The achievements of two-long standing Galway Hibernians coaches, Paddy Connolly and Joe O’Reilly, were celebrated by the Mayor of Galway City, Cllr Mike Cubbard at a socially distanced Mayoral reception in Leisureland this week.
Paddy [pictured below] from Tirellan, and Joe, from Castlepark, have been coaching with the club for decades and have shown an ongoing commitment to the development of young players in Galway city. Both men were presented with a Genesis Fine Arts footballer sculpture and a presentation scroll signed by Mayor Cubbard.
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Paddy’s love of football coaching began with his two sons, Niall and Paul, playing football on the green area beside their house. In the years since, Paddy has contributed to both footballing duties and to committee duties for the club.
Joe [pictured below], from Castlepark, has dedicated almost fifty years of his life to the club, starting off as a player and also taking on a coaching role from the young age of 15. He now works with the club’s youth teams from the under-sixs upwards. He has also helped former players with their coaching exams, and been involved with the running of the club off of the pitch as a committee member.
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“Paddy and Joe are at the very centre of the club and their community,” said Mayor Cubbard. “To put it simply, clubs such as Hibs and many others across the city would struggle to survive without the selflessness, dedication and commitment of volunteers and coaches like Paddy and Joe. I am delighted to pay tribute to their many years of work here today.”
