Westmeath's Killian Daly is presented with his certificate by Michael Madden, left, and GPA chief executive officer Tom Parsons. Photo: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile.

Westmeath trio graduate from GPA programme

Kieran Galvin

Published: Wed 7 Feb 2024, 10:24 AM

Last updated: Sat 10 Feb 2024, 3:08 PM

Three Westmeath sporting figures recently graduated from the Jim Madden Gaelic Players Association (GPA) Leadership Programme.

Westmeath's Killian Daly, Muireann Scally and Lisa Burke were among those who graduated from the GPA programme.

Daly (Mullingar Shamrocks) played for Westmeath in the 2015 and 2016 Leinster senior football finals, while Muireann Scally plays camogie for Crookedwood and Westmeath.

Lisa Burke played football for Rochfortbridge and camogie with Raharney. In more recent times, Lisa has been involved as a player and coach with Mullingar Shamrocks LGFA.

Muireann Scally of Westmeath is presented with her certificate by Michael Madden, left, and GPA chief executive officer Tom Parsons. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach / SPORTSFILE

The programme develops a group of inter-county players from hurling, camogie and Gaelic football with the necessary skills, motivation and experience to become real leaders in the community.

Lisa Burke of Westmeath is presented with her certificate by Michael Madden, left, and GPA chief executive officer Tom Parsons at Maynooth University. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach / SPORTSFILE

The tailored programme sees students paired with a professional life coach with whom they work to address their individual development needs. Participants gain skills which they can draw on in their personal, sporting and professional lives.

The programme has been made possible through the support of Michael Madden and his family who have dedicated this programme and curriculum to the memory of their late father Jim, who was a tireless grassroots GAA and community activist in Tipperary.