The Federation of Irish Sport celebrated the winners of the 2022 Volunteers in Sport Awards proudly supported by the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships at a luncheon awards ceremony at The Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown. The special guest speaker at the awards Thomas Byrne, Minister of State with responsibility for Sport & Physical Education, presented the recipients from each county with a custom-made medal recognising their amazing dedication to volunteering across a variety of different sports. In addressing the gathering he said “….Volunteering is the backbone of sport in this country. From the grassroots to the board room we need volunteers, we depend on volunteers.”

In addition to the 32 county award winners, the overall Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to Aislinn Nugent of Valleymount LGFA from Co. Wicklow in special recognition of her promotion of inclusivity, community spirit, health and well-being through Sport in the community for over 20 years.

The Volunteers in Sport Awards celebrate the contributions of the band of volunteers across the country who give their time to Irish sport and physical activity every year. This equates to approximately 37.3 million hours of volunteering across Ireland’s 13,000 registered sports clubs and associations and, according to Sport Ireland’s 2021 ‘Researching the Value of Sport in Ireland’ report, is worth an estimated €1.5bn to the exchequer.

#DedicatedToTheDedicated

Full list of winners for the 2022 Federation of Irish Sport Volunteer in Sport awards proudly supported by the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships

County First Surname Sport Club
Antrim Katie Speers Rugby Ballymoney RFC
Armagh Sally Rafferty Camogie St Brenda’s Camogie Club
Carlow John Jacob Martial Arts Carlow Muay Thai
Cavan Breda Galligan Camogie Castletara Camogie Club
Clare Paul McGibney Basketball Kilrush Basketball Club
Cork Collette Riordan Athletics West Muskerry AC
Derry  Micky Fleming Boxing Churchlands Golden gloves
Donegal Martin Shankey Smith GAA Naomh Conall GAA
Down Mickey Redmond GAA Saval GAC
Dublin City Joe Davitt GAA Ranelagh Gaels
Dublin – Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Clara Clark Cycling Cycling without Age
Dublin Fingal Ciara McCluskey Running Dublin Sanctuary Runners
Dublin – South Dublin Co. Council   Tony Hickey Swim Fortunestown Swim Club
Fermanagh Chloe Hamilton Paddlesports Erne Paddlers
Galway Catherine Moore Hockey Greenfields Hockey Club
Kerry Jean Courtney Athletics Killarney Valley AC
Kildare Eddie Hennessey Soccer Clonmullion FC
Kilkenny Carmel O’Neill Boxing Paulstown Boxing Club
Laois Marie Thompson Hockey Abbeyleix Hockey Club
Leitrim Eimear Doonan GAA Fenagh GAA
Limerick Joe Chawke Athletics Dooneen AC
Longford Grzegorz Wiechec Volleyball Longford Smashers Volleyball Club
Louth Olivia Wall GAA Roche Emmets GFC
Mayo Deirdre Maloney Reid GAA Moy Davitts GAA Club
Meath Deborah Kelly-Long Basketball East Coast Cavaliers
Monaghan Christina Weldon GAA  Latton O’Rahilly GAA Club
Offaly Paul Buckley Athletics Ferbane AC.
Roscommon Frank Grehan GAA  St. Aidans GAA Club
Sligo Kay Curley Tennis Sligo Tennis Club
Tipperary Niall O’Sullivan Athletics Clonmel Athletic Club
Tyrone Martin Cassidy Soccer Omagh Futsal Club
Waterford Michael Cox Soccer Park Rangers AFC
Westmeath Déirdre Orme GAA Crookedwood GAA
Wexford Denis Cadogan GAA and Handball Horeswood GAA & Handball Club
Wicklow Aislinn Nugent LGFA Valleymount LGFA