Richard Bullick
GAA President Jarlath Burns led the tributes to his Silverbridge clubmate Sinead Reel after the passionate powerhouse stood down following eight hugely energised and productive years as Armagh LGFA Chairperson.
It was an emotional evening for the outgoing County Board boss at the Carrickdale Hotel in late November as she was honoured for her remarkable tenure at the Orchard helm and received a prolonged standing ovation from over 500 guests at the Armagh LGFA Awards dinner.
The special segment at the end was teed up by a stirring introduction by RTE Head of Sport Declan McBennett and Reel was presented with a framed Armagh jersey and collage of photos by several of the Orchard county’s senior players.
An impressively put together 10-minute tribute package played on the big screens featured so many evocative images from Reel’s decades of integral involvement in Armagh ladies football but began with a characteristically eloquent address by Burns.
“It is both a privilege and a joy to stand here in (Croke Park) to pay tribute to someone whose name has become synonymous with leadership, drive, visibility and indeed grá for Armagh ladies football, the remarkable Sinead Reel,” his video message began.
“Sinead, when we speak today about the importance of role models, the phrase ‘can’t see, can’t be’ is often used. For me, that line could have been written about you. You never once hid behind a title or a position. You weren’t a Chair in the background.
“You were always visible, always present, always approachable. Young girls across Armagh and Ulster saw you. They saw a woman leading with conviction, representing her county with utter passion, and doing so with strength and authenticity.
“Because they could see you, they could imagine themselves stepping into leadership too. Can’t see, can’t be. Well, thanks to you Sinead, countless young girls can now see what leadership looks like and they know they can be that person too.
“Anything you’ve ever taken on, you’ve taken it on with complete determination and commitment, you’ve never been a half-measure person or a ‘that’ll do’ type of leader. You set standards, you follow through.
“And that is why your tenure in Armagh has been so impactful. Through good days, harder days, county finals, board meetings, fixtures headaches and the ever-present pressures of volunteer leadership, you were steadfast. You’ve shown us all what true service looks like.
“Now, I’ve heard it said that you’re stepping down, but I have to admit I nearly laughed when I heard that phrase beside your name, because no-one with your energy, your engine and your sense of purpose could possibly understand the concept of stepping down.
“You might be leaving the chair, but we all know what’s really happening. Sinead will now step up. Something new, something grassroots. Something that needs fixing, shaping, building or inspiring.
“And like every role you’ve ever taken on, you will leave it in a far better place than you’ve found it. Because that is what you do, that is who you are. You are the real thing; in fact you may be even better than the real thing.
“Sinead, Armagh LGFA is stronger because of you. The future is brighter because of what you have built. And, on behalf of the GAA family from Croke Park here, though your title may change, our respect, our admiration and our gratitude for you will not.
“Go raibh maith agat, and don’t pretend you are disappearing – we know better!” concluded Burns, whose tribute was followed by several other effusive video messages starting with the current LGFA President Trina Murray.
The final slide fittingly featured a photo of Reel at Armagh LGFA’s ground-breaking McKeever Park base with the triple hashtag of #Legend #Leadership #Legacy, all of them well-chosen and worthy terms.
Her exceptional contribution has been wide-ranging, but Sinead can take particular pride in how the ambitious and visionary McKeever Park project has been brought to fruition, and building an impressive sponsorship portfolio to support Armagh ladies football at all levels.
The senior county team has won no fewer than five Ulster Senior Championships during Reel’s tenure along with the Orchard county’s first ever National League title and the number of active clubs and teams within Armagh has increased on her watch.
As Burns says, there will be more to come from the 46-year-old, whose father Owen Reel had previously served as Armagh LGFA Chairperson, but this is a well-earned break for Sinead who acknowledged her heartwarming send-off on social media the following day.
“Thank you to everyone for your kind words. A massive thank you to all those I have worked with in my role as Chairperson for the past eight years, it’s been an honour and a delight to lead our county and I could not have done it without your help and support,” she posted.
“Best wishes to the incoming committee and all the clubs and our county teams for 2026, I will still be in the stands supporting you all. I’m sure you’ll hear me! Thank you to the people behind this surprise tribute last night, you know who you are!
“Thanks again to my family and friends for all the guidance and support when I needed it,” wrote Reel, at the end of a post which quickly attracted 140 comments of well-merited commendation and thanks from all around Armagh and across the country.
Perhaps we should leave the final (lovely) words on Reel’s time in office – for now! – to Sinead’s 21-year-old daughter Rosina, who added her own online tribute, thus: “To the woman who led with strength, kindness and passion. Proud of you, Mum,” she wrote.
