Monaleen GAA Club stalwart Paddy Dillon has been named overall winner of the 2012 “Gerard McDonnell Contribution to Sport” awards.
At a ceremony hosted in Limerick County Hall last evening, Michael Shiels of Limerick County Cycling Club was named winner of the ‘Administrator of the Year’ category and Siobhán McCarthy of Dromcollogher/Broadford Ladies Football Club won the ‘Coach of the Year’ award. Meanwhile, County Limerick U16's Hurling Team, which won this year’s All-Ireland Championship were named winners of the "Gerard McDonnell Achievement in Sport” award.
The award scheme, which honours the late County Limerick mountaineer Gerard McDonnell, recognises contributions and achievements in sport by volunteers, participants and administrators throughout County Limerick. The scheme is an initiative of the County Limerick Local Sports Partnership (LSP), in conjunction with the Limerick County Development Board.
The awards function was hosted by Cllr. Jerome Scanlan, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council and Chairperson of the Limerick Country Development Board.
Cllr. Scanlan stated: “This awards scheme recognises the voluntary contributions of community members throughout Limerick who give freely of their time for the betterment of their respective clubs and organisations. I want to pay tribute to this year’s principal winners who have displayed a steadfast commitment to keeping sport alive in their local area together with promoting volunteerism on a countywide basis.”
The recipients of awards last evening were each nominated by a member of the public. Among the factors that are considered by the Selection Committee each year is the nominee’s length of service to their respective organisation, along with their versatility, impact on the club or group, impact on the sport, personal contribution, overall merit and other qualities.
“In recognising the efforts of these nominees Limerick County Council and the family of the late Ger McDonnell are saluting their commitment to making a difference in their respective communities,” explained LSP Coordinator Phelim Macken.
Paying tribute to the award winners, Mr. Macken said: “Overall winner Paddy Dillon has given 55 years service to Monaleen GAA Club. He was a founder member in 1957 and was the first treasurer in 1957 in an era when biscuit tins were used as banks and the ban on foreign games existed. He held various administrative positions up to the purchase of the present field in 1969 while also a prominent player of hurling and football throughout. According to the nominator, he has never ceased to be active in all club matters both on and off the playing field since his original involvement. He remains an important link between the club’s past and present members. No task is too big or too small for him and he contributes hugely to all aspects of games. Paddy also does a lot of unannounced community work.”
“Siobhán McCarthy has given 15 years of service to Dromcollogher/Broadford Ladies Football Club. She coaches all girls and ladies teams, along with managing the club's finances, organising fundraising, washing gear, and transporting players to and from matches. She started the club in 1993 and has run it almost single handed since then. There wouldn't be a club only for her. Furthermore, she knows how to motivate people into playing sport and enjoying it. She makes a contribution both to the sport and to the community and is a deserving winner of the Coaching Category.
“As Winner of the Administration Category, Michael Shiels has given 32 years service to Limerick County Cycling Club. The current Club President was previously the club secretary, treasurer and chairman. He has created a club structure to ensure there is an events management policy in place. He coordinates rider recruitment and organises weekly club training sessions. He also liaises with the club coach to ensure that all the necessary resources are available and he still races himself and the ripe age of 67. Furthermore, he ensures that each club member actively contributes to race organisation which results in all members getting to race and officiate ensuring a lasting legacy in the club,” added Mr. Macken.
The inaugural Gerard McDonnell Contribution to Sport Award was won in 2009 by Joe Cunningham, a rowing coach at Castleconnell Boat Club. The award was won in 2010 by Noel O’Connor, who has spent the last 30 years promoting the development of Camogie in County Limerick. Meanwhile, the 2011 award was Breda Stokes of Cappagh GAA Football Club.
In August 2008 Gerard McDonnell became the first Irish person to summit the world’s second highest mountain, K2. The native of Kilcornan was tragically killed while descending the Himalayan peak just hours after achieving his lifetime ambition. In the three years since his tragic death, Ger has been hailed as a hero and awarded the ‘Best of Explorers Web 2008 Award’ by the mountaineers’ websites, Explorers Web. Limerick County Council held a Civic Reception in his honour in March 2009.
For further information on the Gerard McDonnell Contribution to Sport Award visit www.cllsp.ie or email infosports@limerickcoco.ie.
At a ceremony hosted in Limerick County Hall last evening, Michael Shiels of Limerick County Cycling Club was named winner of the ‘Administrator of the Year’ category and Siobhán McCarthy of Dromcollogher/Broadford Ladies Football Club won the ‘Coach of the Year’ award. Meanwhile, County Limerick U16's Hurling Team, which won this year’s All-Ireland Championship were named winners of the "Gerard McDonnell Achievement in Sport” award.
The award scheme, which honours the late County Limerick mountaineer Gerard McDonnell, recognises contributions and achievements in sport by volunteers, participants and administrators throughout County Limerick. The scheme is an initiative of the County Limerick Local Sports Partnership (LSP), in conjunction with the Limerick County Development Board.
The awards function was hosted by Cllr. Jerome Scanlan, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council and Chairperson of the Limerick Country Development Board.
Cllr. Scanlan stated: “This awards scheme recognises the voluntary contributions of community members throughout Limerick who give freely of their time for the betterment of their respective clubs and organisations. I want to pay tribute to this year’s principal winners who have displayed a steadfast commitment to keeping sport alive in their local area together with promoting volunteerism on a countywide basis.”
The recipients of awards last evening were each nominated by a member of the public. Among the factors that are considered by the Selection Committee each year is the nominee’s length of service to their respective organisation, along with their versatility, impact on the club or group, impact on the sport, personal contribution, overall merit and other qualities.
“In recognising the efforts of these nominees Limerick County Council and the family of the late Ger McDonnell are saluting their commitment to making a difference in their respective communities,” explained LSP Coordinator Phelim Macken.
Paying tribute to the award winners, Mr. Macken said: “Overall winner Paddy Dillon has given 55 years service to Monaleen GAA Club. He was a founder member in 1957 and was the first treasurer in 1957 in an era when biscuit tins were used as banks and the ban on foreign games existed. He held various administrative positions up to the purchase of the present field in 1969 while also a prominent player of hurling and football throughout. According to the nominator, he has never ceased to be active in all club matters both on and off the playing field since his original involvement. He remains an important link between the club’s past and present members. No task is too big or too small for him and he contributes hugely to all aspects of games. Paddy also does a lot of unannounced community work.”
“Siobhán McCarthy has given 15 years of service to Dromcollogher/Broadford Ladies Football Club. She coaches all girls and ladies teams, along with managing the club's finances, organising fundraising, washing gear, and transporting players to and from matches. She started the club in 1993 and has run it almost single handed since then. There wouldn't be a club only for her. Furthermore, she knows how to motivate people into playing sport and enjoying it. She makes a contribution both to the sport and to the community and is a deserving winner of the Coaching Category.
“As Winner of the Administration Category, Michael Shiels has given 32 years service to Limerick County Cycling Club. The current Club President was previously the club secretary, treasurer and chairman. He has created a club structure to ensure there is an events management policy in place. He coordinates rider recruitment and organises weekly club training sessions. He also liaises with the club coach to ensure that all the necessary resources are available and he still races himself and the ripe age of 67. Furthermore, he ensures that each club member actively contributes to race organisation which results in all members getting to race and officiate ensuring a lasting legacy in the club,” added Mr. Macken.
The inaugural Gerard McDonnell Contribution to Sport Award was won in 2009 by Joe Cunningham, a rowing coach at Castleconnell Boat Club. The award was won in 2010 by Noel O’Connor, who has spent the last 30 years promoting the development of Camogie in County Limerick. Meanwhile, the 2011 award was Breda Stokes of Cappagh GAA Football Club.
In August 2008 Gerard McDonnell became the first Irish person to summit the world’s second highest mountain, K2. The native of Kilcornan was tragically killed while descending the Himalayan peak just hours after achieving his lifetime ambition. In the three years since his tragic death, Ger has been hailed as a hero and awarded the ‘Best of Explorers Web 2008 Award’ by the mountaineers’ websites, Explorers Web. Limerick County Council held a Civic Reception in his honour in March 2009.
For further information on the Gerard McDonnell Contribution to Sport Award visit www.cllsp.ie or email infosports@limerickcoco.ie.
