Paula Keegan is Ulster Club Volunteer of the Year

Paula Keegan from the St. Colmcilles Club, Grange, Armagh has been named Ulster Club Volunteer of the year for 2010.

As a mark of recognition of the role of the volunteer in our Association, Ulster Council decided in 2010 to introduce an annual award for Volunteer of the Year. Clubs and Counties were advised about the award and were invited to submit nominations. A small subcommittee was established and given the task of sifting through the many nominations to determine the overall winner. All of those who were nominated had made a significant contribution to the promotion of our game within their own communities, and the Committee chose Paula Keegan from St Colmcille’s Grange in Co Armagh to be the first ever recipient of the award.

Paula has been involved with Ladies football in her club since 1989 as a player, underage and senior coach, committee member, custodian of the kit, provider of transport to matches, to name but a few of her duties! She has played for her County and held numerous County Board positions including Chairman, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer.

Speaking at the St Colmcille’s Presentation night, Ulster Secretary Mary Keegan paid tribute to Paula and said she could not think of a more worthy recipient. She acknowledged that ladies football would not have survived in the Grange Club had it not been for the sheer determination of Paula who did whatever it took to make sure that the girls of St Colmcille’s had the opportunity to participate. In recent years that has included Paula pulling on a jersey and playing alongside her daughter Orla who is Captain of the team.

Mary reminded those present that had it not been for Paula’s efforts and determination, the club would have missed out on recent honours like Dervla Mallon’s All Star nomination and Siobhan Mackle’s Ulster Schools All Star. As Paula was called to the stage to receive her award, there was a standing ovation from the large crowd present at the event.