IN ALL FAIRNESS - We have so much to be proud of locally
IN ALL FAIRNESS
Honouring our 2019 Sports Stars
It's hard to believe we are coming up on five years since the Nenagh Guardian Sports Awards were inaugurated as we get ready to honour our 2019 sporting success stories this Friday night.
When one reflects over the five years of monthly winners recognised so far, it goes to show the high level of sporting talent there is within this region whether it be on a pitch, a track, a mat, on the water, whatever.
No matter where you are in North Tipperary, sport plays such an important part in all communities to give them something to get behind, away from everyday life.
This year we have a chosen 19 monthly winners in a wide range of disciplines from Snooker, Judo, Soccer, Hurling, Rugby, Camogie, Athletics, Powerlifting, Ladies Gaelic Football, Rowing, Pitch & Putt and Golf.
Over thirty years ago, snooker was one of the biggest sports in the world with Alex Higgins, Steven Davis and Denis Taylor household names. It may not get the same newspaper coverage as it once did but locally New Institute Snooker club are leading the revival with their senior club team who won the 2019 All Ireland club title being recognised.
Aoife Mulroy from Black Eagle Judo Club fought her way to two gold medals at the All Ireland Championships.
In soccer, Killavilla United were crowned North Tipperary & District League Premier Division for the first time in their history in 2019 while in rugby, Ben Healy is recognised for the second year in a row after helping Ireland win the Under 20 Grand Slam.
2019 was a terrifc year for Tipperary hurling, begun in March by Borrisokane Community College who claimed the All Ireland Schools Senior 'C' Hurling title while in April, Tipperary's upward curve in camogie continued by the intermediate team winning the National League Division League title.
Aimee Hayde is a rising star of Irish athletes and the Newport native is honoured for the second year in a row for winning two gold medals in record times as the All Ireland Post Primary Schools Track & Field Championships, including one event where she broke a record belonging to the great Sonia O'Sullivan.
We are honouring Powerlifting for the first time with Nenagh's Amy White winning gold at the World Powerlifting Congress/Amateur WPC European Championships.
2019 was a terrific year for local athletics, continued in June by more Newport athletes, including Paula Wright who won the women's race at the Energia 24 hour race in Belfast while in July, Sharlene Mawdsley won the 400m at the National Track & Field Championships, the third time in five years she is the recipient of a Nenagh Guardian Sports Award while nearby Killoscully will also be celebrating with Sean Carolan recognised for winning three gold medals at the All Ireland Juvenile Track & Field Championships.
August 2019 will be remembered fondly by Tipperary hurling supporters as the senior and under 20's teams won the All Ireland titles in the space of six days and both teams will be honoured on the night.
In September, the Tipperary's Ladies Football team followed suit by claiming the All Ireland Intermediate title for the second time in three years and a return to the senior ranks while this month also sees us honour a first winner in rowing with Moneygall's Ken McDonald winning two gold medals at the World Masters Championships as well as setting two world records.
October was an historic month for Riverdale Pitch & Putt Club when they captured the National Inter Club title for the first time.
Hurling in 2019 will also be remembered for the exploits of Borris-Ileigh who claimed the Tipperary & Munster senior club titles for the first time in 33 years in November while our December winners wrap up the year in the form of Nenagh Golf club member David Reddan Jnr who was the winner of three Senior Scratch Cups in 2019 while Nenagh tri-athlete Shane Scully was crowned National Adventure Race Series champion in 2019.
Unlike many other awards ceremonies, we don't select an overall Sportsperson or team of the year as all our montly selections are winners in their own right.
One of the most pleasing aspects of the ceremony is recognising an unsung Hero of the Community who goes above and beyond their duty for their chosen sport and this years deserving winner is Anne Fitzpatrick of Nenagh Lawn Tennis Club.
The Hall of Fame is our biggest award every year and in inducting Charlie Swan, we honour one of the great national hunt jockeys who was nine-time champions jockey in Ireland and will join previous winners Donie Nealon, Sean Naughton, Len Gaynor and Deirdre Hughes.
It should be another special night and if you still want to join us, we'd love to have you there so here from the winners while there will also be a few surprises as well.