Paddy O’ Donoghue was recently nominated by Joan Allen in April for the Hall Of Fame Award at the Kinsale District Awards . Congratulations Paddy 
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Here is the piece she wrote about Paddy
“Paddy has served the community of Riverstick for the past fifty years.His main achievements are founding an athletics club and was the driving force behind the building of the Riverstick Community Hall.I wish to honour his ability to bring people together to achieve much good in our community.A talented cyclist in his youth he holds three All Ireland army cycling titles and was selected and rode in three Rás Taíteann in the late fifties.In 1961 he was a founding member of the Riverstick cycling club,at that time there was no juvenile athletics and the local womens club Emerald Ladies had ceased to exist.Paddy identified the need to organise our athletics club and in 1964 with a few members of his family formed the Riverstick cycling and athletic club and so began a lifetime of dedication to athletics for all ages.In 1964 Paddy organised Riverstick Sports and thus pioneered athletic competition for juveniles and women in South Cork.Every year since he has organised these Open Sports making them the longest running sports in Cork.Since the clubs foundation Paddy has been secretary but in reality he has been much much more coaching many children over the years.He has been a tireless fundraiser for the club.In 1995 membership was low and Paddy hearing of a running group in Kinsale invited the group to join Riverstick and formed Riverstick /Kinsale Athletic Club.This just demonstrates his vision to embrace new people and bring the club forward,the club is thriving fifteen years on.Paddy is a constant support to all in the athletic club.I salute his vision and leadership,his enduring and constant work over the past fifty years.He has profoundly influenced for the better the lives of many many young people in our community.
His second main achievement is he being the major driving force behind the building of the Riverstick Community Centre.This fine hall built in 1989 still stands as one of the finest in the county of Cork.Twenty five years ago the sole centre for recreation was the Old Church so Paddy and others formed the Riverstick Kinsale Community Association.It took three years in planning and fundraising before the hall was opened in 1989.Paddy was the main fundraiser selling many tickets ,organising soccer tournaments and bazars to source the funding.The hall is a legacy to the community by all these wonderful people on the association and serves the whole community for sports,leisure,music , drama and education.To gather 300,000 in the mid eighties is a testiment to the association and especially to Paddy.Paddy is deserving of this award.A man modest about his own incredible work ethic but celebrates others achievements.All his adult life he has been dedicated to the good of our community.”
