The awards are presented to Garda members who have achieved in their chosen sporting areas, locally, nationally and internationally. This year’s selection committee was chaired by Eamonn Coghlan.
This year’s winners:
Boxing - Niall Kennedy
In February of this year Niall fought and was narrowly beaten in the final of the Super Heavyweight division at the National Boxing Championships. He has represented An Garda Síochána and his country with distinction in the Haringay Police Cup and the World Police and Fire Games, winning the open Super Heavyweight title at each event. A native of Gorey, Co Wexford, Niall is a Garda stationed at Wicklow Garda station.
Canoeing/Kayaking - Peter Egan
Winner of the K2 section of the 2013 International Liffey Decent, National champion in the K1 and K2 Canoe Marathon, National champion K2 over five kilometres, National champion K1 over two kilometres, 19th in the world Canoe Marathon Championships and winner of 5 gold medals at the World Police and Fire Games. Peter from Lucan is a five time winner of the Garda Sportstar Award and is stationed at Tallaght in Dublin.
Rowing - Sheila Clavin
In 2013 Sheila represented Ireland at the London Metropolitan Regatta in June and took gold in the senior single skulls. At the Home International Regatta held in Nottingham in July she won gold in the senior single skulls and silver in the senior lightweight skull. Sheila won two gold medals at the World Police and Fire Games setting an event record in the process. Sheila is a native of Co.Offaly Garda stationed at Henry Street in Limerick.
Gaelic Football - Colm Boyle
Colm was one of the most outstanding and consistent players on the Mayo senior football narrowly beaten in the 2013 All Ireland Final. He was selected on the 2013 GAA GPA All Star team. He was also selected on the Sunday Game and Daily Mail teams of 2013 as well as for the Ireland International Rules Panel. He is a Garda Stationed at Clifden in Co. Galway
Ladies Football - Joanne Moore
Joanne played in the full-back line on the Cavan team which won the 2013 Intermediate All Ireland and was hugely influential in the defeat of Tipperary. Joanne also plays a pivotal role for her club which is vying for an Ulster title. A native of Cavan Joanne is a Garda stationed at Dundalk Co Louth.
Rugby - Niamh Briggs
Niamh was key member of the Ireland Lady’s Rugby team which captured the historic first ever Grand Slam in 2013. She played in all five matches, emerged as the tournament’s top scorer (43 points) and kicked the crucial points in the final game against Italy. In 2013 Niamh was part of the Munster team which won the Interprovincial Championship and the UL Bohemians team which captured the All-Ireland League. She was recently, along with Jonathan sexton, awarded Rugby Player of the Year. Niamh is a native of Co.Waterford and is a Garda Stationed at Roxboro Road Garda Station in Limerick.
Swimming -Sinead Tyrrell
Sinead was the winner of 4 gold and 1 silver medals at the World Police and Fire Games held in Belfast in 2013. She competed in the European Police Swimming Championships and against world class opposition reached two finals. Sinead, representing the Garda Swimming Club, set the fastest times in this year’s Dublin City Liffey Swim and Dublin Docklands Swim. She is a native of Dublin and is a Garda station at Finglas Garda station.
Ultra Running - Adrian Tucker
There is running; there is marathon running; and the then there is Ultra Running. In September 2013 Adrian competed in the Tor Des Geants (Tour of Giants) a 330k endurance race ran over 150 hours in the Aosta Valley in Italy and involving over 700 runners. Adrian completed the event in a very creditable 100th position. Adrian is from Walkintown in Dublin and is a Garda stationed at Bray Garda station.
Administration of Sport - Pat Cullen
Pat has been a member of the Garda Clay Pigeon Shooting Club for 25 years and secretary of the club for the last 20. In that time the club has become one of the most successful in the country. The success of the Garda Clay Pigeon Shooting Club over the years in national and international events is testament to Pat’s organisational skills. Pat is a native of Co.Wicklow and a Garda stationed at Dundrum Garda station.
Contribution to Sport - Great Garda Run Committee
The Great Garda Run is a biennial event where over 100 Gardaí participate in selected city marathons while raising money for charity. The seven person committee plan and organise the event. Garda runners have to date participated in three marathons raising in excess of €500,000 for selected Irish charities. This could not happen without the dedication and organisational skill of the Great Garda Run Committee.
Hall of Fame - Christy O’Brien (Rowing)
Retired Detective Sergeant Christy O’Brien formally of the Garda Technical Bureau is this year’s Hall of Fame recipient. A native of Co.Cork Christy joined the Garda Boat Club in 1971. Christy was a winner of 9 Irish Senior Championships. He was a member of a Garda VIII which won the Irish title on six occasions between 1975 and 1983, he also won a coxed pair, a coxless pair and a coxed fours National title. In 1978 Christy was part of a crew which won gold at Ghent in Belgium and in the Thames Valley Cup at the Henley Regatta, setting a new record time in Ghent and becoming the first Irish crew since 1908 to win at Henley. Christy rowed on an all Garda Irish VII in the World Championships of 1975and 1977 In 1978 he represented Ireland again,the team coming 5th in the World Championship, which was Irelands best finish in this event to date. Christy was also a double Olympian representing Ireland at the Montreal (1976) and Moscow (1980) Games.
2013 Selection Committee
Eamonn Coghlan Chairman, Paul Moran & Mary Kennedy Coiste Siamsa, John O Driscoll & Mick Doyle St Raphael’s Garda Credit Union.
Note: photographs of the individual winners as well as a group photograph of the winners are available on request via email from the Garda Press Office at pressoffice@garda.ie
