Inaugural Young Sports Stars Awards a huge success
By Stuart Tynan
With no Young Sports Stars Awards taking place this year due to Covid-19, The Connaught Telegraph will be taking a trip down memory lane and reviewing each of the five awards ceremonies that have taken place to date. Up first is the inaugural 2015 Connaught Telegraph Young Sports Stars Awards.
THE very first Connaught Telegraph Young Sports Stars Awards took place in Breaffy House Hotel on February 5, 2016.
A unique aspect of the ceremony was that it would highlight the contributions of specifically young people competing in their chosen sport, needing to be under the age of 23 to be eligible.
A total of 21 recipients across 12 different sporting disciplines, including table tennis, swimming, boxing, basketball, Gaelic football, soccer, cycling and martial arts, were honoured on the night, which was seen as 'remarkable' by then Sports Minister Michael Ring, with Mayo so steeped in GAA traditions.
He stated: "It has given what is often described as 'the minority sports' a massive boost and it should always be remembered that they invest a huge amount of time and energy to their sports without the same type of financial supports that the bigger sports get.
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Niall Joyce was named the overall Connaught Telegraph Young Male Sports Star 2015, capturing the Darragh Doherty Perpetual Cup. He is pictured here with Martin Cosgrove and Ciaran Geraghty from category sponsors Baxter Healthcare and Connaught Telegraph representative Aiden Henry.Image 2 of 2
The overall Connaught Telegraph Young Female Sports Star 2015 was Michaela Walsh. She was presented with the Melissa Patterson Cup by Ciaran Geraghty and Martin Cosgrove of event sponsors Baxter Healthcare."The citations speak for themselves. Not only are the recipients county and provincial title winners, but many of them are national and European champions in their respective codes and are competing at international level on a regular basis."
Martin Carney, chairman of the judging panel for the event, recalled on the night how the county was left reeling following the untimely and tragic passing of two of its brighest sportspeople, Darragh Doherty and Melissa Patterson, whom the trophies for best young male and female sportspeople are named after in their honour.
"It is appropriate that there are special awards to commemorate the memories of Darragh Doherty and Melissa Patterson who, in their short lifespans, achieved more than many who have gone or who will succeed them.
“Here we had sportspeople, achievers, and two who through their contribution to sport enhanced their own, the community's and their county's reputation.
"For the Doherty and Patterson families, this event is one that is bittersweet and, at the same time, one where they can recall with pride the contribution made by Darragh and Melissa to the sporting tapestry in the county."
Swinford native Michaela Walsh won the Melissa Patterson Perpetual Cup for Outstanding Young Sportswoman while Niall Joyce won the Darragh Doherty Perpetual Cup for Outstanding Young Sportsman. The other main award winner, selected by The Connaught Telegraph readers, was Castlebar martial artist Davitt Neary.