Mayo athletes feature as University of Galway marks 40th year of sports awards

The triumphs and endeavours of athletes, sports clubs and coaches have been celebrated at the 40th University of Galway Sports Awards.

Among the winners was Swinford's Caitlin Hughes from the Athletics Club, who won Individual Performance of the Year for her contribution to the Irish Under 20 European Cross Country team.

Kate Ní Ghacháin (Foxford) was presented with the Unsung Hero Award for her achievements in kayak, while surfer Róise Ní Mhurchú (Belmullet) won a Dean of Student Award.

Elsewhere, there were awards for Under 23 World Rowing Champion Donnacha Keeley (Co. Tipperary), senior international cross country athlete Fiona Everard (Co. Cork) and the university's Women’s Hockey Club.

Keeley won Sports Person of the Year, while Tiffanie Fitzgerald (Co. Kilkenny) was singled out for her contribution to University of Galway camogie over her four years as an undergraduate student.

Meannwhile, the swimming and waterpolo clubs were recognised for hosting the best event.

The awards ceremony was held at the Radisson Red Hotel in Galway and hosted by RTÉ Sport’s Darren Frehill.

Des Ryan, director of sport and physical wellbeing at the University of Galway, commented: “Our sports awards are a celebration of sport in the University of Galway. They recognise our dual aspiration of achieving high performance and sport for all.

“The awards recognise the performances, achievements and hard work of our athletes, players, teams, coaches, committee members and volunteers. Our mission in the University of Galway sports unit is to be the most progressive and caring university sports programme on the island of Ireland. All the nominees and award winners are helping us on that mission.

“Everyone involved in our clubs brings honour, often glory, and also enjoyment, in no small amount, to the University of Galway. Many of the awardees will with certainty go on to achieve greatness in their chosen sport, and all have and will continue to contribute great social capital to our environment and their future environments.

“For us in the sports unit, it is an honour and a pleasure to work with them and to get to know such talented individuals and to support all those involved in clubs. We look forward to bright futures for all of our sporting community and take this opportunity of the awards to recognise all those who have greatly contributed to sport in the University of Galway.”

Ciara Meehan, dean of students at the University of Galway, added: “Congratulations to each of the awardees and a special word of thanks to all those who promote our university values of respect, openness and excellence through our clubs.

“Our annual sports awards reflect not only the excellence of our students in terms of preparation, performance and competing, but also the contribution they and their clubs make to promoting wellbeing and belonging in our community.”

The University of Galway Sports Awards recognise performance, leadership and participation, as well as those that contribute to the running and development of the clubs. They also celebrate remarkable final year individuals who have made an outstanding and sustained contribution to sport, shown an impeccable example of sportsmanship and a high level of performance and achievement, been an excellent ambassador within the university and for student sport, and competed at a regional level or above.

The University of Galway is now home to 40-plus active sports clubs, which are student-led and organised, with approximately 6,000 students participating in sport and activity daily at the university.