Special civic reception honours Cappamore-Kilmallock impressive achievers

Pictured at a Cappamore-Kilmallock Municipal District Civic Reception where 7 people and one group from the Municipal District who have achieved national recognition, whether through sporting success, personal bravery or other very commendable reasons, were presented with commemorative scrolls in recognition of their achievements. Pic: Don Moloney

Local achievers were honoured at a special civic reception held by the Cappamore-Kilmallock Municipal District

Eight individuals and groups were honoured by the Cappamore-Kilmallock Municipal District, shining a light on the achievements made by some of the local people.

Honouring seven individuals and one group, special civic reception held in  Deebert House Hotel, Kilmallock, honoured excellence across sport, education, community service and the arts, recognising individuals and groups.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Greg Conway presented commemorative scrolls to recipients who have achieved national recognition through their accomplishments.

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Among those honoured was Frank O’Dwyer from Ballylanders, recognised for his success in floorball with the Tipperary Special Olympics Group. Some of his recent achievements include participation in March 2024 at the Special Olympics Ireland Games in Armagh where he scored the winning goal.

In March 2025 he participated on the Irish Team in the Special Olympic Winter Games in Turin where Ireland won a bronze medal. He has won 10 medals in total representing Team Munster and Team Ireland over a 12 year period in multiple sports and he has shown outstanding commitment to operate at such a high level during this time.

Cappamore native William O’Connor was recognised for his achievements as a professional darts player. He has been a professional darts player since 2011 and competes in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events. His nickname is the Magpie, and he has participated in nine PDC World Championships. He won his first PDC ranking title at the Players Championship on the 2019 PDC Pro Tour.

Paudie Moloney from Kilmallock was recognised for his achievements in the Traitors TV Series and also Dancing With The Stars over the past 12 months. In the Traitors TV Series, which he entered with his son Andrew, he managed to survive in the castle until almost the end after being turned from a Faithful to a Traitor, only to be outsmarted in the end by three wily women, a lesson for all us men, don’t you think! Then in Dancing With The Stars he, along with his professional dancing partner Laura Nolan, progressed to the Grand Final Night after some excellent performances. All this after a long and successful career as a prison officer.

Galbally’s Tara Grogan won a Bravery Award from the National Ambulance Service. She, along with her younger sisters were at home in Galbally when their dad, Matthew, collapsed. She saw her father lying on the floor, looking really unwell and she quickly rang an ambulance and looked after her two younger sisters while waiting for the ambulance.

After dialling 999, she was also able to provide the family’s Eircode and an ambulance arrived around 20 minutes later, and took Matthew to hospital. The National Ambulance Service presented her with a Bravery Award as they were very impressed by her calm response and ability for quick thinking during a crisis.

Kilfinane boxer Sophie Cronin was recognised after winning county, Munster and national titles. Last month she secured her third national championship at the National Boxing Stadium while representing St Francis Boxing Club.

Pallasgreen hurler Colin Ryan, represented by his father Denis, was honoured for winning the All-Ireland Poc Fada Championship for a second time in 2025. Ryan is also an All-Ireland senior hurling medallist and remains involved with the Limerick senior squad.

The group award went to students from the Climate Action Class at Coláiste Ióseaf in Kilmallock. Their creation, Wild Ireland, won the AIB Future Sparks Schools Junior Small Group Environmental Prize 2025 after they developed a card game designed to teach people about Irish native wildlife in an engaging and educational way.

The reception celebrated a wide range of achievements and highlighted the exceptional talent, dedication and community spirit found across the Cappamore-Kilmallock Municipal District.