| Liz Howard, Elizabeth Howard, Éilís Níc Iomhair | |
|---|---|
| 27th President of Camogie Association | |
| In office 2006–2009 |
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| Succeeded by | Joan O’Flynn, Cork |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Deerpark Carrick on Suir Co. Tipperary, Ireland |
| Profession | Manager Aer Lingus, HR Consultant |
Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Howard (Éilís Níc Iomhair) was the 27th president of the Camogie Association.[1]
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From Deerpark, Carrick on Suir, Co. Tipperary, the daughter of Limerick man, Garrett Howard and Josephine (née Barry) from Newtown Nenagh, Garrett, won five All Ireland medals and was awarded the Bank of Ireland All Time All Star Award. Her mother's uncle Frank McGrath played with the famous Toomevara Greyhounds and Tipperary and later went on to becoome Chairman of Munster Council GAA. Her home club is now Burgess GAA club in Tipperary. Under the guidance of her parents she and her sisters started a camogie club in Feakle Co. Clare, this led to a revival of camogie in East Clare. Her sister Jo played for Clare and Tipperary while her brother Garry played for Tipperary U21 hurlers. Liz played camogie with Clare, Tipperary and Dublin; won a Munster Championship and National League (inaugural year 1977)with Tipperary, two Leinster Junior Championships with Dublin. She was a member of the famous Celtic club in Dublin, a club that provided seven presidents of the Camogie Association.
During the presidency of Miriam Callaghan Liz, Sile Wallace, Jo Golden and Sinead O Connor developed the Stategic Plan 2004-2008, this was the template to grow and develop camogie. Following her election as President she initiated an indepth review of the Association to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the Camogie Association. This was carried out by Atlantic Sports Management and funded by the Irish Sports Council. The review led a six year National Development Plan, launched at Annual Congress in Newbridge in March 2010. She focused on raising the profile of the Association, developing the game, growing the sport;working with the Chief Executive of the Association, a vibrant full time team of Development and administrative personnel was recruited. RTE came on board to include camogie on The Sunday Game, TG4 televised the Junior All Ireland for the first time and general media coverage grew. At the end of her presidency she said that the sport can grow even more.[2] The initiative ultimately led to a new Constitution for the Association ratified at a special Congress in Croke Park in May 2010.
She worked closely with the GAA; with the support of Liam O Neill (Chairman of Leinster GAA Council) and Nickey Brennan (President of the GAA)agreed the twinning of the All Ireland senior and Junior Camogie finals with the U 21 All Ireland Hurling finalIn Croke Park, an arrangement that lasted from 2006 to 2009.[3] This helped raise attendance to record levels, peaking at 33,154 for the 2007 final between Wexford and Cork.[4]
New sponsorship deals was signed with Gala, O Neills and Coillte; Bursaries for Third level players were launched.[5] With the Chief Executive she forged strong links with the Irish Sports Council and initiated links with Sports Partnerships and local Authorities.
In 2007 she suggested that camogie be renamed “‘women’s hurling.”‘[6]
When RTE introduced the GAA programme, The Sunday Game in 1979 Liz was the first and only female analyist on the programme. While her appointment initially led to comment she soon proved to be a well informed,incisive and respected alalyist. She was and continues to be a regular contributor to both TV and radio programmes, including The Championship and was a panel member on the special Late Late Show to mark the Centenary of the GAA Centenary 1984.
She served as Tipperary GAA PRO for 22 years (1981–2003, with the excen of 1983). She brought a professional approach to the role and became the best known female within GAA circles.She incurred the wrath of Ger Loughnane]] in 1998<ref Liz saw it as a typical Loughnane smoke screen to divert pressure from his team. Joe Mc Donagh President of the GAA appointed her as chair the Increased Participation Committee( to develop greater involvement of Camogie and Ladies Football with the GAA). She served as a member of the GAA Communications Committee during the presidency of Dr. Mick Loftus. She also served a Member of the Munster Council PR Committee.
In January 2010 she received the award for National Administrator of the Year at the inaugural Awards to Volunteers in Irish Sport.[7] She was chosen as Tipperary Person of the Year in 2007 and was honoued by Burgess GAA Club on her election as President of the Camogie Association. She is a member of the Canon Hayes National Awards judging Committee. She has worked closely with the No Name Club; founded by Eddie Keher, Fr. Tommy Walsh and Eamonn Doyle to encourage a sensible approach to the consumption of alcohol. During her career with Aer Lingus she represented the airline at international conferences and carried out promotional work in New York, St. Louis and Atlanta. She was seconded to Okada Airlines in Nigeria for a spell. She now works as a HR consultant specialising in recruitment. She worked as a volunteer in Zambia with a French Canadian religious order. Liz has four sister, one brother and She is an avid sports follower, enjoys travel, theatre, reading, gardening and the company her family and friends.
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