IT was a case of third time lucky for Mattock Rangers GFC as Christy Grimes picked up the coveted Drogheda Independent Sport Star of the Year gong in the Boyne Valley Hotel last Friday night.

Previous nominees from the Collon club, Brendan Reilly and Gerry Hanratty, went close to scooping the big prize after orchestrating Mattock's Senior Championships triumphs of 2002 and 2005.

But veteran former county player Christy – who had the biggest following on the night – came up trumps this time, and celebrated with a few swigs from the Joe Ward Cup itself! He's the second successive GAA man to win the top award, following on from Hugh McGinn (Newtown Blues) – reflecting the current strength of club football in the middle and south of County Louth.

It was a big night for the sport of motocross, too, as 16year-old Jordan Keogh was named Young Sport Star of the Year, while Boyne Rugby Club received an Outstanding Achievement Award following their Provincial Towns Cup triumph.

And one of the night's most popular winners was Bobby Browne, the resident professional at Laytown and Bettystown Golf Club since 1967, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Christy, Man of the Match in the Championship final against Cooley Kickhams, was selected for the overall accolade by the five-strong judging panel, comprising editor Hubert Murphy and deputy sports editor Marcus Cavaroli from the Drogheda Independent, Siobhan Woods (event sponsors Beverage Business Solutions), Michael McNamara (associate sponsors Boyne Valley Hotel and Country Club), and Drogheda Independent readers whose choice counted as the fifth vote.

Five of the 12 monthly winners were aged 21 and under and therefore eligible for the Young Sport Star award, all representing different sports, and the judges agonised before selecting Duleek-based twowheel wonder-kid Jordan Keogh.

Both Christy and Jordan received a year's membership of Boyne Valley Country Club as part of their prize from hotel director Richard McNamara.

Each of the sport stars were presented with beautifully designed trophies from Louthbased company Cuchulainn Crystal, before enjoying an informal chat on stage with well-known local radio presenter and DI columnist Gerry Kelly. As ever, the compere ensured proceedings ran in textbook fashion and kept the 200-strong audience entertained, while the hotel provided a beautiful meal.

January winner Padraig Rath, who shrugged off a dose of the cold to attend, recently lost an O'Byrne Cup decider with Louth, but was honoured for his part in the Wee County's victory in the same competition in 2009.

National Cross-Country champion Keith Kelly was unable to fly back to his native Drogheda from his home in the United States – where he still reads the DI on a regular basis! – but sent a video message which was warmly applauded.

Ice hockey received its first airing in the 21-year history of the Sport Star Awards, as Craig Fay walked across from neighbouring Castlewood to receive his award for his part in earning Ireland a bronze medal at the World Under-18 Division 3B Championships.

A trio of rugby winners followed as Eoin Collins, Shane Horgan and Niall Ronan were honoured for their exploits with Boyne, Leinster and Ireland/Munster respectively.

Sadly, twice former Sport Star of the Year Shane was unable to attend because of a speaking engagement at a symposium in Trinity College, while Eoin – star of that Towns Cup triumph – wasn't joined by his Boyne colleagues owing to the team's match commitments.

An interview with Niall was pre-recorded as he expected to be away with Munster for their weekend Magners League game in Wales, but he didn't recover from injury in time and so the

A pre-recorded interview with September winner Megan Campbell was shown on the night, after she was refused permission to fly home a day early from the Republic of Ireland Under-17/19 soccer camp in Portugal.

Perhaps just as well from the point of view of her international prospects – for on Saturday she scored the winner in Ireland's 2-1 friendly victory over the United States!

Christy Grimes received the October award and was followed up to the stage by another GAA star from across the border, Joe Sheridan of Meath and Seneschalstown, who expressed the wish that the Royal County would go all the way in Leinster this year.

Last but not least of the monthly winners was Jordan Keogh, who looked equally confident on the stage as he is in the saddle as he fired back some witty one-liners at Gerry Kelly. At that stage he had already won over the audience, after they had viewed the mightily impressive DVD of him in motocross action.

The footage compilation of all 12 winners – edited by DI sports editor John Savage – gave an entertaining insight into why each of them was being honoured on the night.

The words of Gerry Leydon, supply chain director of Beverage Business Solutions – 'Everyone is a winner' – were entirely appropriate.

As always, the bash continued into ther small hours, with a disco supplied by Entertainment Systems keeping guests young and old occupied until another successful Sport Star Awards finally ended just after 2.30am.