Our man Mark recognised for ‘wonderful’ journalism
IRISH Mail on Sunday journalist Mark Gallagher is the proud winner of the Investec 20x20 Media Award for October.
The awards recognise excellence in Irish journalism focused on women in sport and Mark’s interview with Kildare woman Claire Walsh really caught the imagination of the judges and our readers.
Walsh, from Leixlip, is a record-setting free diver who became an Irish record holder earlier this year when she set two national records, when competing in the
World Freediving Championship.
Her achievements of descending to a depth of 44 metres in the free immersion dive and 36 metres in the constant weight discipline are even more impressive considering she blacked out on her first dive in her first world championships.
Donegal native Mark’s thoughtfully written article, headlined ‘Deep Impact’, was lauded for its ‘insight into ‘the life of an elite performer in what is one of the world’s most dangerous extreme sports’.
Anna Kessel, Investec 20x20 Media Awards judging panel chair, said:
‘It’s rare that you get to read about extreme sports in national sports coverage unless a terrible accident has occurred.
‘So, it was wonderful to read Mark Gallagher’s interview with Ireland’s record-setting free diver Claire Walsh, in which she joyfully described what it is about the sport that she loves so much, “the closest thing we will ever experience to flying”.
‘Mark didn’t shy away from the dangers, detailing the tragedies that have dogged the sport, but without sensationalising the risks and still affording Walsh the respect that a sportsperson of her achievement so deserves. Beautifully written, Gallagher’s entry stood out among this month’s articles.’
The 20x20 programme is an initiative presented by the Federation of Irish Sport which calls for more support for women in sport.