SPORTS

AWARD RECIPIENT

Dublin Front Runners

Dublin Front Runners is Ireland’s largest LGBTQ+ sports club. It invites people of all levels of fitness to connect, share experiences and take part in physical activity no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity. Alongside its regular weekly sessions, events and training programmes, Dublin Front Runners also organises the annual Dublin Pride Run fundraiser. In 2024, it raised over €76,016.82 which was split between three Irish charities: ShoutOut, LGBT Ireland and Sanctuary Runners.

Accepting the award on behalf of the club, Chairperson Mark Armstrong shared: “The Dublin Front Runners was founded in 2005 when Mark Rooney put an ad in GCN magazine. Three Irish people and one German showed up. By the end of 2005, there was still only about 10 members. Mark Rooney thought that was the end of Dublin Front Runners, and perhaps the club wasn’t due to survive.

He continued: “Thankfully, Mark along with the members stuck with it, and the following year, they had 30 members. Since then, the club has grown and grown and Dublin Front Runners Athletics Club has now over 470 members.

Armstrong added that “it’s more than a running club. It’s a like-minded community of people with common interests. It’s a sense of belonging and a safe space.”

He thanked all of the club ambassadors and hardworking committee members, and concluded with the line: “There is no strength without unity”.

NOMINEES

In4Squash

Active for more than a decade, In4Squash now boasts over 60 members and multiple sessions every week. Over the last couple of years, the group has hosted two national and two international tournaments, and also opened a new hub in Belfast, helping to grow and develop squash all over Ireland.

Na Laochra Aeracha

Na Laochra Aeracha was established earlier in 2024, making it Cork’s only explicitly LGBTQ+-inclusive GAA team. Although operating for less than a year, the club already has roughly 60 members, a sponsorship deal and a new official kit. They also marched in Cork Pride for the first time in August.

Phoenix Tigers FC

Celebrating its 20th birthday this year, Phoenix Tigers FC is a grassroots LGBTQ+ women’s+ football team for players of all levels. The club is credited with encouraging marginalised groups of people to take part in sport in a safe and social environment. As well as their weekly sessions, they also take part in both national and international tournaments, including Manchester’s Ball Together Now.

By Alice Linehan