Landmark event comes of age as variety of sports celebrated
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FROM motorcross to Gaelic, ice hockey to women's soccer, sports of all kinds were celebrated at the 21st annual Drogheda Independent Sport Star of the Year awards.
The overall accolade went to Gaelic footballer Christy Grimes from Collon - topping off what has been an amazing decade for his club Mattock Rangers who had scooped the Joe Ward Cup n o fewer than three times - while Duleek Motorcross sensation Jordan Keogh (16) was named Young Sport Star of the Year.
Jordan had a fantastic 2009, winning both the Irish and Ulster Championships and finishing 11th overall in the British 85cc competition.
Although unable to make it the event, runner Keith Kelly, who lives in America, sent a video message explaining how proud he was to be nominated.
'It means an awful lot to me over here to still be recognised as part of
the fabric of sport in Drogheda,' he said.
Craig Fay is getting used to a jet-setting lifestyle as he revealed he was flying to Scotland the morning after the awards for a friendly international game and to Mexico on Friday for the World Championships.
He also told host Gerry Kelly he had been more nervous about the awards than he had been for his driving test the previous week, which he passed first time!
Boyne Rugby player Eoin Collins explained that although he was extremely honoured to be nominated, any one of his team mates would have been equally deserving of the accolade and it was certainly a night dominated by rugby as Shane Horgan and Niall Ronan were also nominated for the overall award.
High jumper Kourosh Foroughi almost missed the event due to sickness but made a special effort to make it to the Boyne Valley to pick up his award as August Sports Star
Teenage soccer sensation Megan Campbell was unable to make it as she was in Portugal taking part in qualifiers but she was well represented by her family, including granddad Eamon of Sabrina Keogh and Sharon Ryan at the awards. Dubliners fame and her dad, Eamon Jr revealed Megan had just received word she had been picked for the squad for Sweden.
Meath footballer Joe Sheridaan is one of five brothers on the team and quipped: ' You wouldn't know Dad was the manager, would you!' but added it was great having all the family involved.
Michael McNamara of the Boyne Valley Hotel, co-sponsors of the event, welcomed everyone and revealed the hotel and leisure club's long involvement with sport in the town.
Marking the 21st anniversary of the awards, Gerry Leydon, Supply Chain Director with Beverage Business Solutions said the awards had really 'come of age'.
He said the night was the perfect occassion to recognise and applaud the achievements of the sport stars and all their families, coaches and event organisers who make it all possible.
Drogheda Independent Editor Hubert Murphy revealed the very first winner of the Sport Star of the Year Award was Elaine Grogan, a basketball player from St Oliver's Secondary School who went on to win a scholarship in America.
'The ethos of this award is to honour dedication,' he said. 'Once you show dedication you can achieve great things.'
- Fiona MAGENNIS
