Football - 2016 FAI Festival of Football Award Winners

To celebrate the 2016 Festival of Football in Tipperary, the Football Association of Ireland hosted a Delegates Dinner in Hotel Minella on Friday, July 29.

As part of the lead up to the FAI's Annual General Meeting, the Festival of Football has visited a different county for each of the last 10 years to showcase the excellent work being done at grassroots level.

With visits to 29 different clubs, the FAI were able to make presentations, supply over €100,000 in funding, put on special coaching clinics, and organise fun days all across the Premier County.

The week-long Festival of Football also allowed the FAI to highlight the superb efforts of Development Officers James Scott and David Lenane, who have been instrumental with aiding football development in Tipperary.

The Delegates Dinner widened the scope to recognise excellence in coaching, communications, club structures, administration, and women's football on a national level.

For the Aviva Club of the Year award, eight different clubs were shortlisted and given the opportunity to make presentations on the night to a jury. The clubs were Ballyoulster United, Cahir Park AFC, Cappoquin FC, Cullen Lattin AFC, Parkvilla FC, Shiven Rovers, Springfield Ramblers, St Ita's AFC.

It was a record year for entries in the Communications Awards, while there were notable winners in the Noel O'Reilly Coach of the Year, Jeremy Dee Services To Women's Football, and John Sherlock Services To Football Awards.

Here is the full list of winners:

Aviva Club of the Year
Shiven Rovers

Communications Awards
Best Feature - Adrian Eames
Best Photograph - Megan O'Doherty
Best PRO - Joseph McSweeney
Best Digital Initiative - St Mochta's FC

Noel O'Reilly Coach of the Year
Darragh O'Reilly

Jeremy Dee Services To Women's Football
Peter Doyle

John Sherlock Services To Football
Michael Halpin
Pat Henry
Dixie Currivan
Ian Barclay
Richie Friend
Michael Grace
Joe Hally
Jimmy Kelly
Jimmy Meaney
Gerry Smith