Laochra Gael Awards 2003-2016

West G.A.A. Convention Handbook, December 7, 2016

 

The Laochra Gael Awards, originally known as the Sean Gael Awards, were inaugurated at a meeting in Hayes’s Hotel, Thurles on April 23, 2003. The attendance included John Moloney, Noel Morris, John Costigan, Pat Moroney, Seamus J. King and Michael O’Meara. Seamus McCarthy was unable to be present. At the outset John Moloney, who had initiated the idea, was unanimously appointed chairman and Michael O’Meara secretary.
 
The chairman outlined the aims of the group, which were chiefly to honour annually persons over 70 years of age, who had given significant service to the Gaelic Athletic Association in whatever capacity, player, official, groundsman, , jersey carrier, tea maker, referee, umpire, etc
 
Initially it was decided to present 40 awards annually, 10 per division, in order to catch up with a backlog of deserving persons. The number was reduced to 32 in 2008 and to 24 in 2014. To date 472 awards have been presented.
 
The awards presentation took place in Brú Ború, Cashel up to 2008, when they were transferred to the Dome, Semple Stadium. The guest of honour is usually a distinguished figure in the G.A.A. The guests of honour at the early presentations, were Past Presidents, Joe MacDonagh, Jack Boothman and Sean Kelly.
 
 

West Division Recipients
 

The following persons in the West Division have received awards to date.
Aherlow: Mgr. Christopher Lee, Tom O’Shea, Philly Kiely, Billy Kiely, Hannie Hanley, Jack Ivory, Jackie Bourke,
Arravale Rovers: James O’Donoghue, Hugh Kennedy,  Richard Meagher, Sean Hayes, Liam O’Dwyer, John Cleary (Tipperary H.C.), Seamus O’Donoghue,
Cappawhite: Willie Walsh, John Treacy, Joe O’Carroll, Jerry Creedon, Paul McCarthy, Tom Joe McGrath, Anne Holmes, Francis Grisewood.
Cashel King Cormacs: Mickey Murphy, Pat Donoghue, Willie O’Gorman, Michael O’Dwyer, Pat O’Donoghue (Cashel H.C.), Paddy O’Sullivan, Peter O’Sullivan, Albert Carrie (Cashel H.C.)
Clonoulty-Rossmore: Fr. Roger Kinane, Philip Maher, Jack Gleeson, Tom Ryan (Casey), Joe Tuohy,  Michael O’Dwyer, Philip Maher, Tom Ryan, Michael Coen.
Eire Óg: Thady O’Carroll, Mick Gleeson, Pakie Joe Ryan, Martin ‘F’ O’Dwyer, Michael Ryan ©, Liam O’Dwyer, D. J. Gleeson, Don O’Mahony,
Emly: Jimmy Ryan, Paddy Clancy, Mick Frawley, Patsy Dawson, Sean McManus, Mike Dawson, Martin Condon, Michael Burke.
Galtee Rovers: Jim Byron, Jim Doocey, Jerry Whyte, John Moloney, Jimmy Quirke, Nicholas Bergin, Larry Roche, Roger Roche, John Marnane,
Glengar: D. J. Treacy, Harry Bradshaw, John Ryan (Luke), Michael Ryan.
Golden-Kilfeacle: Tommy Landers, Con Cash, Jack Leamy, John Bargary, Arthur Landers, John Stapleton, Alice O’Carroll.
Kickhams: Jimmy Hennessy, John Farrell, Tom McCormack, Maurice Ryan, Paddy Ryan, Bill Hayes, Joe Lonergan, Billy Shanahan.
Lattin-Cullen: Jimmy Hannon, Ned O’Neill, Jackie Hannon, Liam Leahy, Johnny Slattery, Michael Maguire, Sean Crowe, George Ryan
Rockwell Rovers: Val O’Dwyer, Tim Curran, Andy O’Dwyer, Paddy Hally, Philip Heaney, Tom Buckley,
Rosegreen: Paddy Cooke, Willie O’Grady, Teddy Gould, Oliver O’Donnell,
Sean Treacys: T. J. Caplis, Michael Ryan, Mick Caplis, Bill Quigley, Jerry Fahey, T. K. O’Dwyer, Fr. Christy O’Dwyer, Michael O’Brien, Michael Ryan (W),
Solohead: Bill Stapleton, Donie Nolan, Dick O’Connor, Con Ahearne, Michael Cunningham, Paddy Verdon, Lar O’Keeffe.

The total number of West recipients is 117, of whom 3 are women. Hannie Hanley broke the mould in 2008, when she was nominated by Aherlow. Anne Holmes was nominated by Cappawhite in 2015 and Alice O’Carroll by Golden-Kilfeacle in 2016.

The 2016 awards were presented at the Dome, Semple Stadium on November 20 with Tipperary senior hurling manager, Michael Ryan, Guest of Honour.

The current organising committee is as follows: chairman, John Costigan, secretary, Seamus J. King, Seamus McCarthy, Sean Nugent, Noel Morris, Michael Bourke