A Laois man has been recognised at the Federation of Irish Sport’s 2023 Volunteers in Sports Awards.
The ceremony celebrated committed volunteers from all across the country for their dedication, selflessness and community spirit to help make local sport happen.
There were winners from each of the 32 counties, with Jackie Byrne from Mountrath GAA recognised as the Laois recipient.
Jackie has been a member of the club for over 70 years and they were quick to heap praise on the great man.
“Serving as a player, committee member and groundsman, Jackie has embodied the best of Gaelic games values and his contribution as a volunteer has been phenomenal,” Mountrath GAA said.
“Jackie is an inspirational and valued member of Mountrath St Fintan’s GAA club, and as a person is humble, kind and friendly and never seen without a smile on his face.”
A very proud Jackie Byrne spoke with LaoisToday about his award.
“I came back from England in 1971 and shortly after that I started to become more and more involved with the day-to-day of the club,” he said.
“Anything that needs to be done during match day, I’d be there to help – whether it was being on the gate, putting out cones, putting out flags. I’m a jack-of-all-trades.
“I want to thank Robert Holmes for putting me forward for the award, and to wish Mountrath all the best for the season ahead.”
A keen hurler, Jackie was part of the Mountrath side that won the U-14 Laois County Championship in 1953 and 54 before moving to England.
“We started a hurling team in Oxford,” Jackie told us.
“We ended up getting to the All Ireland Junior Hurling final in 1970 against Meath and again the next year against Wicklow.
“11 out of the 15 players, including myself, were from Laois.”
Playing under the name Hertfordshire, the Oxford-based club with a sizeable Laois contingent lost both junior finals after agonising replays.
Nevertheless, it is another important chapter in Jackie’s great legacy.
In giving the awards, the Federation of Irish Sport said:
“The vital role of volunteers in advancing sports participation and community development cannot be underestimated or taken for granted.
“The economic significance of volunteering has an estimated value of €1.5 billion annually to the Irish economy.
“This figure underscores the immense social and economic benefits derived from the invaluable contributions of volunteers across the Irish sporting landscape.”
The 32 county awards were presented by special guest speaker Thomas Byrne TD, Minster of State with responsibility for Sport and Physical Education.
“Volunteers are the backbone of Irish sport and I am delighted to see their vital contribution recognised and celebrated by these awards,” Minister Byrne said.
“As Sport Minister, I am acutely conscious of the challenges involved with volunteering and I recently welcomed the publication of the Sport Ireland Policy on Volunteering in Sport, which sets out an ambitious vision for a sports sector with the best volunteering culture in the world.
“The success of Irish sport would not be possible without the many thousands of volunteers that willingly dedicate their time every week, in every part of Ireland, to help others enjoy their sport and I want to thank every volunteer for their valuable contribution.”
Federation CEO Mary O’Connor also spoke at the awards ceremony, saying:
“We are delighted to bring together the 2023 recipients of the Volunteers in Sport Awards from all over the country to receive their award from Minister Byrne today.
“Without this army of volunteers in clubs all around the country we would not have the level of grassroots participation that we do.
“It is important to take this time out and show our appreciation to the many unsung heroes of sport.
“We have heard today how sport can have such a meaningful and positive impact on our physical and mental health. And these volunteers are the conduit to providing that benefit.”
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