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’.
