Looking back at the 2019 Meath Sports Awards
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Celtic Media Group CEO Frank Mulrennan (left) and Meath Chronicle sports editor Conall Collier presented the 2019 Meath Sportsperson-of-the-Year award to Gordon Elliott at the 13th annual awards ceremony at Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim in January 2020. Photo: John Quirke / www.quirke.ie John QuirkeImage 2 of 14
ABOVE: The Na Fianna camogie team scooped the team-of-the-year award and at the presentation were sponsor David Buchanan (left) of Navan Dental with Na Fianna officials and players Pierse Treacy. Miah Henrick, Mary McGuigan (Celtic Media Group), Claire Coffey, Aedin Slattery and Matt Coffey. Photo: John Quirke / www.quirke.ie RIGHT: Meath ladies football team manager Eamonn Murray received his monthly award from Kathryn Cooke of sponsor Briody Bedding. John QuirkeImage 3 of 14
Kells handballers Gary McConnell and Brian Carroll were monthly winners. Included in the group were Gary McConnell (left), Ann-Marie Ronan, Helen Carroll, Francis Carroll, Michelle Carroll and Brian Carroll. Photo: John Quirke / www.quirke.ie John QuirkeImage 4 of 14
Navan woman Mary Watters was a monthly winner and joining her at the event (from left) were: back - Philip Carolan, Deirdre Smyth, Rob Shilling, Colette Carolan, Willie Smyth; front - Aisling Watters, Seamus Watters, Mary Watters and Alan Watters. John QuirkeImage 5 of 14
Meath footballer Donal Keogan was also a monthly winner and was joined at the event by his parents Bernard and Vera Keogan and Aoifa Ryan. John QuirkeImage 6 of 14
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Trainer Gavin Cromwell received his monthly award from Ray Doyle (Meath Chronicle) and Martin Briody of sponsors Briody Bedding. John QuirkeImage 8 of 14
Pat Mullaney of Navan Town Centre presented an outstanding achievement award to Kiltale and Meath hurler Jack Regan. John QuirkeImage 9 of 14
Meath hurling manager Nick Fitzgerald received his monthly award from Kathryn Cooke (Briody Bedding). John QuirkeImage 10 of 14
At the awards night were Philip Power (left) and Mark Scanlon (FAI). Photo: John Quirke / www.quirke.ie John QuirkeImage 11 of 14
Ratoath driver Cian Carey was a monthly winner. Enjoying the evening were Shane Vogelaar (left), Natalie Matea, Ursula Cullen, Cian Carey, Laura O’Toole and Neil Tinley. Photo: John Quirke / www.quirke.ie John QuirkeImage 12 of 14
Flying the Meath athletics flag were Michael (left) and Brigid Heery with Maureen and Michael Cornyn (Meath AAI chairman). Photo: John Quirke / www.quirke.ie John QuirkeImage 13 of 14
Flying the Meath GAA flag were Ann Mc Donnell (left), Breda Kelly and Paddy Kelly. Photo: John Quirke / www.quirke.ie John QuirkeImage 14 of 14
At the awards night were Gerry Hennessy (left), Moira Aston, Mary Murphy (Meath Local Sports Partnership), Cliodhna Manning and Tony Aston. Photo: John Quirke / www.quirke.ie John QuirkeThe 2020 Meath Sports Awards will be announced this Friday evening 12th March on the Meath Chronicle digital platforms from 8pm.
This will be the 14th annual event, but due to the ongoing pandemic the 2020 awards will be confined to the main presentation, the 2020 Sportsperson of the Year, the Team-of-the-Year and Outstanding Achievement awards.
This week we look back at the two most recent award ceremonies that featured Summerhill man Gordon Elliott as the sportsperson of the year on each occasion as he completed a hat-trick of titles after scooping the inaugural 2007 award.
"I'm a Summerhill man and I'm delighted to win this award, but I have to pay tribute to my staff," he commented at the Knightsbrook Hotel in January 2020.
"Horseracing is an important part of the community in Meath and nationally, I don't think it gets the recognition it deserves sometimes.
"I employ 70 people and you have the likes of Gavin Cromwell who is here tonight, Ger Lyons, who is a monthly winner, Noel Meade, Tony Martin and many other trainers all making a contribution to local communities.
"This is my third award and I'm appreciative to the Meath Chronicle, recognition in your own locality is important and it's great to see so many people honoured here tonight," he added.
The current format of the Meath Sports Awards was introduced in 2007 with the first annual banquet at the Knightsbrook Hotel and Spa, Trim on Monday 4th February 2008.
The awards were not solely designed to honour those who have achieved sporting greatness and become household names, but also to recognise the achievements of the men and women who dedicate so much time to club and county in their chosen sports.
The trophy for the overall award is designed annual by master craftsman and woodturner Seamus Cassidy from Beauparc.
An Outstanding Achievement and a Hall of Fame category were added in 2008 and a Young Sportsperson-of-the- Year award was introduced in 2010.
The Cusack Hotel Group supported the awards annually with a broader range of sponsorship added from 2018.
This year's awards are supported by Meath County Council, Devenish, Utmost, Knightsbrook and ECOMM Merchant Solutions.
The 2020 presentation will be the 14th annual awards and for the 13th time the main trophy will be designed by noted craftsman and woodturner Seamus Cassidy.
It is anticipated that each of the 2020 recipients will be acknowledged at the 2021 Meath Sports Awards which are provisionally scheduled for January 2022.
The 2020 Meath Sports Awards will be presented in a digital format on Friday 12th March - check in with Meath Chronicle at 8pm