Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Uladh
The Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Month Award is an initiative designed to celebrate the important contribution young members of the association make to their clubs and communities.
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, for the monthly award.
**CALL FOR NOMINATIONS **
Submissions are invited to celebrate young people who have made an outstanding contribution to their club during each month. The nomination process opens on the first Monday of each month and closes on the 22nd of each month.
Each monthly winner will receive a certificate presented by Ulster GAA and Translink, as well complimentary Enterprise Class travel for two to Dublin, courtesy of Translink.
An overall Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Year will be awarded at the end of the season, and the winner will receive a free set of jerseys for their club.
This is the eighth year of the initiative, and all of the young nominees will hope to emulate 18-year-old Oisín Barr, from the Doire Colmcille club in County Derry, who was the winner of the prestigious award last year.
NOMINATE a young volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution to be in with a chance of winning the Translink Young GAA Volunteer Monthly Awards.
For further information on the Translink Young GAA Volunteer Award, please contact Ashelene Groogan at ashelene.groogan.ulster@gaa.ie
Twenty-year-old Jack Foster from the St Patrick’s Donagh club, Co. Fermanagh, has been awarded the Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Month award for November 2023.
Jack was nominated in recognition of the outstanding contribution he makes to the day-to-day running of the St Patrick’s club, as well as his brilliant work in promoting the Irish language and culture in his club and community.
Twenty-one-year-old Ronan Gildernew from the Aghaloo O’Neill’s club, Co. Tyrone, has been awarded the Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Month award for October 2023.
Ronan was nominated by Aghaloo in recognition of the outstanding contribution he makes to the day-to-day running of the club.
Twenty-two-year-old Orla Warnock from the Greencastle St Patrick’s club, Co. Tyrone, has been awarded the Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Month award for September 2023.
Orla was nominated in recognition of her outstanding work in promoting the Irish language in the Greencastle club and community, as well as the contribution she makes to the day-to-day running of the St Patrick’s club.
Three young volunteers from the Oakleaf Lions Games For ALL group in Co. Derry have been jointly awarded the Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Month award for August 2023.
Aisling Kennedy, aged 23, and Cara Murray, aged 21, both from Ballinascreen, and Aine Flynn, aged 18 from Slaughtneil, have been volunteering with Oakleaf Lions since its formation in April of this year and the girls have been integral to its success to date.
Seventeen-year-old Oisin Barr from the Doire Colmcille club, Co. Derry, has been awarded the Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Month award for July 2023.
Oisin was nominated by Doire Colmcille in recognition of the outstanding contribution he makes to the day-to-day running of the club.
Fourteen-year-old Louise Dempsey from the Latton O’Rahilly club, Co. Monaghan, has been awarded the Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Month award for October 2022.Louise has been an ever-present figure around Latton throughout her young life, having joined the club at just four-years-old.
Seventeen-year-old Tiernan Early from the Owen Roe O’Neill’s club, Co. Tyrone, has been awarded the Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Month award for September 2022.
Tiernan was nominated by Owen Roes in recognition of his pivotal role as a member of the senior men’s backroom team, and the incredible video analysis work he carries out.
Sixteen-year-old Ryan Guest from the Bredagh club, Co. Down, has been awarded the Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Month award for August 2022.
Ryan was nominated by Bredagh in recognition of the contribution he has made to the club since joining the club at just four-years-old.
Fourteen-year-old Ruairi Shevlin from the Crossmaglen Rangers club, Co. Armagh, has been awarded the Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Month award for July 2022.
Ruairi was nominated by Crossmaglen in recognition of the outstanding contribution he makes to the day-to-day running of the club.
A hardworking club volunteer from Stewartstown Harps has been awarded the Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Month award for June 2022.
Fearghal O’Neill (24) was nominated in recognition of the time and energy he gives as a member of the Harps club committee, as well as being a playing member of the men’s senior team and a youth team coach.
23-year-old GAA volunteer, Hannah Shiels, from the Fanad Gaels club in County Donegal, has been awarded the prestigious Translink Young GAA Volunteer of the Month award for May.
Hannah has been cited for the outstanding dedication she gives to her club across a number of roles. As well as being a dedicated member of the club’s senior ladies’ team, Hannah selflessly devotes her time to many other aspects of the club, such as administration, coaching, fundraising, umpiring, social media and the promotion of Irish language.
21-year-old GAA volunteer Tiarnach Magee from Liatroim Fontenoys GAC, County Down, has been awarded the prestigious Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Month award for April.
Tiarnach impressed judges with his dedication to grounds maintenance and set up, ensuring that his club’s facilities were in good condition for members, players and visiting teams.
Oisin Coleman, 17, from Patrick Sarsfield GAC, Belfast, is the winner of the Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Year award 2021.
A judging panel recently met remotely to select an overall winner from the large number of nominations and Oisin came out on top. The panel said that Oisin stood out as a team player, who balances his own playing commitments for his club and county alongside volunteering through his coaching of underage teams, fundraising for local organisations and charities, as well being a Young Whistler referee.
Chloe Callaghan, from the Termon club in Co. Donegal was the highly commended winner in the Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Year award 2021.
Niamh Rafferty, winner of the Translink and Ulster GAA Young GAA Volunteer of the Year Award.
Niamh Rafferty’s passion for her club was recognised by winning the Translink and Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Year Award for 2020.
19-year-old Niamh, from St Brenda’s Camogie Club, Ballymacnab, Co. Armagh was presented with the prestigious award remotely due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The Young Volunteer Award celebrates the outstanding contribution made by young members of the Association aged 14-24 to their clubs and communities in the last season and throughout the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. A panel of experts met virtually to select one overall winner of the year and Niamh came out on top; she impressed the judging panel for her dedication and hard work that best represented the volunteering ethos and community spirit of the Association over the last 12 months.
14-year-old Étain Devlin, of Sean Treacy’s Hurling Club in Lurgan, was also highly commended for the breadth of volunteering and commitment to her club and wider community over the last year.
Étain Devlin, of Sean Treacy’s Hurling Club in Lurgan, was also highly commended.
Congratulating Niamh on her award, David Curry, General Manager Bus Services at Translinksaid:
“This award was developed to celebrate the outstanding contribution made by young members of?Ulster GAA to their clubs and communities in the last season and throughout the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. It was incredible to see the level of commitment Niamh has given especially during such a challenging year. From underage coaching to organising lockdown activities for younger club members, Niamh’s work during the last 12 months has no doubt been invaluable.”
Ulster GAA President, Oliver Galligan added:
“Niamh embodies what the GAA is all about – she is a self-motivated volunteer with a love for the game and a willingness to help and encourage others. Through her work as a support coach, committee member and co-ordinator of the club’s lockdown videos, Niamh has shown a fantastic passion for her club which has been recognised in the club’s appointment of her as Social Media Officer. She demonstrates GAA integration at its best – the GAA for all! We are delighted to present this prestigious award to this outstanding young volunteer from St. Brenda’s.”
St Brenda’s Club Secretary Kathleen O’Hare also commended Niamh on her award:
“Niamh has shown herself to be an enthusiastic, up-and-coming volunteer, who has made an outstanding contribution to the development of sport within our club. She has done this both on the playing field via her role as support coach, at the committee table via her role as committee member and on her mobile phone via her role as initiator and co-ordinator of the ‘lock-down’ club videos.”
The recipient of the Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Year Award 2019 is 15-year-old Ciaran McGinley from Naomh Éanna GAA Glengormley. Ciaran wins the prestigious award in recognition of his spectacular effort in developing Ladies Gaelic in his club.
Padraig Doyle, from St Mary’s GAA, Granemore has been awarded Translink Young GAA Volunteer for November for his impressive commitment to assisting with coaching in his Armagh club.
A dedicated young volunteer has won the Translink Young GAA Volunteer of the Month for October in recognition for her unwavering support and assistance to her club. Sarah Leonard, from St Brigid’s Ladies, impressed the judging panel with her patience, dependability and hardwork, even during exam time!
An inspirational young Gael has been awarded the Translink Young Volunteer for September. Jamie Black from Latton O’Rahilly’s in Co. Monaghan beat off stiff competition from across Ulster for this prestigious award following his outstanding contribution to his club, reinvigorating hurling in the club.
A 24-year-old man, Adam Grimes, has been awarded Translink Young GAA Volunteer for August for his mammoth contribution to his club Killanny, Co Monaghan.
The Translink Young GAA Volunteer of the Month for July has been awarded to Erin Byrne, following inspirational volunteering at her club Saval GAC, County Down. 14 year old Erin Byrne has been volunteering with her club for some time now and during July excelled with the time and contribution she made to her club.
15 year old Ciaran McGinley has won the Translink Young GAA Volunteer of the Month for June for his spectacular effort in developing Ladies Gaelic in his club. Ciaran, from St Enda’s GAC Glengormley, impressed the judging panel for his dedication and hard work to developing the women’s code while playing Gaelic Football himself.
Ciaran Foster, 19, from Moy Tír na nÓg in Tyrone has been selected as Translink Young Volunteer for May 2019. Ciaran has made a significant impact in his club ever since a bad injury ended his playing career at a young age.
Corin McMonagle, 21, from St Mary’s GAC Slaughtmanus, Derry has been awarded Translink Young Volunteer for April. Corin is heavily involved in his club in Slaughtmanus as a player and volunteer coach in the local primary school and also for a number of underage teams.
The overall winner of the Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Year award was Cathal Mercer, 23, from Tir na nOg, Portadown.
Translink and Ulster GAA presented the Young Volunteer of the Month for December award to twin sisters from Cushendall. Emer and Áine Quinn, 17-year-old siblings from Ruairí Óg GAC were given the prize in recognition of their outstanding contribution to both club and community.
Meabh Kelly from Patrick Sarsfield GAC and Ava Finnegan from St Paul’s GAC, Belfast are the joint winners of the November Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Month award. This month’s award, recognises two young volunteers who demonstrated the real impact that can be made through volunteering together in sport. In recognition of this, Meabh and Ava are the first ever joint winners of the award.
Lára Goldrick from Naomh Treasa GAC Belfast is the September winner of the Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Month award. Twenty-four year-old Lára was selected as the winner following nominations from clubs across Ulster. The judging panel were particularly struck by her fundraising efforts, as well as her commitment to both playing and coaching.
Shannon Carroll from the St John Bosco club in Newry is the latest winner of the Translink Ulster GAA Volunteer of the Month award. Shannon came out on top of nominations from clubs across Ulster. The judges were struck by her commitment to youth work and fundraising, both of which she does alongside playing for the senior ladies’ football team.
Christopher Rice from Latton O’Rahilly GAA in County Monaghan has been awarded the Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer award for June 2018.
A hardworking club secretary from St.Enda’s Derrymacash has been awarded the Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Month award for May 2018. Niamh McCarthy (23) was nominated in recognition of the time and energy she commits as a member of the club committee, as well as being a playing member of both the senior camogie team and the ladies Gaelic football team.
A hardworking PRO from Tír-na-nÓg GFC, Portadown has been awarded the Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Month award for April 2018. Cathal Mercer (23), who has transformed match reporting for the club, was nominated in recognition of the time and energy he commits to both attending games and keeping the Tír-na-nÓg’s membership across the world updated on results and fixtures.
A coach from Moneymore GAC has been awarded the Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Month award for March 2018. Emmett Crozier (23), who is the lead coach of the minor team, was nominated by his club in recognition of his commitment and the time he dedicates to training, motivating and developing the club’s under-age squad.
Fifteen-year-old Sean Kelly, a member of St. Gall’s GAA Club in Belfast has been announced as the overall winner of the Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Year Award for 2017.
Ulster GAA in association with Translink has selected an 18 year-old Gael from Mayobridge GAC as the winner of the Translink Young Volunteer Award for December 2017. Nicole Keenan impressed judges with a nomination which detailed an exceptional level of commitment and passion for culture within her GAA club.
23 year old Tomas McCaffrey has been awarded the Translink Young GAA Volunteer of the Month Award for November 2017, following a nomination from his club which demonstrated his outstanding contribution to the Enniskillen Gaels club.
An inspirational young GAA volunteer from Killanny has won the Translink Young Volunteer of the Month Award for October. Following a recent illness, twenty two year old Andrew Kieran has been an outstanding role model for all young people and a symbol of hope for all those battling sickness within the GAA community.
An inspiring young GAA volunteer from Ardoyne Kickhams Ladies GAC picked up the prestigious Translink Young GAA Volunteer of the Month award for September. Sixteen year old Laura Vernon has been described as an inspiration and mentor to younger members of her club.
Ulster GAA in association with Translink has unearthed an outstanding young GAA volunteer from Killeavy GAA, Co Armagh. 24 year old Cliodhna McAteer has been awarded the Translink Young GAA Volunteer of the Month Award for August 2017 following a nomination from her club which demonstrated her outstanding contribution to Killeavy GAA.
A young 15 year old GAA volunteer from Mountnugent GAA, Co Cavan has been awarded the prestigious Translink Young GAA Volunteer Award for July. Pictured receiving his award from Diarmaid Marsden, Head of Club and Community Development Department, Ulster GAA and Sean Falls, Service Delivery Manager, Translink is July winner Ned Brunton.
St Gall’s GAC Belfast young volunteer Sean Kelly Junior has been awarded the Translink Young GAA Volunteer Award for June. He is pictured here receiving his award from Sharon Haughey-Grimley, Ulster GAA and Sean McGreevy, Translink.
20 year old Pádraigín Kelly from Loughmacrory GAA won the Translink Young GAA Volunteer Award for May, pictured with Sean Falls, Service Delivery Manager, Translink and Ciaran McLaughlin, Ulster GAA
16 Year old Sarah Malone from Aghaderg GFC, Camogie & Ballyvarley HC receiving her award with Donal Moran, Chairman Aghaderg GAC, Mark Mullan, Assistant Service Delivery Manager, Translink and Diarmaid Marsden, Head of Club & Community Development, Ulster GAA.
The recipient of the Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Year Award 2019 is 15-year-old Ciaran McGinley from Naomh Éanna GAA Glengormley. Ciaran wins the prestigious award in recognition of his spectacular effort in developing Ladies Gaelic in his club.
Padraig Doyle, from St Mary’s GAA, Granemore has been awarded Translink Young GAA Volunteer for November for his impressive commitment to assisting with coaching in his Armagh club.
A dedicated young volunteer has won the Translink Young GAA Volunteer of the Month for October in recognition for her unwavering support and assistance to her club. Sarah Leonard, from St Brigid’s Ladies, impressed the judging panel with her patience, dependability and hardwork, even during exam time!
An inspirational young Gael has been awarded the Translink Young Volunteer for September. Jamie Black from Latton O’Rahilly’s in Co. Monaghan beat off stiff competition from across Ulster for this prestigious award following his outstanding contribution to his club, reinvigorating hurling in the club.
A 24-year-old man, Adam Grimes, has been awarded Translink Young GAA Volunteer for August for his mammoth contribution to his club Killanny, Co Monaghan.
The Translink Young GAA Volunteer of the Month for July has been awarded to Erin Byrne, following inspirational volunteering at her club Saval GAC, County Down. 14 year old Erin Byrne has been volunteering with her club for some time now and during July excelled with the time and contribution she made to her club.
15 year old Ciaran McGinley has won the Translink Young GAA Volunteer of the Month for June for his spectacular effort in developing Ladies Gaelic in his club. Ciaran, from St Enda’s GAC Glengormley, impressed the judging panel for his dedication and hard work to developing the women’s code while playing Gaelic Football himself.
Ciaran Foster, 19, from Moy Tír na nÓg in Tyrone has been selected as Translink Young Volunteer for May 2019. Ciaran has made a significant impact in his club ever since a bad injury ended his playing career at a young age.
Corin McMonagle, 21, from St Mary’s GAC Slaughtmanus, Derry has been awarded Translink Young Volunteer for April. Corin is heavily involved in his club in Slaughtmanus as a player and volunteer coach in the local primary school and also for a number of underage teams.
The overall winner of the Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Year award was Cathal Mercer, 23, from Tir na nOg, Portadown.
Translink and Ulster GAA presented the Young Volunteer of the Month for December award to twin sisters from Cushendall. Emer and Áine Quinn, 17-year-old siblings from Ruairí Óg GAC were given the prize in recognition of their outstanding contribution to both club and community.
Meabh Kelly from Patrick Sarsfield GAC and Ava Finnegan from St Paul’s GAC, Belfast are the joint winners of the November Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Month award. This month’s award, recognises two young volunteers who demonstrated the real impact that can be made through volunteering together in sport. In recognition of this, Meabh and Ava are the first ever joint winners of the award.
Lára Goldrick from Naomh Treasa GAC Belfast is the September winner of the Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Month award. Twenty-four year-old Lára was selected as the winner following nominations from clubs across Ulster. The judging panel were particularly struck by her fundraising efforts, as well as her commitment to both playing and coaching.
Shannon Carroll from the St John Bosco club in Newry is the latest winner of the Translink Ulster GAA Volunteer of the Month award. Shannon came out on top of nominations from clubs across Ulster. The judges were struck by her commitment to youth work and fundraising, both of which she does alongside playing for the senior ladies’ football team.
Christopher Rice from Latton O’Rahilly GAA in County Monaghan has been awarded the Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer award for June 2018.
A hardworking club secretary from St.Enda’s Derrymacash has been awarded the Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Month award for May 2018. Niamh McCarthy (23) was nominated in recognition of the time and energy she commits as a member of the club committee, as well as being a playing member of both the senior camogie team and the ladies Gaelic football team.
A hardworking PRO from Tír-na-nÓg GFC, Portadown has been awarded the Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Month award for April 2018. Cathal Mercer (23), who has transformed match reporting for the club, was nominated in recognition of the time and energy he commits to both attending games and keeping the Tír-na-nÓg’s membership across the world updated on results and fixtures.
A coach from Moneymore GAC has been awarded the Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Month award for March 2018. Emmett Crozier (23), who is the lead coach of the minor team, was nominated by his club in recognition of his commitment and the time he dedicates to training, motivating and developing the club’s under-age squad.
Fifteen-year-old Sean Kelly, a member of St. Gall’s GAA Club in Belfast has been announced as the overall winner of the Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Year Award for 2017.
Ulster GAA in association with Translink has selected an 18 year-old Gael from Mayobridge GAC as the winner of the Translink Young Volunteer Award for December 2017. Nicole Keenan impressed judges with a nomination which detailed an exceptional level of commitment and passion for culture within her GAA club.
23 year old Tomas McCaffrey has been awarded the Translink Young GAA Volunteer of the Month Award for November 2017, following a nomination from his club which demonstrated his outstanding contribution to the Enniskillen Gaels club.
An inspirational young GAA volunteer from Killanny has won the Translink Young Volunteer of the Month Award for October. Following a recent illness, twenty two year old Andrew Kieran has been an outstanding role model for all young people and a symbol of hope for all those battling sickness within the GAA community.
An inspiring young GAA volunteer from Ardoyne Kickhams Ladies GAC picked up the prestigious Translink Young GAA Volunteer of the Month award for September. Sixteen year old Laura Vernon has been described as an inspiration and mentor to younger members of her club.
Ulster GAA in association with Translink has unearthed an outstanding young GAA volunteer from Killeavy GAA, Co Armagh. 24 year old Cliodhna McAteer has been awarded the Translink Young GAA Volunteer of the Month Award for August 2017 following a nomination from her club which demonstrated her outstanding contribution to Killeavy GAA.
A young 15 year old GAA volunteer from Mountnugent GAA, Co Cavan has been awarded the prestigious Translink Young GAA Volunteer Award for July. Pictured receiving his award from Diarmaid Marsden, Head of Club and Community Development Department, Ulster GAA and Sean Falls, Service Delivery Manager, Translink is July winner Ned Brunton.
St Gall’s GAC Belfast young volunteer Sean Kelly Junior has been awarded the Translink Young GAA Volunteer Award for June. He is pictured here receiving his award from Sharon Haughey-Grimley, Ulster GAA and Sean McGreevy, Translink.
20 year old Pádraigín Kelly from Loughmacrory GAA won the Translink Young GAA Volunteer Award for May, pictured with Sean Falls, Service Delivery Manager, Translink and Ciaran McLaughlin, Ulster GAA
16 Year old Sarah Malone from Aghaderg GFC, Camogie & Ballyvarley HC receiving her award with Donal Moran, Chairman Aghaderg GAC, Mark Mullan, Assistant Service Delivery Manager, Translink and Diarmaid Marsden, Head of Club & Community Development, Ulster GAA.
