Mallow and District’s sports stars honoured

THE names of the nominees in the youth section of the 2019 Mallow and District Sports and Leisure Awards were unveiled at a ceremony last Monday night in the Mallow branch of the AIB.

Teams and individuals were honoured at the event for their sporting and social achievements, in the presence of special guests: Irish international basketball player Gráinne Dwyer and former Cork senior footballer Colm O’Neill from Ballyclough.

Welcoming the large crowd to the event, AIB branch manager Sinead O’Connor said they were once again delighted to be part of the initiative.

“I am truly impressed with the calibre of nominations and am very glad I am not one of the judges; I don’t envy their task of having to pick the winners,” she said.

Colm O’Neill shared his memory of winning an award as a young man many years ago and how proud he and his family were at the time.

“I congratulate all of the nominees and would encourage them to stick with their choice of sport because their hard work and dedication will always pay off,” he said.

Awards committee spokesperson Roisin Moriarty thanked the special guests for taking the time to attend the event, saying they were ideal role models for the nominees.

She said the calibre of nominees for the awards, which are jointly sponsored by The Corkman and the AIB, grows stronger with each passing year.

“Each of these young people have excelled in their chosen field, be it sporting or voluntary. When I look at the people in front of me here tonight, I too am glad not to be one of the judges,” she said.

“It is also very important that tonight we mention the backing that these young people get from their parents, coaches and mentors. Their support and encouragement has allowed these young people to flourish and helped them to enjoy and savour the fruits of their labour,” she added.

Ms Moriarty thanked the sponsors, saying that without their support it would be “impossible” to run the awards.

“It would be remiss of me not to also mention the committee of the Mallow and District Sports and Leisure Council who, in my opinion, are the hardest working bunch of people in Mallow,” she added.

The adult nominees will be unveiled at a second reception in The Corkman offices tonight (Thursday).

Tickets for the gala awards ceremony in the Springfort Hall Hotel on Saturday, March 2, are available from Roisin Moriarty on 087 055 4382.

Photos by Sheila Fitzgerald. Members of the swimming and orienteering teams from St Mary’s Secondary School, who received their nominations for the Mallow and District Sports and Leisure Awards. Also included are Sports and Leisure Awards committee members Frances McCarthy, Bridie Murphy and Róisín Moriarty, Sinead O’ Connor, Manager AIB Mallow, Colm O’ Neill, former Cork County Senior Footballer and Gráinne Dwyer, International Basketball Player.

Young people representing Liscarroll AC, Mallow Red Cross, Kilshannig Minor Football, Mallow Rugby Club, Davis College AC, and the Special Olympics received their nominations for the Mallow and District Sports and Leisure Awards at the youth reception in the AIB, Mallow. Also included are Sports and Leisure Awards committee members Frances McCarthy, Bridie Murphy and Chris Tanner; AIB Mallow Manager Sinead O’ Connor; Colm O’ Neill, former Cork senior footballer; and Irish international basketball player Gráinne Dwyer.