Mary Conlon wins VHI Club Person of the year award

Mary Conlon of the Claregalway club just outside Galway city
received the inaugural Vhi Healthcare Ladies Football Club Person
of the Year Award at a ceremony in Croke Park today.

Presented with the VHI Award	Mary Conlon with Ladies President Geraldine Giles

Conlon was singled out from over 100 individual nominations posted
on the Ladies Gaelic website, www.ladiesgaelic.ie over the past
four weeks. The Claregalway Ladies Football Club Secretary plays
a pivotal role in every aspect of club’s activities from fixture
and pitch management to fundraising and first aid. Claregalway
Ladies Football Club was founded in 2003 and since Conlon joined
the club in 2005, she has become an instrumental figure in the
success and burgeoning talent of this young club. Conlon has seamlessly
combined the roles of representative to the county board, fundraiser,
team organiser, fixtures secretary, membership officer, media
liaison and confidant to become a central figure not just in the
club but in the wider community. Geraldine Giles, Uactaran Peil
Gael na mBan, paid tribute to Conlon’s selfless contribution to
the Galway club, saying, “Mary Conlon represents all that is good
about the amateur ethos of Gaelic games and the sense of community
that our games promote across the country. Many clubs would be
envious of such a devoted club person and although there are many
like her around the country she is a deserved recipient of the
inaugural Vhi Healthcare Ladies Football Club Person of the Year
Award.”

Declan Moran VHI presenting the award	With proud supporters

Speaking at the announcement of the first Vhi Healthcare Club
Person of the Year winner, Declan Moran, Director of Marketing
& Product Development, Vhi Healthcare, commented “There are numerous
unsung heroes in clubs nationwide, who invest huge time and effort
in promoting Ladies Gaelic Football and play a pivotal role in
the success of their clubs. In addition to our sponsorship of
the Club Championship, Vhi Healthcare wanted to recognise the
contribution made by these individuals and in association with
Cumann Peil Gael na mBan, invited clubs to nominate the person
that they felt most deserved this award. Today’s winner was recognised
for her commitment and dedication to her club.

I would like to congratulate Mary and wish her every success in the future.” The Vhi Healthcare Club Person of the Year Award recognises and celebrates the contributions of club individuals who have had an extraordinary impact on their club. This is the second year of Vhi Healthcare’s involvement as sponsor of the Ladies Football Club Championships and during this period Vhi Healthcare have held a series of women’s health seminars around the country called Vhitality. The Vhi Healthcare Senior All Ireland Club Championship was won by Mayo’s Carnacon while the Intermediate Championship was won by Mourneabbey from Cork. Foxrock/Cabinteely beat West Clare Gaels to win the Junior Championship.