Tipperary recipient of one of this years GAA President’s Awards (Gradaim an Uachtaráin 2024)

The GAA has confirmed the recipients for Gradaim an Uachtaráin 2024. These prestigious annual awards, organised with the support of AIB and broadcast by TG4, are made by GAA President Larry McCarthy to acknowledge outstanding commitment and long service across the club and county network. The 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.

Seán O’Shea is set to be one of the GAA legends honoured. The GAA released press release honouring the Tipperary representative read as follows: "During his playing days, Seán O'Shea was a teak-tough left half back who always wore the number 7 shirt. He won five Senior Divisional Championships with Carrick Swans and was a member of the famous four-in-a-row South Championship winning team of 1983-1986.

"Seán has been involved with his club all his life and his father was club chairman in the mid-1970s. He has himself held different roles on the club committee - including Secretary and Field Development Officer. His tenure as club secretary came to an end in 2022 after spending over 15 years in the role.

"As well as serving as secretary, Seán has been Club Development Officer for more than 10 years. He played an crucial role in delivering the club's new pitch during his tenure and continues to drive the field development project in 2024. In the coming weeks the club will have a brand-new all-weather field and hurling wall. Seán's drive and vision has helped create facilities for the club that will cater for the kids and adults of Carrick On Suir for decades to come."

There are provincial, educational, and Irish language awards, as well as awards recognising contributions made to Ladies football and Camogie, World GAA, and handball. The Dermot Earley Family Award recipients are the Cahalane family from Cork.

Speaking about the awards, Uachtarán CLG Larry McCarthy said: “The GAA is powered by the selfless dedication of people who commit to serving something bigger than themselves. It is an effort which has enabled our Association to flourish for 140 years.

“The presence of so many GAA clubs throughout Ireland and the World is a testament to the work done by ordinary people who through their involvement in the GAA make an extraordinarily positive impact on their communities and our members.

“Gradaim an Uachtaráin affords us the chance to recognise individuals who are responsible for that extraordinary service to Gaelic games. In saluting these deserving recipients, we are mindful that they are ambassadors for the thousands of people who volunteer their time for the development of Gaelic games for the present and future generations. I congratulate all of our recipients and wish to acknowledge the support of TG4 and AIB for this scheme.”

The GAA President’s Awards (Gradaim an Uachtaráin 2024) will be broadcast this Friday night on TG4 at 7.30pm

Gradaim an Uachtaráin 2024. Details of the other recipients are on the GAA website.