O’Day to honour cream of Kerry sport
MORE THAN 30 SPORTS TO BE RECOGNISED AT PRESTIGIOUS GALA BANQUET
“WE cover every sport from A to Z; if a person is deserving of an award for what they achieved during 2016, they will be recognised.”
Kerry Sports Star and Special Awards organiser Ken O’Day wasn’t exaggerating in making such a grand statement at the launch of his event’s latest renewal.
The prestigious gala banquet will see stars from 33 different sports across 44 categories honoured at the Gleneagle Hotel on February 17, as the Killarney venue plays host on the night to national, international and world champions from the Kingdom. The list of high achievers will be published in
The Kerryman on February 8. “Senior and juvenile sports stars will be acknowledged for their sporting excellence, in what is the fifth running of this event,” Ken told The Kerryman.
“It’s been hugely successful since its inauguration, and we’re anticipating an attendance of between 700 and 750 people at the INEC on the night of the awards.”
“It’s also worth noting that we’ve introduced nine new categories for this year’s ceremony, which highlights our commitment to recognise talent and achievement across the sporting spectrum.”
Proceedings get underway with a drinks reception and photo shoot from 7.15 pm, which will be followed by a four-course dinner and a video presentation celebrating Kerry’s sporting heroes.
The winners across all the various categories will be presented with their hard-earned awards, before emcees Sarina and Ken O’Day present the two blue riband awards.
“The O’Day Perpetual Shield is an honour reserved for those who’ve contributed greatly to sport in Kerry, and it’s one of the highlights of the night,” Ken explained.
“The other major prize is the Supreme Sport Star award, which will be given to the person that we feel did the most to light up Kerry sport during 2016.”
“We’re also very proud to continue our partnership with Valentia RNLI, whose association with this event is well established by now,” Ken added.
Tickets for the event cost €50 and go on sale on Wednesday January 18 from the INEC Box Office.