Announcing Contribution to Sport Award
On Monday 23rd March, County Limerick Local Sports Partnership (LSP) announced a new award to recognise contributions and achievements in sport by volunteers, participants and administrators throughout the County.
It was agreed by members of the LSP Board that this award would be named in honour of Gerard McDonnell who lost his life living out his dream of climbing the world’s second highest mountain, K2. The award was announced in conjunction with a Civic Reception to honour Gerard held in County Hall. His achievements and determination will ensure that all recipients are worthy and deserving winners based on their contributions to sport at all levels.
For those of you who are not aware of the achievements and bravery of Ger, here’s an extract of his story:
“Ger, from Kilcornan, died last August as he was helping other climbers to safety following a series of ice-falls and avalanches on K2, the world’s second highest, but most dangerous, peak. His death came just hours after he had achieved yet another dream in becoming the first Irishman to summit K2.
In the months since his tragic but heroic death, Ger has been hailed as a hero and awarded the Best of Explorers Web 2008 Award by the mountaineers’ websites, Explorers Web.”
This “Contribution to Sport Award” is in Ger’s honour and will be awarded to a member of a County Limerick based local volunteer/participant/administrator, who in their outstanding efforts and persistence, has made an excellent contribution to sport at a local level. By giving their time and effort to the sport, the club and the community, the person who receives this award is indeed determined in every way to keep the sport alive in their local area together with promoting volunteerism on a countywide basis. In addition to receiving this award and the recognition for their contribution to sport, the successful volunteer will also receive over night accommodation with dinner together with a spa treatment which is kindly sponsored by Woodlands House Hotel and Spa, Adare. Special thanks to David Fitzgerald for supporting this award.
County Limerick Sports Partnership would like to thank Gerard’s brother J.J. and his family and friends for allowing the LSP to name this award as a tribute to Gerard"