Naomh Conaill GAA club's Martin Shankey Smith wins Volunteers in Sport award

Former Naomh Conaill GAA club chairman Martin Shankey Smith has been announced as the Donegal winner of the Federation of Irish Sport’s Volunteers in Sport awards.

Meath native Martin has been volunteering at the club since he moved to Glenties over 20 years ago. From the outset, Martin helped the club in whatever way he could and he had lots of success bringing players through the age grades all the way up to minor level and on to senior. 

However, it was in his role as chairperson that he was able to make a huge difference across the board. Martin wanted to create a fully inclusive club and he did this by starting up many different initiatives at the club helping to bring the community together. These included the support of the LGTQI+ community, looking after the youth in the run up to the leaving cert and also a funday to raise money for the people of Ukraine. The impact of Martin’s work is there for all to see.

The Volunteers in Sport Awards celebrate the contributions of the band of volunteers across the country who give their time to Irish sport and physical activity every year. Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Physical Education Thomas Byrne TD is the special guest speaker at the awards, which will take place next week, on March 22m at The Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown and hosted by sports broadcaster Gráinne McElwain. The event will see volunteers from all 32 counties honoured for their amazing dedication to volunteering across a variety of different sports.