Hanafin lauds 'role models'

SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR:The Minister for Education, Mary Hanafin, led the tributes to overall winner Briege Corkery and the 10 other monthly winners at the second annual Irish Times/Mitsubishi Electric Sportswoman of the Year awards in Dublin's Conrad Hotel yesterday.

"This is a wonderful occasion and it is lovely to be a part of such success, commitment and talent, to celebrate with each of you what has been a tremendous year," said the Minister.

"This has as much to do with the profile of women in sport as it has to do with women in sport. Women in history have been ignored. Women in politics are underrepresented. Women in management are in an insufficient number. Women in sport have never got the profile they deserve, so particular thanks should go to The Irish Timesand Mitsubishi Electric for these awards and ensuring that the women with such talent and commitment and such achievement are getting the recognition now.

"Surely the greatest way of encouraging other young women is for role models so they can see what can be achieved through commitment."

Several leading sports administrators attended the event, now a permanent fixture in the sporting calendar. They included the president of Cumann Peil Gael na mBan, Geraldine Giles; the president of Cumann Camógaíochta na nGael, Miriam Uí Cheallacháin; the chief executive of the Special Olympics, Mary Davis; and the chief executive of the Irish Sports Council, John Treacy.

The Irish Times editor Geraldine Kennedy acknowledged the work throughout the past year of the judging panel - Mary Hannigan (T he Irish Times), Greg Allen (RTÉ) and Lindie Naughton ( Evening Herald).

"The judges of these awards had the unenviable task of selecting the monthly award winners from so many worthy candidates, as well as choosing the overall winner," said Kennedy. "To each of them I express my untold gratitude for a difficult and daunting task."

Kennedy also commended sports editor Malachy Logan for "pushing forward" the idea of the awards.

"Last year we had award winners from nine different sports but this year we have literally gone one better with 10 winners from sports as diverse as ladies' football, camogie, surfing, squash.

"I believe that diversity reflects two things: the growth of elite women's sport and the welcome increase in participation in sport at all levels. While everybody acknowledges the benefits to be derived from participation in sport, it's vitally important for the development of sport for both sexes that we have role models of the calibre of today's award winners.

"Striving to emulate the achievements of Jessica Kürten, Nina Carberry, Briege Corkery, Niamh Fahey, Jenny Burke and the other 2005 winners here today will be the driving force this year for many young women playing games like football, camogie and hockey or dreaming of riding winners at Cheltenham or winning the Nations Cup at the RDS."

Fergus Madigan, chief executive of Mitsubishi Electric, noted the exceptional work ethic of the award winners, many of whom also hold down day jobs outside sport.

"For most of us, it is hard to comprehend or visualise the commitment which lies behind these performances, the hours spent in training, sometimes after a day's work, with little or no material incentive except the reward of overcoming yet another challenge or chalking up another personal best.

"I would like to pay tribute and commend each one of the nominees for their outstanding accomplishments during the course of 2005. You have all done your various clubs, counties and country proud and each of you will serve as role models not only for your peers but for many future generations."

Mitsubishi Electric will be replaced by the VHI as title sponsors for 2006.

"I would like to thank The Irish Timesas our partners in this award, which we have thoroughly enjoyed being associated with over the last two years. We wish you and the VHI the very best for 2006 in furthering the continued success of this award," added Madigan.

The Irish Timesequestrian correspondent, Grania Willis, gave the keynote address, recalling her remarkable feat of climbing Everest last year after just 15 months' training as a mountaineer. She was presented with a special-achievement award.

The host for the day was Des Cahill, while other representatives from The Irish Times were deputy sports editor Paul Barry, promotions manager Maeve O'Meara, promotions executive Yvonne Lynch and marketing manager Áine Maguire.