Winners revealed at Westmeath Independent Community & Sports Awards 2025
In front of a large and enthusiastic gathering at the Shamrock Lodge Hotel yesterday (Thursday) afternoon, the Westmeath Independent Community & Sports Awards celebrated remarkable contributions made by dedicated volunteers and gifted sportspeople in Athlone and South Westmeath.
The evening culminated with Deirdre Collins being named the overall winner in the 'Community' category for her role in setting up the Athlone and Midlands Samaritans in 1992, and giving 33 years of dedicated service to the local crisis support organisation since then.
Drum's Kayleigh Shine, meanwhile, was named the overall winner in the 'Sport' category after she played a pivotal role in the success of the Athlone Town women's team which won an historic league and FAI cup double this year.
Michael Silke, the hugely dedicated PRO of Buccaneers Rugby Club, was a very popular recipient of the Sport 'Hall of Fame' award, earning a standing ovation from those present.
In addition to the Hall of Fame and overall awards, there were seven category winners announced at this year's event.
Joanne O'Connor of the Jim O'Connor Memorial Castle to Castle Swim Committee was the winner in the 'Volunteer of the Year' award category. In the last three years Joanne has spearheaded the annual Lough Ree swim in memory of her late husband Jim, an event which has so far generated more than €229,000 for Pieta, the suicide and self-harm prevention category.
The 'Social Inclusion' award was presented to Esker House Domestic Abuse Support Services. Deirdre Berry of Esker House accepted the award which recognised the organisation's role in supporting victims of domestic abuse and gender-based violence.
The Connaught Street and Environs Community Group was named 'Group of the Year' thanks to its efforts to address dereliction and highlight the rich heritage and community spirit of the west side of Athlone.
Deirdre Collins of Athlone and Midlands Samaritans was the category winner in the 'Unsung Hero' section, while Kayleigh Shine's success with Athlone Town earned her the 'Outstanding Achievement of the Year' accolade.
The 'Young Sportsperson of the Year' award was jointly presented to Athlone rowers Donagh Claffey and Martin O'Grady who won a bronze medal for Ireland at this years U23 World Rowing Championships in Poznan, Poland.
The 'Team of the Year' award, meanwhile, was presented to the Moate Community School Junior Ladies team which achieved a long-held ambition by winning an All Ireland 'A' title in ladies football in March of this year.
Addressing the finalists at the event yesterday, Westmeath Independent editor Tadhg Carey said: "Your efforts and exploits fill the columns of our paper every week, and they appear on our website and social media platforms. So this is our way of saying thank you.
"And we hope the awards in some small way reflect the gratitude of the wider community too."
The awards were held in association with Westmeath County Council and were sponsored by Byrne Carolan Cunningham LLP Solicitors, DPD Ireland, West-Midlands Credit Union and the Shamrock Lodge Hotel.