Feb 13, 2026
Federation of Irish Sport Reveals 2025 Volunteers in Sport Honourees, Celebrating Exceptional Dedication and Community Service.
The Federation of Irish Sport is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Volunteers in Sport Awards, supported by the Sport Ireland National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships recognising 36 exceptional volunteers from every county in Ireland (including four awardees from Dublin) for their unwavering dedication to sport and physical activity within their local communities.
These inspiring individuals will be honoured at a special awards ceremony on Thursday, 26 February 2026, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown, where Minister Charlie McConalogue TD. Minister for Sport & Postal Policy will give the keynote address.
A Nation of Sporting Volunteers
Volunteers remain the foundation of Irish sport. Each week, an estimated 460,000 volunteers give their time to support 1.47 million club members across Ireland, helping communities stay active, connected, and engaged. From coaching young athletes to managing clubs, promoting inclusion, and ensuring child safety, their contribution is vital at every level.
Honouring Those Who Keep Irish Sport Thriving
The 2025 awards attracted a record number of nominations spanning more than 49 sporting disciplines, reflecting the remarkable diversity and strength of volunteering in sport and physical activity throughout Ireland.
Championing Community Collaboration
This year’s awards see the introduction of an inaugural community award in association with Clann Credo to highlight the breadth of volunteer commitment across the country. The Club/Community Award, in association with Clann Credo will recognise the collective impact of volunteer-led groups supporting sport and physical activity nationwide, with one club from each province to be announced in this category. The recipients will be announced in the coming weeks.
A new Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising dedication over many years of service has also been introduced this year.
The event will culminate in the announcement of the prestigious Outstanding Achievement Award, celebrating one volunteer whose contribution to Irish sport has been truly extraordinary.
Speaking about the significance of the awards, Mary O’Connor, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport, said: “The Federation of Irish Sport is delighted to honour the extraordinary volunteers who dedicate their time, passion, and energy to supporting sport and physical activity across Ireland. Their commitment not only enriches Irish sport but also strengthens communities nationwide. Their dedication is worth €1.5bn to the Irish economy each year. These awards provide an important opportunity to recognise the immense scale of volunteering required each week to support 1.47 million club members throughout the country.”
Sport Ireland CEO Dr Úna May said: “Volunteers are the driving force behind sport in Ireland. Their contribution helps sustain clubs and communities. From coaches to committee members, officials and event helpers, their contribution helps keep people active and connected.
“Sport Ireland research highlights the sheer scale of this commitment, with hundreds of thousands of people giving their time to support sport, including more than 268,000 involved in coaching – most of them volunteering, many with children. This generosity reflects a deeply rooted culture of involvement that underpins sport right across the country.
“But of course, volunteers do far more than just support sport; they strengthen communities, foster belonging and make participation possible. Their contribution is invaluable. At Sport Ireland we’re very proud to play a role in recognising and supporting them.”
Shane McArdle Coordinator of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Sports Partnership and member of the adjudication panel said: “The National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships is delighted to come together to collectively support and promote the annual Volunteers in Sport Awards. The awards are a nationwide celebration of the grassroots activities and spirit of volunteerism that is the backbone driving sport and physical activity in our communities.”
See below for full list of County recipients.
#DedicatedtotheDedicated
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FULL LIST OF 2025 VOLUNTEERS IN SPORT AWARDS COUNTY RECIPIENTS
| County |
First |
Surname |
Club |
Sport |
| Antrim |
Emma |
Mongomery |
Glens United FC |
FAI |
| Armagh |
Majella |
Crilly |
St Brenda’s Camogie Club |
Camogie |
| Carlow |
Simon |
Racklyeft |
Carlow Town Hurling and Camogie Club |
GAA/LGFA |
| Cavan |
Tommy |
McMahon |
Belturbet Rowing Club |
Rowing |
| Clare |
Tom |
Loughnane |
St Cronan’s Athletics Club |
Athletics |
| Cork |
Kelly |
Fitzgerald |
Owenabue Special Olympics |
Special Olympics Gymnastics |
| Derry |
Philip |
Johnston |
Derry City FC |
FAI |
| Donegal |
Fergus |
McAteer |
Mulroy Academy FC |
FAI |
| Down |
Kathryn |
Wylie |
Leander Swimming Club |
Swimming |
| Dublin City Sports & Wellbeing |
Ger |
Redmond |
Coolock Running Club (CRC) |
Athletics |
| Dublin Dún Laoghaire – Rathdown |
Patrick |
Finnerty |
Cabinteely Athletic Club |
Athletics |
| Dublin Fingal |
Declan |
Harte |
NAC Masters SC |
Swimming |
| Active South Dublin |
Patsy |
Kelleher |
Dublin Lions Basketball Club |
Basketball |
| Fermanagh |
Daphne |
Greene |
Brookeborough Heber MacMahons Club |
LGFA |
| Galway |
Arun |
Babu |
County Galway Cricket Club |
Cricket |
| Kerry |
Debbie |
Quirke |
Kingdom Pickleball Club |
Pickleball |
| Kildare |
Annelies |
Goyarts |
North Kildare Basketball Club |
Basketball |
| Kilkenny |
Garry |
Kehoe |
Marble City Boxing Club |
Boxing |
| Laois |
Louise |
Foster |
Kestrels Basketball Portarlington |
Basketball |
| Leitrim |
Ronan |
Butler |
St Mary’s Kiltoghert GAA club |
GAA |
| Limerick |
David |
Leahy |
Castle United AFC |
FAI |
| Longford |
Tony |
Headon |
Longford Rugby Club |
Rugby |
| Louth |
Andrew |
Gallagher |
Castletown Belles FC |
FAI |
| Mayo |
Jes |
Gough |
Kilmurry Youths FC |
FAI |
| Meath |
Paddy |
Bird |
Stamullen Julianstown Badminton Club |
Badminton |
| Monaghan |
Sheila |
Forde |
Blackhill Nursery |
GAA |
| Offaly |
Adrian |
Curley |
Tullamore Harriers |
Athletics |
| Roscommon |
Anthony |
Shally |
Kilbride GAA |
GAA |
| Sligo |
Rory |
Clarke |
Sligo Rowing Club |
Rowing |
| Tipperary |
Sean |
Minogue |
Riverdale Pitch & Putt |
Pitch and Putt |
| Tyrone |
Garry |
McGillion |
Bishop Kelly Boxing club |
Boxing |
| Waterford |
Kate |
Ryan |
Tallow GAA & Camogie |
GAA/Camogie |
| Westmeath |
Bill |
Dougherty |
Westmeath Minotaurs |
American Football |
| Wexford |
John Joe |
Doyle |
DMP Athletics Club |
Athletics |
| Wicklow |
Lucy |
Mooney |
Hollywood GAA club |
GAA |
| Lifetime Achievement |
Tony |
Davitt |
Phoenix of Ballyboughal, Dublin |
Boxing |
Feb 6, 2026
5th February 2026; The Federation of Irish Sport (FIS) is delighted to announce a new partnership with MWX Media, who have been appointed as the Federation’s official AV Media Partner.
The partnership will provide Federation members with access to professional, high-quality media services designed to enhance visibility, audience engagement, and sponsor value across Irish sport.
Under the multi-year agreement, MWX Media will support members offering a wide range of services, including video production and editing, live streaming, media training, audio-visual podcasting, content creation, promotional material and event AV services. They offer affordable and viable options for National Governing Bodies and sporting organisations of every size.
Save the Date – Partnership Launch & Media Training Open Day
To launch the partnership and engage directly, FIS Members are invited to save the date of Tuesday 24th February when the Federation will be hosting an Open Day information session on an exclusive Commentary Media Training Course, which will be presented by MWX Media. Attendees will hear from MWX Media Operations Manager and Client Accounts David Streek followed by a course overview from Olympic Sports Broadcaster Duane Dell’Oca.
Commentary Media Training Course
Federation members will have exclusive access to a Commentary Media Training Course, aimed at developing professional broadcast skills and media confidence which can be tailored to take place over 4-days or a 1-day option.
MWX Media has extensive experience in providing services to sporting bodies at major international events including clients such as Swim Ireland, Cricket Ireland and Hockey Ireland. In addition to this they provide AV Production services for the Federation of Irish Sport annual awards ceremonies the Volunteers in Sport Awards and the Irish Sport Industry Awards. They specialise in sport live streaming, digital content, podcast production and media training. This partnership creates a strong synergy, providing Federation members with modern media tools, strategic support, and practical training to maximise exposure and commercial opportunities in a digital-first sporting environment.
For more information contact:
Clare Louise O’Donoghue Federation of Irish Sport, Head of Commercial and Marketing
M: +353 86 043 7887, E: clarelouise.odonoghue@irishsport.ie
David Streek (MWX Media Operations Manager & Client Accounts)
M: +353 87 1920 100. E: david@mwx-media.ie
Read More
Jan 22, 2026
Federation CEO Mary O Connor was delighted to attend the announcement yesterday of record increases in core funding by Minister Patrick O’ Donovan and Minister Charlie McConalogue from the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.
- Minister Patrick O’Donovan and Minister Charlie McConalogue announce record investment of over €33 million in core funding support to sporting organisations
- Highest ever level of Core grant investment in sport
- €19.5 million for National Governing Bodies
- €12.66 million for Local Sports Partnerships
- €1.2 million for other sporting bodies
- New multi-annual funding model to support improved planning Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, and the Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue, today announced a record investment of €33.36 million in core funding support to sporting organisations, through Sport Ireland, for 2026.
€19.5 million is being invested in 57 National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) this year, an increase of €1.2 million on the 2025 figure.
Investment in Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) has increased by 5.9% compared to 2025, with a total investment of €12.66 million being allocated across the 29 LSPs.
This is the highest ever level of Core investment in sport and represents a 6.5% increase on 2025 levels and an 87.4% increase on the €17.8 million investment in 2018, when the National Sports Policy was published.
2026 marks the first year of Sport Ireland’s 3-year multi-annual funding model, a transformative development that will support improved planning, workforce stability and more strategic use of resources within sports organisations.
Speaking at the funding announcement at the Sport Ireland Campus today, Minister O’Donovan said:
“This investment represents a steadfast commitment by the Government to strengthening the foundations of Irish sport. By backing National Governing Bodies of Sport and Local Sports Partnerships, it recognises their central role in delivering participation, performance and community impact across the country. We are continuing to scale investment in participation programmes, particularly those supporting women and girls, reinforcing our commitment to further narrowing the gender participation gap in sport, and in time, to eliminate it completely. This increased funding provides the stability and support required to sustainably grow participation, and position Ireland as a leader in inclusive, high-quality sport for all”.
Minister McConalogue said:
“The work of NGBs and LSPs in advancing wider Government priorities underlines the central role sport plays in Irish society. This Core funding will strengthen investment in high-performing, volunteer-led organisations in 2026, enabling them to build capacity, enhance sustainability, and plan with confidence for the future. Crucially, it will support their continued efforts to make sport more inclusive and accessible – particularly for those facing socio-economic barriers and people with disabilities – while further expanding the reach and impact of LSPs as they empower communities, to participate in sport and physical activity”.
Speaking after the event Federation CEO Mary O Connor said
“We welcome this record €33.36 million investment in core funding for sport, including the 6.5% increase on 2025 levels. This is a significant vote of confidence in the sector, recognising the pivotal role National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships play, not only in delivering on the National Sports Policy, but also in advancing broader Government priorities.
With 64% of the population now active on a weekly basis, this funding will help strengthen participation, performance, and community impact across Ireland.
Importantly, 2026 marks the first year of Sport Ireland’s 3-year multi-annual funding model, a transformative development that the Federation of Irish Sport actively campaigned for. This change will support improved planning, workforce stability, and more strategic use of resources within sports organisations, providing the certainty needed for National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships to build capacity and continue making sport inclusive and accessible for all.
I want to thank both Minister O Donovan and Minister McConalogue for their work in securing funding and look forward to working with all in government to enhance opportunities for the sector”.
To read the full press release click the link.
https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/press-releases/record-level-of-core-funding-for-sports-bodies-in-2026/
Dec 19, 2025
We would like to wish all our members a very Merry Christmas and continued Sport and Physical Activity for 2026!
Please enjoy taking the time to have a look back at the work of the Federation on behalf of the sector during 2026.
Dec 9, 2025
The Federation of Irish Sport is delighted to announce the launch of a brand-new award category for the 2025 Volunteers in Sport Awards – the Club/Community Sport Organisation Award, proudly sponsored by Clann Credo – Community Loan Finance.
This new award celebrates the exceptional volunteer-led sports clubs, community organisations, and groups that make an outstanding contribution to promoting sport, physical activity, and community well-being across Ireland. The award recognises excellence in inclusion, participation, leadership, innovation, and positive impact through sport.
To submit a nomination, visit: https://volunteersinsport.ie/make-a-nomination/
Hosted by the Federation of Irish Sport and supported by the Sport Ireland National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships, the awards honour the dedication, skills, and passion of individual volunteers from all 32 counties. This additional award shines a light on clubs and groups that operate entirely through volunteer effort and have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their members to help create participation, belonging and opportunity across diverse communities through sport.
Across Ireland, Clann Credo works with sports clubs and community groups of all sizes, helping them develop facilities and increase access to sport, particularly for young people and those who may face additional barriers to taking part.
“Clann Credo is proud to sponsor the Club/Community Sport Award as part of the Volunteers in Sport Awards. Every day we meet volunteers who are transforming their communities with energy and determination,” said Tony Marshall, Regional Manager at Clann Credo and a member of the adjudication panel. “This award recognises that commitment and celebrates the positive impact volunteers create right across the country.”
Mary O’Connor, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport, added:
“We are delighted to have the support of Clann Credo for this new national honour championing the volunteer-led clubs that strengthen communities through sport and physical activity. This is a welcome addition to the 32 individual county recipients and marks an exciting expansion of the awards for 2025.”
A Celebration of Volunteerism in Irish Sport
Across Ireland, over 460,000 volunteers dedicate their time each week to ensure sport thrives in communities nationwide. More than 250,000 volunteer coaches contribute an estimated 1 million hours weekly, delivering vital opportunities for participation and inclusion. Their collective impact is valued at €1.5bn to the Irish economy, highlighting the immense contribution of volunteerism to society.
Nominations Open!
Nominations for the 2025 Volunteers in Sport Awards, including the new Sports Club/Community Sport Organisation Award sponsored by Clann Credo, are open until the 15th December 2025.
The Awards celebration will take place on 26th February 2026 at the Crowne Plaza Blanchardstown, Dublin. To submit a nomination, visit: https://volunteersinsport.ie/make-a-nomination/
Dec 5, 2025
Sports clubs across Ireland are being invited to take part in the 2025 Volunteers in Sport Awards, supported by the National Network of Local Sports Partnerships, where each county’s award recipient will secure a €200 donation for their club.
Nominate & Win: How It Works:
- Honouring volunteers in all 32 counties
- €200 donation to each county recipient’s club
- Entries close 15th of December
- Nominate now at volunteersinsport.ie to be in with a chance
The 2025 Volunteers in Sport Awards will bring together volunteers from all 32 counties to celebrate their commitment to fostering participation and ensuring that sport is accessible to all. Over 460,000 volunteers work tirelessly each week to bring sport and physical activity to life for people of all ages.
This year’s awards place a renewed focus on celebrating volunteers, clubs and community by supporting them with a €200 donation awarded to the affiliated club or sporting organisation of every county level award winner.
Nominations are open until Monday 15th December, and the awards celebration will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown in Dublin on 26th February 2026.
