Wicklow’s Mr. Hurling gets his just rewards

Jackie Napier to collect GAA President’s Award

AFTER a lifetime of dedication and devotion to the GAA in Wicklow, Mr. Hurling himself, Jack Napier, is to be presented with the GAA President’s Award this Friday night at Croke Park.

The proud Bray native was announced as one of the recipients of the prestigious awards and the long-serving Wicklow GAA official will make the journey to headquarters with family and friends where he will be presented with the award from GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghaill at a gala event.

“I was very surprised,” was Jackie’s reaction when asked how he felt about receiving the honour, before admitting that it was a nice surprise and how it was great to be considered after all the years he has spent within the GAA.

Jackie’s first official role in the GAA in Wicklow was in 1954 when he took over the position of juvenile secretary in his beloved club, Bray Emmets.

He quickly skirts over his playing days, recounting a Junior hurling title with Bray in 1963 and the loss of a Minor final to Glenealy in 1960, while in terms of football he says that his presence was used to “make up a team” more than anything else.

Happiest memories for the Kilcoole resident are the magnificent victory by Bray Emmets in the senior championship in 2014 when they defeated Glenealy to claim the first crown in decades for the north Wicklow club. The affable Napier shed tears of joy in Aughrim that day.

He also recalls attending the 1952 final when Bray Emmets defeated Avondale in Arklow when he was a boy of 10 or 11. Jackie remembers there being no cup on the day for the winning Bray team but that it was a wonderful occasion nonetheless.

Jackie Napier has given a lifetime of service to the GAA both on and off the field. He holds a wealth of knowledge concerning Wicklow GAA and has been at the forefront of hurling in the county for many decades and, indeed, was still helping the Wicklow county team reach their destination in Ballycran, County Down, last Sunday, for their clash against the home team.

The 2018 President’s Awards ceremony takes place in Croke Park on Friday, February 9, in the Hogan Suite.

We wish Jackie Napier nothing but the very best!