Sligo GAA is delighted at the announcement last evening from Croke Park that Mary Power from the Drumcliffe Rosses Point club is to receive a Gradaim an Uachtaráin award for 2023. 

Mary is a long time volunteer with Drumcliffe Rosses Poiunt and is currently the Chairperson of the club.

These prestigious annual awards, organised with the support of AIB and broadcast by TG4, affords Uachtarán CLG with an opportunity to acknowledge outstanding commitment and long service across the club and county network.

Uachtarán CLG Larry McCarthy said: “The success of the GAA has always been down to the people who, through their loyalty, selfless dedication and commitment, have invested so much to ensure that for almost 140 years the Association has gone from strength to strength.  Gradaim an Uachtaráin affords us the chance to single out people who are responsible for extraordinary service to Gaelic games.  In saluting the deserving recipients tonight, we are mindful that they are ambassadors for the thousands of people who do so much for the betterment of our Association. I warmly congratulate all of our recipients and acknowledge the support of TG4 and AIB in this most worthwhile initiative.”

The awards are presented to a cross-section of people who have shared the common theme of making an inspirational impact on their code and also their club and community,. There are 11 awards, made on a provincial and code basis. As well as Gaeilge, Education and International Awards, the presentation of the annual Dermot Earley Family Award will also take place.

The GAA President’s Awards (Gradaim an Uachtaráin 2023) will be broadcast tomorrow night (Friday, 3 February) on TG4 at 7.30pm.

In its citation for the award, the GAA said the following about Mary

"The quiet, softly spoken superstar of Drumcliffe/Rosses Point GAA that is Mary Power has given years of unrelenting service to the GAA in the scenic and picturesque area of north Sligo.

Otherwise known as 'Mrs Cúl camps' by all the parents and children in the club - every year for two weeks Mary becomes the most important and sought after person in the Drumcliffe/Rosses Point club if there is an issue booking a camp, gear needs to be changed or a child/parent needs an answer to a question.

Mary can be best described as 'a lady' as she goes about fixing problems and helping people in the most unassuming fashion possible. She has been part of the Cúl Camp programme for as long as the club has hosted a camp and for the GAA staff in the county it's a pleasure to spend the week in the company of this extraordinary woman. She has helped and led the growth of the Cúl Camp in the club to over 200 participants each year through originally her work as a teacher in the local school of Rathcormack, in which she spent years promoting GAA to pupils and fellow staff members and over the last few years as a person that knows nearly everyone.

 Mary you could say always seems to find herself in roles that require diplomacy and patience and during the Covid crisis took up the position of covid officer for the club. Last year Mary took on the position of chairperson for the club, another job that requires great communication and leadership skills. She carries out her duties in a calm, personable and professional manner and it is a great honour for club and county to have a woman of Mary's calibre represent the GAA. It began as her son and daughter, Seán and Aisling, began playing club football. She became their taxi service to training and matches and went on to become fully immersed in the club.

As a teacher she was heavily involved in Cumann na mBunscol. Off the field Mary has been deeply involved with the fundraising efforts of her local club. She is also an ever- present fixture in the stands and on the sidelines supporting all her club teams, from Nursery to Senior and everyone in between. She was named as Club Person of the Year in 2017 and made hstory in 2022 when was elected as the clubs first ever female Chairperson. These won’t be the last accolades she receives."