Nenagh Guardian receive national GAA Award
The Nenagh Guardian are amongst the winners in the 2022 MacNamee Awards, announced by the GAA last week.
The MacNamee Awards, selected by the GAA’s National Communication & Media department are named after the late Pádraig MacNamee, former President of the GAA, Chairperson of the GAA Commission (1969-1971) and member of the RTÉ authority. They are presented annually in recognition of outstanding contributions made by individuals and Association units in the area of media and communications. The presentation of the 2021 & 2022 Awards were delayed due to Covid 19.
The Nenagh Guardian received the 2022 Provincial Media Award for its coverage of the passing of hurler Dillon Quirke is tragic circumstances, on the field of play for his club Clonoulty/Rossmore in August 2022.
Dillon's death shook the GAA world, and the former Tipperary hurler's life is remembered in the coverage in the week after his passing through insightful interviews and articles, Quirke's significant contribution to both club and county are fondly recalled.
“To receive a national award for our GAA coverage is a huge honour,” said Nenagh Guardian Sports Editor Shane Brophy.
“However, it is tinged with sadness that it comes in the circumstances of the passing of Dillon Quirke whose death on the field of play left the county numb at that time, as it is something that rarely happens.
“In that respect, we felt it was so important to fully recount the life of Dillon through his play with Clonoulty/Rossmore and Tipperary, with contributions from our team of writers, as well as Tipperary managers Colm Bonnar and Liam Cahill.”
There is a strong Tipperary flavour to the 2021 & 2022 MacNamee Awards winners with Thurles-based GAA historian Liam O Donnchu winning not just one, but two awards for 2021, Best GAA Publication for Semple Stadium Field of Legends, and Best GAA Club Publication for “Thurles Sarsfield GAA Story Volume 2 (1960-2019).”
Kilruane native Damian Lawlor has received the 2022 Best GAA Publication for his book “After the Storm”, which looked at the impact of Covid on the GAA in 2020 and 2021 through personal stories of ordinary members, players, managers, and administrators.
Uachtarán CLG Larry McCarthy said: “From its very beginning, the GAA has been aware of the importance of telling our story and being able to connect with our members and supporters. The MacNamee Awards are a prestigious recognition of excellence in this field and have grown to match the changes in an ever-evolving media landscape.”
The MacNamee Awards will be presented by Uachtarán CLG Larry McCarthy at a special ceremony at Croke Park on Friday, October 13th.
Other winners of the 2021 MacNamee Awards:
Digital Impact Award – Wexford GAA TV
Best Photograph – “Flying Tackle” by Piarsias Ó Mídheach, Sportsfile
Best Match Programme – Roscommon Senior Football Championship Final Programme
Best Radio Programme – “Remembering Dermot” by John Scally, Shannonside Radio
Provincial Media Award – ‘Damian O’Neill” by Kieran McCarthy, Southern Star
National Media Award – Malachy Clerkin, The Irish Times – “A Community in mourning steels itself for Ulster Final, following the death of Monaghan footballer Brendan Óg Duffy.
Gradam na Gaeilge (Irish Language Award) – Colm Ó Neasa (Ón Dumhach go dtí an Plantation: Stair Peile Iorras Aithneach agus an Chaisil, 1928 go dtí 2021 - From Dundees to the Plantation)
Hall of Fame – Enda McEvoy, Kilkenny
Other winners of the 2022 MacNamee Awards:
Best Club Publication – “A History of Dunhill” by Senan Cooke
Digital Impact Award – Walterstown GFC, Co. Meath
Best Photograph – “Mick O’Dwyer, Jack O’Connor & Sam Maguire” by Kerry GAA & Cian O’Connor
Best Match Programme – Down Senior Football Championship Final Programme
Best Radio Programme – “The First Puck” by Derek Dooley, Kilkenny Community Radio
National Media Award – Maurice Brosnan, formerly The 42.ie – “The All-Ireland Football Semi Final between Kerry V Dublin on Sean O’Shea’s winning score”
Gradam na Gaeilge (Irish Language Award) – (“Ógie,” RTÉ Raídió na Gaeltachta, Dónall Mac Ruairí)
Hall of Fame – Sean Moran, Irish Times