Athlone GAA stalwart wins volunteer award
Athlone GAA’s Padraig ‘Amby’ Fogarty has been chosen as the Westmeath winner in the Leinster GAA Beko Club Champion awards.
Amby received his award at Croke Park last month and, as part of the accolade, Athlone GAA receives €1,000 worth of GAA equipment.
A very familiar and popular figure around Páirc Chiaráin, Amby carries out several roles within the Athlone club.
Amby also gave lengthy service to Athlone as a player and he was part of the last club team to win the Westmeath Senior Football Championship in 1998. Athlone defeated Coralstown/Kinnegad in the 1998 final, paving the way for future All-Star Rory O'Connell to lift the Flanagan Cup.
The Beko Club Champion accolade rewards and celebrates those who go above and beyond to help their local community and club. There was one winner chosen for each of the twelve Leinster counties, and Athlone GAA has warmly congratulated Amby on his award.
"Massive congratulations to Amby on a magnificent achievement for himself and for Athlone GAA Club which he cherishes beyond all else. Well deserved recognition from GAA Headquarters," said the club.
"Amby is a much-loved figure around the club and is always a friendly face behind the bar, selling lotto tickets, parking cars, coaching the Mothers & Others, playing with the Lads & Dads, among many other jobs!"
In light-hearted fashion, the club said that a return to playing action for Amby can't be ruled out. "He still hasn’t officially retired and a return to the field of play could be on the cards for next year!" the club posted online.
"Well done Amby and thank you for all the great work you do around the club," Athlone GAA added.