Philly’s winning spirit

DUBLIN and Ballymun GAA hero Philly McMahon went back to his old school last week to pick up an award that will mean as much to him as his All Ireland winner medals.

Philly was at Holy Spirit BNS to be presented with a Dublin Bus Community Spirit Award for his HalfTimeTalk CLG, which he was inspired to set up following the tragic death of his brother John in 2012 who was battling with drug addiction.

The Dublin GAA star felt his brother didn’t get a chance at the second half of his life, so using the frameworks of sport and business HalfTimeTalk CLG will provide programmes and supports that will reinforce his passionate belief that young adults in Ballymun have a right to be the best they can be.

Philly – who writes movingly about John in his new book, The Choice – was presented with his award by Ireland soccer legend, Niall Quinn.

“Winning this Dublin Bus Community Spirit Award means a lot to me personally.,” he said.

“And it’s fantastic that we have won the top grant of €5,000.”

“This will go a long way in helping the work of HalfTimeTalk CLG, to engage, empower and educate young adults in our community.

“I hope we can help hundreds of young people in Ballymun in the future.”

Participants of HalfTimeTalk CLG will be 18-29 year olds from Ballymun who are in receipt of social welfare benefits and might not be aware that they can change their lives and enjoy fruitful careers.

They’ll be supported through a transformational journey and build their self-esteem as well as their employment options.

The Community Spirit Award provides funding for groups to develop new projects, improve their locality and help raise community spirit.

Just five groups received the top grant of €5,000, including HalfTimeTalk CLG, and a total of 85 groups were presented with an award.

Niall Quinn, Patron of the Community Spirit Awards, said the awards recognised the great community work being done in local areas around the city.

“The real heroes of Dublin are the city’s local voluntary and community groups and the people working with them who strive to make their communities the best they can be and improve the lives of those living there,” he said.

“Whether it’s people like Philly and HalfTimeTalk CLG working to better the lives and opportunities for young people in Ballymun, or sporting clubs, homework clubs, or groups working with older people, these are the ones who need to be recognised and supported and Dublin Bus is delighted to do this through the Community Spirit Awards.”

Since the first awards in 2004, over 1,800 voluntary and community groups, from family resource centres to scout groups, have benefited from the Dublin Bus Community Spirit Awards.

Under the terms of the programme entrants submit a proposal with details of their organisation and the project that they wish to have funded. Each application is then judged independently.