Second round of 'Pride of the Parish' nominees announced
Welcome to week two of our brand-new feature celebrating the true heartbeat of County Galway. The response to our callout for the Pride of the Parish initiative—brought to you by the Connacht Tribune in association with Husqvarna—has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Today, we are officially handing the stage over to the real heroes across our pages in print and online at GalwayLive.ie.Long before the referee blows the opening whistle and long after the final whistle blows, an irreplaceable force is at work in every corner of the county.
From early-morning pitch maintenance and kit prep to running local lotto draws and coordinating matchday logistics, our GAA, LGFA, and Camogie clubs rely entirely on the selflessness of their supporters.They are the constant presence in the clubhouse, the drivers ensuring players make training, and the steady hands keeping everyday operations afloat.
Without their quiet dedication, parish life simply wouldn't function. Over the coming weeks, we will be showcasing these inspiring nominees and laying out the stories behind their unwavering dedication. You will get to read about their impact, their passion, and precisely why they embody the spirit of their local area.
Once all of our stellar nominees have been featured, the power shifts directly to you.We will open a county-wide public poll to let our readers decide who should be crowned the ultimate overall winner. The overall winner will secure a fantastic prize package, including multi-use vouchers and a relaxing hotel getaway for two, along with a bespoke commemorative plaque to be displayed proudly on their clubhouse wall.
Pick up your paper, head online, and join us in honoring the extraordinary people who give so much to our clubs. The spotlight is finally on them!
Pat Dillon – Portumna
Pat Dillon represents everything special about Portumna GAA Club and our wider community. A lifelong and dedicated member, Pat has given countless hours of his time, energy and expertise to the club over many years. Most recently, Pat has been the driving force behind the major development of the Portumna GAA grounds. From planning and organising to coordinating work and ensuring the project continued moving forward, Pat’s commitment has been instrumental in delivering facilities that will benefit current and future generations of Portumna players.
Pat is one of those invaluable club people who works tirelessly behind the scenes, never seeking recognition or praise. Whenever there is a job to be done, Pat can always be relied upon to help.His dedication, volunteerism and determination perfectly embody the community spirit at the heart of Portumna GAA Club.
For his outstanding contribution and years of dedicated service, Pat Dillon truly is the Pride of the Parish.
Frank Walsh – Killannin
Frank Walsh has been involved in Killannin GAA for over 30 years. The current chairman of the club Frank has served as Chairman, Secretary & Treasurer on multiple times in each role. Frank is actively involved for years with Coiste Peile na nÓg as a committee member and Coordinator while reffing games himself at 70 years of age.
Despite dealing with health issues Frank is still lining the pitches and cleaning the dressing rooms weekly. He plays a very active role in fundraising in order to secure our clubs future. Frank has set up community watch groups and has also been involved in many fundraising events in the parish over the years.
A native of Cornamona and a fluent Irish speaker Frank is highly respected in the parish. He has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, skill and leadership within our club and community and is highly deserving of this recognition.
Stevie, Veronica & Sarah Gaughran – Athenry
When it comes to the heart of Athenry Camogie Club, we didn’t have to look far - our Pride of the Parish was right in front of us: the Gaughran Family. From match-day preparation and the everyday jobs that often go unseen, to backroom teams, selling tickets, collecting sponsorship and promoting our game, they have done it all.
Stevie, a referee in his day, now keeps the hurls and equipment in order. Veronica looks after first aid and is the bond that holds everything together. Sarah, the current County Camogie PRO, is a highly regarded referee, dedicated player, and helps teams of all ages and levels across our club, while working full-time.Fittingly, all three were pitch-side for our All-Ireland Senior Club victory in January - Sarah as a player and Stevie and Veronica on the backroom team. Together, they represent everything our club stands for.
Their commitment isn't about one team, one season or one big day. It is about years of quietly giving their time, energy, and support wherever it is needed.