A local football club hero from Donegal has won a Volunteer Ireland Award 2018.

Sinead Kelly is a tireless volunteer with Raphoe Town Football Club and a passionate promoter of girls in sport.

Sinead Kelly

Sinead established a successful initiative called ‘Soccer Sisters’ to encourage more girls to take up football. As well as being a coach, Sinead has positioned the club in the heart of the community building strong and positive links with local schools and clubs and making an impact in local community initiatives.

Sinead’s efforts and many hours of planning and organising were rewarded last week as she was announced as the overall winner of the Sport and Recreation award the Volunteer Ireland Awards 2018.

 

Sharon Clarke

Engineer Sharon Clarke from Donegal was also shortlisted for an award in the ‘Children and Youth’ category.

 

Sharon is an employee with Seagate Technology in Derry and has spent the past 5 years promoting awareness of STEM and empowering female engineers in her workplace.

On 7th December 2018, at gala awards ceremony in Dublin, eleven category winners were announced along with the Christine Buckley Volunteer of the Year. Mary Fitzgerald from Co. Clare was named Christine Buckley Volunteer of the Year 2018 for her support for those suffering domestic abuse in the area.