Irish Examiner National Junior Sports Star Awards

Date: 2 March 2005

Project Description:
Founded on a passionate commitment to sport, the annual Irish Examiner National Junior Sports Star Awards celebrated its 21st anniversary in Cork in 2005. The prestigious annual awards recognize the cream of young Irish sporting talent and are regarded as the barometer of individual excellence for athletes under the age of 18. Every year since 1984, the Irish Examiner has signposted another generation of Ireland's sporting heroes. These awards have helped encourage dozens of Junior Sports Stars to become Olympians, champions and professionals. In that time, 22 counties have provided winners in over 30 sporting disciplines in this unique awards scheme.

Manchester United and Republic of Ireland's Roy Keane was honoured in 1989, with other soccer award winners including Chelsea's Damian Duff and Tottenham Hotspur's Robbie Keane. Olympic 5000 metre silver medalist and former World Champion Sonia O'Sullivan won an award in 1987. The talent of the 2000 Gaelic Footballer of the Year Seamus Moynihan was identified when he was a recipient in 1990, a year which also honoured the hurling exploits of a young Brian Corcoran. Rachael Kohler, former captain of the Irish Women's hockey team, received her award in 1992, a year after Anthony Foley of Munster and Ireland received the rugby plaudit.

This event has seen high profile special guests from across the world of sport speaking to the young sports stars, including Padraig Harrington, Sir Steve Redgrave, Gerard Houllier and Kenny Dalglish.

Irish Examiner