Tyrone stalwarts honoured

THE late Noel Tracey, who played a massive role in Tyrone Ladies Football before his untimely death last year, has been posthumously honoured by the LGFA.

The Kildress stalwart has been named as Coach of the Year in the annual LGFA Volunteer of the Year awards.

Noel had helped guide the fortunes of the Wolfe Tones at underage level in boys and girls football. A few short weeks before he passed away last August, he played a major role as his beloved side won a national Féile title.

The Tracey family are stepped in the very grain of Kildress Wolfe Tones and Noel’s brother Dessie was one of many who paid tribute to him.

“Noel was our go-to man in the family, he had the answers that we could never find,” Dessie said. “He loved Kildress, he played his part on the pitch then went on to youth management of underage teams.

“He helped his two daughters become the best they can be and really was one of the best about. He never had a bad word to say to anyone and took it all in his stride.”

“He became our club referee and did as much as he could for the love of the game.”

The awards presentation takes place at Croke Park on February 10 and Noel was the only Ulster winner named across the LFGA’s ten Volunteer of the Year awards.

Meanwhile, respected Gortin stalwart Margaret Keenan has been chosen as Ulster Club Volunteer for 2022 by GAA President Larry McCarthy. Keenan, who recently stepped down as Gortin’s long-standing club secretary, will receive her award in Croke Park on Friday night.The awards ceremony will be broadcast live on TG4 at 7.30pm on a special night for Keenan’s family and the wider Gortin community.