Tony Headon receives prestigious Volunteer Award

26 February 2026; Award recipient Tony Headon of Longford Rugby Club, Longford, with his wife Sheila Murphy, and Sarah Mulligan of Longford Sports Partnership, during the Volunteers in Sport Awards 2025, hosted by the Federation of Irish Sport and supported by the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships, at The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blanchardstown, Dublin.

 

Tony’s citation in response to which he received his Award read as follows:-

Our nominee, Tony Headon, is actually being nominated wearing two separate, but related, hats, so to speak. Previously involved with Clontarf RFC, with whom he still retains close relations, work brought Tony to Longford and, inevitably, Longford Rugby Club. His involvement with the Club began as a player, but he very quickly involved himself in the volunteering/administrative side of things, assisting in many varied projects and then, for a number of years, serving on the Club’s Board as Treasurer. His skills and attributes also saw him serve not one, but two, terms as Club President, the highest accolade which can be bestowed upon any Club Member. Latterly, he has seamlessly and efficiently handled the task of managing and distributing the Club’s allocation of International match tickets for the Six Nations and the Autumn Series, somehow virtually ensuring that demand did not exceed supply, not an easy task given Ireland’s success over the recent past in particular.

 For the last 7 years Tony has represented Longford Rugby Club on the Longford Sports Partnership board, acting as Chairperson, leading the Partnership through many changes including Covid, along with big change in the levels of investment as well as the introduction of the Governance code. Throughout this time, he has never missed a meeting and he gives of his time, expertise and knowledge freely to help the Sports Partnership and the people of Longford. He is part of many subcommittees and represents the Partnership at various awards, launches and programmes. He also represents Sports on the Community Safety Partnership. Nothing is ever too much of an ask for Tony. 

He is an amazing person to have in Longford and his volunteering has done so much for sport and physical activity in Longford. His dedication has led to huge improvements in the quality of life for so many in our County.  There is not another person more deserving of this award.