Jack Boothman

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jack Boothman was President of the Gaelic Athletic Association between 1994 and 1997.

Boothman was an active member of his local Blessington GAA club in County Wicklow.[1] He was elected as president of the Association and took up the position in 1994. Boothman championed the abolition of Rule 21, which debarred members of the British security forces from joining the GAA.[2]. However, he strongly opposed the opening up of Croke Park to international soccer and rugby, feeling that it would be a "disastrous mistake" for the GAA to benefit competing sports so significantly.[3] Notably, Boothman was the first Protestant president of the GAA, which is often seen as a Catholic-dominated organisation by Unionists in the six counties of Northern Ireland.[4]

Boothman still holds the position of President within his own local club.

[edit] References

  1. ^ BBC SPORT | Northern Ireland | Gaelic Games | Boothman warns of dangers
  2. ^ Irish Examiner - 2001/11/17: Taoiseach urges GAA to abolish Rule 21
  3. ^ BBC SPORT | Northern Ireland | Gaelic Games | Boothman warns of dangers
  4. ^ BOOTHMAN SEEKS TO ESTABLISH GAA DOMINANCE | Irish Voice | Find Articles at BNET.com
 This Gaelic Athletic Association-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.