Tipperary camogie trailblazer Liz Howard has died

The former Camogie Association president was a tireless servant to Gaelic games.

Liz Howard in her beloved Semple Stadium in 2014. Pic: John D Kelly

Gaelic games trailblazer Liz Howard has died. A former president of the Camogie Association, the Tipperary woman came to national prominence in the 1970s when she became the first female pundit to feature on RTÉ's new highlights programme The Sunday Game.

A former Tipp camogie player, she won the inaugral senior National League with her county in 1977 and also collected a Munster Championship medal. She also played for Clare and Dublin, winning a junior league medal with the Dubs.  

After her playing days, she was appointed National PRO of the Camogie Association in 1979, and acted as Tipperary GAA PRO from 1981-2003.

Paying tribute, Tipperary GAA said: "At a time when women were rarely represented in Gaelic Games coverage, she led the way with confidence, expertise and passion. Liz again broke new ground again in 1982 when she became the first female PRO of Tipperary GAA, a role she held for 22 years. She became one of the most recognisable and respected voices in the association, admired for her professionalism, dedication and unwavering love for Tipperary GAA."

Born in Carrick-on-Suir, her father Garrett won All-Ireland senior hurling medals with both Limerick and Dublin. The family moved to Feakle in Clare, where her parents set up the Feakle camogie club.

Liz played for Feakle, Roscrea and Knockshegowna (Tipperary), Celtic and Phoenix (Dublin).

In 2006, she was elected President of the Camogie Association and served in the role until 2009. She was named the National Administrator of the Year award at the Volunteers in Irish Sport Awards in 2009. She was named Tipperary Person of the Year in 2007 by the Tipperary Association Dublin.

She continued her involvement in camogie administration over the years, holding several different posts. 

She also remained an active and enthusiastic commentator on Gaelic games across her social media profiles, remaining a staunch promoter of camogie and a devoted fan of Tipperary teams in all codes.

Outside of sport, Liz enjoyed a long career with Aer Lingus, working both as cabin crew and in managerial positions. 

Camogie Associated president Brian Molloy expressed his condolences: "On behalf of the Camogie Association, I would like to share my sympathies with Liz's family, her many friends, former colleagues and the wider Gaelic games community on her passing.

“Liz Howard was one of the great servants of our Association, someone who dedicated decades of her life to the promotion and development of camogie at club, county and national level. Her contribution to our sport was immense.

“Liz brought passion, intelligence and enormous energy to every role she held. She was a proud advocate for camogie and for women in sport, and her leadership helped strengthen and modernise the Association during an important period in its history.

“She will also be remembered as a deeply respected figure within Gaelic games, whose love for Camogie and hurling shone through in everything she did.

Tipperary GAA added: "Above all else, Liz will be remembered as a proud Tipperary woman, a trailblazer, a mentor and a loyal friend to so many throughout the GAA and camogie communities. Her passion for the Premier County never wavered and her famous motto, “Move on: Tipperary is bigger than any of us”, perfectly captured her selflessness and dedication to the association."

“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.” 

Funeral arrangements to follow.