. 

Her mother Eileen Bell was a well-known local reporter in the New Inn area for The Nationalist newspaper since the 70s and when she passed away in 2015, Sandra took on the role and is still doing it to this day.

Her father Gerry Bell is still hale and hearty in Whitelands, New Inn and he also instilled in her an interest in politics.

Sandra continues to report on the activities of the club and local area in the newspaper and local radio, being equally adept at communicating in print or in speech. She loves her native parish and does everything possible to promote it, volunteering in many areas of parish activity and being available to serve on many committees.

She is a great worker and efficient in whatever she does.

Whatever needs to be done, Sandra ensures that it is done with maximum efficiency and minimum fuss. Indeed, one wonders where she gets time for everything while also holding down a job as a full-time librarian.

She is married to Conor, who is also embedded in the GAA, having just stepped down as chairman of West Tipperary Bord na nÓg following many years’ service in various roles.

They married in 1993 and have six sons - Cormac (26), Cillian (24), Fergus (22), twins Finbarr and Diarmuid (20) and not forgetting “baby” Gearoid (13).

Her great commitment to the GAA and to life in general in the parish of New Inn and Knockgraffon is an indication of the great generosity in heart and spirit of Sandra English.