McNamee Awards 2009

[Kerry Mike]

Kerry lead the way off the field as well, with 3 winners this years from the Kingdom.

The CCCC were robbed in a last minute hitch in the Catagory "Best Modern Technology Innovation Award" when their innovative use of a remote control failed when someone noticed there were no batteries in it, but the remote control is in great working order in 2010 with new Duracell Ultras being used, now all that is needed is to get some lessons for the CCCC boys from George Hook on the Sky+ box and to pay for the TV licence.

Well done to all the McNamee winners from around the country, well deserved all and keep up the great work in all the media types.

The winners of the 2009 McNamee Awards have been confirmed by the GAA. These Awards, the GAA National Communication and Media Awards named after the late Pádraig McNamee, former President of the GAA, Chairman of the GAA Commission (1969-1971) and member of 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 awards will be presented by Uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, Criostóir Ó Cuana, at a function in Croke Park on Saturday next, July 24.

Best GAA History Publication

'Memory and Achievements: 124 Years of the GAA in Cahir'


The winner of the 2010 McNamee Award is 'Memory and Achievements: 124 Years of the GAA in Cahir' which was compiled by Colm O'Flaherty and Mattie Hussey. This outstanding publication is no mere history of a GAA Club. It is much more than that. Perhaps the greatest strength of the book is the diversity of its contributors. As well as the men who wrote the background of the story of the presence of the GAA in Cahir, most recent decades were illuminated by the contributions of successive generations of players and officials. From the lovely piece written by John O'Meara (who was born in 1936), to the brilliant, funny, gossipy contribution on the 2003 Tipperary senior football winning team, there is a wonderful chorus of opinions.

Best Website

Ballyhea GAA Club Co. Cork

This site was chosen for its integration of Google calendars which is a major part of the current GAA IT and Communications strategy. The site also makes good use of information on the homepages with a clear result, fixtures and league table displayed. The use of You Tube and Facebook on the homepage shows an impressive acknowledgement of current web trends and provides the site with a great sense of activity, which is paramount to the promotion of the GAA. Integration of Club merchandise on the site is also a welcome feature and another aid for the user.

Best Photograph – best GAA themed image from 2009


Oliver McVeigh, Sportsfile

This photograph graphically portrays the commitment and pain suffered in sport at this level (inter-county) and also shows how a photographer's timing and vision is such a critical element where 100ths of a second can transform a picture from the ordinary to something special.

Best County Programme


Cavan SFC Final Programme


An outstanding production that did fitting justice to the GAA's 125 celebrations and also to the county final occasion.

The articles and photographs were of the highest quality and beautifully presented in a programme that was a treasure trove of memories as well as a great preview of the big day and a real memento for supporters. Credit is also due that for such a major publication it was also very reasonably priced.

Best Local Radio Programme

Radio Kerry - "The Greatest Day" A series documenting Kerry's 36 All Ireland Senior Football Championship victories (up to August 2009)


A superb presentation of one of the greatest achievement lists in Irish Sport. Very well researched, edited and presented, the programmes were enhanced by interviews and facts that gave an insight into the triumphs of the early, troubled part of the 20th century, as well as documenting the glory days of more modern times.

Provincial Media Award – best GAA article/feature in a provincial publication

Andersonstown News – Ulster Final Coverage


In a year (2009) where Antrim senior footballers reached the Ulster final for the first time in 30 years, the Andersonstown News rose superbly to the challenge of reflecting the interest, drama and excitement experienced by the county's GAA supporters.

It struck the ideal balance between conveying the immediate joy of the occasion while also accurately representing the deep sense of pride the Antrim GAA community has in its history and heritage.

National Media Award – best GAA article/feature in a national publication

Seán McGoldrick, Sunday World – Brian Cody article


Brian Cody seems to have been with us forever and Seán McGoldrick's research into the circumstances of his appointment as Kilkenny manager, as well as the other ingredients that make up Kilkenny's incredible success, provides a fascinating insight into what has made this team to be what many believe is the greatest hurling team of all time.

Irish Language Award – best piece of journalistic work 'as Gaeilge'


Foinse


'Mar aitheantas don seirbhís iontach do léitheoirí na Gaeilge le suim sna cluichí Gaelacha. Moltar ard-chaighdeán na hiriseoireachta sna colúin éagsúla a bhíonn fíor-shuimiúil gach seachtain.'

In recognition of the excellent service provided to readers of Irish who are interested in Gaelic Games. The excellent standard of journalism, which makes for very interesting weekly columns is also lauded.

Best Modern Technology Innovation Award – for the use of modern technology to help promote GAA activity

Dr. Crokes GAA Club, Kerry


For technological innovation at club level it would be hard to surpass this project. In terms of the technology, it is leading edge and while all the elements are 'off the shelf' so to speak, the resourcefulness to put them all together has to be admired. In addition, the professionalism with which the broadcast was delivered can only be commended.

The broadcast was also watched and enjoyed as far away as New Zealand. What better example can you find of extending the reach of the GAA with Dr. Crokes putting itself at the heart of what is its world wide community.

Hall of Fame Award – in recognition of outstanding service and long standing contribution to GAA media coverage

Micheál Ó Sé (formerly of RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta)

Tá Mícheál Ó Sé ar dhuine de ard-thráchtairí ár linne. Tháinig sé chun suntais nuair a chuaigh sé ag obair le Raidió na Gaeltachta i mbliain a bhunaithe 1972 agus ó shin le leith tá cruthaithe aige nach bhfuil a shárú ar fáil agus é ag déanamh cur síos do phobal na Gaeltachta agus na Gaeilge ar na mór-chluichí peile agus iomána. Déanann sé tráchtaireacht freisin do theilifís RTÉ .

In Ard na Caithne in Iarthar Chiarraí a saolaíodh Mícheál agus nuair a bhí a chuid bunscolaíochta faighte aige i Scoil Náisiúnta Bhaile an Fheirtéaraigh chuaigh sé chuig Coláiste Bhréanainn i gCill Áirne, mar ar bhain sé áit ar fhoireann shinsir peile an Choláiste agus gan é ach sa dara bliain. Ina dhiaidh sin d'imir sé ar fhoireann mionúir Chiarraí agus bhí ar fhoirne Choláiste Phádraig Maigh Nuad agus Choláiste na hOllscoile Baile Átha Cliath agus é ina mhaclínn iontu siúd.

Agus é ag imirt le foireann shinsir Chiarraí bhuaigh sé Craobh Shinsir Peile na hÉireann faoi dhó – 1969 & 1970. Tá trí bhonn de chuid na Sraithe Náisiúnta ina sheilbh freisin – 1969, 1972 agus 1973. Le linn an ama sin d'imir sé le Corca Dhuibhne agus le Iarthar Chiarraí agus bhí sé ina oiliúnaí ar fhoireann peile na Gaeltachta a shroich Cluiche Ceannais na gClubanna i 2004. Bhí sé ar dhuine de bhunaitheoirí Chomórtais Peile na Gaeltachta i 1969

Ceapadh ina cheannaire ar Raidió na Gaeltachta é i 1980 agus chuir sé go mór le craoladh spórt an stáisiúin. Nuair a d'fhill sé ar a cheantar dúchais, chaith sé na blianta ag cur an chláir "An Saol ó Dheas" i láthaír. Is saineolaí é ar chúrsaí logainmneacha agus seanachais agus go deimhin ar an uile ghné a bhaineann le teanga ársa na nGael agus leis an gcultúr Gaelach.

Ach, is iad a chuid tráchtaireachtaí breátha ar na mór-chluichí peile agus iomána is faide a mhairfidh i gcuimhne na nduine.

Maireann sé fhéin, a bhean Jacqueline agus a gclann i gCeann Trá.

Mícheál Ó Sé is one of Ireland's premier sports commentators. He came to prominence with the founding of Raidió na Gaeltachta in 1972 and in the intervening years his commentaries on that station and on RTÉ TV have become legendary, especially to Gaeilgeoirí, within and outside the Gaeltacht.

Mícheál was born in Ard na Caithne in West Kerry and after attending Scoil Náisiúnta Bhaile an Fheirtéaraigh went as a boarder to St. Brendan's College Killarney, where he was a classmate of another Kerry and Irish legend, Moss Keane. His footballing prowess was evident at an early stage and he made the college senior team in his second year. Subsequently he played with the Kerry Minors and made his senior debut in 1968, winning a National League Medal. He was also on the Kerry teams that won the League in 1972 and 1973.

He played left half back on the Kerry teams that won the Sam Maguire in 1969 and again in 1970. He played Sigerson Cup football with UCD and also played for Maynooth College.

From the time he first kicked a football , Mícheál Ó Sé was involved in Corca Dhuibhne teams and with West Kerry. He has coached many underage teams for his club An Ghaeltacht and was involved in the senior team that reached the All Ireland Club Final in 2004. Among those who have benefited from his tutelage are Darragh, Tomás and Marc Ó Sé, Dara Ó Cinnéide and Aodán Mac Gearailt.

He was appointed Ceannaire of Raidió na Gaeltachta in 1980 and was instrumental in increasing the stations sports coverage. On returning home to Kerry he presented the magazine programme "An Saol ó Dheas". He is a scholar of Irish folklore and all things pertaining to our native language and culture.

But he will likely be best remembered for his superlative commentaries and command of his native tongue.

He lives in Ceann Trá with his wife Jacqueline and family.

[Onlooker]

I would like to send my congratulations to everyone involved in the McNamee award wiining "124 years of the GAA in Cahir".  It really is a superb production and well worthy of any awards that have come its way.  Winning a McNamee award has be the pinnacle for any GAA club.

[Donnellys Hollow]

He's a great tráchtaire that Mícheál Ó Sé. Always enjoy listening to him on RnaG or the minor matches on RTÉ.