WATTY Graham’s GAC, Glen, based in Maghera, have collected the Translink Ulster GAA Community Support Award in recognition of their work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The award was created to showcase the outstanding contribution of GAA clubs in their communities throughout the last, challenging 15 months.
As club gates across the province were closed in March last year and all GAA activity was suspended, clubs and their members remained hugely active in alternative ways by providing much needed support for local people.
An expert panel of judges comprising Crossmaglen Rangers star, Aaron Kernan, Neil Loughran, Sports Correspondent at the Irish News, John Morgan, Translink, and Diarmaid Marsden, Ulster GAA’s Head of Club & Community Development, selected one winner from each county in Ulster to win £100 of O’Neills Sports equipment vouchers, with Watty Graham’s GAC, as the overall winner, receiving an additional £1,000 of O’Neills Sports vouchers.
Congratulating the club on their award, John Morgan, Translink said: “On behalf of Translink, I’d like to congratulate all of the shortlisted clubs who have each been outstanding contributors to their local communities.
“The standard of nominations was exceptional, and to be recognised should be a great source of pride for the clubs and their members.
“Special congratulations must go to Watty Graham’s GAC, who are very worthy winners.
“From delivering over 100 food parcels at Christmas, a litter pick to lift 1.5 tonnes of rubbish, and senior players producing at home skills videos, the club went above and beyond to help their local community during a very difficult period.”
Ulster GAA President, Oliver Galligan added: “Our experiences of the last 15 months have clearly shown that the great teams in the GAA are not just on the pitch.
“The restrictions on our normal activities have allowed a spotlight to be shone on the exceptional work of club volunteers across the province and every nomination we received demonstrated what a strong community organisation the GAA really is.
“I congratulate the Watty Graham’s GAC club for winning the overall award and commend them for their excellent range of initiatives to keep their members and the community engaged throughout the pandemic.”
Conor Molloy, Public Relations Officer, Watty Graham’s GAC said: “Watty Graham’s GAC is delighted to receive this award from Translink and Ulster GAA.
“This recognition is testament to the community ethos within Glen and is just reward for our hard-working volunteers who continually give up their time to help and look after others.
“We are very proud of the collective effort in reaching out to the entire local community and would like to thank all those who contributed in any way to our Covid response.”
The full list of county winners in the Translink Ulster GAA Community Support Award:
Antrim – O’ Donovan Rossa
Armagh – Clann Eireann
Cavan – Mountnugent GAA
Derry – Watty Graham’s GAC, Glen
Donegal – CLG Beart
Down – Clonduff GAC
Fermanagh – St Patrick’s Donagh
Monaghan – Scotstown GAA
Tyrone – Galbally Pearses
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