Tipperary hurler Ronan Maher honoured with Garda Sport Star award for hurling success

Tipperary hurling captain Ronan Maher was among those honoured at the 30th An Garda Síochána Coiste Siamsa Awards, held in Limerick on Friday, February 20.

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Garda Ronan Maher, attached to Portlaoise Garda Station, received a Sport Star award in the hurling category following what was described as a very successful year with Tipperary.

His recognition places him among a select group of serving members acknowledged for combining frontline policing with elite level sporting achievement.

The annual awards, organised under the auspices of An Garda Síochána, honour serving and retired members and Garda staff who have made what the organisation describes as “an outstanding and significant contribution to sports and sports administration.” The ceremony this year was hosted by the Limerick Garda Division.

The awards reflect a longstanding tradition within the force. Coiste Siamsa, the Garda sporting body, was formally established in June 1962 at a meeting of its Ard Chomhairle in the Depot Library at Garda Headquarters.

Over more than six decades, it has overseen and promoted sporting participation at every level, from recreational competition to international representation.

In its current form, Coiste Siamsa acts as the governing body for Garda sports clubs nationally. Each Chief Superintendent chairs their Divisional Coiste Roinne, supported by a network of sports representatives and secretaries.

The structure underlines what the organisation regards as the role of sport within its community policing ethos, encouraging involvement in local clubs and national competitions alike.

Coiste Siamsa is also an associate member of the Union Sportive des Polices d’Europe, which coordinates police sport across Europe.

Through that affiliation, members of the force have competed in European Police Competitions in disciplines ranging from soccer and basketball to marathon and cycling.

Charity partners for the event on Friday night were the Children’s Grief Centre and the Limerick Mental Health Association.

Addressing the ceremony, Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly, who serves as President of Coiste Siamsa, said:

"These awards provide an important opportunity to recognise and celebrate the outstanding sporting achievements of members of An Garda Síochána, as well as the positive role that sport continues to play within our organisation and across the communities we serve.”

Against that backdrop, Garda Maher’s award highlights both personal accomplishment and the broader sporting culture within the force.

His success in hurling, achieved while serving full time as a garda, was formally recognised alongside colleagues from a range of sporting codes at this year’s ceremony.

This year’s recipients were:

• Jamie Rigney – Taekwondo (Sport Star) – RSU, Limerick
• Sheila Clavin – Rowing (Sport Star) – Rathkeale Garda Station
• Martin O’Dwyer – Golf (Sport Star) – Dunmore East Garda Station
• Damien Maher – Rugby (Special Contribution) – RSU, Dublin
• Ian Redican – UPSE/Athletics (Sports Administrator Award) – Technical Bureau
• Paul Norton – Soccer (Sport Star) – Garda Headquarters
• Garda College Hurling Team (Team Award) – Garda College
• Ronan Maher – Hurling (Sport Star) – Portlaoise Garda Station
• Liam Kearns – Posthumous induction to Hall of Fame
• Jim McGowan – Coiste Siamsa Acknowledgement Award – Retired

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