Garda Coiste Siamsa 15th Annual Sportstar Awards.

The Garda Coiste Siamsa 15th Annual Sportstar Awards, sponsored by St.Raphael's Garda Credit Union Ltd., will take place this Friday, 21st November 2008, in the Sligo Park Hotel, Sligo.

The Coiste Siamsa Sportstar Award is a celebration of sporting achievement in The Garda Síochána. Each year we honour men and women in the force who have excelled in sport locally, nationally and internationally.

Jimmy Magee of RTE was chairperson of the selection committee and will be making the presentations and acting as Master of Ceremonies on the night.

Presentations will be made to the following award winners;-

Canoeing/Kayaking; Peter Egan. Peter has represented Ireland internationally since 1996 and has had a blistering 2008 season coming 8th in the European and World championships and becoming the national K2 marathon and 200m champion. Peter is a Garda stationed in Tallaght.

Gaelic Football; Darren Mullahy. Darren is a current provincial champion with Galway and is described by his college coaches as the most committed and consistent player on this year’s Sigerson Cup team. Darren is presently undergoing phase 2 of his training in Salthill, Galway.

Hockey; Louisa Healy. Louisa is Ireland’s first choice goalkeeper and she played in the Olympic qualifiers in Canada in May 2008. She also played in the 4 Nations tournament in New Zealand in March coming 3rd. Louisa is a Garda stationed in Pearse Street, Dublin.

Ladie’s Football; Martha Carter. Martha is a regular on the Mayo ladies football team and her club Carnacon has reached this year’s All Ireland final. She was an All Star elect in 2007 and is shortlisted for this year’s award. She captained the Garda College’s Ladies football team for ’07/’08. Martha is a Garda stationed in Sligo Town.

Hurling; Eddie Brennan. What can be said about Eddie - now a 5 time recipient of the Sportstar Award & for many the ‘real’ man of the match in this year’s All Ireland final. An amazing achievement as he was in what will arguably be known as the best hurling team of all time. Eddie is a Garda based in Portlaoise, Co. Laois.

Soccer; Anthony Russell. Anthony is the captain of the Wexford youths, who have made history by reaching the FAI league cup final. He also represents his district in the Garda League. Anthony is a Garda stationed in Bray, Co. Wicklow.

Rowing; Caroline Ryan. Caroline narrowly missed out on qualifying for the 2008 Olympics, but won the women’s single sculls title, the Princess Royal, at Henley Royal Regatta. An all Ireland based crew have not won an Open event at Henley since 1979, when her father and uncle won for Garda in the Prince Philip coxed fours. Her accolades also include 2 Irish championships and rowing in international regatta in Munich. Caroline is a Garda based at Pearse Street.

Rugby; Stephen Kelly. In the 2007-2008 season Stephen started playing Rugby for the first time and in his first year he made the Shannon senior team, with whom he reached the semi final of the AIL league. He was also part of the team that won the AIB cup and the Munster senior cup. Stephen is an ultra versatile performer who also plays Gaelic football for Limerick and has represented Ireland in the compromise rules squad. He is a Garda based at Ennis.

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Sport Administration/Special Contribution.

Teresa Mc Cabe

Teresa’s résumé of involvement with the Special Olympics is awesome.

She was the head coach for Team Ireland at The Special Olympics World Games in China – September/October 2007. The athletes she trained won 3 gold, 6 silver, 11 bronze medals and 9 ribbons. The highlight was when the only Irish wheelchair athlete won gold in the 25 metre free style.

Further to this, Teresa has been the Chairperson of the Connacht Special Olympics Committee for the last 3 years, a member of the Board of Directors for Special Olympics Ireland since December 2007 and Connacht Regional Special Olympics Aquatics co-ordinator for the last 4 years.

Teresa is a Garda based in Sligo.

Hall of Fame Award 2008

Mick Leahy

Mick Leahy was capped for the Irish rugby team at full international level in 1964 when he played against Wales.

In his early playing days he played club rugby with U.C.C. and Highfield rugby clubs.

He is a native of Woodford, Co. Galway and represented Connacht at Inter-Provincial level for almost 12 years.

During his service Mick has always had a keen interest in Garda rugby, having coached Garda teams in the divisions of Cork, Laois, Offaly and Limerick.

He was coach of the Limerick team that won the Inter-Divisional Rugby Championship in 1992.

His interest in the game has been passed on to his sons – Kelvin, Colin, Shane and Ross- who have the enviable distinction of all winning Munster Schools Senior Cup medals.

Mick retired from The Garda Síochána as Superintendent in Askeaton, Limerick.

20th November 2008