EXCEPTIONAL young people are often destined to become leaders and role models but, at the tender age of 18, Ciaran Donaghy is already an inspirational figure to those around him.
One of the driving forces behind the progressive work of his club, Drumragh Sarsfield's, Ciaran is the deserving winner of the Irish News Young Volunteer of the Year Award.
A dedicated and talented coach in both gaelic football and hurling, he selflessly devotes several hours of his time each week working with youth teams at his clubs' superb ground at Clanabogan, just outside Omagh.
Ciaran, a student at Omagh CBS, also carries out coaching sessions at All Saints' Primary School, Tattysallagh, where pupils eagerly await his visits twice weekly.
"He serves as a role model, and he's a driving force within the club at a very tender age," said Drumragh Sarsfield's chairman Adrian O'Kane.
"The club would share the family's pride in celebrating Ciaran's achievements, and we have no doubt that he will prove to be a role model and a leading light in the future of Drumragh GFC.
"His parents and twin sisters are all involved in administration within the club."
The club chairman paid particular tribute to Ciaran's influence on the pitch, where he excels as a talented under-age and senior club player and as an accomplished coach.
"Ciaran performs as an adult player, and among the coaching roles that he undertakes, he works with the U8s, and also coaches at Tattysallagh Primary School.
"At the same time he's also studying for his A-Levels, so he's a very busy young man.
"But he's a busy young man who makes the time do dedicate himself to the development of younger players both within the club and at the local primary school."
Ciaran was also a leading influence in the recent introduction of hurling to the club.
"He's also involved in hurling coaching, for Drumragh, only in the past two years, have started hurling within the club, and Ciaran has been instrumental in the foundation of it."
It was the principal of All Saints' Primary School, Tattysallagh, Briege Daly, who nominated Ciaran for the award.
"He is passionate about gaelic and for well over two years now, he has been coming to our school at 3pm to lead an After-School Gaelic Club," she said.
"He has made his own transport arrangements to get from Omagh CBS to our school – a journey of approximately six miles, often engaging help from family member to get here. He is always so enthusiastic and never lets us down."
She added: "Ciaran is modest and extremely committed. He has taken time out from his school activities to accompany our pupils to gaelic blitzes, and no matter what club children belong to, he treats them all equally and takes a personal interest in developing the skills and teamwork in every one of them.
"Ciaran does this all with a good heart, good spirit and entirely of his own free will. We will miss him greatly when he goes to college next year."
