At the Newgate Mazda / Meath Chronicle Sports Achievers awards on Saturday (from left) were Newgate Motors Business manager Gary Hoey, Aoibhin Garrihy (Melissa from Fair City) and Meath Chronicle Sports Editor Conall Collier with award winners Shannon Sheehy, Joe Ennis and Rose Finnegan.

Carnaross pupil scoops monthly sports accolade

There was great excitement for three Meath primary school pupils at Navan’s Newgate Mazda on Saturday morning ahead of a return to the classroom this week. The September winners of the Meath Chronicle/Newgate Mazda 2010 / 2011 Primary Schools Sports Achievers awards were there to receive their awards from Aoibhin Garrihy who plays the role of Melissa in RTE’s Fair City. After the autograph enthusiasts were satisfied, Newgate Business Manager Gary Hoey introduced each of the September winners, Rose Finnegan from Carnaross NS, who was nominated as the overall monthly winner, Joe Ennis from Rathmore NS, Athboy and Shannon Sheehy, St Paul’s NS, Navan. The three children were selected by the panel of adjudicators from a large number of entries which were submitted by the end of September deadline for the first round of the awards. Meath primary schools are also set to benefit from the promotion as the school of each of the six overall monthly winners will also receive a cheque for €250. Last Saturday each child received a specially engraved medal and a plaque to be displayed in the school and every month until February 2011, the adjudicating committee will select three finalists from nominations received. The final in March will see one overall winner selected from the 18 nominees selected over the six months of the promotion. The overall winner will receive a Mazda bike with safety equipment and a €2,000 sports voucher for his/her school. The selection process is divided across three categories, small, medium and large schools which is designed to provide a fair balance for the adjudicating committee. The promotion will cover six months from September until February in the build-up to the final next March. Newgate Mazda is encouraging parents and schools to nominate individuals who give their all to be involved in sport - on or off the pitch. The competition is open to primary school pupils aged 12 and younger on 30th September this year. There will be monthly prizes of €250 sports kit vouchers and the competition will culminate in the final next March, where the overall winner will receive a top of the range bicycle while his/her school will scoop a €2000 sports voucher. The three winners for October will be selected next week and the awards will be presented at the end of November. The 18 nominees will go forward to the final next March when the adjudicating committee will choose the overall winner. The entry form (included on this page) will be printed regularly in the Meath Chronicle. Entrants are encouraged to complete the form and leave it into the Mazda showroom at Newgate Motors, Navan or the Meath Chronicle office. Forms that are photocopied will not be accepted. Entries will also be accepted via the Meath Chronicle website - www.meathchronicle.ie