DAST Volunteers in Irish Sport Awards Minister Cullen presents awards to unsung heroes of Irish Sport

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. "Without this generous commitment the contribution that sport makes in our local communities would not happen," said Minister Cullen.

Twelve such volunteers were honoured today at a special ceremony - the 2009 National Awards to Volunteers in Irish Sport - in Farmleigh, Dublin.

Among the award recipients was Jim O'Shea from Waterford, who is the father of Manchester Utd's John O'Shea. He received a Lifetime Award for his work over 40 years with local soccer club, Ferrybank AFC. Liz Howard, who has been involved with the GAA and camogie for many years, received the award for National Administrator of the Year. The award for Junior Volunteer went to 17-year-old Orla Grehan from Ferbane in County Offaly for her work with Ferbane Belmont Minor GAA Club.

The full list of award winners is as follows:

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 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.

The award winners were selected by a Committee chaired by Olympic Gold Medal Winner, Dr Ronnie Delany. Dr Delany also chaired the 2007 awards Committee.

Olympian Dr Ronnie Delany said: "Having been heavily involved in sporting circles for many years, I know only too well the level of volunteering that exists in Ireland and the great contribution volunteers make to sport and society. I am delighted that the Government recognises the importance of these volunteers through this awards scheme. When Minister Cullen asked me to chair the Selection Committee I was delighted to once again play a part in this worthwhile initiative."

Sarah O'Connor, Chief Executive of the Federation of Irish Sports, said: "Ireland has a rich vein of people volunteering in sport at all levels. It is imperative that we never take such volunteering for granted. Without it we would not have the successes in Irish sport that we have today. While obviously today we have many professional coaches and administrators at the highest level, really we should always remember that they can only operate at the level they do given the many volunteers who still give so freely of their time at all levels of Irish sport."