GAA President’s Awards 2025

Congratulations to the McGrath Family of Sarsfields Club, Galway, who were presented with the Dermot Early Family Award by Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Jarlath Burns and AIB chief customer officer Orlaith Ryan during the Gradaim an Uachtaráin at Croke Park in Dublin this evening.

 

THE DERMOT EARLEY FAMILY AWARD

THE MCGRATH FAMILY, SARSFIELDS GAA, GALWAY

Sarsfields remains one of the most respected hurling and camogie clubs in the country. Several families have contributed to the Sarsfields cause throughout the years, with the McGraths’ occupying a central part in the success story.

Michael ‘Hopper’ McGrath’s greatness as a player was underlined during a golden era for Galway with two All-Ireland senior medals gleaned in 1987 and 1988. There was plenty of silverware collected in Sarsfields’ colours too, with five Galway SHC titles and two AIB All-Ireland club triumphs.

The links with that cherished Sarsfields team and the camogie outfit of the modern era are extremely strong.

‘Hopper’ McGrath has managed Sarsfields to glory on the local and national stage illustrated by eight Galway Camogie Championships in a row.

Remarkably, six McGrath sisters featured in Sarsfields’ comprehensive AIB All-Ireland Camogie Final win over Truagh/Clonlara at Croke Park in December.

It was Sarsfields’ fourth victory in that competition during the last decade, while they were beaten in four finals.

Throughout that spell, Niamh, Clodagh, Orlaith, Siobhan, Ciara, and Laoise delivered for Sarsfields.

Off the field of play, their mother Geraldine (nee Kilkelly), a former Irish hockey international, has assisted in the development of camogie at both club and county level in various administrative roles.

These are particularly exciting and rewarding times for Sarsfields. The McGraths continue to make a significant sporting impact.