AWARDS: DUNDRUM SOUTH Dublin high-jumper Deirdre Ryan and the fastest-growing club in Dublin GAA, Castleknock, were the big winners at the 2011 Dublin Sports Awards night.

The event, held in conjunction with the Clarion Hotel Liffey Valley and Setanta Sports Ireland, celebrated the achievements of the finest in Dublin sport as 24 of the monthly stars and teams were honoured.

The event, in front of a packed house, was compered by Setanta sports journalist Paul Dempsey.

Speaking afterwards, Gazette sports editor Rob Heigh said: “Every year it is a privilege to report on Dublin sport and to have the opportunity to give something back to the people who make sport in the city so vibrant and diverse is an honour in itself.

“The variety and scope of the awards, that mean we have the chance to honour individuals, clubs, schools and teams across the myriad of sports in the city, allows us the chance to thank not only the people who received the awards, but all of those whose great achievements appear in the sports pages of the eight Gazette newspapers every week.”

The diversity of the event saw representatives of 14 different sports, from underage soccer to senior golf, receiving awards on the stage from Dempsey. Setanta Sports Ireland will be broadcasting a programme on the event in the coming weeks.