The 2019 Awards
The Volunteer in Sport Awards ceremony took place on 12th of November 2019 in Farmleigh House in Dublin.
Swim Ireland’s Mary Dunne was honoured with the Outstanding Contribution Award at the 2019 Volunteers in Sport Awards, hosted by the Federation of Irish Sport.
The award honours a volunteer who has consistently given up their time for a sport, a team, or an event over many years. Mary has exemplified a commitment to sport and community work through her many years of involvement in Ballina Dolphin’s Swimming Club and the Connacht region for Swim Ireland. She has volunteered at every level within the sport, taking on leadership roles and working in support positions behind the scenes. She is also a stalwart of the Connacht Region, taking up roles enthusiastically when needed. She is a former Chairperson and Treasurer of the Region, has trained as a gala recorder and technical official so that she can help at Regional swimming galas. Mary served on the Swim Ireland Board of Directors for 4 years and was nominated by her Region as Honorary President of Swim Ireland in 2016.
Previous winners of the Lifetime Award include Liam Sheedy, who managed Tipperary to All Ireland Senior success in 2010; Oliver O’Neill, youth coach and father of Olympic boxer Darren O’Neill; and Dublin City Marathon organiser Jim Aughney.
Winners list
| COUNTY | NAME | SPORT | CLUB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antrim | James McLornan | GAA | St Comgalls GAA |
| Armagh | Paula Powell Enright | GAA | Armagh Harps GAA |
| Carlow | Tommy Murphy | GAA | Naomh Eoin Myshall |
| Cavan | Mark Lawlor | GAA | Belturbit Rory O’Moores GAA |
| Clare | Seamus Spaight | GAA | Meelick GAA |
| Cork | Liam Evans | GAA | St James’ GAA Clonakilty |
| Derry | Seamus Kyne | Bowling | Irish Indoor Bowling Association |
| Donegal | Peadar McGranaghan | Athletics | Finn Vally AC |
| Down | Stephen Crothers | Cricket | Instonians Cricket |
| Dublin | Bronwyn O’Donnell | Hockey | Loreto Hockey Club, Rathfarnham |
| Fermanagh | Gaye Conway | Rowing | Enniskillen Royal Boat Club |
| Galway | Derek Niland | Rugby | Galway Corinthians |
| Kerry | Jennifer O’Sullivan | Boxing | Sliabh Lucra BC |
| Kildare | Shirley MacDermott | Equestrian | Special Olympics Ireland |
| Kilkenny | Paul Cummins | Ice Hockey | Kilkenny Storm |
| Laois | Pat Kelly | Athletics | St. Abbans Athletics Club |
| Leitrim | Mary O’Donnell | Athletics | Carrick – on – Shannon AC |
| Limerick | Sharon Galvin | Soccer | Limerick Belles FC |
| Longford | Carol Murray | GAA | Longford Slashers GAA |
| Louth | Fetpai Fappito | Basketball | Dundalk Ravens Basketball Club |
| Mayo | Sinead McGrath | Equestrian | Ballinrobe Riding Club |
| Meath | Mary Davitt | Special Olympics | Navan Arch Club |
| Monaghan | Ned Boyle | Gymnastics | Killeevan Gymnastics Club |
| Offaly | Yvonne Tierney | Swimming | Ballinamere Special Olympics Club |
| Roscommon | Eamonn Bulger | Soccer | Ballyboro football club |
| Sligo | Gerry Touhy | GAA | Calry St Josephs GAA |
| Tipperary | Martin Quinn | GAA | Galtee Rovers GAA |
| Tyrone | Kenneth Strong | Table Tennis | Table Tennis Ireland |
| Waterford | Michael Walsh | Soccer | Waterford FC |
| Westmeath | Eugene Dolan | GAA | St Pauls GFC Clonmellon |
| Wexford | Nemone Van Der Bliake | Park Run | Heritage Park, Junior Park Run |
| Wicklow | Theresa Kinane | Athletics | Greystones & District AC |
| Outstanding Contribution | Mary Dunne | Swimming | Ballina Dolphins |
| Team | Women on Wheels | Cycling | Limerick LSP |
Mary Dunne, Swim Ireland
Outstanding Achievement Award
2019 Sponsors
