Tom Daly honoured at Stormont

The outgoing President of Ulster GAA Tom Daly was honoured on Wednesday 24th February at a special cross party reception in the Long Gallery Parliament Buildings Stormont. PJ Bradley MLA, Kieran McCarthey MLA, Basil McCrea MLA and Barry McElduff MLA hosted the event to pay tribute to Daly’s work as President of Ulster GAA over the past three years.

Speaking along with the host MLA’s at the reception was President Elect of Ulster GAA Aogan Farrell, Ulster GAA Provincial Director Danny Murphy, Minister for Social Development Margaret Ritchie MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MLA MP. The Vice President Elect of Ulster GAA Martin McAviney and Treasurer Elect of Ulster GAA Michael Hasson were also in attendance.

Leading officers from all of Ulster Nine Counties were present along with Ulster Ladies Football President Hugh Devenney.

Other Special guests included; Former GAA President Paddy McFlynn, former Ulster GAA President’s Miceal Greenan and John O’Relly, Chairman of the Leinster Council GAA Seamus Howlin, GAA Trustee Gene Duffy, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development Michelle Gildernew MLA, Professor Eamon McCartan (Chief Executive of Sport NI) Edgar Jardine (Deputy Secretary-DCAL), Brian Rea (Acting Chairman of the Policing Board), Patrick Nelson (Chief Executive of Irish Football Association), David Humphreys (Operations Director-Ulster Rugby), Dame Mary Peters (Olympic Gold Medallist), Trevor Ringland (Chairman of the One Small Step Campaign), Dr. Duncan Morrow (Chief Executive of the Community Relations Council), Dr Maurice Hayes (former Senator), Superintendent Gerry Murray (PSNI GAA), Martina Anderson,MLA, John  John McCallister MLA, Alban Maginees MLA, Trevor Lunn MLA, Patsy McGlone MLA, Tommy Gallagher MLA and Dolores Kelly MLA.

The GAA Director of Communications Lisa Clancy was present representing the Director General of the GAA Paraic Duffy who was unable to attend while GAA President Christy Cooney also sent his apologies.

Minister for Social Development of Development Margaret Ritche MLA praised Daly’s leadership and commitment to the Association highlighting the important and vital role the GAA plays in Community Development she also expressed her good wishes to President Elect Aogan Farrell. The deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness also paid tribute to Daly for his outstanding Community Outreach work on behalf of the GAA, highlighting the importance of the Associations work in this area, he also praised the GAA’s role in promoting Community cohesion. Both Ministers also expressed thanks and paid tribute to Tom Daly’s wife Frances.

Tom Daly will step down as President of the Ulster Council on Saturday after serving 22 consecutive years on the Council having served in the roles of delegate from Donegal County GAA, Treasurer, Vice President and President, he also served as Vice Chairman and Youth Officer of the Donegal County Committee GAA. He is also currently one of the National Vice Presidents of the GAA and will step down from his role at Associations National Congress which takes place in Newcastle County Down in April.