THE 48th TEXACO SPORTSTARS, HALL OF FAME & SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS PRESENTED
The thirteen leading Irish sports personalities chosen as this year’s winners of the ten Texaco Sportstars Awards were presented with their trophies at a ceremony held in Dublin's Burlington Hotel last evening (Wednesday, 30th November) at which An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern TD was Guest of Honour. Two additional awards, the Texaco Hall of Fame and Texaco Special Achievement Awards, were also presented. Chosen from a shortlist of twenty-two sports, the full line-up of Texaco Sportstars Award winners for 2005 is:
| ATHLETICS |
David Gillick |
| CRICKET |
Ed Joyce |
| GAELIC FOOTBALL |
Stephen O'Neill |
| GOLF |
Padraig Harrington |
| HORSE RACING |
Kieren Fallon |
| HURLING |
Jerry O'Connor |
| LADIES GAA |
Valerie Mulcahy |
| ROWING |
Richard Archibald
Eugene Coakley
Paul Griffin
Tim Harnedy |
| RUGBY |
Trevor Brennan |
| SOCCER |
Damien Richardson |
Of the thirteen stars chosen to receive awards, all but two were winners for the very first time. Previous recipients were jockey Kieren Fallon, a winner in 1997, and golfer Pádraig Harrington who won his sixth Texaco Award having previously been honoured in 1996, 1999, 2001, 2002 and 2004.
Recipient of the 2005 Texaco Hall of Fame award was legendary Irish international John Giles, one of the most distinguished figures in Irish soccer renowned for his various roles as player, manager and media pundit.
Winner of the 2005 Texaco Special Achievement Award was veteran broadcaster and sportswriter, Jimmy Magee whose award was presented in recognition of his long and distinguished career in sports broadcasting.
Chosen by a panel of Sports Editors representing national print and broadcast media across Ireland, the Texaco Sportstars Awards are now in their 48th year having been presented annually since 1958.
Hosted by Texaco Country Chairman Paul Martin, the awards ceremony was attended by the Sportstars and their guests along with celebrities from the world of sport, media, business and entertainment as well as senior officials from Texaco.
Commenting on the 2005 awards, Texaco Country Chairman Paul Martin said 'it is particularly pleasing to see so many young sportstars being chosen to receive awards for the very first time. This surely reflects the very healthy state of Irish sport and the high level of domestic and international competition in which Irish sports stars are now engaged.’
Issued: Wednesday, 30th November 2005
The 48th Texaco Sportstars Awards, November 2005, Dublin
WHO WILL WIN THIS YEAR’S TEXACO SPORTSTARS AWARDS?
Speculation has begun as to who will win this year’s ten Texaco Sportstars Awards.
The shortlist of twenty sports from which this year’s winners will be selected was announced today. Chosen by a panel of national sports editors who decide who the recipients will be, the 2005 list includes:
Gaelic Football; Hurling; Soccer; Horse Racing; Boxing; Rugby; Athletics; Camogie; Ladies Football; Rowing; Bowling; Snooker; Sailing; Golf; Cycling; Equestrian Sport; Greyhound Racing; Cricket; Motor Sport and Hockey.
This is the 48th year of the Texaco Sportstars Awards and the winners to whom awards will be presented this year will be announced in three weeks time. This announcement will be followed by an awards ceremony which takes place on November 30th and at which An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern TD will officiate.
Also presented on that evening will be the Texaco Hall of Fame Award, which is given to a prominent sports personality from the past, and the Texaco Special Achievement Award which is awarded annually to a person who has made a valuable contribution to Irish sport but who would not normally be considered for a Texaco Sportstar Award. The winners of these two awards will be announced later on this month.
Commenting, Texaco Country Chairman, Paul Martin said ‘this year marks the beginning of the build-up to the 50th anniversary of the Texaco Sportstars awards which takes place in 2007. For that reason, our efforts will be concentrated on promoting the event as the original and most prestigious sports awards scheme in Ireland.’
‘To put it simply, our focus will be on projecting the Texaco Sportstar award as the one which every sports person likes to have in his or her trophy cabinet’ Mr. Martin said.
Issued: Wednesday, 2nd November 2005
2004 TEXACO SPORTSTARS, HALL OF FAME AND SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS
Bowling - Margaret Johnston
In Bowls, the 2004 Texaco Award goes to Margaret Johnston, a woman who quite simply dominates the world of bowling. In a glittering career, Johnston has won gold in the Commonwealth Games and has won three World Pairs titles with Phyllis Nolan. But it is her remarkable record in singles competition that stands out. Last year she overcame formidable opposition at Leamington Spa in England to win the World Singles title for the third time. A previous Texaco Award recipient in 1988 and 1992 and current All-Ireland champion in singles, pairs and fours, Johnston underscores her outstanding record in world bowling by winning her third Texaco Award.
Boxing - Andy Lee
In Boxing, the Texaco Award goes to Andy Lee, the only Irish boxer to qualify for the recent Olympic Games. Winner of the National senior title, Lee went on to perform superbly well at the European Championships in Croatia where, despite his youth, he boxed with great courage, maturity and skill to reach the semi-final and win a bronze medal. In Athens, he suffered a heartbreaking defeat against the champion of Cameroon. Level on 27 points each at the end of their second round bout, Lee was beaten on a countback. Despite this setback, a very bright future is in store for the young Limerick man.
Camogie - Úna O’Dwyer
In Camogie, the Texaco Award goes to Tipperary full-back Úna O’Dwyer, the second Tipperary camogie player to receive a Texaco Award in as many years. In an historic year in which camogie celebrated its centenary, O’Dwyer played a pivotal role in a Tipperary team which won the National League, the Munster title and clinched the All-Ireland title with victory over Cork. In what was their fifth title in six years, the young Cashel girl rounded off a wonderful season with a brilliant defensive display that ensured Tipperary cruised to an 8 points win. In winning her Texaco trophy, Úna is one of only five camogie players ever to win a Texaco Award.
Gaelic Football - Colm Cooper
In Gaelic Football, the 2004 Texaco Award winner is Kerry forward Colm Cooper. Referred to affectionately as ‘Super Cooper’, he is arguably the finest forward which Kerry has produced over the past three years. All season, the 21-year old Dr. Crokes forward showed incredibe maturity as he led the Kerry attack with a brilliant tactical awareness. Already an All-Star, Cooper wins the award for his capacity to gain possession, his excellent distribution and his wonderful scoring ability - qualities best displayed in the All-Ireland final when he scored 1-5 to help Kerry overcome the Mayo challenge.
Golf - Ireland’s Ryder Cup team members Darren Clarke, Pádraig Harrington & Paul McGinley
In Golf, this year’s Texaco Award goes to three Irish golfers - Darren Clarke, Pádraig Harrington and Paul McGinley - whose performance as members of Europe’s 2004 Ryder Cup team brought pride and enjoyment to all Irish golfing enthusiasts. Displaying great calmness, all three Irish golfers played an immense part in the success of Bernhard Langer's team winning their vital singles games in what was a sensational three days of golf at the Oakland Hills course. Harrington picked up 4 points, Clarke won 3 and a half, and McGinley picked up 2 and a half points to help underdogs Europe beat the United States by a record margin of 18 and a half to 9 and a half points.
Horse Racing - Pat Smullen
In Horse Racing, the Texaco Award goes to jockey Pat Smullen. In what proved to be a fantastic year for the Offaly jockey, Smullen won the Budweiser Derby riding ‘Grey Swallow’ and then partnered ‘Vinnie Roe’ to a remarkable fourth successive Irish St. Leger. In the Derby, he showed great judgement and timing as he took ‘Grey Swallow’ clear from one furlong out to beat the hot favourite and English Derby winner ‘North Light’ at the Curragh. The 10-1 shot, trained by Dermot Weld, won by half a length from the odds-on favourite with rank outsider ‘Tycoon’ in third place. The celebrations continued in September when Smullen partnered another Weld horse ‘Vinnie Roe’ to a record fourth successive Irish St Leger with a convincing success over 12 rivals at the Curragh. The six-year-old stormed clear with two furlongs to run and Pat was able to celebrate well before the 7-2 joint favourite crossed the line. He is married to successful trainer, Frances Crowley.
Hurling - Seán Óg Ó hAilpín
In Hurling, the 2004 Texaco award goes to the highly talented Cork wing back Seán Óg Ó hAilpín . Chosen for his outstanding contribution to Cork's All-Ireland hurling success, Ó hAilpín is an athletic and skilful hurler whose season was highlighted by a fantastic defensive display against Kilkenny in September's All-Ireland final. A member of the Na Piarsigh team, he hails from a talented hurling family. His ability to win possession, mark intelligently and hit quality ball underscored his achievement in winning his second All-Ireland senior medal with Cork, the first coming in 1999.
Rugby - Gordon D’Arcy
In Rugby, the this year’s Texaco Award goes to 24-year old Ireland and Leinster centre Gordon D’Arcy. First capped for Ireland for their World Cup game against Romania in October 1999 , D’Arcy was the only player from these islands nominated for the International Rugby Board's Player of the Year Award. His adventurous, attacking running and crucial tries made him a key figure in helping Ireland to achieve their first Triple Crown success since 1985. His performances also saw him voted the outstanding player of the Six Nations tournament.
Soccer - Shay Given
In Soccer, the 2004 Texaco Award goes to Irish international goalkeeper Shay Given. Since he was first capped against Russia back in 1996, the Newcastle United goalkeeper has been outstanding in his role as Ireland’s first choice goalkeeper. Following in the footsteps of another famed Irish goalkeeper, fellow Donegal man and former Texaco Award winner Packie Bonner, Given has played a pivotal role as part of the solid defensive base that has brought the Irish soccer team to their current position at the top of our World Cup qualifying group.
Swimming - David Malone
Paralympic swimmer 27-year-old David Malone from Ballinteer in Dublin produced another magnificent performance to claim a silver medal for Ireland at the recent 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens. Competing in the S8 100m Backstroke, Malone battled superbly over the last 15 metres of the final to take a deserved silver medal. A world record holder and former Paralympic gold medal winner, Malone felt he might be outside the medals after taking a break in the aftermath of Sydney 2000. But, in the end, his hard work paid off when he was rewarded with a deserved silver medal at Athens and a proud place on the roll of honour of Ireland’s Paralympic medal winners.
Hall of Fame - Mick O’Dwyer
One of the most legendary figures in the history of Irish sport, Mick O’Dwyer has been synonymous with Gaelic Football for over half a century. Actively involved at inter-county level for over 50 years, he is widely regarded as one of Gaelic Football’s most inspirational figures. During a glittering playing career with Kerry, he won four All-Ireland senior medals - two as a defender and two as an attacker – and seven National League medals. One of the highlights of his career came in 1969 when he was named Texaco Sportstar of the Year. Turning to management, he went on to create what many would argue was the most famous team in the history of the game - the great Kerry side of the 70's and 80's. Under his guidance, they won eight All-Ireland titles, always displaying a sense of style and purpose which was universally admired. His task in Kerry completed, Mick O’Dwyer extended his horizons returning to manage Kildare in 1998, leading them to an All-Ireland final in that year. Proving that he had still not lost his zest for the game, he then took over the Laois team in 2002 which he led to a famous Leinster title in 2003.
Special Achievement Award – Everest Climber Dr. Clare O’Leary
Cork doctor Clare O’Leary receives the 2004 Texaco Special Achievement Award in recognition of her success in being the first Irish woman ever to conquer the summit of Mount Everest and one of the few Irish climbers ever to reach the highest point on Earth. From Bandon, Dr. O’Leary is Registrar in Gastroenterology at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin. A member of the 2004 Irish Everest Expedition led by her fellow Cork climber and Himalayan adventurer, Pat Falvey, Dr. O’Leary’s gruelling climb to the top of Mount Everest took six weeks to complete. It ended successfully on the morning of Tuesday, May 18th when she finally reached the summit at 06.45am. In choosing her as winner of the 2004 Texaco Special Achievement Award, the judges described Dr. O’Leary’s triumph as ‘a demonstration of skill and endurance unique in Irish sporting history and one of the most challenging pursuits ever undertaken by an Irish sports person’.
2004 TEXACO SPORTSTARS ANNOUNCED IRELAND’S RYDER CUP GOLFERS IN STAR STUDDED LINE-UP OF TEXACO AWARD WINNERS
The three Irish members of this year’s victorious Ryder Cup team - Darren Clarke, Pádraig Harrington and Paul McGinley - are included in this year’s Texaco Sportstars Awards’ recipients. Chosen from a shortlist of twenty-two sports, the full line-up Texaco Award winners for 2004 comprises:
Two additional awards will be presented to the Texaco Hall of Fame and Special Achievement Award winners both of whose names will be announced shortly.
Of the twelve stars chosen to receive awards, all but three are winners for the very first time. Previous winners are golfer Darren Clarke, who won his first Texaco Award last year; Pádraig Harrington who has now won his fifth Texaco Award having previously been honoured in 1996, 1999, 2001 and 2002; and bowler Margaret Johnston, a winner in 1988 and 1992. Commenting, Texaco Country Chairman Paul Martin said ‘this year’s winners are a reflection of the prominent positions which Irish sports men and women hold, both in domestic and international arenas, and of the high levels of success which they achieve in all forms of competition’.
Chosen by Sports Editors representing national print and broadcast media across Ireland, the 47th Texaco Sportstars Awards will be presented by An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern TD at an awards ceremony which takes place in Dublin later this month.
ICE HOCKEY AND CLAY PIGEON SHOOTING FEATURE IN 47th TEXACO SPORTSTARS AWARDS SHORTLIST
For the very first time in the 47 years history of the event, clay pigeon shooting and ice hockey feature in the shortlist of twenty-two sports from which this year’s Texaco Sportstars Awards will be chosen. Other sports making a rare appearance in this year’s shortlist are ladies football and cricket.
The remaining sports from which this year’s ten Texaco Sportstars will be chosen are athletics, bowling, boxing, camogie, cycling, gaelic football, golf, greyhound racing, hockey, horse racing, hurling, motor sport, rowing, rugby, sailing, snooker, soccer and swimming.
Chosen by a panel of sports editors representing Ireland’s national print and broadcast media, the successful Sportstars who will win this year’s Awards will be announced in early November. The Awards will be presented at a ceremony to be held in Dublin on Monday, 15th November.
