April University of Galway marks 41st annual Sports Awards

The triumphs and endeavours of athletes, sports clubs and coaches have been celebrated at the 41st annual University of Galway Sports Awards.

 Among the winners were under-23 World Rowing Bronze medallist Donagh Claffey, senior county hurler Sam O’Farrell and Carrie Dolan, All-Ireland winning captain of the Galway Senior Camogie team.

 Sam O’Farrell and Carrie Dolan were named Sports Persons of the Year, while Donagh Claffey from the Rowing Club won Individual Performance of the Year for his bronze medal at the World Rowing Under-23 Championships.

 Other winners included Ronan Sheppard and Matthew Kennedy of the Sailing Club, who received the Unsung Hero Award, Eveline Nee, for her contribution to University of Galway Archery Club over her four years as an undergraduate student, and the Mountaineering Club for the Best Event of the Year.

 Sponsored by Bank of Ireland, the awards ceremony was held at the Radisson Red Hotel Galway and hosted by RTÉ Sport’s Darren Frehill.

 Professor David Burn, President of University of Galway, said: “The University of Galway Sports Awards are a celebration of the dedication, resilience and community spirit that define sport across our campus. This year’s recipients have demonstrated not only exceptional achievement in competition, but also leadership, teamwork and a commitment to supporting one another. We are immensely proud of all our students, clubs and coaches who continue to foster an inclusive and vibrant sporting culture within the University.”

 Des Ryan, Director of Sport and Physical Wellbeing, University of Galway, said: “Our Sports Awards are a celebration of our sporting high performance achievements and our sport for all achievements in the University of Galway. 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.

 “This year our winners range from Senior Camogie All Ireland winning Captain to Clubs who have doubled membership this year, and we are very grateful to the Bank of Ireland for their sponsorship and support. Our university sports club members contribute great social capital to our environment. For us in the Sports Unit, it is an honour and a pleasure to work with so many talent young adults and to support all those involved in Clubs. It is a wonderful event where all the different sports club celebrate together all those who have greatly contributed to sport in the University of Galway.”

 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 students who have made an outstanding and sustained contribution to sport; demonstrated an impeccable example of sportsmanship and a high level of performance and achievement; served as excellent ambassador within the University and for student sport; and competed at a regional level or above.

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

 2026 Sports Award Winners

 Best Event of the Year

50th Anniversary of the Maamturks Challenge - Mountaineering

 Club Captain of the Year

Áine Kavanagh (Calry, Co. Sligo) Hockey, Emma Jane Inns (Bundoran, Co. Donegal) Sub Aqua

 Club of the Year

Swimming and Waterpolo Club

 Coach of the Year

Matt Lockett (Galway City) Athletics

 Most Improved Club

Gaelic Games Club (Includes Camogie, Hurling, Ladies Gaelic Football, Men’s Gaelic Football)

 Fundraising of the Year

Boxing in Pink – Boxing Club

 Individual Performance of the Year

Donagh Claffey (Fardrum Athlone, Co. Westmeath) Rowing

 University Honours

Mohammad Zajeer Ahmed, (India) Cricket and Table Tennis

Eveline Nee (Rosmuc, Co. Galway) Archery

Ailbhe Folan (Galway City) Hockey

Naoise O’Donnell (Moycullen, Co. Galway) Athletics, Swimming, Cycling, and Triathlon

 Sports Person of the Year - Male

Sam O’Farrell (Nenagh, Co. Tipperary) Hurling

 Sports Person of the Year - Female

Carrie Dolan (Clarinbridge, Co. Galway) Camogie

 Unsung Hero

Ronan Sheppard (Moycullen, Co. Galway), Matthew Kennedy (Galway City) Sailing

 Team of the Year

Women’s Senior 8 - Rowing

 Student’s Union Club Captains Choice – Female

Orla Murphy (Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh) Ladies Gaelic Football

 Student’s Union Club Captains Choice – Male

Storm McDonald (Easkey, Co. Sligo) Sub Aqua

 Dean of Student Award

Katia Tuck (France), Rory McDonnell (Beaufort, Co. Kerry) Table Tennis

Caoimhe Gilligan (Rossinaver, Co. Leitrim) Surf, Sub Aqua

Laoise Gillic (Galway City) Fencing

Oscar Choo (Strandhill, Co. Sligo) Surf

Neasa Ní Ainiféin (Ennis, Co. Clare) Athletics

Mark Deegan (Galway City), Bernie Grealish (Galway City), John Folan (Galway City) Hockey

 Director of Sports Award

Emer Jackson (Castletown Geoghegan, Co. Westmeath) Camogie

Ben Haverty (Athenry, Co. Galway) Men’s Gaelic Football, Hurling

David Lynch (Tralee, Co. Kerry) Men’s Gaelic Football

Andrew Egan (Galway City), David Mannion (Ballindereen, Co. Galway) Athletics

Declan Gbinigie (Galway City), Fortune Igbokwe (Galway City) Basketball

Amy O’Sullivan (Ennis, Co. Clare) Volleyball

Oisin Murray (Ballyard, Co. Kerry) Athletics

Niamh Ní Lochlain (Galway City) Judo

Matthew Thompson (Galway City) Men’s Gaelic Football

 Gradam Gaelach Award

Swimming and Waterpolo Club

 Ends