Four boxing club members have won 2024 Volunteer in Sport Awards in their respective counties.
Paddy Joe of Star BC Belfast is the Antrim winner, Brian McKeown of Cavan BC has claimed the Cavan crown, Myles Cresham of Castlebar BC is Mayo’s Volunteer of the Year and Lynda McGrath of Tralee BC is the Kerry winner. Each will will be celebrated at a special ceremony on Friday, 28th February 2025, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown. The prestigious Outstanding Achievement Award, which highlights one individual’s extraordinary contribution to Irish sport will be revealed on the day
Throughout November and December 2024, the Federation of Irish Sport called on the public, sports clubs, Local Sports Partnerships and National Governing Bodies in Sport to nominate volunteers whose contributions have made a meaningful difference. This year’s awards saw a record number of nominations from over 53 sporting disciplines, reflecting the incredible diversity of volunteering in Ireland.
Speaking about the importance of the awards, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport, Mary O’Connor said: “The Federation of Irish Sport is proud to celebrate our volunteers in sport and to pay tribute to these incredible individuals who give their time and energy to enrich Irish sport and strengthen communities. These awards are a vital nationwide recognition of the scale of volunteering that is required every week to support 1.47 million club members around the country.”
Sport Ireland CEO Dr Úna May said:“Volunteers are the lifeblood of Irish sport, driving participation across all disciplines. Sport Ireland research reveals unprecedented levels of engagement, with nearly two million adults participating in sport weekly. That’s a real testament to the tireless efforts of volunteers. They don’t merely contribute – they transform aspirations into achievements, making sport accessible and enjoyable for all. We all owe them a debt of gratitude and we’re happy to play our part in recognising their dedication.”
Head of Louth Sports Partnership, representative of the Sport Ireland National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships and member of the judging panel, Graham Russell said: “The Volunteers in Sport Awards is a unique opportunity for the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships each year to collectively celebrate the terrific work being done in every county in Ireland to drive greater and more inclusive participation in sport and physical activity. The National Network of Local Sports Partnerships work closely with volunteers in the community and see the impact they have at grass roots level and in breaking down boundaries to participation. We are proud to champion the unsung heroes of sport.”
FULL LIST OF 2024 VOLUNTEERS IN SPORT AWARDS COUNTY RECIPIENTS
| County | First | Surname | Club | Sport |
| Antrim | Paddy Joe | Branney | Belfast’s Star Boxing Club | IABA |
| Armagh | Francis | Reynolds | Sarsfields GAC | GAA |
| Carlow | Justine | Collins | Carlow Hockey | Hockey |
| Cavan | Brian | McKeown | Cavan Boxing Club | IABA |
| Clare | Nicola | Welford | Derg Athletics Club | Athletics |
| Cork | John Bosco | Hurley | Liscarroll Handball Club | GAA Handball |
| Derry | Alan | Nash | Na Piarsaigh Doire Trasna | GAA/LGFA |
| Donegal | Audrey | Magee | Raphoe Badminton Club | Badminton |
| Down | Alwynne | Shannon | The Feel Good Factor | Mountaineering |
| Dublin City Sports & Wellbeing | Paddy | O Reilly | Ballymun Health & Fitness community group | Multi-sport |
| Dublin Dún Laoghaire – Rathdown | Ruby | Morrow | Monkstown Hockey Club | Hockey |
| Dublin Fingal | Emily | Crawley | Swords BC | Basketball |
| Active South Dublin | Denis | Commins | Peamount United | FAI |
| Fermanagh | Phil | Flanaghan | Tempo Maguires GAA Club | GAA |
| Galway | Frances | Daly | Special Olympics Swimming | Special Olympics |
| Kerry | Lynda | McGrath | Tralee Boxing Club | IABA |
| Kildare | Suzanne | Whelan | Naas Pythons Basketball Special Olympics Club | Special Olympics |
| Kilkenny | Mick | O’Keeffe | Thomastown Athletics Club | Athletics |
| Laois | Patrick | Brennan | Crettyard CLG GAA | GAA |
| Leitrim | Mark | Butler | Carrick on Shannon Rowing Club | Rowing |
| Limerick | Martin | Casey | Limerick Local Sports Partnership | Multi-sport |
| Longford | Gerry | Doyle | Heartland Wheelers Cycling Club | Cycling |
| Louth | Pat | Greene | Seapoint Pitch and Putt Club | Pitch and Putt |
| Mayo | Myles | Cresham | Castlebar Boxing Club | IABA |
| Meath | Pat | Comey | Trim AC | Athletics |
| Monaghan | Pat | McCabe | Clones Town FC | FAI |
| Offaly | Jude | Feehan | Offaly community games | Community Games |
| Roscommon | Tony | Christie | Ballinameen GAA Club | GAA |
| Sligo | Jean | McConnell | Sligo RFC | IRFU |
| Tipperary | Paddy | Fitzgerald | Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams GAA Club | GAA |
| Tyrone | Kenny | Curran | Loughmacrory Handball Club | GAA Handball |
| Waterford | Gavin | Lonergan | Little Vikings special Olympics | Special Olympics |
| Westmeath | Aoife | McCarthy | Mullingar Handball Club | GAA Handball |
| Wexford | Nicky | Haberlin | New Ross Rugby Football Club | IRFU |
| Wicklow | Brian | Whelan | Irish Federation of Sea Anglers | Irish Federation of Sea Anglers |