Mayor Joe Carroll Hosts Civic Reception to Honour Sporting and Community Groups

Mayor, Chief Executive and honorees at the Mayors Civic Reception standing in front of red Cork County Council branded background.

The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Joe Carroll, has hosted a special civic reception at County Hall to recognise the achievements of five community groups, sports clubs, and individuals from County Cork.

A civic reception is the highest honour the Mayor of the County can give. It was bestowed upon Muintir na Tíre; James Dean; Avondhu GAA Board; Watergrasshill GAA Club; and Transplant Sport Ireland.

Speaking at the event, Mayor Carroll paid tribute to the five recipients. 

This civic reception is about celebrating excellence, commitment, and the spirit of community. The dedication of each group and individual here today inspires us all and makes an important contribution to the sporting life, culture, and safety of County Cork. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the five honourees and wish them the very best in their bright futures.

Munitir na Tíre was honoured for its work in preventing crime and making communities safer by setting up the Community Alert scheme in Cork in 1984. It was formed in response to an increase in rural crime and 40 years later there are 1,400 Community Alert Groups nationwide.

Pro driver James Dean from Castletownroche was recognised for his achievements in the sport of drifting. He is the only driver in the world to win the World Formula Drift title four times, most recently in 2024. James has also won multiple Irish National, European titles and set a Guinness World Record in 2014 for the longest tandem drift recorded at 28.52km.

Three sporting organisations were also honoured at the civic reception, Avondhu GAA Board, Watergrasshill GAA Club and Transplant Sport Ireland. Avondhu GAA Board celebrated their centenary in December 2024, marking 100 years of the North Cork division. Last season was an incredible one for Watergrasshill’s Intermediate Hurlers who secured league, county, provincial and All-Ireland titles. They were crowned All-Ireland Intermediate Champions in January, beating Galway’s Tynagh-Abbey/Duniry in Croke Park.

Transplant Sport Ireland will compete at the World Transplant Games in Dresden in August of this year. Team Ireland won 17 medals at the last summer games in Perth in 2023 including seven gold, six silver and four bronze medals. The four athletes from Cork on the team returned home with eight medals between them in track, javelin, shot put and golf.