Last month we asked our readers to nominate the men and women in your local sports clubs that are going the extra mile to support girls and women in sport.
Clubs and teams across the country couldn’t exist without the array of support they get from people in their communities, there are so many individuals going to extraordinary lengths to drive these teams forward and encourage more female players to join and get involved in local sport.
From the people washing kits, organising games, fundraising and maintaining local pitches and clubs to those coaching and training our girls into the next Katie McCabe or Katie Taylor, so many teams have their own club legend and we want to reward these unsung heroes.
You responded with some fantastic nominations for your local club heroes and we had the difficult task of narrowing it down to just our top 10. It's now over to you to cast your vote for RSVP’s Local Club Hero....
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This poll has now closed. The winner will be announced soon. You can view all nominations under the poll.
The public vote will open on 1 August and remain open for 2 weeks, until 9am on Tuesday 15th August. The nominee with the most votes will be named RSVP's Local Club Hero and will receive an amazing prize.
The prize
The winner will receive a beautiful commemorative piece plus a €250 voucher for Skechers. We also have nine €100 Skechers vouchers for the runners up.
And the nominees are...
Barry Dolan, Coach, Blayney Academy Football Club
Barry takes us for training every week. We have matches on Sundays as part of the Louth School Girls League and other leagues. He's a fun coach and makes us laugh and he teaches us so many skills. He makes sure that everyone is included and enjoying themselves. He supports us to do our best and advises us how to improve some of our techniques in training and while playing the matches. The girls in our club are aged 4 and up and we all enjoy our sessions with Barry. At each match, one of the girls will get a player of the match award which makes us feel great. He organised a Disney programme for the younger members of our club this year. He organised a trip to Tallaght last year to see the women's soccer team playing and it was a great night. We are hopeful that we'll have another visit to Dublin to see the women's soccer team play again soon. Barry really deserves a Club Hero Award.
Eileen Kelly, Committee Member, Kilshannig LGFC
Eileen had been involved in Kilshannig Ladies Football for a long as I can remember. It is because of Eileen that someone like me who never kicked a ball is now involved. She has a lovely way of introducing people and making them feel welcome and because of her involvement, the community has bought the club from strength to strength. Her network has recruited coaches, mentors, players, helpers and supporters. It's a testament to her that we have over 120 juvenile girls and 90+ women recruited in a 'mothers and others' team, granted there may be more socialising than playing, but it has bought people from the three local villages together. Men, women and children are enjoying the games. She has been instrumental in fundraising for the ladies and men's club. She had been on so many local committees fundraising for our new community park and playground, sports equipment, school fundraising, village safety and is a valued friend too.
Lisa Byrne, Manager/Committee Member, Birr Town AFC
Lisa is a true ambassador of Ladies and girls football within Birr Town AFC. She was involved as a player and set up the first senior ladies team in the club. Lisa then turned her attention to the sustainability of girls football in the club. She underwent training and achieved coaching badges and set up the first underage girls team in the club. This team went on to win the league. Lisa has represented the club as a player, manager and a committee member. Her roles have spanned over 20 years. She represents her players and has always been known to be fair and willing to help girls in her management role. She has also developed players and parents into potential managers. Lisa is a very positive role model for girls and understands as a parent, issues and problems teenagers and children have to deal with today. Lisa deserves this award because she has given herself both mentally and physically to the worthy cause of female football. Players both present and past managers and committee members recognise her great role within the club. "The Godmother of Ladies football in Birr Town AFC."
Sarah Devane, Chairperson, Ballina GAA Club
Sarah has been involved in our club as Chairperson, the first female Chairperson, Healthy Club Chairperson, Pieta House Darkness into Light walk organiser, on our lotto Committee and coached both hurling and camogie over the years and even in her early 70's continues coaching Camogie at club and primary school level.
Denise Collins, Manager/Club Coordinator, Gabriel Rangers
Denise is a remarkable individual who goes above and beyond to champion women's sport, particularly within our beloved club, Gabriel Rangers. Her unwavering dedication and selflessness deserves recognition and appreciation as she exemplifies the true spirit of a hero. Despite not having any personal ties, Denise devotes an incredible amount of time and effort to ensure that women's sports, especially within our club, receives the recognition and support it deserves. Her commitment is evident through her tireless work as she almost single-handedly took on the responsibility of running our club. Denise is very involved with our amalgamated Junior team. She is the driving force behind the team’s smooth operation. Despite facing the scheduling challenges caused by having a small panel, Denise takes on the arduous task of organising our games. She tirelessly communicates with other teams to ensure smooth scheduling. Her presence alone serves as a source of motivation for the team, inspiring us to perform at our best. Denise's thoughtfulness extends beyond logistics as she provides oranges for our team at half-time and arranges tea, coffee and sandwiches for visiting teams, ensuring that everyone feels welcome and well taken care of. Denise's immense contributions to women's sport and our club highlight her genuine passion for the game and her commitment to the community. Her actions embody the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie, instilling a sense of unity and pride among all involved. Denise is truly a local club hero, and her efforts serve as an inspiration to us all.
Sarah Dineen, Chairperson, Killarney Camogie Club
Sarah deserves this award as she is the backbone of our small club. She took over as Chairperson this year as well as being the U12 trainer. She's an amazing role model for all the young girls she trains. She's constantly looking after jerseys, helmets, Hurleys and sliothars and she's very approachable and fair to everyone.
Niamh Geraghty, Coach, Parnells GAA
Niamh leads the coaching team for the under 9s. She does it all from lifts to matches, support for kid's personal days such as communions and concerts. But her true passion is women in sport, she's a role model to 'her girls', training every morning for triathlons or marathons before she does the school run and then volunteers in the local schools. She has also engaged players from the women's senior team to mentor the team, in return she organises the juniors to travel as support for senior matches. We are all so thankful and proud of all Niamh does for the team and junior club members, it shows in their confidence and skill. Niamh is our club hero.
Raymond Jordan, Chairperson, Donegal Town Football Club
Raymond started up the underage girls teams two years ago which saw over 100 young girls join the Club which now has in excess of 400 members, 280 of them underage. He goes to as many games as he can, sometimes five in a week. When he is not at games, he is organising the upkeep of pitches, funding and sponsorship. He has brought the club to a new level always looking for ways to improve our members physical and mental wellbeing especially that of our younger people. He has launched a new initiative within the club which will see Jigsaw launch their new 'Together for our mental health' workshop. He works tirelessly for the good of our club and its members.
Sean O'Neil, Coach, Rosscarbery Ladies Football Club
Sean has no affiliation with the club and is so encouraging and fair to the girls, understanding work commitments and other sporting commitments, they instil the joy of playing so much so that the Minors won their county final in December 2022 and the under 16's got to the semi-final due the commitment of Sean & the other trainers, they have brought back the love of football for the girls
Maria Reynolds, Player and Mentor, Shamrock Rovers
Maria is an inspiration for the girls she’s always encouraging the girls and setting a good example with her ethics, respect, team-work and being kind to others. She also texts the girls to check in on them when they are having a tough time even when she’s out injured. When she was injured, despite it being a huge blow to most players, Maria never complained, never missed a day training even though she couldn't train she would always be there. She is a positive role model for all the young players in Rovers. She has helped so many young girls including my own daughter, with the little message's out of the blue when they need it most. She goes to all of the matches and cheers her team on. In my opinion that's the hardest thing to do especially when all she dreams about is playing. She is just a breath of fresh air. I could go on and on about how amazing she is but I'll leave it there. Nobody is more deserving then Maria.
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