Paul Hession has collected two major sporting awards in the last few days. Last Saturday night in Dublin Paul was awarded ‘Track Athlete of The Year’ at the AAI’s National Athletics Awards. This was a tightly contested set of awards and even Paul’s mammoth achievements over the last twelve months did not guarantee him success at these awards. Such a situation is testament to the growing health of track and field athletics at national level during the last twelve months.
Last night in the Clayton Hotel in Galway Paul went on to pick up the Galway Bay FM Sports Award for Athletics for 2007. The presentation was made to Paul at a Gala Banquet and Presentation ceremony in the Clayton Hotel. Paul was joined in his celebrations by a party of twenty of his family, friends and fellow club members.
I’m sure everyone at the club will join in offering our warmest congratulations to Paul on these awards. In a year where he broke seven national records over three distances such recognition was richly deserved.
As we head into an Olympic year for Paul in 2008 I’m sure he’ll have his sights set on more honours in the months and years to come.
Well done Paul!
Athletics Ireland National Athletics Awards
in association with Waterford Crystal Winners
Official of the Year - Harry Gorman (Donore Harriers)
Coach of the Year - Adam Jones (Rathfarnham WSAF)
Junior Athlete of the Year - Kelly Proper (Ferrybank AC)
Master Athlete of the Year - Niamh O'Sullivan (An Riocht)
Track Athlete of the Year - Paul Hession (Athenry AC)
Field Event Athlete of the Year - Eileen O'Keeffe (Kilkenny Harriers)
Cross County/Road Athlete of the Year - Fionnuala Britton (Sli Chulainn)
Race Walker of the Year - Robert Heffernan (Togher AC)
Performance of the Year - David Gillick (Dundrum, South Dublin)
Athlete of the Year - Eileen O'Keeffe (Kilkenny Harriers)
Club of the Year - Clonliffe Harriers
Lifetime Achievement Award - Sean and Maeve Kyle (Ballymena)
Hall of Fame Award - Ronnie Delany
University of the Year - Dublin City University
Report from RTE here
http://www.rte.ie/sport/athletics/2007/1118/athletics.html
Galway Bay FM Sports Awards 2007
1. Hurling – Joe Canning
2. Gaelic Football - Diarmuid Blake
3. Motorsport – Jarlath Keary
4. Snooker – Vincent Muldoon
5. Golf – Joe Lyons
6. Athletics – Paul Hession
7. Racing – Derek O’Connor
8. Kickboxing – Nicki Collins
9. Community Games – Claregalway/Lackagh Area
10. Special Olympics – Sheila McNicholl, Clara Joyce, William Casserly, Christina Kelly, Kevin Hardiman
11. Ladies Football – Sarah Cosgrove
12. Camogie – Jessica Gill
13. Swimming – Dairne Ryan
14. Rugby – Connacht Youths
15. Soccer – Emmet Byrne
16. Ladies Soccer – Galway League Team
17. Rowing – Alan Martin & Cormac Folan
18. Team Award – Galway Minor Footballers
19. Coach Award – Vincent Mullins
20. Club Award – Mountbellew Golf Club Ladies
21. Lifetime Achievement Award – Paddy Mannion
22. Overall Award – P.J.Fahy
