E Sports Awards
but with about 400m to go I felt good and just pushed on, but it was a shock. Everybody there is over 35 but it doesn’t mean they are any less dedicated and they are major competitors.’
As an U-18 rugby international April winner Karl Martin has clashed and played with a few ‘major competitors’ and he agreed that the standard of rugby in Ireland is getting higher by the week.
‘When you get to the higher standard you realise the talent that’s there. It’s great to play with them, and compete against them.’ he said.
The next target for Karl is the Six Nations again and then the U-20 World Cup.’
And then the British and Irish Lions? ‘Yeah, a few years after that!’
Guests received a science lesson Michael Lyster style when May winner Niall Craven arrived on stage. The Donore CC cyclist broke his collarbone just 26 days before he was dues to compete in the Ras, but he somehow made the start line following some Hyperbaric treatment, aka an oxygen chamber.
After hearing about eight gruelling days of cycling, Michael quipped that it sounded more like Hyper-Barbaric treatment. Niall did somehow complete the 1,180km a feat not lost on the large audience. ‘I didn’t know what I was getting myself in for but once you start you have to finish.’
Eventual winner Dylan Keating got a liking for golf when he broke a window in his mam and dad’s house with a golf ball at the age of three.
Fast forward 13 years or so and the Seapoint native landed the U-16 Boys Championship in Sligo and finished top of the Order of Merit. He also represented Ireland at U-16 level and all this despite undergoing heart surgery at a young age. In 2019 the Seapoint member just wants to ‘keep winning’.
Golf stayed on the menu for August as Daniel Mulligan took to the stage. The Laytown Bettystown youngster won the Irish Boys U-14 title by 11 shots, hitting six birdies in his opening round. He also represented Ireland and hopes to emulate his brother Thomas by representing GB and Ireland this year.
Angling wouldn’t be considered the most entertaining of sports, but September winner Eoin Rogers had the audience in stitches with his dry humour.
‘I had no interest in it at first,’ he revealed. But he obviously got to like it as he landed his fifth U-15 national title in a row and secured a lucrative sponsorship deal. When Michael tried to delve into the details, Eoin laid it out in simple terms: ‘I get paid to go fishing.’
Newtown Blues Emmet Carolan was up next to discuss yet another Louth SFC title for the Drogheda club and he also made his mark at inter-county level with Louth. Asked what he hopes to achieve over the next few years, the classy defender didn’t beat about the bush, replying simply: ‘Win something.’
Irish U-15 international Michael Leddy couldn’t attend the awards as he jets out to Spain to take part in a four-team tournament, but his uncle Tommy O’Boyle has no doubt that the young striker will make it big - and hopefully with Manchester United!
Basketball star Kate Kelly generated one of the biggest cheers of the night when she took to the stage to discuss her achievements on the court. The Drogheda native revealed that representing her country in Belarus was a dream come true and she even went one better that, captaining the team.
Michael wondered out loud how she fitted study into a hectic schedule. ‘I’m, eh, keeping it going,’ Kate replied. ‘But sport takes priority.’