Ballaghaderreen's Vincent Brennan was honoured in Croke Park last night (Friday) for a lifetime of service to the GAA and in particular GAA Handball.
The Gradaim an Uachtaráin 2016 were presented at a special banquet in Croke Park on Friday evening in a show that was broadcast live on TG4.
The awards, organised with the support of club championship sponsors AIB and broadcast by TG4 are staged annually by the GAA and provide the GAA President with an opportunity to acknowledge outstanding commitment and long service across the club, and county network from people whose highly valued contribution may not be recognised on the national stage.
Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Aogán Ó Fearghail, who presented the awards, said: “I’m delighted to present these awards this evening to incredible members of the GAA, members whose tireless dedication and commitment help make the GAA what it is, the length and breadth of the country and indeed around the world.
“A club family as wide and diverse as ours would not be possible without the enthusiasm of so many people who take great pride and satisfaction in being involved in what is a movement of like-minded people.
“Tonight’s recipients serve as an example to the legions of volunteer members who power the GAA. These people follow in the footsteps of those who did this before them and who influence the generation that will come after them. I laud each and every one of them."
Vincent Brennan from the Ballaghaderreen Club in Mayo has dedicated his life to the game of Handball and in particular the code of Hardball the oldest form of Handball in Ireland. He is widely credited as the main reason that the game of Hardball is still alive and well in Ireland today.
Vincent has been a driving force in the game promoting the Hardball code at Club, County, Provincial and National level for many years. The game is played using a leather hand stitched ball. Vincent currently hand makes the Hardballs which is a skilled and time consuming process each year for the All-Ireland Championships and has done so for over 20 years. The attention to detail and the skill in making and stitching each one is a rare craft skill that very few possess in Ireland today.
Vincent was also a key figure in ensuring so many young players in Ballaghaderreen took up the game of Handball. It was his invaluable work alongside the likes of John Gaffney that enabled Ballaghaderreen to produce so many All Ireland winners down through the years. His passion for the game is still as strong today as in years gone by as he continues to give outstanding service to the game of Handball in Ireland. A truly deserving recipient of this award.
On behalf of GAA Handball we offer our sincerest Comhghairdeas to Vincent on receiving this award!
You can watch the Awards Ceremony on the TG4 player below.