Pride of the Parish: First nominees as we search for Limerick's top volunteer

The Limerick Leader, in partnership with Whitebox, is searching for Limerick GAA’s top volunteer of the next few weeks. Here are the first nominees.

John Crehan – Fedamore

John Crehan played for both codes for Fedamore: juvenile, junior and most notably senior hurling.

Even before retirement John helped the club off the field as a mentor and officer in numerous roles from Bord na nÓg to adult level.

Fedamore lotto launched in 1994 and John gave 25 years of service and still helps out from time to time. Here in Fedamore we are extremely proud of our playing field.

John has played a huge part in maintaining it, cutting the field for nearly 30 years with the Massey Ferguson 125 and mower. Last year John decided the mower had to retire and perhaps he would with it.

With help from a few others the club decided to invest in two new robotic lawnmowers but only after John approved them as suitable for the pitch.

John is still very active helping out parking cars on match days at the field when the club hosting matches from the county championship and of course keeping an eye on the playing surface to this day.

Johnny 'Farmer' O’Dea – Kilteely-Dromkeen

Now in his 70s, John ‘Farmer’ O’Dea is still as devoted as ever in all he does for us. “Johnny Farmer”, epitomises the volunteer spirit of Kilteely Dromkeen GAA. Son of Breda and the late Ted O’Dea, John followed his father’s example of service from an early age. After a serious head injury ended Johnny’s promising playing career at just 14, he devoted himself to the club off the field.

John helped manage the club’s first minor football east winning team in 1982 and first U21 Football East title in 1983. He later served as juvenile secretary, senior treasurer, juvenile treasurer and currently chairman of the field committee, ensuring the club’s facilities are maintained to an exceptional standard.

John has contributed enormously to Cloverfield NS teams and encouraged future generations. Known to everyone from nursery children to adult members, John is a welcoming face and outstanding club ambassador. His decades of dedicated service, always behind the scenes and with minimum fuss, richly deserve recognition.'

​Tom Downes – St Patrick’s

St Patrick’s GAA is delighted to nominate Tom Downes as our Unsung Hero. Tom has given a huge part of his life to St Patrick’s GAA.

He served the club for many years as a player in both hurling and football before progressing into the role where he is most at home — on the sideline, supporting and guiding St Patrick’s teams at both underage and adult level, in both codes.

Over the years, Tom has served the club in many different roles on the committee and, despite celebrating his 65th birthday this year, shows no sign of slowing down.

He continues to give an enormous amount of his time and energy to St Patrick’s GAA. He is currently serving as club chairman, while also remaining heavily involved with management teams at both adult and underage levels this year.

What makes Tom truly deserving of this recognition is not just the amount of work he does, but the manner in which he does it.

He carries out every role with incredible commitment, humility, courtesy and the utmost respect for everyone he meets. Tom is universally loved and hugely respected within St Patrick’s and beyond.