Rounders coach wins Translink Ulster GAA Coach of the Year award

Colm Birdy, a coach from the Carrickmacross Emmets Rounders Club in Monaghan, is the Translink Ulster GAA Coach of the Year for 2023.

This is the fifth time that Translink and Ulster GAA have partnered on the initiative, which is designed to recognise club coaches who demonstrate exceptional commitment to the coaching and development of Gaelic games.

A huge number of public nominations were submitted from across Ulster, after which a panel of experts including Down Manager, Conor Laverty, Irish News Sports Correspondent, Neil Loughran, and Ulster GAA Coaching Officer, Tony Scullion, selected one finalist from each county in the province. Over 7,000 votes were cast in an online poll to select the overall winner.

Colm’s commitment and motivation towards training teams and developing players was exemplified as Carrickmacross won three All-Ireland Rounders titles in 2023, while his passion and enthusiasm in helping to grow the sport was also cited in the many nominations he received.

As well as the title of Coach of the Year, Colm also wins commemorative kit and free coach travel for his team.

Presenting Colm with his award, Ruairi McGivern, Bus Inspector at Translink, said:

“Colm has been a committed coach at his local club for many years, dedicating time and effort on and off the pitch to encourage grass roots community sport, engaging with young people and promoting team spirit, which reflects Translink’s commitment to better connecting communities and promoting a healthy active lifestyle.

“On behalf of Translink, I’d also like to congratulate all of the finalists who have each been outstanding ambassadors for their own counties. The standard of nominations was extremely high, so to be selected as a county winner is a tremendous achievement for each coach and their club.”

Ciaran McLaughlin, Ulster GAA President added:

“We congratulate Colm on being voted a very worthy winner of our Translink Coach of the Year initiative and wish the Carrickmacross Rounders club many safe travels this incoming season as they enjoy their prize of free coach travel.

“On behalf of Ulster GAA, I want to applaud the great work and commitment of all nine of our county winners within their clubs. Once again, we had a fantastic response with thousands of public votes received, and this demonstrates the strength of club support and community spirit across the GAA in the province.”

The full list of county finalists in the Translink Ulster GAA Coach of the Year awards is:

• Antrim – Orla le Mahieu, Ardoyne Kickhams
• Armagh – Micky Grimley, Madden Rapparees
• Cavan – Padraig Dolan, Belturbet Rory O’Moores
• Derry – Gavin McShane, St.Marys Slaughtmanus
• Donegal – Greg Doherty & Odie McBride, Four Masters
• Down – Kevin McClorey, Mayobridge
• Fermanagh – Fergal Quinn, Enniskillen Gaels
• Monaghan – Colm Birdy, Carrickmacross Emmets Rounders
• Tyrone – Jarleth Loughran, Kildress Wolfe Tones