A senior figure in a Co. Armagh football club has won the prestigious Irish Football Association Volunteer of the Year Award.
Neil Megaw, the Club Chairperson at Richhill AFC, previously won the IFA Regional Volunteer Award, before clinching the National Award at a ceremony in Belfast City Hall last Thursday night (October 24).
The McDonald’s Irish FA Grassroots Football Awards, which celebrate 24 years in Northern Ireland this year, recognise the work and commitment of football clubs and volunteers who give up their time and make a long-lasting impact on young people and communities across Northern Ireland.
The event was supported by a number of politicians, including Communities Minister Gordon Lyons and the Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Andrew McCormick.
Other awards presented on the night include Amateur Club of the Year, which went to Fivemiletown United; and the Futsal Award, won by CJ Jones of the Afrimeripean Futsal Club in Craigavon.
Speaking after the ceremony, Neil commented: “I’m extremely humbled and honoured to win this award, it was totally unexpected and I’d like to thank our Club Committee for supporting me in my role and the Irish Football Association for the recognition.
“We have been on a journey at Richhill AFC and achieved so much, but we still have so far to go.
“After years of sporting facility deprivation within the village, our members, partners and wider community in general deserve so much more and we are doing all within our power to try and achieve our goals.”
Neil told Armagh I that Richhill AFC has come a long way in recent years but is striving for more, specifically, a 3G floodlit pitch in the village.
“There’s a massive community need for it,” he said. “In June 2023 the club took a long-term lease on the facility at Richhill Recreation Centre from the council. Then, in February 2024, we got planning permission approved for the installation of a 3G floodlit pitch.
“We’re awaiting government funding and we hope there’s going to be pots become available in the future.”
Neil says the ambition isn’t just for the club, but also for other community organisations in Richhill.
“Every night of the week dozens of people leave Richhill to drive to other facilities. We are hoping to put one in which will benefit the whole community and the nearby Hardy Memorial Primary School.”
Read more: Richhill AFC plans big boost with new pitch, floodlights and changing rooms in pipeline
