GAA president Joe McDonagh was presented with a special Eircell award by the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern at a surprise ceremony in Clontarf Castle yesterday. The outgoing president was honoured with the monthly award for January in recognition of his distinguished term in office, which will conclude with congress in April.

"Greatly honoured. We had a fantastic day. I suppose in some ways, all this makes it apparent that my time in office has gone by very fast but we covered so much ground over that period that you do begin to feel it, mentally," McDonagh said yesterday before, in keeping with his break-neck schedule, rushing off to London.

Oblivious to the fact that he was to be the recipient, the president appeared at the ceremony which was attended by his wife Peig and other members of his family as well as GAA dignitaries.

"I have known Joe for a long time but this is the first time I have ever seen him surprised or caught off guard. Catching him out to give him a prize is probably the only way that it could be done. Joe is so busy and well organised that he probably wouldn't have been able to find time to have himself honoured," said Bertie Ahern during his address.

Allowing that witnessing his home county Galway reclaim the Sam Maguire Cup in 1998 while president of the association was a particular privilege among many highlights, McDonagh stressed that he was looking forward to continuing his work with the GAA.

""I am keen to help in the development of the games at local level and to just tidy up a number of projects we embarked upon during my time at Croke Park."

McDonagh presided over the GAA during a time of huge transition and has been widely hailed as having been extremely progressive.

"He has put his all into his job over the last three years and has been the leading light in promoting the games at community level and in introducing them on live television," noted Ahern.

McDonagh enjoyed an illustrious hurling career in Galway which culminated with an All-Ireland championship medal in 1980. He also won a league medal in 1975 and an under-21 All-Ireland three years earlier.