Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Mike Cubbard hosted a Mayoral Reception last week (Friday 27 March 2026) to celebrate the spectacular sporting achievements of John Shortt, Fiona Murtagh, Castlegar Athletics, and Galway District League.
The ceremony, held in the Clayton Hotel, Galway, acknowledged their achievements in the world of sport – both as outstanding sports people, and as ambassadors for Galway and for Ireland.
Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Mike Cubbard acknowledged each group individually for their accomplishments.
Speaking about swimmer John Shortt, Mayor Mike Cubbard said, ““In 2025, on top of the challenges of the Leaving Cert, John Shortt took on the World Aquatics Junior Championships in Romania – and returned home as a triple medallist and double world champion. John added to the medal pile at the European Aquatics Championships in Poland at the end of 2025, where he was crowned European 200m Backstroke Champion – his first senior international medal.”
Mayor Cubbard welcomed Fiona Murtagh’s family, as she was unable to travel due to competition commitments.
The Mayor highlighted some of Fiona’s groundbreaking accomplishments, saying “Having taken up rowing in 2009 after being introduced to the sport by her brother Alan, Fiona Murtagh made history when she brought home Irish Rowing’s first women’s Olympic medal - winning a Bronze Medal in the Women’s Four at the 2020 Tokyo Oympics. Indeed, Fiona is a double Olympian, having also represented Ireland in the 2024 Paris Olympics, with a number of European and World medals achieved to date.”
Castlegar Athletics were celebrated for their milestone of 50 years as a community in sport. Castlegar AC was founded in October 1975, inspired by a parish sports day on Sunday 8 June of that year, organised by the Castlegar GAA ladies committee.
Mayor Cubbard acknowledged the dedication and volunteerism of all involved, saying “For five decades, volunteers have come together to train athletes, to transport them to competitions, to raise money, to host events, and to create a vital and supportive community for their athletes.”
The final group recognised at the event was Galway District League. In February 2026, Galway District League delivered a 5-0 win over Limerick District League in Eamon Deacy Park – to take home the FAI Oscar Traynor Trophy, sealing their second triumph in the competition – with the last win in 1971.
Mayor Cubbard noted that, “The win marks the impact of decades of training, dedication, volunteerism, and skills development in Galway District League”
Mayor Cubbard also played tribute to “all of the people in the background” supporting the athletes. He commented, “Your belief in your athletes, your transfer of skills and knowledge, your leadership and vision of success have no doubt been instrumental in supporting your athletes to reach their full potential.”
Mayor Cubbard presented John Shortt, Fiona Murtagh’s family, Castlegar Athletics, and Galway District League with commemorative scroll, and wished them every success in their future endeavours.