The Federation of Irish Sport has announced the County recipients of the 2023 Volunteers in Sport Awards, proudly supported by the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships.
The awards celebrate the contribution of local sports volunteers nationwide during 2023.
The County Sligo winner is well-known Collooney Handball coach and administrator Simon Cavanagh.
As Sligo Handball’s dedicated Children’s Officer, he twice weekly trains the club’s juvenile members from seven years to 16 years of age.
He also co-ordinates the club’s weekly bingo, a vital fundraiser.
Alongside being Sligo County Chairman, he is the administrator for Connacht handball, which means running Championships during the year.
The Leitrim award goes to Manorhamilton Communty Tennis Club’s Mary McMorrow.
As Club Secretary for the past decade, Mary has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help ensure the smooth running the club’s various activities and events.
Manorhamilton is the only club in Leitrim affiliated to Tennis Ireland and is the only club in Leitrim and third club in Connacht to be awarded the Tennis Club Mark accreditation, recognising the club’s high standards.
This year, Mary has secured funding to provide tennis coaching for students from schools across the locality.
In Donegal, Damien Devine from Deele Community Anglers in Convoy collects the gong.
As the club’s Development Officer, Damien has been a driving force in growing the club’s membership and popularity in the local community.
All county winners will be presented with their awards at a special ceremony in Dublin on February 29th.
In addition to the county award winners being recognised on the night, one exceptional individual will be awarded with the overall Outstanding Volunteer Award.
FULL LIST OF 2023 VOLUNTEERS IN SPORT AWARDS COUNTY RECIPIENTS
| County | First | Surname | Club |
| Antrim | Cathryn | Watson | Ballymoney Hockey Club |
| Armagh | Ciarán | Maguire | O’Hanlon’s LGFA |
| Carlow | Stephen | Dargan | Carlow FC |
| Cavan | Fidelma | Sheridan | Cumman Na mBunscol Co. Cavan & Erne Eagles Rounders Club |
| Clare | Claire | Cuddihy | Clare Comets Basketball club and Ennis Raptors basketball club |
| Cork | Eoin | Kelly | Beech Hill Table Tennis Club |
| Derry | Micky | Duddy | Ring Boxing Club |
| Donegal | Damien | Devine | Deele Community Anglers |
| Down | Arnold | Morgan | Banbridge Table Tennis Club |
| Dublin City | Henry | Gillanders | Mount Pleasant LTC |
| Dublin DLR | Matt | Hanlon | Dalkey Devils Volleyball Club |
| Dublin Fingal | Nuala | Garrihy | Fencing Ireland |
| Active Dublin South | Amanda | Spencer | Jobstown Boxing Club |
| Fermanagh | Ian | Ross | Enniskillen Rugby Club |
| Galway | Tony | Stephens | Claregalway GAA Club |
| Kerry | Lorcan | Murphy | Iveragh Athletics Club |
| Kildare | Roy | Baker | Irish Martial Arts & Kickboxing Ireland |
| Kilkenny | Ashley | Godden | Kilkenny Swimming Club |
| Laois | Jackie | Byrne | Mountrath St. Fintan’s GAA |
| Leitrim | Mary | McMorrow | Manorhamilton Community Tennis Club |
| Limerick | Wanda | Dwane | Mungret St Paul’s GAA Club |
| Longford | Ben | McCormack | Ballymahon Vocational School |
| Louth | Fintan | Cooper | Glen Magic Soccer Club |
| Mayo | Phelim | Halligan | Claremorris Ultimate Kickboxing Club |
| Meath | David | Quinn | Dunshaughlin Youths Football Club |
| Monaghan | Una | Forde | Monaghan Harps GAA |
| Offaly | John | Corboy | Birr Town FC |
| Roscommon | Philip | Gordan | Lough Ree Angling hub |
| Sligo | Simon | Cavanagh | GAA Handball |
| Tipperary | Paddy | Doyle | Moyne Athletic Club |
| Tyrone | Rachel | McBride | Riding For Disabled Omagh |
| Waterford | Sally | Kavanagh | Waterford Hockey Club |
| Westmeath | Nuala | Lawlor | Shoot ‘n Stars Special Olympics |
| Wexford | Martin | Moylan | Dunbrody Archers |
| Wicklow | Ruth | McDonagh | Bray Hockey Club |
