Thomas Barr wins August Sports Star Award

AUGUST WINNER!

Voting has now closed for the August South East Sports Star of the Month.

This month's winner is...

THOMAS BARR

Waterford athlete Thomas Barr exceeded expectation at the Rio Olympics by not only qualifying for the final of the men's 400 metres hurdles, but coming within a fraction of a second of a medal.

Thomas' sub-48 second time proved that he is now among the best in the world and a real propsect for gold at next year's World Championships.

A former overall winner of the South East Sports Star award, this is the third year in a row that Thomas has won a monthly award.

Other nominees; Roy White (Tipperary), Glynn-Barntown Ladies' Rounders Team (Wexford), Colin Fennelly (Kilkenny) and Jake Hennessy (Carlow).

If there's someone who you think should be nominated for the September South East Sports Star Award, you can email [email protected] to make your suggestion!

THE WINNERS SO FAR...

January - Douglas Elmes
Douglas was nominated for the award after he claimed a bronze medal at the World Youth Sailing Championships in Malaysia. The 17 year old claimed the medal alongside his sailing partner Colin O’Sullivan in the 420 dinghy, becoming the first pair to win a world youth sailing medal for Ireland in 19 years.

Douglas is a Leaving Cert student in Kilkenny College and has been sailing with Colin for 15 months. In that time they claimed a clean sweep in the Irish calender, winning all four regional championships.

Other nominees: Niall O'Brien (Carlow), Con Sheehan (Tipperary), Hayley Fitzsimons (Waterford), Killian Lett (Wexford).

February - Padraig Amond
Padraig was nominated for the award in recognition of his sensational form this season for Grimsby Town who play in the English National League (formerly known as the Conference). The forward is currently on 27 goals in 34 appearances, making him the most prolific striker in the top 5 divisions in English football.

The 27 year old joined The Mariners last summer after a two year stint with Morecambe in League 2. His form has helped Grimsby up to 3rd place in the table, 12 points behind leaders Cheltenham Town but with two games in hand. He is also the frontrunner to be named the National League Player of the Year.

Other nominees: Glenmore GAA (Kilkenny), Patricia O'Halloran (Tipperary), Austin Gleeson (Waterford), Wexford Darts Team.

March - Mouse Morris & WIT Ladies Basketball
March was a sensational month for Tipperary horse trainer Mouse Morris. On the 28th he trained the 16/1 shot Rogue Angel to victory in the Irish Grand National, landing him his second win in the race and first since 2008. More success was to follow however, when 33/1 shot Rule The World won the Aintree Grand National, perhaps the world's most famous national hunt race. An incredible double for the Fethard trainer, and all the more poignant following the untimely death of his son in an accident in Argentina last summer.

Joining Mouse as the joint winners for March is the WIT Ladies Basketball team. They were nominated for the award after they won the National Colleges Division One League title for the first time in their history. They defeated CIT in the final 64-59, with Jazmen Boone contributing 34 points and winning the MVP award. This was the team’s first trophy since winning the Division 2 league title in 2006. A number of weeks later they also claimed the women’s “A” intervarsity title for the first time, this time defeating TCD 68-44.

Other nominees: Marcus Lawler (Carlow), TJ Reid (Kilkenny), Joseph O'Brien (Wexford).

April - Dale White

Dale was nominated for the award after he claimed a gold medal in the Senior kung fu sets division at the Irish Open kickboxing tournament. The event is one of the largest kickboxing competitions in the world with over 4,000 people taking part across the world.

Arguably Dale’s greatest achievement came last year when he claimed 1 gold and 1 silver medal at the World Kickboxing Championship in Florida. He has also won medals at the Wako European Championships in Spain and numerous other events at home and abroad.

Other nominees: Oliver Ryan & Daniel Fenlon (Carlow), Sean Maguire (Kilkenny), Nell McCarthy (Tipperary), John Kiely (Waterford).

May - Wexford Youths Women

The Youths were nominated for the award after they retained the Continental Tyres Women’s National League, defeating Shelbourne Ladies in a playoff. A brace by Claire O’Riordan saw the girls battle back from a goal down to claim the title at Tallaght Stadium.

The result means the Youths are in the qualifying stages for the Women’s Champions League for the second year running, and this year the games will be played in the South East, at Ferrycarrig Park and the Regional Sports Centre.

Other nominees: Finn Lynch (Carlow), Arthur Lanigan O'Keeffe (Kilkenny), St. Michael's AFC (Tipperary), Seamus Power (Waterford).

June - Robin Dawson

Robin was nominated for the award after he claimed one of the greatest victories of his short career by winning 2016 World University Golf Championships. Robin trailed French golfer Franck Medale by one stroke entering the final round but a brilliant round of 70 saw Dawson claim the victory on a three over par total to leave him two shots ahead of China’s Xuewem Luo.

The 21 year’s old victory emulates Graeme McDowell who won gold at the 2000 World University Championships, and it also meant Ireland finished in 2nd place in the team event.

Other nominees: Troy Kinch Randall & Joey Whelan (Carlow), Daragh Walshe (Kilkenny), Sean O'Connor (Tipperary), Jamie Codd (Wexford).

July - Peter Acheson

The Moyle Rovers clubman was nominated for the award after a sensational summer with the Premier as they qualified for the All-Ireland senior football semi-finals for the first time since 1935. After an impressive Munster campaign which saw them defeat Cork and narrowly lose to Kerry, Liam Kearns’ side overcame Derry in the qualifiers before an amazing victory over Galway in the All-Ireland quarter-finals.

Other nominees Carlow athlete Molly Scott, Kilkenny hurler Jonjo Farrell, Waterford rally driver Craig Breen, and Wexford hurler Conor McDonald.

WHAT IS IT?

The annual South East Sports Star Awards are the region's biggest sports awards. Now in its 10th year, the awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of sports stars across the South East region.

HOW IT WORKS...
Every month we ask sports fans to nominate a person or a club who they think are deserving of a monthly award. All you need to do is email [email protected] with a few lines about the person or team and why you think they deserve an award. A awards committee gathers all the nominees together and select five to go forward to the public vote - one from each South East county. The vote takes place on this very page for one week, and then the winner is announced on Beat Breakfast on the Friday morning of voting week. He, she or they then become a monthly winner of the South East Sports Star Award!

While these are first and foremost a public vote, the committee can on occasion name joint monthly winners to highlight two achievements that are equally deserving of recognition.

WHAT HAPPENS THEN?
All these monthly nominations and awards lead up to the big event, the annual South East Sports Star Awards Night. Every monthly winner receive their awards on the night, and they are also the nominees for the South East Sports Star of the Year Award, which will be announced by our special guest MC and judging panel.

PREVIOUS OVERALL WINNERS

2015: Craig Breen