Football

Ulster GAA seeking to honour clubs' Young Volunteers again

Fifteen-year-old Ciaran McGinley, from Naomh Eanna, Glengormley (centre) was presented with the Translink and Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Year by Ulster GAA president Oliver Galligan, along with club coach John McKay.
Fifteen-year-old Ciaran McGinley, from Naomh Eanna, Glengormley (centre) was presented with the Translink and Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Year by Ulster GAA president Oliver Galligan, along with club coach John McKay. Fifteen-year-old Ciaran McGinley, from Naomh Eanna, Glengormley (centre) was presented with the Translink and Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Year by Ulster GAA president Oliver Galligan, along with club coach John McKay.

Ulster GAA are once again calling on clubs across the province to nominate young people for the Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Year Award.

The award celebrates the outstanding contribution made by young members of the Association to their clubs and communities in the last season and throughout the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Gaelic Football, Hurling, Camogie, Rounders, and Handball clubs across Ulster are encouraged to nominate young people aged 14-24 years old whose actions best demonstrate the volunteering ethos and community spirit of the Association over the last 12 months.

Given the extremely difficult period that all communities have experienced recently, it is important to acknowledge those young people who have risen to the challenge.

Ulster GAA President Oliver Galligan said: “After a very challenging year for all of our members due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are delighted that our initiative with Translink will recognise the positive impact that our youth members have continued to have with their clubs and communities through a wide range of volunteer activities, including coaching, well-being schemes, fundraising and committee membership. I would encourage all of our clubs to showcase their own young leaders by submitting a nomination for this award”.

This is the fourth year of the initiative and all of the young nominees will hope to emulate 15-year-old Ciaran McGinley from Naomh Éanna GAA, Glengormley, who was the last winner of the prestigious award.

The winner will receive a prize package including specially commissioned Volunteer of the Year merchandise, a Translink travel voucher for complimentary Enterprise Plus travel for two people to Dublin (when restrictions are lifted) and a complimentary set of Translink-sponsored jerseys for their club youth team.

Encouraging the GAA community to seize the opportunity to celebrate its young people, David Curry, General Manager Bus Services, Translink, said:

“As a proud partner of Ulster GAA, Translink?is?delighted to be working together again to shine a spotlight on the young members of?its club?community. Over the past four years, we have heard countless stories detailing the invaluable contribution young volunteers make to club and community, even more so in the?face of an extremely testing year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”

To nominate a young person for this award, visit http://ulster.gaa.ie/youngvolunteeraward/.

The nomination process closes this Friday, February 12. For further information on the Translink Young GAA Volunteer of the Year Award contact pierce.caherty.ulster@gaa.ie