Booth man makes history on the double

April 1993

Last weekend saw a historical double being scored when west Wicklow produced its second, and the first ever non- Catholic, National President of the Gaelic Athletic Association.

Jack Boothman from Blessington followed proudly in the footsteps of Hugh Byrne from Rathdangan to assume the mantle of President elect at the national congress.

Hugh became President in 1961 on an historic day for West Wicklow.

The calibre of the GAA men produced in the west of the county was illustrated once again last weekend when veterinary surgeon Jack Boothman defeated four strong contenders for the top sporting job in the country.

And Big Jack made history on the double when he became the first non- Catholic ever to reach the supreme post in the GAA.

Although people were predicting that this was a symbolic achievement, Jack Boothman was typically dismissive of the idea and found it hard to understand what all the fuss was about.

He returned home to a hero’s welcome in his home town on Saturday evening, where he was met by townspeople waiting to parade him to the steps of the Downshire Hotel.

Everyone wanted to shake his hand - Jack Boothman, ever a popular club man, is being tipped as the man who has the know-how and the down-to-earth approach which the GAA requires to bring it into the 21st Century.