The prowess of amazing Tipperary athletes is recognised at awards ceremony

Tipperary’s top athletes turned out in style as they were honoured at the 25th Canon Hayes Recreation Centre Sports Awards.
The awards, held on December 27 at the centre in Tipperary Town, recognise the hard work and dedication these athletes have put in to reach the pinnacle of their chosen sport.

There was a change of format for this year’s awards as they were confined to county Tipperary due to the incredible sporting prowess of our amazing athletes.

Among those honoured were Olympians, Special Olympians, GAA players, golfers, Pitch and Putt players and many more. The event was hosted by Stevie O’Donnell and the awards were presented by Limerick hurling manager John Kiely, who also gave a rousing speech about the importance of the Canon Hayes Recreation Centre.

The 17 Canon Hayes Recreation Centre Sport Award recipients were

Sharleen Maudsley - Olympian Athletics
Daire Lynch - Olympian – Rowing
Amee Leigh Costigan - Olympian – Rugby Sevens
Sarah Ryan – Pitch & Putt
David Ryan – All Ireland Minor Hurling Champion
Adam Ryan - All Ireland Minor Hurling Champion
Darragh O Hora - All Ireland Minor Hurling Champion
Leah McGrath – Women’s Soccer
Jimmy Carr – Junior International Soccer
Edmond O Dwyer – Junior International Soccer
Barry Grogan – Gaelic Football
Loughmore Castleiney – GAA Team of the Year
Donnacha Cleary – Amateur International Golfer
Frank O’Dwyer – Special Olympics FloorBall
Denis Lynch – International Showjumping
Tipperary Athletics Ladies – Track and Field
Andy Lacey – Lifetime Achievement in Sports

The Lifetime Achievement in Sports award went to Andy Lacey for his Trojan work in helping any sporting organisation in any way he can, especially when it comes to raising much-needed funds.
While the awards recognise the individual achievement of each athlete, there were several community initiatives recognised alongside the athletes at the awards.

These awards recognise the tremendous work our communities do behind the scenes to increase participation in sport and raise much needed funds for local initiatives.
There were three special Community, Health and Wellbeing Awards funded by SICAP through the Knockanrawley Resource Centre.

Those in receipt of the awards were Climb Galtee Mor for the Excel, Chasing Pavements Social Running Group and Stuart Moloney.

Climb Galtee Mor for Excel raised much-needed funds for the Tipperary Excel Centre while Chasing Pavements, who through group participation have brought health and wellbeing to many, also raised funds for the Irish Wheelchair Association.
Also honoured was Stuart Moloney who has completed some truly amazing feats in running great distances to raise funds for the Irish wheelchair Association and the Aherlow Ladies Gaelic Football Club.
These awards were sponsored by SICAP - the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme. SICAP is the national social inclusion programme in the country and is focused on improving quality of life for people at individual and community level.

SICAP is delivered locally in Tipperary Town by Knockanrawley Resource Centre and across the rest of South Tipperary by South Tipperary Development Company.

While the awards recognise excellence in sport, the Canon Hayes Recreation Centre also applauds the effort put in by our everyday sporting heroes who use the Canon Hayes Recreation Centre everyday while in pursuit of their own fitness goals and mental wellbeing through physical exercise.

For anyone inspired by the awards who wants to pursue their own fitness and wellbeing journey, the Canon Hayes Recreation Centre offers individual plans, group classes such as Pilates and much more all at very competitive rates. The centre also boasts squash, racquetball and handball courts, a strength and conditioning room, plus sauna and steam. Externally, the centre has a 3G all weather pitch, a running track and tennis courts.

Appeal made to safeguard important site in Tipperary heritage town

Fethard Town Wall

The Canon Hayes Recreation Centre has everything a person - or even budding Olympian - may need to improve their health and wellbeing in Tipperary Town and beyond.

Speaking at the event, John Kiely referenced how important the Canon Hayes Recreation Centre has been to young people in Tipperary, East Limerick and North Cork for more than forty years. He also emphasised how urgent funding and support is required from Government bodies at a national level in order to bring the centre up to modern standards. Mr Kiely told of how the centre’s sporting facilities, structure and energy efficiency had fallen way behind what people now expect from modern sporting and recreation facilities and this needs to be urgently addressed in order to secure its future for the people of Tipperary and beyond.