Volunteers Awards
Monday 01 March 2010
2009 National Awards to Volunteers in Irish Sport
The National Awards to Volunteers in Irish Sport is an initiative of the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism in conjunction with the Federation of Irish Sports which represents some 68 sports in Ireland. The scheme is supported by Setanta Sports, Servasport, the Community Foundation and the Irish Sports Council. This is the second time for the awards to be presented - they were previously presented in 2007.
Martin Cullen TD, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism recognised the contribution that over 400,000 people give to Irish sport through voluntary involvement with sports clubs and organisations all over Ireland. Twelve such volunteers were honoured at a special ceremony – the 2009 National Awards to Volunteers in Irish Sport - in Farmleigh, Dublin on 24th February 2010.
Speaking at the presentation of the awards, Minister Martin Cullen said: “Irish people are passionate about sport both as participants and spectators. In an age where time and community spirit are both valuable commodities, the commitment, generosity and contribution of these volunteers to our local communities and to Irish society deserve recognition. It is in this context that I launched the 2009 National Awards to Volunteers in Irish Sport last July. Today’s 12 chosen winners represent a wide group of people who have given their time, not for recognition or for reward, but in a spirit of true generosity. Recognition today of their valuable contribution should also be associated with recognition of everybody who gives their time voluntarily to sport. I hope that the awards will also provide additional encouragement to other volunteers and reach out to inspire new volunteers for the future.”
The full list of award winners is as follows:
| Category | Winner | Sport | County |
| Junior Volunteer of the Year | Orla Grehan | Gaelic Games | Offaly |
| Adult Manager of the Year | Jimmy Corbett | Ladies GAA | Mayo |
| Adult Coach of the Year | Carmel Malone | Special Olympics | Dublin |
| Youth Manager of the Year | Hughie Nolan | Soccer | Wicklow |
| Sports Official of the Year | >Joe Browne | Swimming | Dublin |
| National Administrator of the Year | Liz Howard | Camogie | Tipperary |
| Disability Sport Volunteer ofthe Year | Joe and BernieWalsh | Irish Blind Sports | Dublin |
| Youth Coach of the Year | Seamus Reynolds | Rowing | Derry |
| Clubman of the Year | Joe Cullen | Soccer | Dublin |
| Community Administrator ofthe Year | Joe O’Flynn | Athletics | Cork |
| Lifetime Award | Jim O’Shea | Soccer | Waterford |
Biography of the Cork award winner is overleaf.
Community Administrator of the Year
Joe O’Flynn - Length of service: 42 years. Leevale Athletic Club, Cork
Joe O’Flynn started his athletic career in the 1950’s while attending Rochestown College. Following the establishment of Leevale Athletic Club in 1967, Joe got involved first as an athlete and since as a coach and administrator.
Joe has performed several roles over the course of his long affiliation to Leevale AC including serving 20 years as Secretary and 15 years as Chairman. He has also been involved in the promotion of athletics throughout Cork and indeed, at national level. Joe is renowned within athletics for his sense of fairness, generosity, honesty and integrity – a reputation that is well regarded not just within Leevale AC but in the sport of athletics throughout Ireland.