Young Sportsperson of the Year award for Kevin McGrath

Bohermeen Athletic Club and St Patrick's CS, Navan student Kevin McGrath was last night named as the Young Sportsperson of the Year at the Meath Sports Awards organised by the Meath Chronicle and Cusack Hotel Group.

 

The award was presented by Niamh McMahon of Flowerhill Furniture who sponsored the category.

Seven of the top young sportspersons in the county were nominated for the overall award, it's a short-list of six, but twins Ronan and Ross Ryan from the Kiltale and Summerhill GAA clubs were included in the list.

The other contenders were 10-year-old golfer Caoimhe O'Grady, Eimear O'Neill (modern pentathlon), Vikki Wall (ladies GAA) and James Finnerty from Skryne who was unable to attend, but was included in a video interview – James (16) is with Premier League side Aston Villa.

Kevin McGrath took the accolade after he enjoyed a great 2015. He was the athlete in form at the Irish Schools’ Track & Field Championships during May 2015 and won the boys’ intermediate 800 metres title in fine style to secure his third successive title over that distance.

In January 2015 he won the 1,500m at the national indoor junior and u-23 championships at Athlone and was selected for the Irish team at the European Youth Olympic Festival in Tbilisi, Georgia where he won the 1,500m and a gold medal.

The Bohermeen AC runner had already run 3m:50.33s for the 1,500 metres in 2015 in London and won a gold medal at the Schools International Athletic Board event in Scotland in the 800m in July.