Eileen Ryan has been a major influence in this west Tipperary GAA club for many years

The Annerville Sports Awards winners for 2023 include Eileen Ryan, who has been chosen for the Jimmy Cooney Lifetime Achievement award by the Tipperary United Sports Panel. 

Eileen has been club secretary of Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill GAA club since 2002, having previously served as PRO during the late 1980s and 1990s.

She has been a major influence in the club for many years, when Eire Og have enjoyed many triumphs in West Tipperary championships, with a few county titles thrown in for good measure at underage and adult level.

These included three West Senior Hurling titles won from 2013-2015 and West Senior Football Championships won in 2012 and 2023.

During her time as club PRO, Eileen edited the match programme for the opening of the GAA grounds in Annacarty in 1993, as well as undertaking the considerable task of writing the club history book, which was published in 1986.

Through her work behind the scenes, Eileen and the other club officers oversaw the development of the club grounds and dressing rooms, along with different fundraisers, sales of work and launching the club lotto in 2004.

Recently, Eire Og have been preparing their club development plan.

Eileen began her love affair with all things GAA during her childhood, an affection that was nurtured by her late parents Tady and Peggy O’Carroll.

Her work for the association and for her club, and in other areas of parish activities in the intervening years, means that she has completely embraced the ethos of being a volunteer throughout her life.

The Tipperary Sports Stars of the Year will receive their Annerville awards, sponsored by Bulmers, from the Tipperary United Sports Panel at the Talbot Hotel Clonmel on Saturday night, January 27. Some tickets are still available from Sports Panel Treasurer Ken Conway, tel. 087-6784510.