PICTURES: Sports stars feted at Slievenamon awards night in Kilkenny

A veritable who’s who of Kilkenny and Tipperary sporting glitterati turned out at the Pembroke Hotel recently as the Slievenamon Association Kilkenny held its awards.

An attendance of 200 came to honour sporting and community personalities who contributed so much at local, national and international level. MC Paul Collins had engaging conversations with each recipient after some video highlights of their achievements.

Awards were given to:

Rachael Blackmore for her outstanding achievements as a national hunt jockey;
Liam Cahill, manager of the Tipperary All-Ireland winning senior hurling team;
Alice Leahy, for her work with the homeless since 1975 through the Alice Leahy Trust;
Enda McEvoy, sports journalist and author for his excellent and insightful hurling journalism at national level over many years;
Brendan Cummins manager of the All-Ireland winning Tipperary u-20 hurling team.
Current and former Kilkenny and Tipperary stars present included, Michael Fennelly, Eoin Kelly, John McGrath, Noel McGrath, Conor Stakelum and Oisin O’Donoghue.
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Association Chairman John Sheehy welcomed everybody including special guests.

“The Association has been in existence since 1991 and its members are involved in every walk of life in County Kilkenny,” he said, thanking the sponsors of the awards and prizes and the overall sponsor Fairstone. He congratulated all the award winners on their achievements in various fields – ranging from the racetrack to the published page and much in between.

Gearoid Cleere, Director of Fairstone Kilkenny, said they were delighted to be the main sponsor of the awards night, and that Michael Fennelly, newly appointed Head of SME at Fairstone was also thrilled to renew acquaintances with his hurling colleagues from Tipperary and Kilkenny.

Michael Fennelly, who lectures in Business and Leadership in TUS, said he will be working directly with business owners, helping them design tailored financial strategies. That might mean improving cashflow, planning for expansion, or preparing for succession.

Liam Cahill, on behalf of the award recipients, thanked the Slievenamon Association for organising a great night and for the valued awards. He commended the Association on its support for Tipperary teams over the years and they were grateful for the hospitality they receive in the Pembroke when they play in Kilkenny.

Owner of Pembroke Hotel John Ryan said that hotels play a big part in communities. He said that while Tipperary achievements were being recognised, outstanding Kilkenny people were also being celebrated.

“What makes us a great community and country is to have former Kilkenny stars party with arch rivals, and the celebration of community, journalism, national and international sporting success with universal esteem — that’s what we are about,” he said.