The Federation of Irish Sport is proud to announce that Pat Comey has been named County Meath’s 2024 recipient of the Volunteers in Sport Awards. Pat will be honoured at a special awards ceremony on Friday, 28th February 2025, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown, alongside a volunteer from every county in Ireland (four in Dublin) in recognition of their dedication and passion for their local club.
A Lifetime of Dedication to Athletics in Meath
Pat Comey has dedicated over 50 years to Trim Athletics Club, where he has served in numerous roles, including athlete, coach, competition official, and club development. His unwavering commitment has made him an essential figure in the club, often being the first to arrive and last to leave during competitions.
Pat is also a competitor, achieving third place in the Over 75 category at the 2023 Dublin Marathon, and he continues to compete at county, provincial, and national levels. His work with local community games has inspired countless young athletes to take up the sport. As a testament to his impact, Pat was awarded Meath Athletics Person of the Year in 2023. His efforts extend to ongoing plans for the development of a new home for the club.
Honouring Volunteers Who Keep Irish Sport Thriving
Throughout November and December 2024, the Federation of Irish Sport called on the public, sports clubs, Local Sports Partnerships and Governing Bodies to nominate volunteers whose contributions have made a meaningful difference. This year’s awards saw a record number of nominations from over 53 sporting disciplines, reflecting the incredible diversity of volunteering in Ireland.
Every week, 460,000 volunteers dedicate their time to support 1.47 million club members around the country to keep them engaged and active, making a social and economic contribution valued at €1.5 billion annually. These volunteers are the backbone of Irish sport, keeping communities active, healthy, and connected.
Speaking about the importance of the awards, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport, Mary O’Connor said: “The Federation of Irish Sport is proud to celebrate our volunteers in sport and to pay tribute to these incredible individuals who give their time and energy to enrich Irish sport and strengthen communities. These awards are a vital nationwide recognition of the scale of volunteering that is required every week to support 1.47 million club members around the country.”