This is the 17th year of the Awards and the event will take place this Friday, 19th November 2010, in Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim.
The Coiste Siamsa Sportstar Awards are a celebration of sporting achievement in An Garda Síochána. Each year we honour men and women who have excelled in sport locally, nationally and internationally.
It also recognises sportspersons involved in Administration, or who made a special contribution, and honours a Hall of Fame winner.
This year’s selection committee had the task of sifting through the nominations received before selecting the award winners who will be honoured.
Jimmy Magee of RTE was the Chairman of the selection committee and will present the awards on the night.
The Coiste Siamsa Garda Sportstar Awards for 2010 will be presented in the following sporting categories:-
Camogie: Josie Dwyer. A Senior All-Ireland medal winner with Wexford in 2010 and assisted her county’s win with a tremendous campaign. She has National League medals for 2009 and 2010 and won a senior B medal for her club team Ferns this year. Josie is a native of Wexford and a Garda Stationed in Kildare.
Canoeing/Kayaking: Peter Egan. Reigning K1 and K2 National Champion and the K2 National Marathon Champion for the 3rd year in a row. He was a semi finalist in the K2 Sprint World Cup in Hungary & a finalist in the K1 Marathon Championships in Spain. He won the Mickey Casey Cup and was the 1st Irish boat home when he came 2nd in the International Liffey Descent. Peter is a native of Dublin and a Garda stationed in Tallaght.
Cycling: Caroline Ryan. A member of the Irish Elite Womens Cycling Team for 2010 / 2011. In November 2009 as Pilot on the Irish Paracycling Tandem team competing in the World Championships in Manchester she won a silver medal – a 1st for Ireland. Set new Irish and National records when competing in the National & International Track competitions this year. Caroline is a native of Kildare and a Garda stationed in Pearse Street.
Gaelic Football: James Kavanagh. Played a crucial role for Kildare in their march to the semi-final of this years All –Ireland Championship. He was the G.P.A. player of the month July 2010 and was nominated for an All-Star for the second year in a row. He was also a G.P.A. nominee and member of the compromise rules squad. James is a native of Kildare and a Garda stationed in Crumlin.
Hockey: Louisa Healy. Louisa is Ireland’s first choice goalkeeper and holds 53 international caps. She competed in the ladies hockey world cup qualifiers in Chile in May 2010, securing a third place finish. Louisa is a member of Loreto Hockey Club, Rathfarnham, which won this year’s Irish Ladies Cup (All – Ireland competition). In June 2010 she competed in the European Club Championships in Rome. Louisa is a native of Wexford and a Garda stationed in Pearse Street.
Rugby: Niamh Briggs. Niamh is currently on the Irish Female Rugby Team. She represented her country at the recent World Cup in England and is also a player on the Munster team. Her commitment to her chosen sport is reflected in her success to date. Niamh is a native of Waterford and a Garda stationed at Roxboro Road.
Soccer: Padraig Sutton. Padraig is a member of the elite Airtricity Referee Panel and he referees in our top National League weekly. He was also part of a group of 6 Irish Officials to take charge of a Champions League game in Romania in September 2010. He is to attain a FIFA badge in January 2011. Padraig is a native of Clare and a Sergeant stationed at Roxboro Road.
Triathlon: Michael Macken. Michael won the gold medal in the National Championships over 45 category, Olympic Distance Triathlon, Dublin 290810 and sprint distance Lough Key, 050910. He was the winner of the national series in this category and finished 17th place overall. He competed on the Irish team in the European Championships in Athlone, 040710 and was the 1st Irishman in his category and 11th overall. In July he competed in his 5th Ironman Triathlon. Michael is a native of Westmeath and a Detective Sergeant stationed in the technical bureau.
Special Contribution – Michael Toner.
In 1980 Mick was a founder member of West End United, a Garda and Civilian soccer team. This was later to become Drogheda Town FC when they amalgamated with Drogheda Celtic in 2001.
Last year Drogheda Town FC were promoted to the senior Division of the Leinster Senior League – the first club in the Drogheda north east to do so. The previous year the club qualified for the first round proper of the F.A.I. Cup V Bohemians at Dalymount Park.
Mick has been at the forefront of this club since its inception and has been either Chairman or Vice Chairman since 2001.
He has overseen improvements in the Club’s facilities and has played a major role in providing top level soccer to the young people of Drogheda and its surrounding areas.
In his service in An Garda Síochána Mick has worked tirelessly in encouraging members to participate in all sports, particularly soccer.
Without doubt he is a worthy recipient of this award.
Mick is a native of the Cooley Mountain area north of Dundalk and a Garda Based in HQ.
Hall of Fame Award 2010 - Mick Reid.
Mick won Irish Junior and Senior Titles at Middleweight in the Irish Championships in 1959 and 1960.
As a result he represented his country when he boxed on the Irish Team that competed in the Rome Olympics of 1960. This meant that he was the first Garda member to represent his country in the Olympic Games in the sport of boxing.
Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, competed at the same Olympics.
He is presently Vice Chairman of Coiste Siamsa and he takes an active interest in all sports.
He competed at the highest of levels in his discipline and truly deserves this accolade.
Mick is a Dublin man and retired from An Garda Síochána as a Chief Superintendent in Harcourt Square after serving many communities in Dublin and beyond since 1959.
Garda Press Office.