Taoiseach pays tribute to club supporters at GPA awards

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern's presence at last night's Gaelic Players' Association awards ceremony considerably enhanced the status of the association and the occasion itself.

Interestingly, however, the thrust of his formal address focused on the voluntary effort of people who help to organise clubs and run teams.

And, at a general level he spoke about the importance of the GAA in bringing men, women and children together in a shared love of sport "and in a commitment to self-development, to heritage and local community".

"As I visit GAA clubs up and down the country, I feel privileged to acknowledge the great variety of people who support club activities, the countless women and men who play Gaelic games and the virtual 'volunteer army' who work to turn out teams in hurling, football and camogie, week in, week out," he said. "It is this ferment of club and community activity all over the country that is the life blood of Gaelic sport in Ireland now and I believe it will be so in the future.

"It is precisely because sport is so popular and so important in national life that I am delighted that since 1997 the Government has invested record levels of funding in sport.''

Mr Ahern said that the challenge was to manage change wisely, to build on the progress made and to "keep their eyes on the long term".

"I believe that above all we have to keep working together to overcome difficulties so that we pass Gaelic games on in better shape to future generations. I fully acknowledge the immense dedication, commitment and effort that goes into attaining the skill and fitness levels necessary for competition at inter-county level.''