Stars shine at ann
SHARP suits and glamorous gowns - all served with a dash of red - were all the rage last Saturday as our top sportsmen and women packed into the Westcourt Hotel for the 31st Droghead Independent/Coca Cola Sport Star awards.
Once again the guests were treated to a magnificent meal before attention switched to the main business of the night, directed as always by recently retired RTE Sport presenter and event MC Michael Lyster.
Twelve monthly winners were in contention for the main award and first up was Drogheda United’s close-season signing Brandon Bermingham, who kicked things off by congratulating his fellow nominees.
‘It’s fantastic to be nominated and well done to everyone else who was nominated,’ he began.
It was a season full of milestones for the teenager, but he was in doubt as to the highlight: ‘Pulling on the green jersey was definitely special.’ Drogs fans will be hoping for a few more special moments for Brandon in 2020.
In a last-minute change to the running order - for very good reason that we’ll reveal in a moment - March winner Pat O’Grady was next up on stage. The 59-year-old finished 7th in the World Master Cross Country Championships and helped Ireland to team gold, while on home soil he won both the 1,500m and 3,000m.
But Pat isn’t dwelling on 2019 for one second longer.
‘I turned 59 last month so I’m changing category next January, so I have two marathons planned in April in Paris and hopefully Dublin in October. The World Championships are in Canada next year so in the new age group the plan is to cap it all off with a medal if possible..’
Another man intent on taking on the world - and even a few sharks - is top-class sea simmer Jack McCullough, who won the World Global Swim Series in 2019.
Michael Lyster was fascinated by the mention of sharks, but Jack just shrugged it off. ‘I knew they were out there, but I couldn’t see them, so as far as I was concerned they weren’t there.’
‘Generally Jack, you don’t see them until the trouble starts,’ Michael shot back, quick as a flash.’
On a more serious note, Jack intends to give the World Series another shot in 2020.
‘I’m in university in DCU and I took a break after the worlds, so when I get back at it the plan is to go for the worlds again in the summer. I just keep going and the bigger the competition the better!’
Michael Lyster revealed the Dunleer AC runner Garry Campbell eats rice cakes and dried apricots after training. Much to the former TV star’s relief, the long-distance specialist has already abandoned that particular diet olan.
‘It didn’t last too long, stick to it.’
But whatever he’s consuming is certainly working a treat as he won the Irish Universities 10,000m and competed at the European U23 Championships.
Havinf picked up the ‘ Coca Coal Best Dressed Lady’ earlier in the night, Susan Byrne was back on stage to collect her award for June, having helped Louth to clinch the All-Ireland Junior title at Croke Park,
I couldn’t which she admitted was an unbelievable experience.
‘It’s an amazing occasion. I’ve played there five times now and won two and those two were incredible. It’s an amazing experience to play there, but that winning feeling is indescribable.’
Although Louth were in action the next day against Limerick, Susan is concentrating on her club team in 2020 and is setting lofty targets for her teammated. ‘I’m getting back fit and playing with the club, so hopefully now we can go for a senior championship with the Kevin’s.’
Evan Ferguson wasn’t able to attend the awards, but he had a damnn good excuse, as his dad Barry revealed.
‘He’s away in Spain at the minute with the U17 international team,’ revealed the former Shamrock Rovers star.
‘He had an amazing year. He got half an hour against Chelsea and did really well. He didn’t have an opportunity to get nervous and he loved every minute of it. He’s 15 now and he’s loving his football.
‘His sister is playing football in the