Irish News Club & Volunteer Award Winners 2011
Jamesie McAtamney from Casements GAC, Portglenone was amongst the winners when the THE IRISH NEWS unveiled the winners of their highly contested Irish News Club & Volunteer Awards. The Awards initiative recognizes and rewards GAA Clubs, Schools & Volunteers throughout Ulster for their commitment to Gaelic games and their community irrespective of their playing ability.
Jamesie picked up the Small Club’s Volounteer Award and there can have been few more deserving winners than the Casement’s President who has given sterling service to the club, firstly as a player, later as a referee and in recent times as a committee member and, now as president. Known the width and breadth of Antrim and further afield for his passion for the game and for his wit, Jamesie, as he is fondly known, will be a popular choice amongst fellow Gaels in the county and this Gael is delighted for a man I regard as a friend.
6 May 2011: The Irish News GAA Club and Volunteer Awards, Wellington Park Hotel, Belfast. Picture: Cliff Donaldson
Also amongst the awards was St. Mary’s GAC, Ahoghill, who were winners of the Small Club Award and like Jamesie, worthy winners of the category. A club that draws its membership from a relatively small community, St. Mary’s are a very progressive outfit, both on and off the field and the opening of their new pitch and changing rooms in recent years bares testimony to the hard work that has gone on within the club.
Noel Doran editor Irish News, congratulated all the clubs, schools and volunteers that received awards adding that ‘the Irish News Club & Volunteer awards are tangible proof that our clubs, our volunteers & our schools are indeed the foundation of the GAA.’
He added, ‘the Irish News Club & Volunteer Awards have proven to be overwhelmingly successful as recognition for the hard work of the winning clubs, volunteers and schools. The awards are a great celebration of the vibrant communities that are created by schools, clubs and volunteers right across Ulster.’
Aogan Farrell, Ulster GAA President commented, ‘Comhairle Uladh CLG are delighted to partner the Irish News Club & Volunteer Awards which recognise the work and vision of the GAA grassroots in Ulster. I commend the Irish News on this excellent venture and I would like to congratulate the winning clubs, volunteers and schools.’
Attending the awards at the Wellington Park Hotel was Down football manager James McCartan who offered words of advice and support to the clubs, schools and volunteers attending.
The winning clubs were awarded a £1,000 Irish News development cheque & a £1,000 O’Neills Sportswear voucher.
6 May 2011: The Irish News GAA Club and Volunteer Awards, Wellington Park Hotel, Belfast. Picture: Cliff Donaldson
AWARD RECIPIENTS
SMALL
CLUB AWARD WINNER St Mary’s GAC Ahoghill
HIGHLY COMMENDED Naomh Cholmain Droiman Easa
MEDIUM
CLUB AWARD WINNER Killygarry GAA Club
HIGHLY COMMENDED Saval
LARGE
CLUB AWARD WINNER Cumann Pheadair Naofa
HIGHLY COMMENDED Killyclogher St Mary’s Cappagh
URBAN CLUB SPECIAL RECOGNITION CLUB AWARD
St John Bosco GAC, Newry
SMALL
CLUB VOLUNTEER AWARD James McAtamney
Roger Casement’s GAC
MEDIUM
CLUB VOLUNTEER AWARD Noreen Keown
St Malachy’s Castlewellan
LARGE
CLUB VOLUNTEER AWARD John Porter
C.L.G Bun Cranncha
SCHOOL, PRIMARY St Brigid’s Primary School, Ballymena
SCHOOL, SECOND LEVEL St Patrick’s College, Bearnageeha