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Congratulations to all recipients of the 2022 Rowing Ireland Awards. The winners are outlined below:

Volunteer of the Year – Shane Russell, Whitegate RC

Rowability – Rory O’Brien, Galway RC

Women in Sport Advocate – Aisling Flanagan, Athlone BC

Coach of the Year – Conor Breen, St Joseph’s RC

High Performance Rower of the Year – Katie O’Brien, Galway RC

Up-and-Coming Rower of the Year – Brian Colsh, University of Galway RC

Umpire of the Year – Kayla McCann, St Michaels RC

Senior Rower of the Year – David Sommers, UCD BC

Club of the Year – Athlone Boat Club

Outstanding Achievement of the Year – Alison Bergin, Fermoy RC

A special thank you to Kenny McDonald of Shannon Rowing Club for handmaking the awards this year!

Neville Maxwell, Neptune Rowing Club

Role: President

Neville has over 20 years in various roles in the Insurance industry and now National Pension Master Trust with Bank of Ireland. He has competed as a rower for St Joseph’s RC, UCG, and Neptune Rowing Club, Competing at two Olympic Games in 1996 and 2000, A volunteer board member of Rowing Ireland since 2016. Volunteer director of Rowing Ireland since 2016 Chair of the HP committee 2016-2021. He has commentated on RTE for world rowing events until 2016.Neville has been a coach, rower, and volunteer at Neptune Rowing Club.

Michael O’Callaghan, Lee Valley Rowing Club

Role: President

Mick joined Shandon Boat Club as a junior in 1963. He served the club as a rower, secretary, captain, and coach for 35 years. He founded Lee valley R.C. where he has been captain, coach, and chair. He was an I.A.R.U. Board member from 1993 to 2001, international Rowing Manager from 2001 to 2002 and board member from 2004 to 2008.

Nessa Foley, Anna Liffey Boat Club

Role: Secretary

Nessa has been involved in rowing her whole life from commencing rowing at Colaiste Iognaid (Jes) in Galway as a 13-year-old, then onto NUIG and DULBC. Coaching at Phoenix and Neptune and returning as a master’s rower in Anna Liffey. She has been involved in rowing for over 30 years, as a cox, a rower, and a coach.

She worked as Diary Secretary to 2 Government Ministers and Private Secretary to two Government Ministers. Nessa manages the budget of over €13m for the National Monuments Service. She served on the third Moore Street Advisory Group to the Minister for Heritage which produced its report in May 2021. She was on the drafting committee of the second Moore Street Advisory Group to the Minister. She also has significant experience in bringing legislation through the Houses of the Oireachtas. Nessa has been acting secretary to the board since July 2022.

Emily Dulohery, Skibbereen Rowing Club

Role: Secretary

Emily has been involved in rowing for over 20 years as a rower and coach. She participated in the Sport Ireland HP pathway for coaches. She is a committee member of Skibbereen Rowing Club. She is presently a primary school teacher and worked in the pharmaceutical industry for over 10 years.

Paul Kavanagh, Fermoy Rowing Club

Role: Treasurer

Paul is a member of Fermoy Rowing Club for 50 years. With 40 years professional financial services. he is a certified Insurance Director from Trinity College Dublin. and CEO of insurance company for 20 years.

Leo Gibson, Old Collegians Rowing Club

Role: Treasurer

Leo has been involved in rowing since he went to college in UCD. He was RI Treasurer from 2019 to 2021. He has been a Senior Management Consultant with one of the Big Four Irish Accounting Firms and was also responsible for the most advanced CAD/CAM system in Europe with Hyster Automated Handling. He started the first Irish Lightweight Rowing Squad and was responsible for other initiatives in rowing such as designing the Master’s Handicap System which resulted in a significant increase in Masters Rowing.

Carol Ann Smith

Role: Leinster Representative

Carol Ann has been involved in rowing for over 30 years, first rowing in UCDLBC and then Old Collegians Rowing Club. She was appointed Board Director in March 2017. Appointed Chairperson of the Audit & Risk Committee in 2018. Member of the Governance Committee and the Remuneration Committee since 2021. Her professional background is as insolvency advisor in practice, banking, and public sector. She is presently a company Director, Leadership & Team Coach and Consultant, Arbitrator.

Pat Kinsella

Role: Munster Representative

Pat has been involved in many levels of Clonmel Rowing Club for many years as an athlete and a coach. He has many years experience working in the Industrial Automation and Control Industry. Working for a number of companies within Russia, China, the Middle East, South Africa, Holland and Ireland on a variety of complex Pharmaceutical, Oil & Gas, Power and Industry and Cleanroom projects.

David Hussey

Role: Connacht Representative

David has been an independent Director on the board of Rowing Ireland from 2019-2021. He is also a business Director. David competes regularly at Offshore rowing events at home and abroad.

Barry McWilliams

Role: Ulster Representative

Barry has been involved in rowing for over 25 years. Holding captain, events secretary at Queens and LVBC. He was one of the key people involved in setting up the coaching structure in Queens University Belfast. Barry also manages a programme of projects for a portfolio of client companies across Northern Ireland. Working to improve productivity and build culture to enable international impact. Researching and relating the latest approaches to established companies and organisations.

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