Thank you Paul. It is a pleasure to be with you once again to present the Texaco Sportstars Awards for 2005.
Now in its 48th year, the Sportstars' Awards have been the most enduring celebration of Irish sporting achievement ever in this country. They represent a fitting tribute to the calibre of sports men and women who bring pride to our communities and to our people each year. And, as ever in a country that is passionate about sport of all types, 2005 was another remarkable year.
To my mind, the particular value of these Awards is that they honour our top sports men and women across so many different types of sport. 2005 may not have been the most exceptional year for our national soccer team, our rugby team, nor indeed – dare I say it – for “the boys in blue” who suffered a gruelling replay defeat.
But, while we may have suffered such minor setbacks this year – and believe me, I am confident that they are minor! – the calibre of our individual sports men and women continues to be on the up and up. One only needs to scan the list of achievements outlined here this evening for confirmation of that.
What is clear from the awards being presented this year is that our Irish sports men and women can more than hold their own, both on the national and international stage. This year’s Sportstars achieved top awards at European and world sporting events from Madrid to the US and France to Japan. Not to mention, of course, the skill and perseverance demonstrated yet again by our top Gaelic Games’ players here at home throughout the season.
In Athletics and Golf, David Gillick and Pádraig Harrington really showed their mettle, coming from behind to be crowned with their respective titles at the European Indoor Athletics Championships and the Honda Golf Classic.
In rowing, our Irish lightweight men’s four beat off some of the strongest crews in the world to take silver at the World Rowing Championships.
In cricket and rugby, Ed Joyce and Trevor Brennan are probably more familiar with pitches abroad than here at home. In addition to raising the profile of Irish cricket, Ed has had the honour of being picked for England’s National Academy Squad. And Trevor has been adorned with a second Heineken European Cup medal playing for Toulouse.
And, in horse racing, Kieran Fallon has demonstrated yet again the skill and commitment of our Irish jockeys, sweeping the boards at so many national and international race meetings in 2005.
In soccer, I am particularly delighted to see Cork City Manager, Damien Richardson, taking the award. November has certainly been a dramatic month for you Damien with the longed for Eircom League title finally becoming yours at Turner’s Cross less than two weeks ago! You never know what further glories await you around the corner!
Yet again, it is a pleasure to see our Gaelic Games’ players being so strongly represented this year. Generous as I am in spirit, I say this even if Stephen O’Neill was central to the defeat of the Dubs in Croke Park in August! His performance this year certainly bodes for a very bright future.
I do take solace in the fact that Jerry O’Connor, representing my spiritual home in the rebel county, is to be honoured tonight however. The number of times the McCarthy cup has returned to the banks of the Lee is fast approaching the number of years these Awards have been held!
But it was not just the Cork men who brought honour to their county in 2005 – the Cork women also played a huge role. I am particularly delighted that Cork Ladies’ Football corner forward, Valerie Mulcahy, is to be honoured tonight. Valerie represents the second ladies’ footballer ever to win a Texaco award.
This is a tremendous honour for her. Equally, it is a clear demonstration of the strides being made in Ladies' Football throughout the country. I have no doubt that you can only go onwards and upwards from here!
Selecting a group such as those to be honoured tonight represents no mean feat. It takes expertise and impartiality to make the final call on who should be honoured with these prestigious awards. For that trojan work I would like to thank the sports’ editors from both the world of television and print media who formed the judging panel. Your in-depth analysis of the highs and lows of sport throughout the year, alongside your keen insight, makes you more than equal to this challenging task.
In particular, your decision in relation to the recipients of the Special Achievement and Hall of Fame Awards reflects your incisiveness. I am delighted to see two people, who have long since been household names, being honoured this evening.
In a career that spans decades, “Memory Man” Jimmy Magee continues to astound us with his in-depth knowledge and passion for all types of sport. It would be hard to imagine any major sporting event taking place without Jimmy commentating on it. Jimmy, you have been more than generous in sharing your passion, knowledge and good humour with us over the years and I am delighted to see you being honoured tonight.
Equally John Giles is a particularly worthy recipient of the Hall of Fame Award. His association with Manchester United naturally endeared him to me from the outset! But it was not just at Man U that John made his mark – he is a well-known figure across the international soccer scene. From United to Leeds and West Brom to the US and Ireland, he can boast of a career that many young hopefuls would aspire to emulate today. Congratulations on your success tonight, John.
In referring to Manchester United, we are all particularly conscious at this time of the sad loss of one the greatest soccer legends of all time – George Best. In the true spirit of these Awards, George was not only a soccer legend; he was, in fact, an all-round sporting hero who appealed to all generations. His iconic status, both for people of my own generation and for those much younger, has been highlighted by the huge outpouring of sympathy -at his passing this week. In fact, John Giles, who would very much understand the impact of his passing to a club such as Manchester United, eloquently expressed that sense of loss only some days ago. Our thoughts and prayers are with George’s family and in particular, with his father, Dickie, at this sad time.
I do not want to keep you much longer but I cannot finish tonight without paying tribute to Texaco for their sponsorship of these awards over the past forty-eight years. Yours is considered the longest running commercial sponsorship in Irish sports history today. And you deserve huge credit for highlighting over so many decades, the outstanding achievements of our top sports’ men and women.
Over the past seven years, investment by the Government has continued to rise steadily. In fact, the budget for sport has increased by over 800% from just €17m in 1997 to over €154.3 million in 2006. We will continue to put in place the top quality infrastructure and programmes to ensure that our sports men and women can compete at the highest levels.
And, we can be confident that through awards events such as this, your achievements will be well recognised in a long and proud Irish sporting history.
Mar fhocail scór ba mhaith liom comhghairdeachas a ghabháil libh go léir.
ENDS