April University of Galway marks 40th year of Sports Awards

The triumphs and endeavours of athletes, sports clubs and coaches have been celebrated at the 40^th University of Galway Sports Awards.

Among the winners were Under-23 World Rowing Champion Donnacha Keeley, senior international cross country athlete Fiona Everard and the University Women’s Hockey Club.

Donnacha Keeley won sports person of the year, while Caitlin Hughes from the Athletics Club won individual performance of the year for her contribution to the Irish Under-20 European Cross Country team.

Some other winners on the night were Kate Ní Ghacháin (Unsung Hero award), Tiffanie Fitzgerald, for her contribution to University of Galway Camogie over her four years as an undergraduate student, and the Swimming and Waterpolo clubs for hosting the best event.

The awards ceremony was held at the Radisson Red Hotel in Galway and hosted by RTÉ Sport’s Darren Frehill.

Des Ryan, Director of Sport and Physical Wellbeing, University of Galway, said: “Our Sports Awards are a celebration of Sport in the University of Galway. They recognise our dual aspiration of achieving High Performance and Sport for All. 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.

“Everyone involved in our Clubs bring honour, often glory, and also enjoyment, in no small amount, to University of Galway.

“Many of the awardees will with certainty go on to achieve greatness in their chosen sport and all have and will continue to contribute great social capital to our environment and their future environments. For us in the Sports Unit, it is an honour and a pleasure to work with them and to get to know such talented individuals and to support all those involved in Clubs. We look forward to bright futures for all of our sporting community and take this opportunity of the awards to recognise all those who have greatly contributed to sport in the University of Galway.”

Ciara Meehan, Dean of Students, University of Galway, said: “Congratulations to each of the awardees and a special word of thanks to all those who promote our university values of respect, openness and excellence through our Clubs.

“Our annual sports awards reflect not only the excellence of our students in terms of preparation, performance and competing, but also the contribution they and their clubs make to promoting wellbeing and belonging in our community.”

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

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

2025 Sports Award Winners

Best Event of the Year

The Relay Gala – Swimming and Waterpolo

Club Captain of the Year

Eoin Kenny (Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow) Boxing

Club of the Year

Rowing Club

Coach of the Year

Sebastian Locteau (Craughwell Co. Galway/France) Swimming and Waterpolo

Most Improved Club

Camogie Club

Fundraising of the Year

Fundraising Achievements 2024-2025 – Hockey Club

Individual Performance of the Year

Caitlin Hughes (Swinford, Co. Mayo) Athletics

University Honours

Fiona Everard, (Enniskeane, Co. Cork) Athletics

Kara McCleane (Roscahill, Co. Galway) Basketball

Tiffanie Fitzgerald (Gowran, Co. Kilkenny) Camogie

Lauren Murray (Killiney, Co. Dublin) Sailing

Thomas McStay (Claregalway, Co. Galway) Athletics

Sports Person of the Year

Donnacha Keeley (Clonmel, Co. Tipperary) Rowing

Unsung Hero

Kate Ní Ghacháin (Foxford, Co. Mayo) Kayak

Team of the Year

Women’s Senior 4 National Champions - Rowing

Student’s Union Club Captains Choice – Female

Dimana Nedeva, (Galway City/Sofia, Bulgaria) Badminton

Student’s Union Club Captains Choice – Male

Oisín Mc Laughlin (Moville, Inishowen, Co. Donegal) Pool and Snooker

Dean of Student Award

Adam Mullins (Clonmany, Inishowen, Co. Donegal) Mountaineering

Sarah Hontz (Galway City/USA) Lacrosse

Subacqua Club

Muireann O’Reilly (Castlegar, Co. Galway) Camogie

Surf Club

Boxing Club

Róise Ní Mhurchú (Belmullet, Co. Mayo) Surf

Anna Sheehy (Tralee, Co. Kerry) parkrun

Volleyball

Director of Sports Award

Mohammed Zajeer Ahmed (India/Galway) Cricket

Swimming and Waterpolo

Men’s Soccer

Athletics

Hockey and Mixed Hockey

Colm O’Riordan (Furbo, Co. Galway) Judo

Louise O’Connor (Moycullen, Co. Galway) Camogie

Dave Daly (Gaelcarraig, Galway City) Men's Soccer

Martin Hughes (Corrandulla, Co. Galway) Hockey

Sean Byrne (Carlow town) Rowing

Tom Keal (Crosshaven, Co. Cork) - Student’s Union Clubs Captain 2024-2025

Gradam Gaelach Award

Swimming and Waterpolo

Ends