Cappagh GAA Football Club’s Breda Stokes was named overall winner of the “Gerard McDonnell Contribution to Sport Award 2011” at a ceremony hosted in Limerick County Hall last evening.
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.
Anne Curtin from Foynes Communities in Motion was named winner of the ‘Administrator of the Year’ category, while Patsy Murphy of Broadford Handball Club won the ‘Coach of the Year’ award. The awards were presented by Munster Forwards Coach Anthony Foley with the overall award being sponsored by Woodlands House Hotel, Adare.
Other award nominees included Oliver Creighton, Limerick Regional Probus Club; Colm O'Regan, Croom Go For Life & Croom GAA Club; Eileen McCormack, Patrickswell ARA; Eleanor Fitzsimons, Cappagh Community Games; Joe Pond, Aisling Annacotty AFC; Neily Hogan, Rathkeale AFC, Conor Dooley, Emerald AC; and Mike Murphy, Kilmallock Camogie Club.
Limerick-based Cycle4SickChildren, which was named Cycling Club of the Year 2011 by Cycling Ireland, and Limerick Community Games also were recognised at the ceremony for their success at national level.
The awards function was hosted by Cllr. Damien Riedy, Leas Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council.
Councillor Riedy said: “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 own respective communities.”
He added: “The aim of the scheme is to award representatives of local clubs and organisations who in their outstanding efforts and persistence have made an excellent contribution to sport at a local level. On behalf of Limerick County Council and the family of the late Ger McDonnell I would like to congratulate every one of the nominees in this year’s awards scheme.”
According to LSP Coordinator Phelim Macken: “Among the factors that are considered by the Selection Committee 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. By giving their time and effort to their respective sport, club and community, the two recipients of awards this year have displayed a steadfast commitment to keeping sport alive in their local area together with promoting volunteerism on a countywide basis.”
Paying tribute to the award winners, Mr. Macken said: “Cappagh GAA Football Club nominated Breda Stokes, who has given 18 years of dedicated service to the sport. She helped establish Bórd na nÓg and has held roles such as secretary and chairperson down through the years. It is fair to say that Breda has given huge commitment to the club, and has always been willing to upskill herself in order to fill the various roles she has completed down through the years.”
“Patsy Murphy was nominated by Broadford Handball Club in recognition of his 20 years service to promoting handball in the club and community. Patsy has held many roles within the club both administrative but his key role has been as a coach in preparing new members to become competitive handball players. One of his key successes was helping to bring 14 members of the club to the Féile competition in 2011”, added Mr. Macken
Anne Curtin was nominated by the Foynes Communities in Motion club. Anne has given 40 years service in providing physical activity opportunities and community engagement for older adults in Foynes and the greater Limerick area. At the tender age of 70, Anne completed the Go For Life Physical Activity Leader’s Training programme so as to deliver physical activity sessions on a twice weekly basis. One of Anne’s key strengths is her ability to organise and plan both local and national activities to enhance the quality of life of older adults in the community.
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.
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.
-ENDS-
Note To Editor:
- High resolution images are available from Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900.
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.
Anne Curtin from Foynes Communities in Motion was named winner of the ‘Administrator of the Year’ category, while Patsy Murphy of Broadford Handball Club won the ‘Coach of the Year’ award. The awards were presented by Munster Forwards Coach Anthony Foley with the overall award being sponsored by Woodlands House Hotel, Adare.
Other award nominees included Oliver Creighton, Limerick Regional Probus Club; Colm O'Regan, Croom Go For Life & Croom GAA Club; Eileen McCormack, Patrickswell ARA; Eleanor Fitzsimons, Cappagh Community Games; Joe Pond, Aisling Annacotty AFC; Neily Hogan, Rathkeale AFC, Conor Dooley, Emerald AC; and Mike Murphy, Kilmallock Camogie Club.
Limerick-based Cycle4SickChildren, which was named Cycling Club of the Year 2011 by Cycling Ireland, and Limerick Community Games also were recognised at the ceremony for their success at national level.
The awards function was hosted by Cllr. Damien Riedy, Leas Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council.
Councillor Riedy said: “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 own respective communities.”
He added: “The aim of the scheme is to award representatives of local clubs and organisations who in their outstanding efforts and persistence have made an excellent contribution to sport at a local level. On behalf of Limerick County Council and the family of the late Ger McDonnell I would like to congratulate every one of the nominees in this year’s awards scheme.”
According to LSP Coordinator Phelim Macken: “Among the factors that are considered by the Selection Committee 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. By giving their time and effort to their respective sport, club and community, the two recipients of awards this year have displayed a steadfast commitment to keeping sport alive in their local area together with promoting volunteerism on a countywide basis.”
Paying tribute to the award winners, Mr. Macken said: “Cappagh GAA Football Club nominated Breda Stokes, who has given 18 years of dedicated service to the sport. She helped establish Bórd na nÓg and has held roles such as secretary and chairperson down through the years. It is fair to say that Breda has given huge commitment to the club, and has always been willing to upskill herself in order to fill the various roles she has completed down through the years.”
“Patsy Murphy was nominated by Broadford Handball Club in recognition of his 20 years service to promoting handball in the club and community. Patsy has held many roles within the club both administrative but his key role has been as a coach in preparing new members to become competitive handball players. One of his key successes was helping to bring 14 members of the club to the Féile competition in 2011”, added Mr. Macken
Anne Curtin was nominated by the Foynes Communities in Motion club. Anne has given 40 years service in providing physical activity opportunities and community engagement for older adults in Foynes and the greater Limerick area. At the tender age of 70, Anne completed the Go For Life Physical Activity Leader’s Training programme so as to deliver physical activity sessions on a twice weekly basis. One of Anne’s key strengths is her ability to organise and plan both local and national activities to enhance the quality of life of older adults in the community.
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.
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.
-ENDS-
Note To Editor:
- High resolution images are available from Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900.
