Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, has hosted a Mayoral Reception at Merchants Quay, City Hall, celebrating the achievements of a number of Limerick sports teams and individuals who have excelled in their chosen fields.
The event highlighted the dedication, talent and success of the athletes in their respective codes.
The group of mayoral reception recipients includes recipients from soccer, basketball, rowing, powerlifting, athletics and martial arts, exemplifying the broad spectrum of physical activities that contribute to Limerick’s vibrant sports culture.
Included in the mayoral reception honours are:
- Madison McGuane – In recognition of her achievement as Under 15 Ireland International Women's Player of the Year
- Liam Beville - In recognition of his lifelong service to Irish Powerlifting
- Des Galligan – In recognition of his lifelong service to Tang Soo Do in Limerick and Ireland
- Limerick Desmond Schoolboy U-14 Team - In recognition of their achievement as Kennedy Cup Winners 2025
- Limerick Celtics Basketball Club – In recognition of their achievement of being promoted to the Super League.
- Fairview Rangers FC – In recognition of their achievement on winning the FAI Junior Cup 2024/2025
- Jack Rafferty - In recognition of his achievement on winning Gold for Ireland at the World Under 19 Rowing Championships
- John Kinsella - In recognition of his achievement as the first Irish person over 40 to run all six World Marathon Majors in under 2hrs 30 mins.
Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, commented:
“Limerick has always punched above its weight when it comes to sporting success. As Mayor, I’m very proud to celebrate the incredible achievements of these successful sports stars. These teams and individuals represent the very best of our city and county’s proud sporting tradition. It’s not just about the medals they’ve won or the trophies they’ve held though, it’s about their inherently Limerick qualities of dedication, resilience, and the inspiration they provide to the next generation. Everyone celebrated here is a powerful role model for young people across Limerick and they are showing what’s possible with the right support. It’s a big reason why one of the important elements in the More for Limerick mayoral programme is the provision of inclusive, accessible sporting facilities across the city and county. We want to create an environment where the next great Limerick sports stars can thrive, no matter their background or ability. We know that when sport thrives in Limerick, so too does community, ambition, and pride in who we are.”
The reception for Limerick’s sport stars follows two similar sports-related ceremonies in 2025, along with separate receptions for Michael Benn, Grand Marshal of the 2025 New York St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Cathy Halloran, retired RTE correspondent.