Congratulations to the Sport category finalists:
Éire Óg Inis- Clare
CLG Éire Óg Inis is a GAA club in the community of Ennis. This inspiring club set up a programme called “The All Stars” when they noticed there were siblings of young people in the club that loved sport but due to additional needs, they couldn’t participate in their regular academy sessions for various reasons. The group has gone from strength to strength, they began with 12 young people and now have 27 attending, along with over 35 volunteers and coaches.
Special Olympics Ireland- Dublin
Special Olympics Ireland (SOI) is an organisation in Ireland that offers multisport, leadership, and health activities to people with intellectual disabilities. They are recognised as the national governing body for sport for people with an intellectual disability.
Castletown Belles FC- Louth
Castletown Belles FC was set up in 2016 by Niall Gallagher who believed that women’s soccer would become popular. With the help of National Lottery Good Causes funding, they aim to get their female members playing senior football and hopefully get them into coaching or refereeing.
Mullingar Handball Club- Westmeath
Based in a disadvantaged area, Mullingar Handball Club are a club that supports elite players and the wider community through their Age Active, All Stars (for young people with Autism and other additional needs), Mothers & Other’s and Dad’s & Lad’s initiatives. They have a strong schools link with local schools and cater for mainstream youth training three times per week.
Kiltegan GAA Club- Wicklow
Kiltegan GAA is a small rural club at the heart of Kiltegan village in West Wicklow, working in conjunction with the wider village community to improve community facilities for all members of the community and beyond, while being fully inclusive and sustaining their rural future.