DIARMUID O’Sullivan, former Cork hurler, is encouraging local clubs to nominate a volunteer as part of EirGrid’s GAA Community Heroes Campaign 2026.

The campaign recognises the role that GAA volunteers play in enriching and sustaining communities through a nationwide competition.

EirGrid, the operator and developer of Ireland’s electricity grid, is committed to engaging with local communities as it works to ensure a safe, secure, and reliable energy supply for everyone.

Now in its second year, the 2026 campaign has been widened to recognise more inspirational volunteers from around the country. A preliminary round will see four provincial winners and four runners-up selected.

The provincial winners’ designated clubs will each receive €5,000, while there will be awards of €1,500 to the clubs of the runners-up.

An overall national winner will be selected from the provincial winners, and their club will receive an additional €5,000, for a total award of €10,000.

Speaking at the recent launch of the campaign in Croke Park, Diarmuid O’Sullivan said: ‘Volunteers are the cornerstone of every GAA club, and without them it would be a real struggle to sustain local clubs and communities.

I have been really lucky to have been surrounded by wonderful volunteers throughout my career from my own club of Cloyne, including my father, Jerry. He was a great example of what it means to be a volunteer with all the different roles that he took on over the years and the commitment that he showed. It is often the volunteer who encourages younger people into the GAA as well. I hope that clubs get involved and nominate a Community Hero volunteer as part of EirGrid’s campaign. People who give so much time to their clubs deserve for their work and dedication to be recognised, and this campaign is a great way to do this.’

More details and how to entercan be found at www.eirgrid.ie/gaa