Southern Gaels club stalwart honoured with GAA President's Award for Leinster

Renowned Athlone hurling club, Southern Gaels, is in celebratory mood this week after club stalwart, Kevin Jordan, received the GAA 2026 President's Award for Leinster at a special presentation banquet in Croke Park on Friday last.

Having dedicated over four decades of his life to Southern Gaels, which he joined in 1982, Kevin has been active as a player, administrator and coach and served on a number of occasions in the roles of Club Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer.

His contribution to the Athlone club is legendary, first as a player from 1983 to 2010, during which several county championships and leagues were won. He was equally successful as a coach and was instrumental in the decision of Southern Gaels to amalgamate with Fr. Dalton's juveniles from 1998 to 2010 resulting in eight county title wins.

Kevin Dalton also participated in Scór for many years where he captured a Leinster and several County Quiz titles alongside Tommy Molloy and David Hatton. He then turned his hand to writing and penned books for the 25th and 50th anniversaries of the club's foundation.

In his role as a teacher, first in the Marist College and later in Banagher College in Offaly he coached school teams and served as secretary of the West Midland Schools' League for twelve years.

Many Southern Gaels friends and club members accompanied Kevin, his wife, Aideen, daughter Eimear and extended family members to Croke Park on Friday last for what was a very proud and historic day for the Athlone club.

The citation for Kevin Jordan from GAA President, Jarlath Burns, read as follows:

For more than four decades, Kevin Jordan has been one of the defining figures of Southern Gaels GAA in Westmeath. As a player, he contributed to some of the club’s most significant achievements, including a landmark 1986 title and a string of Junior B and league successes. His passion for hurling continued well beyond his playing years, earning a Level 1 Hurling Qualification and supporting teams across every age group from underage and schools right through to Intermediate.

Kevin’s contribution also extends far beyond the pitch. He has held every position on the Club Executive, many of them on multiple occasions. His influence also spans communications, where he fulfilled the role of Communications Officer, managing match reports, media engagement and club PR with diligence and care.

A driving force behind key initiatives, Kevin helped establish and continues to run the Club Monthly Draw, now the club’s primary fundraising mechanism. His commitment to development has ensured Southern Gaels remains well resourced and sustainable into the future.

His service has also been recognised beyond the club, having served as Runaí Coiste na nÓg Westmeath and as a qualified referee within the county. Few individuals contribute as broadly or as consistently to Southern Gaels and indeed hurling in that part of the County. Kevin’s dedication to players, volunteers and the wider community has shaped the club across generations. His leadership, service and love for the game exemplify the very spirit of the GAA and mark him as a worthy recipient of this award.

Kevin Jordan was one of two local winners, with Joe Moore of South Roscommon club, St Aidan’s GAA, selected as the winner of the President's Award 2026 for Connacht.