Looking back at the 2018 Meath Sports Awards
Image 1 of 11
Meath Sportsperson-of-the-Year 2018 Gordon Elliott. Photo: John Quirke / www.quirke.ie John QuirkeImage 2 of 11
Fergal Lynch (left) of the Meath Chronicle presented a monthly award to the the parents of Darragh Lenihan, Bernie and Pat Lenihan, in recognition of achievement as the first Meath man to win a senior cap for the Republic of Ireland. Photo: John Quirke / www.quirke.ie John QuirkeImage 3 of 11
Noel Meade presented the 2018 Outstanding Achievement Award to Nichola Duffy from Kilmessan. John QuirkeImage 4 of 11
Nicola Devlin (left) of the Meath Chronicle and sponsor David Buchanan presented a team of the year nominee award to Sinead Beagan of Ratoath Camogie Club. John QuirkeImage 5 of 11
Sportsperson-of-the-Year MC Evanne Ni Chuilinn (left)interviewing top Meath athlete Emilia Dan who was a monthly winner. Photo: John Quirke / www.quirke.ie John QuirkeImage 6 of 11
Esther and Gerry Keane accepted a monthly award on behalf of their son Colin. Photo: John Quirke / www.quirke.ie John QuirkeImage 7 of 11
Seamus and Mary Cassidy at the awards night. Seamus has desiged the overall award for the sportsperson-of-the-year annually since 2008. Photo: John Quirke / www.quirke.ie John QuirkeImage 8 of 11
Mary Murphy (left) of Meath LSP (sponsor) and Cllr Sharon Tolan presented the Young Sportsperson-of-the-Year award to Mathew Costello. John QuirkeImage 9 of 11
Kells Handball was well represented at the 2018 awards as the team-of-the-year accolade made its way to the town. Included in the group that attended (from left) was: back - Paul Farrelly, Michael Sheridan, Dylan Sheridan, Robert Fox, John Rennicks; fourth row - Tom Sheridan, Terri Rennicks, Jack Rennicks, Oliver McGovern; third row - Troy Flanagan, Daniel Farrelly, Carol Farrelly Tori Flanagan, Shannon Reddington, Ray Flanagan; second row - Catherine Fox, Lauren Farrelly, Rachel Flanagan; front - Tara McGovern, Jimmy Black, Mary Hall and Denis McGovern. Photo: John Quirke / www.quirke.ie John QuirkeImage 10 of 11
Dundalk players Jamie McGrath with the FAI Cup, Gary Rogers with the Premier League trophy and racing drivers Stephen Daly from Dunshaughlin and Cian Carey from Ratoath with the historic Leinster Trophy. Photo: John Quirke / www.quirke.ie John QuirkeImage 11 of 11
Stephen Daly (left), Elena Alessio, Darragh Daly and Pat Callanan at the awards night. Photo: John Quirke / www.quirke.ie John QuirkeGordon Elliott scooped the 2018 Meath Sportsperson-of-the-Year awad in what was a second success for the Summerhill man when he collected the trophy at Knightsbrook Hotel in January 2019.
Elliott dedicated the award to his late uncle Willie Elliott who had passed away in 2018.
"I wouldn't be involved in racing only for Willie and this award is dedicated to his memory," Gordon told Evanne Ni Chuilinn in a brief interview.
He won the monthly award for March as he enjoyed a marvellous Cheltenham Festival where he retained his leading trainer’s title with eight winners over the four days, edging out his great rival Willie Mullins who finished with seven.
In a great year he also won the Aintree and Irish grand nationals and late in the year the American equivalent and he also had success at Royal Ascot.
In August 2018 the team from Kells Handball Club - Dylan Sheridan, Robbie Fox, Troy Flanagan, Daniel Farrelly and Jack Rennicks - won medals at the World Handball Championships in Minneapolis.
Dylan Sheridan (22) and Robbie Fox (21) claimed top spot in the 40x20 men’s B World Doubles final.
Medals were also won by Troy Flanagan (22) and teenager Daniel Farrelly when they combined brilliantly to claim silver in the men’s C Doubles.
There was also a fine individual performance by 16-year-old Jack Rennicks, who took bronze in his section.
In August 2018 Nichola Duffy was the first woman home and 11th overall in the Connemara 100-mile event in a time of 22 hours and 28 minutes and that was enough to get the Outstanding Achievement accolade.
The AAI sanctioned-event has IAU Bronze Label status and finish included three laps of Clifden.
The Meath woman bravely kept going despite struggling from the 67-mile marker with an old injury.
The Young Sportsperson award went to Mathew Costello who was the captain of the Meath minor team that won the inaugural Leinster MFC title at the u-17 grade.
2018 MONTHLY WINNERS
January - Gavin Cromwell (Horseracing).
February - Harry Purcell (Athletics).
March - Gordon Elliott (Horseracing).
April - Alan KIngsley (Rugby).
May - Devin Toner (Rugby).
June - Darragh Lenihan.
July - Joe Treanor (GAA).
August - Eamonn Murray (GAA).
September - Emilia Dan (Athletics).
October - David Gallagher (GAA).
November - Gary Rogers (Soccer).
December - Colin Keane (Horseracing).
OVERALL SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR
ROLL OF HONOUR
2007 - Gordon Elliott
2008 - Darren Sutherland
2009 - Johnny Murtagh
2010 - Damien McGrane
2011 - Nina Carberry
2012 - Cian O’Connor
2013 - Barry Geraghty
2014 - Devin Toner
2015 - Gary Rogers
2016 - Natalya Coyle
2017 - Robbie Power
2018 - Gordon Elliott
2019 - Gordon Elliott
2020 - to be selected
The 2020 awards will be presented on Friday night and will be available to view on the Meath Chronicle digital platforms