Fourteen-year-old Louise Dempsey from the Latton O’Rahilly club, Co. Monaghan, has been awarded the Translink Ulster GAA Young Volunteer of the Month award for October 2022. The award is presented each month to one young volunteer whose efforts best demonstrate the volunteering ethos and community spirit of the GAA.
Louise has been an ever-present figure around Latton throughout her young life, having joined the club at just four-years-old.
Despite the sad passing of her dad Barry five years ago, Louise was not deterred in her commitment and enthusiasm for her club and she has continued to volunteer in many roles. These include the running of the club shops, providing food to the senior team after training and games along with her mum and club treasurer Camilla, and other tasks such as gate collections, facilitating raffles and serving tea at functions. Louise is also a huge asset out on the playing field, where she assists in setting up cones and drills and fetching footballs at senior training each evening.
Presenting Louise with her award, Liam Conlon from Translink, said:
“It’s great to see another young person so committed to helping out in their local community, it’s clear that Louise has been a tremendous support to her club over the years and has worked hard to ensure its smooth running. I would like to commend Louise for her time and dedication, she is a great example of how young people can really help make a difference.”
Ulster GAA Vice President, Michael Geoghegan, added:
“After another month of impressive nominations for the Translink Young GAA Volunteer of the Month Award, Louise stood out for her outstanding contribution across various areas of club life at Latton. It is extremely inspirational to see a young GAA member be so involved in their club at such a young age. “Louise truly is a role model to young Gaels everywhere and is a very deserving recipient of this award.”
Latton O’Rahilly GAA Club Secretary, Christina Weldon, commented:
“This young member has epitomised what being a volunteer is all about from a very young age.
“She is a wonderful, quiet and unassuming young lady who has brought so much to our club over the last number of years and is a credit to herself and her family. It shows that age is not a burden to volunteering, and she certainly deserves her award.”
PHOTO CAPTION:
Michael Geoghegan, Ulster GAA Vice President, Liam Conlon, Translink, and Louise Dempsey, Latton O’Rahilly GAC.
By Majella Boyd Tue 6th Dec
