The 2025 Volunteers in Sport Awards took place on Thursday, 26 February 2026, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Blanchardstown, bringing together sporting organisations from across the country to celebrate the extraordinary individuals who power Irish sport through volunteering.
The evening featured a keynote address from Charlie McConalogue TD, Minister for Sport & Postal Policy, who paid tribute to the dedication and impact of volunteers nationwide.
Volunteers remain the foundation of our sport. From coaching young athletes and managing clubs to promoting inclusion and safeguarding children, their contribution is vital at every level of athletics in Ireland. Week in, week out, volunteers give their time, expertise and energy to ensure our sport continues to thrive in communities across the country.
Congratulations to Our Athletics Winners
We are proud to recognise the following Athletics Ireland volunteers who were honoured on the night:
Tom Loughnane – St Cronan’s Athletics Club
Ger Redmond – Coolock Running Club (CRC)
Patrick Finnerty – Cabinteely Athletic Club
Adrian Curley – Tullamore Harriers
John Joe Doyle – DMP Athletics Club
Each of these individuals has made an outstanding contribution to athletics, demonstrating leadership, commitment and a passion for developing opportunities for athletes of all ages and abilities.
Recognising the Scale and Impact of Volunteering
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.”
Dr Úna May, CEO of Sport Ireland, added:
“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.”
Thank You to Our Volunteers
On behalf of Athletics Ireland, congratulations to all of our winners and thank you to every volunteer who gives their time to our sport. Your dedication ensures that athletics continues to grow, inspire and connect communities throughout Ireland.
