Mick Fitzgerald to receive GAA President’s Award for 2008

Kerry Ladies Gaelic Football are proud to announce that our current Kerry senior Ladies selector Mick Fitzgerald is the worthy recipient of a GAA President’s Award for 2008. These awards acknowledge the achievements and commitment of individuals throughout the Association. They were first presented in 2004 and among the winners are former players, coaches and officials from across the country who have contributed extensively to the GAA as well as to Handball, Ladies Football, Rounders and Camóige. GAA President Nickey Brennan extended his congratulations to the winners of the awards and paid tribute to their outstanding contributions to the Association in various capacities. “This year’s winners have demonstrated in their own individual capacities the true spirit of volunteerism through their involvement with their Clubs and at County or Provincial level” said Brennan “The Association has always been fortunate to possess outstanding individuals who have served the Association with distinction and these awards are an opportunity to recognise the dedication and commitment of our members in a formal manner.” The Award winners will be honoured at a Banquet in Croke Park after the AIB All-Ireland Club Finals on Monday March 17th at 5.30pm. Mick Fitzgerald will be joined on the night by fellow local winners, Vincent Linnane from the Ballyduff club and PRO of the Kerry Handball County Board, Brendan Falvey. This Award is in recognition of the contribution of the most successful manager in the history of Ladies Football. Fitzgerald, who comes from the Galway village of Killimor, got involved in coaching the Lixnaw hurlers and the Castleisland Camogie players and this eventually contributed to him becoming involved with the setting up of the inaugural National Ladies Association. Mick was at the original meeting of the new Ladies Board in Hayes’ Hotel in 1974 and he became President of the Ladies Football Association (1982-85) and has acted as National Treasurer for the past 21 years.

Mick in Dubai with Kerry All-Star Sarah O Connor

Mick was also a selector and manager on different occasions in all of Kerry’s All Ireland triumphs at senior level and was involved from start to finish in the great Kerry Nine in a row winning team. Fitzgerald was clearly surprised when the President’s Award winners were announced on Wednesday afternoon. “This came as a total shock to me but I accept it as a recognition for all that have been involved and have worked alongside me down through the years. I have loved every minute of my involvement in Ladies Football and we had some marvellous memories down through the years. I remember being organising one of the first Ladies games of football back in 1973. Kerry played Cork at a carnival in Banteer and around 1,500 hundred people showed up for the novelty value of watching ladies football. When we set the association up back in 1974 we never though that the game would grow like it has. It has exceeded my expectations and I am immensely proud of the Association. Geraldine Giles has been a marvellous President and Helen O’Rourke is a tremendous chief executive. Ladies football is making tremendous strides and I am confident that the Association and the game will go from strength to strength.”

Mick Fitzgerald became a member of the Ladies Football Hall of Fame in 2004 and his ongoing involvement in Ladies football is a tribute to a man who has been at the centre of everything good about our game since its inception back in 1974. I am sure that everyone involved in ladies football will join with us in congratulating and saluting one of the games true greats.