Top Wicklow athletes honoured at Star awards in Greystones LTC
ATHLETICS Wicklow celebrated a successful year by recognising the county’s top athletes at the annual Star Awards last Friday evening.
Held at Greystones Tennis Lawn Club, the occasion brought together seasoned champions and promising young talents, foreshadowing a brilliant future for the county’s athletics community.
Bill Porter, the Chairman of Athletics Wicklow, opened the evening by expressing his gratitude to Greystones A.C for hosting the event. He also acknowledged the support from sponsors Joma and thanked the dedicated coaches and volunteers for their contributions before passing baton to Cyril Smyth who preceded with the awards.
Jeccica O’Connor of Roundwood & District AC was the first award winner of the evening, receiving the U13-U16 girls award. Jessica’s impressive performances in 2023 drew attention, particularly her fourth place finish in the U13 600m Leinster Indoor and outdoor Track and Field Championships. She also excelled during the cross-country season, finishing fifth in the U13 2500m race at the Leinster uneven championships.
Ethan Bramhill, an exceptional athlete representing Greystones & District AC, was awarded the U13-U16 boys’ star award. Ethan’s 2023 achievements were nothing short of remarkable.
At the Leinster Even Ages Cross Country Championships, Ethan dazzled by claiming the silver medal in the U14 boys’ 3000m race. Progressing to the nationals, Ethan once again stood tall at the runner-up podium position.
Kate Brosnahan received the special recognition award. Kate faced many challenges in her life, using wheelchairs and a walking frame. Kate joined Kilcoole A.C. in 2022 and has inspired her coaches and friends with her courage and perseverance regularly attending training irrespective of the weather.
There was a special moment in November when Kate took on a 400m race at the Juvenile League at Rathdrum Rugby Club.
Her parents and coaches saw this as a new milestone in Kate’s journey, as she lined up and raced in Kilcoole A.C. colours.
The U16-U19 girls star award was presented to Maria Zakharenko. The Kilcoole AC athlete whose forte lies in the sprinting events excelled during a breakthrough year. Her remarkable season commenced with the championship best performance in the U17 400m Leinster Indoors, clocking an impressive time of 58.29 seconds.
Undeterred, Maria carried her fine form into the outdoor season, where she claimed national gold medals in both the Leinster and national U17 400m track and field championships.
Noah Harris was the recipient of the U16-U19 Boys Star award. The Parnell AC athlete earned his first Irish vest at the 2023 U18 World Mountain Running Cup, a rare feat for any athlete. At the event, Noah was the first Irish athlete to cross the finish line.
He represented Ireland again at the U17 British and Irish Running Championships where he was the third Irish man to cross the line, helping the team to a bronze medal.
Eleanor Foot of Bray Runners was the Junior Girls Star Award recipient. Eleanor, whose speciality lies in the steeplechase, had a fruitful year excelling across various levels, from schools Senior girls to national Senior event.
Eleanor clinched the gold medal in both the Leinster Schools and All-Ireland Schools 1500m steeplechase. She also secured first place in the national U20 and Juvenile 3000m steeplechase and earned a silver medal at the national Senior level 3000m steeplechase.
Daniel Quirke of Greystones & District AC won the Junior boys star award. Daniel is a versatile multi-event athlete with a very impressive 2023 medal tally.
Some of his achievements over the last year double gold in the triple and long jump events at the Leinster U20 indoors. At the national juvenile indoors, he again took the gold medal in the triple jump and silver in the long jump competition.
Niamh Murray of Bray Runners received the International Junior girls star award. Niamh represented Ireland at five international events during 2023, including the European U20 Championship in Jerusalem where she reached the semi-finals and set a personal best of 54.75.
Her impressive progress did not go unnoticed by Irish selectors, and she earned her a spot on the Irish 4x400m relay team at the World Championships in Budapest.
Jonas Stafford received the Junior Boys Star award. Jonas dominated the track and cross-country circuits throughout 2023, claiming several provincial and national crowns.
Among his highlights was his second-place finish at the National Junior Cross County at Gowran Park, which earned him selection to the European Cross Country Championships in Brussels the following month. At the Euro cross, Jonas finished 10th and helped the Irish U20 men’s team win the team gold medal.
Catherine O’Connor was awarded the Master Woman Star award. Catherine presented her impressive accomplishments at several esteemed events in 2023.
At the World Master Championships, Catherine secured an impressive second place in the O45 half marathon, achieving a personal best time of 1:21:57.
She was also an integral part of Team Ireland, contributing to their silver medal victory. At the World Masters Cross Country Championships Catherine continued her stellar performance, being a valuable member of the Ireland O45 gold-winning cross-country team.
Individually, she placed second overall in this highly competitive event. The Masters men’s athlete of the year award went to John Conway from Glendalough A.C. John is an exemplary ultra-runner who took on several daunting challenges in 2023. One of them was the Transalpine Run: a 268km alpine beast that spanned from Oberstdorf, Germany, to South Tyrol, Italy, via Austria, with a total elevation gain of 15,000 m, over seven days. John finished the race in 33 hrs, 45 min, 45 sec, ranking 33rd out of 147 and fourth in the M40 category.
Thirteen Wicklow athletes represented their country in 2023 and they were all presented with an Athletic Wicklow International recognition award.
Anyone familiar with the sport knows that Irish vests are hard earned, for thirteen Wicklow athletes to have done is a great achievement. These athletes included: Fionnuala McCormack, Jonas Stafford, Niamh Murray, Maria Zakharenko, Noah Harris, Colm O’Neill, Emily Ryan, Graham Bushe, William Belton, Catherine O’Connor, Ann Marie Kenny, Ray Kenny, Aisling Smith, Francois Kulik, Billy Tyrrell and Dominic Horan.
Team of the year was awarded to the Sli Cualann ladies’ team who secured Senior gold at the National Half Marathon Championships, the team included Catherine O’Connor, Sarah Baryga and Catherine O’Connor.
Fionnuala McCormack was Athletics Wicklow’s athlete of the year. There were two performances by Fionnuala in 2023 that rightly earned her the accolade. The first was the Valencia Marathon where she clocked 2:26:19, 31 sec inside the marathon qualifying time for the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad in Paris and this just six months after the birth of her third child. By competing in Paris, she will become the first Irish Woman to compete at five successive Olympic Games.
The second was the European Cross Country Championships just seven days in which she placed fourth place, despite the muddy terrain and the marathon fatigue.
Following the awards and photographs, very welcome food was devoured by all. All in all, the night was very enjoyable and succeeded in bringing everyone together. It can be marked as one of the social highlights on the county’s athletics calendar.