Irish Sportswomen Set for Big Stage

The cream of the crop of Irish sportswomen are set to be honoured and the overall winner announced at The Irish Times Vhi Healthcare Sportswoman of the Year Awards which takes place on Friday 12th January at the Westin Hotel, Dublin.


The Award, which is the first of its kind in Ireland, is aimed specifically at women in sport, recognising their achievements and creating greater awareness of their sports.


This year’s nominees are some of the very best competitors Irish sport has to offer, covering a wide variety of disciplines including, boxing, athletics, golf, rowing and squash.


Malachy Logan, Sports Editor of The Irish Times, said: ''It's quite remarkable how quickly these awards have become the standard bearer for Irish sportswomen. The depth and quality of achievement by all the monthly award winners speaks volumes for the strides women's sport has made in recent years.

This year's award winners are really an exceptional and diverse group of athletes. They are rightly being acknowledged for the huge contribution they make to Irish society and the vital function they serve as outstanding role models for both girls and boys who want to follow in their footsteps.''

Commenting on this years nominees, Vincent Sheridan, Chief Executive, Vhi Healthcare said; "National recognition is a tribute hard earned, and each of our thirteen nominees have travelled the hard road required to achieve the type of sporting excellence exemplified in this years nominees.


Sheridan continued, "Vhi Healthcare would like to take this opportunity to applaud each of the nominees and wish them the best of luck for 2007 in their various sporting fields. They each play a pivotal role for the younger generations of aspiring sportswomen who in turn may one day be recognised like their heroes."


The Award was launched in 2004, with each nominee a monthly award winner selected by a panel of three independent judges. This year sees thirteen nominees put forward for the National Award as rowers Sinéad Jennings and Niamh Ni Cheilleachair were both selected for the Sportswoman Award for June. The list also contains the 2005 Sportswoman of the Year Briege Corkery.


The 2006 Irish Times Vhi Healthcare Sportswoman of the Year nominees are as follows:


Jessica Kürten Equestrian January

Derval O’Rourke Athletics February

Madeline Perry Squash March

Nina Carberry Horse Racing April

Fiona Connery Hockey May

Sinéad Jennings &

Niamh Ní Cheilleachair Rowing June

Joanne Cuddihy Athletics July

Kelly Liggan Tennis August

Briege Corkery Camogie & September

Gaelic Football

Katie Taylor Boxing October

Claire Coughlan Golf November

* December winner yet to be announced.

The 2006 Irish Times Vhi Healthcare Sportswoman of the Year will be announced on Friday 12th January by Minister for Education and Science Mary Hanafin T.D. at the Awards ceremony hosted by Des Cahill of RTE in the Westin Hotel Dublin 2.