Longford Leader Sports Star Awards 2023 to recognise sporting excellence

Details of the eagerly awaited 2023 Longford Leader Sports Star Awards, in association with Longford Sports Partnership, were announced during a press launch at Áras an Chontae.

The coveted awards will be presented at a gala presentation function in the Longford Arms Hotel on Friday, November 24 at 8pm. 

2023 has been a great year for sport in Longford, with huge achievements from many athletes and sporting organisations. These achievements are far beyond what would be expected of a small county.

The Longford Leader and  Longford Sports Partnership encourages people to nominate the achievements of our talented sports people over the past year. These people are leaders in their chosen sport and without realising it, are inspiring others to get involved.

The Longford Leader Sports Star Awards scheme is a continuation of the very successful Longford Sports Awards, initiated by Longford Sports Partnership in 2012. 

After four consecutive years, 2012 - 2015 inclusive, there was no awards ceremony in 2016, however, they returned in impressive style in 2017, with Ganly’s as the lead sponsor in association with Longford Sports Partnership and the Longford Leader. The awards were also presented in 2018 and 2019. As the world battled against the Covid-19 pandemic the awards didn’t take place in 2020 or 2021 but they returned in fantastic style last year.

Longford Leader Managing Editor Alan Walsh said, “We are looking forward with great excitement to the 2023 Longford Leader Sports Star Awards, in association with Longford Sports Partnership.”

Mr Walsh added the Longford Leader is delighted to be working alongside Longford Sports Partnership to present the 2023 Longford Sport Stars Awards. “A huge thanks to Longford Sports Partnership Coordinator Sarah Mulligan for her expertise, advice and guidance in relation to the awards scheme. 

“Sarah, her colleagues and the Board of Longford Sports Partnership do an incredible amount of positive work promoting sport and physical activity to people of all ages and abilities across the county, and they deserve enormous credit for this.”

Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Colm Murray said, “Our athletes represent themselves, their families, their sports, our county and sometimes even our country. This representation means increased visibility of sport and indeed Longford. The sporting achievements are inspiring others and the next generation to get involved in sport and physical activity. This participation has such a positive effect. But we must not forget our volunteers. Without our volunteers these opportunities simply would not exist.”

 Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon said, “I look forward to celebrating the achievements of Longford athletes and volunteers and highlighting the importance of their role in Longford. These Sports Awards are a wonderful opportunity to work with the Longford Leader to celebrate those achievements.”

Award Categories and How to Nominate

The public are invited to submit your nominations for the 2023 Longford Leader Sports Star Awards, in association with Longford Sports Partnership, via email to longfordsportsawards2023@gmail.com

When submitting your nomination, clearly state the nominees name, club and sport and outline the reasons for the nomination. 

If you don’t have access to email, don’t worry, as nominations can also be posted to Longford Leader Sports Star Awards 2023, Longford Leader, Market Square, Longford N39 KN82. 

Please note that the closing date for submission of nominations is 10am on Thursday, November 9, 2023. 

Ten award recipients will be selected from the nominees submitted by the public and we are also seeking nominations for the following five awards;

• Hall of Fame Award (Exceptional Service to Sport)
• Club Volunteer of the Year Award
• Junior Sportsperson of the Year Award
• Sports Ability Award
• Team of the Year Award.

A selection committee will adjudicate on the nominations.

Each of the winners will be presented with a memento in recognition of their achievement at a gala presentation function in the Longford Arms Hotel on Friday, November 24, 2023 at 8pm and they will also be in the running for the coveted title of Overall 2023 Longford Leader Sports Star of the Year.

There is a vast array of vibrant and well organised sporting clubs and groups across county Longford and you can be sure that the selection committee for the Longford Leader Sports Star Awards, in association with Longford Sports Partnership, will take note of all achievements, whether it is in Athletics, Basketball, Boxing, Canoeing, Community Games, Cricket, Cycling, Equestrian events, GAA (Gaelic Football & Hurling), Golf, Motor Sport, Rugby, Soccer, Swimming, Triathlon or Water Sports, into consideration when they sit down and complete their deliberations ahead of the gala awards dinner.  

MAIN PHOTO CAPTION: At the launch of the 2023 Longford Leader Sports Star Awards, in association with Longford Sports Partnership, at Áras an Chontae were front row l to r;  Longford Leader Media Specialist Jess McCaul, Micheal Reilly (OSDIO Longford Sports Partnership) and Longford Leader Managing Editor Alan Walsh. Back; Longford Leader Sports Editor Padraic O'Brien, Longford Leader's Desmond Connolly. Director of Services Longford County Council Barbara Heslin, Chief Executive Longford County Council Paddy Mahon, Longford Sports Partnership Coordinator Sarah Mulligan, Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Colm Murray, Senior Executive Officer Longford County Council Ciaran Murphy and Cllr Mick Cahill (Longford Sports Partnership Committee Representative) Picture: Shelley Corcoran