Longford Leader Sports Star Awards 2024: CLUB VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - KAREN LENNON, LONGFORD RFC

CLUB VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - KAREN LENNON, LONGFORD RFC

Working hard behind the scenes along with a number of other committed volunteers, it came as no surprise when Karen Lennon was elected the first ever Lady President of Longford Rugby Club. 

“It's a huge honour to stand as the first lady president,” Karen said of the appointment, “Longford has had a women's team since 2005.”

It’s down to Karen’s dedication that so many young girls are taking up rugby and remaining with the club for years. She is a true volunteer and always on hand to help. 

 Karen played with Longford RFC ladies up until 2013. In her time playing she earned a cap playing with Connacht. However it was an on field incident that brought that to an end:

 “I injured my knee playing Gaelic football. I didn't want to walk away from rugby, so I coached for a year. 

“The late Hugh Connolly figured I'd be a good choice to do a job for him. He roped me in as youth coordinator, working with Hilary Davis who was the mini’s coordinator at the time.

“Even before the ladies team there had always been women in the club. It's great to see the women's game being developed. The youth section is now beginning to bloom. It's nice to stand as the club President and be a role model for those young female players, showing them that anything is possible.”

Local schoolteacher Karen is at the helm of a very forward looking Longford RFC: “We consider ourselves a very progressive club. Look at our facilities, they're some of the finest in the country, not just in Leinster. The push is on to get more women involved in the game, and in sport in general.”

She says her appointment as President of Longford RFC is an indication of that progressiveness:

 “Women are essential to everything. They're great organisers. They think differently than men, and they see things in a different perspective. It's great to have as many women as possible involved in the sport.”