Pat's man Slater tops Supporters' chart list

ST PATRICK'S of Palmerstown stalwart Andy Slater has claimed the first ever 'Dublin's Finest Supporter' title in a Vodafone competition to showcase the spirit of volunteerism that typifies the GAA.

The competition, one of a range of Vodafone initiatives to mark its sponsorship of Dublin GAA, culminated yesterday with Andy (74) being announced as the winner by Dublin football legend Jimmy Keaveney and current hurling star Ryan O'Dwyer at an event attended by the five proud Dubs fans shortlisted for the award.

Andy, as winner, will have his name engraved on a seat at Parnell Park and receive a season ticket to the county's home ground for the 2011/2012 season and all Dublin championship games for the remainder of this season.

In addition, Andy received a specially commissioned piece from bronze sculpture specialist Jarlath Daly and a weekend break for two in Ireland.

Each club across the county was invited to nominate its own candidate for the competition in June, with the entries then whittled down by a Vodafone panel to a shortlist of five. Voting was then opened up to the Dublin GAA public via the hill16.ie/thedubhub website, with Andy coming out on top by only a handful of votes.

Reacting to the announcement, the proud Limerick native said he was honoured to be the first recipient of the award.

"This is the proudest moment of my GAA life. I moved to Dublin in the early 1970s and while I have always loved the GAA and have been proud to be associated with it virtually every day of my life since, I never expected anything like this," he said.

Said Vodafone Head of Brand and Communications Anne Mulcahy: "This competition was all about raising awareness of the incredible and selfless volunteer work carried out by so many, many people across Dublin GAA. Andy Slater is a wonderful example of that spirit of volunteerism, indeed all five shortlisted are."

FIXTURES

TODAY

MUNSTER U-21 HC FINAL

(Extra-time if necessary)

Gaelic Grounds: Limerick v Cork, 7.30, P Casey (Waterford)

SATURDAY

ALL-IRELAND SFC QUARTER-FINAL

(Extra-time if necessary)

Croke Park: Dublin v Tyrone, 7.0, J McQuillan (Tyrone). *LIVE RTE2

ALL-IRELAND JFC SEMI-FINALS

(Extra-time if necessary)

Croke Park: Cork v Sligo, 5.0, P Kneel (Louth)

Newbridge: Kildare v Lancashire, 6.0, S Carroll (Westmeath)

ALL-IRELAND MHC 'B' Q-FINALS

(Extra-time if necessary)

Tralee: Kerry v Meath, 2.30, J O'Connell (Cork)

Ballyshannon: Donegal v Roscommon, 3.0, E Shaughnessy (Galway)

Dr Cullen Park: Carlow v Kildare, 3.0, P Casey (Waterford)

SUNDAY

ALL-IRELAND SHC SEMI-FINAL

Croke Park: Kilkenny v Waterford, 3.30, B Kelly (Westmeath).*LIVE RTE2

ALL-IRELAND MHC SEMI-FINAL

Croke Park: Clare v Galway, 1.30, S Cleere (Kilkenny). *LIVE RTE2