WLR FM has picked up the award for the Best GAA Related Radio Programme at the 2015 MacNamee Awards.
These awards, the GAA National Communication and Media Awards, are named after the late Pádraig MacNamee, former President of the GAA, Chairman of the GAA Commission (1969-1971) and member of RTÉ authority. They are presented annually in recognition of outstanding contributions made by individuals and Association units in the area of media and communications.
In the winning production by Kevin Casey from WLR, Waterford hurler Maurice Shanahan reveals his battle with depression which forced him to give up the game in the beginning of last season, only to return and win an All Star before 2015 ended.
The station says Shanahan’s open and honest account of his struggle and of the help he received from family, friends, club-mates and the GAA family at large, makes for compelling listening and must be a source of strength for others who find themselves in similar circumstances.
“The programme is enhanced by the compassionate and sensitive style of interviewer Kevin Casey,” the station adds.
The awards were presented by Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, Aogán Ó Fearghail, at a function in Croke Park last Friday, February 5th.
The GAA President offered his congratulations: “The importance of communicating the GAA message has never been greater given the clamour to be heard in an era of simplified communications.
“The GAA story is an extremely positive one and one that needs to be told and I am pleased to acknowledge those who have excelled in this regard this evening.
“As methods of communication and journalism continue to evolve I am pleased to laud the examples of best practice that are being honoured this evening and I congratulate all within the organisation who give this the attention it not only deserves but requires.”