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".