(DEC 24) Katie Taylor has
been crowned The Irish Times/Irish Sports Council
‘Sportswoman of the Year 2012’ for her exceptional sporting
achievements throughout the year. Taylor was presented with her
award by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny at an awards ceremony in
Dublin. Following an outstanding year for Irish women in sport,
Taylor was among 12 sports stars nominated for the 2012 title.
One of Ireland’s most renowned and respected Irish Olympic
athletes, Maeve Kyle was also awarded with a Lifetime
Achievement Award for her valued contribution to the world
of Athletics.
The Bray–born lightweight boxer
won the Sportswoman of the Month award in May after securing her
fourth consecutive World title, beating Russian Southpaw Sofya
Ochigava 11-7 in a tense technical final in Qinhuangdao,
northern China. Taylor then represented Ireland in the London
2012 Olympic Games, famously bringing home the gold after an
incredible performance.
An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, TD, said: “Irish sportswomen have
excelled both nationally and internationally. Today we recognise
their enormous achievements in a range of sports - from boxing
and swimming to sailing and rugby. Their success is a result of
unstinting commitment, dedication, training and hard work. It is
exactly these qualities which are essential to achieving success
at the highest levels. Their achievements will help to motivate
thousands of girls and young women to both participate and excel
in sport. To the women honoured here today I say:
congratulations on your success and thank you for the
inspiration you provide to all of us. I also want to thank The
Irish Times and the Irish Sports Council for their continued
support for these awards.”
Speaking after her win, Taylor said: “I’m honoured and delighted
to be named the Irish Times/Irish Sports Council Sportswoman of
the Year. This has been an amazing year for me and for Irish
women in sport and I would like to congratulate all the
finalists in their respective fields who have excelled at major
sporting events such as the 2012 London Olympics, the All
Ireland Finals and The Grand National. The other finalists such
as Bethany Firth, Katie Walsh, Annalise Murphy, Fionnuala
Britton, Stephanie Meadow and Rena Buckley have all played a
part in gaining much needed recognition for females in sports.
It is wonderful to have an award like this as it recognizes
Irish Sports women and the amazing achievements that have
brought us all here today.”
Kevin O’Sullivan, Editor, The Irish Times said: “Throughout
2012, so many of our female sports stars have shown us their
exceptional talent, strength and perseverance. The extraordinary
women featured through the The Irish Times/Irish Sports Council
Sportswomen awards serve as role models for every aspiring
athlete. That truly deserves celebration. As a country, they
have made us feel proud, of them and of ourselves as a country;
so on behalf of us I would like to thank them and wish them all
the best in their future sporting endeavours.”
Commenting on behalf of the Awards sponsor, Kieran Mulvey,
Chairman of The Irish Sports Council said: “When Irish sports do
well in the international arena it benefits all of us, bringing
positive recognition for the country, an improved reputation and
a boost to morale. It is with women like Bethany Firth, Annalise
Murphy and Katie Taylor, with her stunning gold success at the
London Olympics 2012, as well as their coaching teams that bring
these benefits to Ireland. The Irish Sports Council is proud to
be part of awards that recognize these achievements across a
wide number of sports including Equestrian, Rugby, Hockey,
Golfing, Camogie, Football and Athletics. Congratulations to
Katie Taylor and all the finalists for giving us a great year
for Irish Women in Sport.”
Irish Olympic athlete and hockey player Maeve Kyle was presented
with the Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1956, Maeve
competed in the 100m and 200m in the Melbourne Olympics and
subsequently in the Rome Olympics (1960) and Tokyo Olympics
(1964) where she reached the semi-finals of both the 400m and
800m. Maeve also took bronze in the 400m at the 1966 European
Indoor Athletics Championships in Dortmund. She has had a very
successful career in Hockey, gaining 58 Irish caps as well as
representing three of the four Irish provinces (Leinster,
Munster and Ulster) at different stages of her career. She was
named in the World All Star team in 1953 and 1959.
Established in 2004, the aim of the Sportswoman of the Year
awards is to recognize the abilities and achievements of women
in Irish sports. The awards run over a 12 month period, with the
judges selecting a winner each month for her ability to excel at
sport. From the 12 monthly winners, the overall Sportswoman of
the Year is selected and announced in December.
