Local heroes honoured for contributions

NATIONA L AWARDS TO VOLUNTEERS IN IRISH SPORTS:THE MINISTER of State for Sport Michael Ring commemorated the work of 11 dedicated and selfless "heroes" at the National Awards to Volunteers in Irish Sports. The Aviva Stadium hosted a ceremony which is a joint initiative between the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and Federation of Irish Sports, which represents some 68 sports in Ireland.

The awards celebrate the contributions of volunteers to Irish sport, who number in excess of 400,000 people throughout the country. They voluntarily dedicate their time to sports clubs and organisations. Among the recipients was Jim Aughney, who is responsible for both the establishment and development of the Dublin Marathon and Race Series that attracts a field of over 11,000.

Brian Craig from Dublin also received an award for the major role he has played in the development of sailing in Ireland, specifically in Dún Laoghaire.

The youngest person honoured was 24-year old Doireann Ní Mhuiri from Cork, who has been involved in coaching at Blackrock Camogie Club since the tender age of 14.

Gerry Fleming, head coach of Neilstown Boxing Club, started there 31 years ago and counts Olympic silver medallist Kenny Egan as one who came under his tutelage. Egan admitted: “Gerry is not only my coach but a great friend. He has pushed so hard in getting Neilstown its own boxing club. It has been over 20 years coming and is finally here thanks to the hard work of Gerry and his coaching staff.”

The winners were selected by a committee chaired by Olympic gold medal winner Ronnie Delany, representatives from the Federation of Irish Sports, Irish Sports Council, The Irish Times, RTÉ and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

Speaking at the presentation Mr Ring said: “The contribution of volunteers in supporting Irish sports people at every level, from when they first engage in sporting activity right through to developing elite athletes, should not be underestimated.

“Indeed, the army of volunteers who dedicate their time and commitment to each sport in Ireland assist in building strong and healthy communities, while giving everybody the opportunity to be the athletes they are.”

Award Winners

1. Doireann Ní Mhuiri (Camogie):Hailing from Ballintemple in Cork she has been coaching at Blackrock Camogie Club since the age of 14. She established hurling and camogie summer camps in 2004 when she saw that there were none in the local area; the emphasis at the camps was on fun and participation for all. While in college Doireann also coached camogie in a local primary school thereby introducing girls to the sport that would not otherwise have had the opportunity to play. In addition to her coaching Doirean also developed a website for the club and acted as administrator for a number of years. She also still finds time to turn out for the club's camogie and women's football teams.

2. Gareth Grundie (Hockey):Gareth has been a player coach with Northern Ireland Civil Service Mens (NICSM) and a coach to Ards Ladies for several years. His work with Ards has seen them become one of the top female teams in Ulster. This year saw the club finish third in Ulster's Premier League thereby securing qualification for the Irish Hockey League. They also reached the quarter-finals of the Irish Senior Cup. NICS, meanwhile, finished top of their league while also winning the Irish Trophy Cup. Gareth's commitment to both NICSM and Ards has seen a number of Ulster interprovincials and Irish internationals pass through his hands.

3. Gerry Fleming (Boxing):Gerry has been involved with Neilstown Boxing Club for 31 years principally as a coach but in addition over the last 10 years he has been an administrator and a driving force behind the newly-opened purpose built club premises. It remains the focal point in the community and is credited with making a difference in hundreds of young people's lives. He has coached many national champions, the most successful being Olympic silver medallist Kenneth Egan

4. Catherine Murphy (women's Gaelic football):is synonymous with women's football in Kinsale. She was the founding secretary of Kinsale Ladies Football Club in 2001 and more recently has served as both treasurer and registrar. In 2008 her under-14 team emerged as winners of the Kilmacud Crokes All-Ireland Shield Competition. The reality that Kinsale has become one of the biggest and most successful clubs in Cork in its short nine-year history is testament to Catherine's diligence and commitment to the club.

5. Jim Aughney (Athletics):As race director of the Dublin marathon, he is responsible for the delivery each year of the Dublin marathon and race series. From Clondalkin, Jim has brought the Dublin City Marathon back to the spotlight over the past 10 years. In 2010, there were 13,200 participants from 63 different countries while the race series has seen a four-fold growth in eight years. He has achieved all of this including the management of logistics, liaising with gardaí, local authorities, the OPW, sponsors while holding down a full-time job. He uses his annual leave to take a week off in the lead up to the marathon while doing the same during the year to promote Dublin and its marathon at marathon expos around the world

6. Tony Farrell (Swimming): Tony took on the role as chairperson of Swim Ireland in 2004. He stepped down from the role after a three-year period but was re-elected in 2008. Farrell first took on the leadership of Swim Ireland at a time when the organisation was facing many difficulties. It had funding and other financial difficulties and had several legal actions pending against it. Tony's perseverance, commitment to swimming and indeed personal strength and courage ensured Swim Ireland faced its responsibilities and addressed its difficulties culminating in a much more progressive and stable organisation today.

7. Pam Beacom (Special Olympics):Pam has been heavily involved in Special Olympics since the World Games in 2003. In the aftermath she was instrumental to the foundation of Blue Dolphins Special Olympics Club in her home town of Wicklow which now offers seven different sports with 66 athletes and 55 volunteers participating. Pam has coached at all levels in Special Olympics and will form part of the swim coaching team at this summer's World Games in Athens where her daughter Aisling will compete.

8. Breeda Christie (Athletics/Community Games):Breeda is 80 years young and the founder and president of Community Games Tipperary. She has given in excess of 40 years' service to athletes and volunteering in sport in Tipperary and remains as active today as when she first became involved in 1967, remaining the driving force behind Tipperary Town Athletics Club. Thousands of children have enjoyed the fun of being involved in sport thanks to her vision and dedication

9. Brian Craig (Sailing):Brian has played a major role in the development of sailing in Dún Laoghaire and in Ireland with a specific focus on youth sailing. He has served as a volunteer on various club and event committees for the past 40 years and has been responsible in securing and chairing many successful, national, European and world championships to Dublin Bay. He has been largely responsible for submitting and successfully winning the bid for Ireland to host the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship for Dublin Bay in 2012.

10. Desmond Butler (Gaelic Games):Desmond is a born and bred Finglas man and has strong community ties to his local GAA club Erin's Isle. He has been involved with Erin's Isle for over 70 years and has represented the club at juvenile, minor and senior level. He was part of the junior team that won the D League final in 1947 as well as being a key player on the team that won consecutive championships in the early '50s, bringing the club to senior status. He has found time to contribute as a team mentor, committee member, chairman and trustee and now president of the club.

11. Paddy Walsh (Gaelic Games):Paddy been involved with the Stars of Erin GAA for over 60 years. During this time he has taken on numerous roles including as the representative to the Dublin Junior Board, club referee and as co-manager and selector for the adult teams. Paddy remains the principle contributor to the weekly fundraising. He is extremely active selling weekly raffle tickets and drives around to his regular customers each week. A legend in the club Paddy is the oldest member and at 97 still umpires games when he can.