Leaving an enduring legacy

It was with profound sadness that I learned of the passing of my dear friend, Liz Howard, a remarkable woman whose contribution to Gaelic games, camogie, and community life leaves an enduring legacy. Liz was a proud Tipperary woman, a pioneering figure in Irish sport, and a person of exceptional warmth, kindness and integrity. While many will rightly remember her as the first female pundit on RTÉ’s The Sunday Game, breaking new ground for women in sports broadcasting, and as President of the Camogie Association, I will remember her first and foremost as a treasured friend, who was a constant support to me.

CANON HAYES AWARDS

I first became met with Liz in 1996 when I invited her to join the judging panel of the Canon Hayes National Sports Awards. It was the beginning of a friendship that would endure for almost three decades. Serving alongside Liz and myself on that distinguished panel were Olympic champion Ronnie Delany, sports broadcaster Shane O'Donoghue and former Irish rugby international and manager Mick Doyle. Following Mick's tragic death, Noel O'Reilly, the FAI's senior coach, joined the panel until his untimely passing in 2008. The Canon Hayes National Sports Awards continued until 2019, and throughout those years Liz's insight, fairness and passion for sport made her an invaluable member of the judging team.

There is a poignant sadness in reflecting that Ronnie Delany passed away just over two months before Liz. Indeed, Liz was the very first person to ring me with the news of Ronnie's death. It is hard to believe that two such valued friends and colleagues have now left us within such a short period of time.

Beyond the Canon Hayes Awards, Liz was a regular attendee at many Tipperary International Peace Award events and was always supportive of initiatives that recognised achievement and promoted community spirit. Like myself, she was honoured as a Tipperary Person of the Year, and I have long believed that Liz may well have played a part in my own nomination for that prestigious recognition. Such generosity of spirit was typical of her. She was always delighted to see others acknowledged for their efforts and achievements. I was so pleased then to return that appreciation to Liz, by inviting her to join with myself, Tom Sherlock of the Tipperary Association Dublin, and Ronan Bunting of TASK Community Care, in attending a Garden Party, hosted by President Michael D Higgins and his wife, Sabina, at Áras an Uachtaráin, in July 2023.

Liz's own achievements were many and richly deserved. She received the award for National Administrator of the Year at the inaugural Awards to Volunteers in Irish Sport, a fitting recognition of her immense contribution to Gaelic games. In camogie, she won a National Senior League medal with Tipperary and an All-Ireland Junior medal with Dublin.

Yet medals and titles tell only part of her story. She dedicated decades of her life to the games she loved. From her playing days to her many administrative roles, including Tipperary GAA PRO and President of the Camogie Association, she championed Gaelic games with boundless enthusiasm. Her groundbreaking role on The Sunday Game opened doors for countless women who followed in her footsteps. There are women and girls participating in sport today because Liz had the courage to challenge barriers and set new standards.

LOYALTY TO HER COUNTY

Above all, Liz was fiercely proud of Tipperary. Her loyalty to her county never faltered. She was a passionate supporter who would readily challenge anyone she felt was being unfairly critical of Tipperary teams or players. Her love of the Premier County shone through in every conversation, every match attended and every role she undertook on behalf of the games she cherished.

Only a few months ago, following my St Patrick's Day experience, Liz took the time to contact me and hear all about my experience and extended good wishes to the Tipperary Association in New York and to the Tipperary players on the New York team. That was typical of her. No matter how busy she was, she always found time for people. She had a wonderful gift for making others feel valued and appreciated. Her friendship was sincere, thoughtful and unwavering.

At her funeral in the Church of the Holy Spirit, Youghalarra, family, friends and colleagues from the worlds of GAA and camogie gathered to celebrate a life extraordinarily well lived. Liz was beautifully remembered by her nephew Garrett and by the celebrant. We were reminded of some of her final words: “Don't be sad, I'm not sad.” Those words captured perfectly the courage, positivity and acceptance with which she faced life's final journey. Fittingly, on a beautiful May day, there was a spirit of gratitude and celebration as much as sorrow. A collage of photographs near the altar captured the many facets of her life — administrator, supporter, trailblazer, friend and family member.

As the sunshine bathed Youghalarra Cemetery where she was laid to rest, her good friend and former Tipperary GAA Secretary, Tim Floyd, gave a stirring rendition of Slievenamon. It was a fitting farewell to a woman whose love for Tipperary never wavered. Standing there in the warmth of the afternoon, listening to the county anthem ring out across the countryside she loved so dearly, one could not help but think how much Liz herself would have loved that moment.

FAMILY'S HEARTFELT GRATITUDE

Before concluding, it is fitting to acknowledge the family's heartfelt gratitude to Professor Yvonne O'Meara, her team, and all the staff of the Mater Hospital for the exceptional care, kindness and attention shown to Liz throughout her illness. Their professionalism, compassion and dedication brought great comfort to Liz and her family and will always be remembered with appreciation.

Liz Howard was a trailblazer, a leader, a mentor and a loyal friend. Her passing is a great loss to the wider GAA and camogie communities, to County Tipperary, and to all of us who had the privilege of sharing in her friendship. I will miss her greatly.

To Liz's sisters, Pat O'Driscoll, Jo Needham and Ann O'Meara; her brother Gary; her sister-in-law Aileen; brother-in-law Tommy; her nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews; her cousins, relatives, neighbours and many friends, I extend my heartfelt sympathy.

While Liz's passing leaves a great void in all our lives, her legacy will endure through the countless people she inspired, encouraged and befriended over many years. She gave so much to her family, her community, her county and the games she loved. Those of us who had the privilege of knowing her are richer for having shared in her friendship.

May her gentle soul rest in peace