2011 Texaco Sportstars of the Year Awards presented
DUBLIN, 8th DECEMBER 2011...The eight top Irish sports stars chosen as winners of the 2011 Texaco Sportstars of the Year Awards are being presented with their awards at a gala ceremony being held in the Four Seasons Hotel, Dublin this evening. There to present the awards in this, the 54th year of the event, will be the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar TD.
Chosen by sports editors representing print and broadcast media, north and south, the full line-up of this year's Texaco award winners is:
| John Joe Nevin | Boxing |
| Kevin O’Brien | Cricket |
| Alan Brogan | Gaelic Football |
| Darren Clarke | Golf |
| Willie Mullins | Horse Racing |
| Michael Fennelly | Hurling |
| Sean O’Brien | Rugby |
| Richard Dunne | Soccer |
Of the eight stars, all but two – golfer Darren Clarke and footballer Richard Dunne - are being honoured for the very first time. Darren Clarke was presented with the award on six occasions previously while Irish international and Aston Villa player Richard Dunne has won the award on one occasion previously.
Two additional awards are also being presented - the Texaco Young Sportstar Award – which recognises success on the part of a younger generation of sports stars of 18-years and under - and the Texaco Hall of Fame Award.
This year, the Texaco Young Sportstar Award is presented to 16-year old swimmer Sycerika McMahon, double gold and silver medals winner in the European Junior Swimming Championships and semi finalist in the World Championships which took place in Shanghai earlier this year.
The Texaco Hall of Fame Award is presented to legendary Kerry footballer Pat Spillane. Acclaimed as one of the most skilled footballers ever to represent Kerry, his fame is recognised by an even wider generation of sports fans thanks to his popularity as a television broadcaster and Gaelic games pundit.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Enda Riney, Country Chairman, Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited congratulated the recipients for the honour that they have brought to Ireland and to their sports through the success that they have achieved in national and international competitions. ‘Their success has helped keep Ireland at the very centre of the international sporting spotlight and has been an inspiration to the countless numbers of young people who will seek to emulate their success in future years’, Mr. Riney said.
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