Thursday, 3 April 2025

University of Galway marks 40th year of Sports Awards

The triumphs and endeavours of athletes, sports clubs and coaches have been celebrated at the 40th University of Galway Sports Awards. Among the winners were Under-23 World Rowing Champion Donnacha Keeley, senior international cross country athlete Fiona Everard and the University Women’s Hockey Club. Donnacha Keeley won sports person of the year, while Caitlin Hughes from the Athletics Club won individual performance of the year for her contribution to the Irish Under-20 European Cross Country team. Some other winners on the night were Kate Ní Ghacháin (Unsung Hero award), Tiffanie Fitzgerald, for her contribution to University of Galway Camogie over her four years as an undergraduate student, and the Swimming and Waterpolo clubs for hosting the best event. The awards ceremony was held at the Radisson Red Hotel in Galway and hosted by RTÉ Sport’s Darren Frehill. Des Ryan, Director of Sport and Physical Wellbeing, University of Galway, said: “Our Sports Awards are a celebration of Sport in the University of Galway. They recognise our dual aspiration of achieving High Performance and Sport for All. The awards recognise the performances, achievements and hard work of our athletes, players, teams, coaches, committee members and volunteers. Our mission in the University of Galway Sports Unit is to be the most progressive and caring University sports programme on the island of Ireland. All the nominees and award winners are helping us on that mission. “Everyone involved in our Clubs bring honour, often glory, and also enjoyment, in no small amount, to University of Galway. “Many of the awardees will with certainty go on to achieve greatness in their chosen sport and all have and will continue to contribute great social capital to our environment and their future environments. For us in the Sports Unit, it is an honour and a pleasure to work with them and to get to know such talented individuals and to support all those involved in Clubs. We look forward to bright futures for all of our sporting community and take this opportunity of the awards to recognise all those who have greatly contributed to sport in the University of Galway.” Ciara Meehan, Dean of Students, University of Galway, said: “Congratulations to each of the awardees and a special word of thanks to all those who promote our university values of respect, openness and excellence through our Clubs. “Our annual sports awards reflect not only the excellence of our students in terms of preparation, performance and competing, but also the contribution they and their clubs make to promoting wellbeing and belonging in our community.” The University of Galway Sports Awards recognise performance, leadership and participation, as well as those that contribute to the running and development of the Clubs. They also celebrate remarkable final year individuals who have made an outstanding and sustained contribution to sport; shown an impeccable example of sportsmanship and a high level of performance and achievement; been an excellent ambassador within the University and for student sport; and competed at a regional level or above. University of Galway is now home to 40 plus active sports clubs, which are student-led and organised, with approximately 6,000 students participating in sport and activity daily at the University. 2025 Sports Award Winners Best Event of the Year The Relay Gala – Swimming and Waterpolo Club Captain of the Year Eoin Kenny (Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow) Boxing Club of the Year Rowing Club Coach of the Year Sebastian Locteau (Craughwell Co. Galway/France) Swimming and Waterpolo Most Improved Club Camogie Club Fundraising of the Year Fundraising Achievements 2024-2025 – Hockey Club Individual Performance of the Year Caitlin Hughes (Swinford, Co. Mayo) Athletics University Honours Fiona Everard, (Enniskeane, Co. Cork) Athletics Kara McCleane (Roscahill, Co. Galway) Basketball Tiffanie Fitzgerald (Gowran, Co. Kilkenny) Camogie Lauren Murray (Killiney, Co. Dublin) Sailing Thomas McStay (Claregalway, Co. Galway) Athletics Sports Person of the Year Donnacha Keeley (Clonmel, Co. Tipperary) Rowing Unsung Hero Kate Ní Ghacháin (Foxford, Co. Mayo) Kayak Team of the Year Women’s Senior 4 National Champions - Rowing Student’s Union Club Captains Choice – Female Dimana Nedeva, (Galway City/Sofia, Bulgaria) Badminton Student’s Union Club Captains Choice – Male Oisín Mc Laughlin (Moville, Inishowen, Co. Donegal) Pool and Snooker Dean of Student Award Adam Mullins (Clonmany, Inishowen, Co. Donegal) Mountaineering Sarah Hontz (Galway City/USA) Lacrosse Subacqua Club Muireann O’Reilly (Castlegar, Co. Galway) Camogie Surf Club Boxing Club Róise Ní Mhurchú (Belmullet, Co. Mayo) Surf Anna Sheehy (Tralee, Co. Kerry) parkrun Volleyball Director of Sports Award Mohammed Zajeer Ahmed (India/Galway) Cricket Swimming and Waterpolo Men’s Soccer Athletics Hockey and Mixed Hockey Colm O’Riordan (Furbo, Co. Galway) Judo Louise O’Connor (Moycullen, Co. Galway) Camogie Dave Daly (Gaelcarraig, Galway City) Men's Soccer Martin Hughes (Corrandulla, Co. Galway) Hockey Sean Byrne (Carlow town) Rowing Tom Keal (Crosshaven, Co. Cork) - Student’s Union Clubs Captain 2024-2025 Gradam Gaelach Award Swimming and Waterpolo Ends

Friday, 16 December 2022

All eligible University of Galway full time and part time hourly payscales have been updated in line with the provisions of Building Momentum - A New Public Service Agreement 2021-22. Specifically the following increases have been implemented: - With effect from  02nd February 2022, payscales received a 3% increase - With effect from 01st October 2022- payscales received a further 1% increase or €500, whichever is greater  We are still awaiting sanction for the implementation of FEMPI restoration wef 1st July 2022 (save for a limited number of pay scales). Therefore there are no changes to those grades\pensions for now. See paragraph 1.3 in the above link for more details. Further advice will be issued for these grades in due course.

Monday, 24 April 2023

We have been asked to bring to your attention the fact that Secondment Expression of Interest Notices has been issued for the Public Service Transformation Division of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.  Expressions of interest are invited from across all sectors of the Public Service, including higher education, and across a number of grades.  Notices are available directly at the following link, and DPENDR and DFHERIS would very much appreciate your support in circulating to your staff.   The closing date for applications is 2nd May, and we understand the notices issued on Friday 14th April.