Jack Boothman

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. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/low/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/3422451.stm BBC SPORT | Northern Ireland | Gaelic Games | Boothman warns of dangers ] ] 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. [ [http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2001/11/17/story17397.asp Irish Examiner - 2001/11/17: Taoiseach urges GAA to abolish Rule 21 ] ] . 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. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/low/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/3422451.stm BBC SPORT | Northern Ireland | Gaelic Games | Boothman warns of dangers ] ] 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. [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb5089/is_199404/ai_n18501697 BOOTHMAN SEEKS TO ESTABLISH GAA DOMINANCE | Irish Voice | Find Articles at BNET.com ] ]

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

References