Limerick’s Sporting Heroes honoured at City Hall

CONNOLLY, Ireland - Oct. 25, 2013 - PRLog -- Richmond RFC, Limerick FC and the Irish Women’s Rugby team received the highest accolade that the Local Authority can award to an individual, group or organisation.

The event was hosted by the Mayor of Limerick Kathleen Leddin and was attended by players, management and club representatives.

In a spectacular 2012-3 season for Richmond RFC, the city-based club won promotion back to senior rugby. Limerick FC were honoured for the club’s successful promotion to the Premier Division of the Airtricity League. Meanwhile, Limerick was represented on the RBS Six Nations Grand Slam Championship Women’s Rugby team by Joy Neville as well as former LIT student Niamh Kavanagh and Niamh Briggs, a community Garda based in Ballinacurra Weston.

Addressing the players and coaching staff at City Hall, Mayor Leddin said: “Sport is a wonderful example of something that unites an entire community. Your respective successes were not only celebrated within your organisations but much further afield. You brought joy to a lot of people and in these trying times, this is something we should embrace and most certainly celebrate. That is why you are being honoured with a Civic Reception.”

Mayor Leddin congratulated Richmond on a “whirlwind year” for the club that saw it win the Webb Cup, Tony O’Flynn Memorial Cup and North Munster Gleeson League, resulting in the club’s return to senior rugby.

She continued: “I want to congratulate the players and management and the proactive club committee for their outstanding efforts to promote Limerick rugby at local, regional and national level. Despite its track record of success, Richmond has always remained a community club to its core and is a central part of Limerick’s rich rugby history.”

Commenting on Limerick FC’s success, the Mayor said: “The SuperBlues have helped to put Limerick’s proud and lengthy association with soccer back on the map through their successful return to Irish soccer’s top tier. This is a fantastic achievement and one that is a great source of pride for everyone associated with soccer and, indeed, sport in Limerick. I also want to acknowledge the good work being carried out by the club in promoting participation in sport, as evidenced by the Limerick City Football Academy. By engaging with local communities, Limerick FC is cementing its role as a community-based club.”

Meanwhile, Mayor Leddin congratulated Ireland’s Women’s Rugby Team panel and coaching staff on becoming the first ever Irish women’s Grand Slam team.

She added: “I am particularly delighted for Joy Neville whose 11-year international rugby career was capped off with this year’s victory. Having made 70 appearances for Ireland and represented her country as captain, it is great to see that Joy has opted to stay involved in the game locally despite her retirement having recently appointed as the rugby development officer at LIT taking charge of the rugby club within the college.”