Munster Express Online

Pictured with Sunderland and Ireland striker Daryl Murphy is the Brothers of Charity Services South East Sports Star for 2008, John Phelan.

The award recipients included a ‘most improved’ athlete in each sport throughout the year. MC was service user David Sheehan, and the awards were announced by Joseph O’Donnell from the Brothers of Charity Services, and Aidan Cross of Special Olympics Waterford.

Susan McGill, Recreation Co-ordinator with Brothers of Charity Services South East, congratulated the deserving winners and also thanked Daryl for supporting the event. “His presence has made the evening a great success and his popularity will hopefully spur on our service users to continue practicing and improving in their chosen sports.”

As well as John’s accolade, the Joe Walsh Memorial Award for swimming was awarded to Aidan Harkin; Carol Nairn was named Special Olympics sportsperson of the year.

Winner of the award for athletics was Olwyn Reddy; Avril Beresford, Martin O’Grady, Orla O’Brien, Mark Ledwell, and Seamus Phelan in basketball; Michael Geraghty and Mary Flynn for bocce; Jack Minis and Robert Shaw in bowling.

In gymnastics, Kellie O’Donnell and Brian McSweeney received awards; Michael Fenlon in hockey; David Sheehan and Patrick Prendergast for swimming; Eddie Rossiter, Michael O’Shea and Dessie Dunne for golf.

In soccer the winners were Willie Kelly, James Hennessy, and Nicky Daniels; Tony Collins and Mary O’Shea for motor activities; Eoghan O’Sullivan and Carol Nairn in badminton. Thomas Troy and Ger O’Callaghan were awarded for table tennis; Rory O’Connor for phys ed; Tom Mullane for fit club; and Kevin Murphy and Olivia O’Dwyer for walking.

See www.munster-express.ie/photos for more pictures from the awards. – Photo: John Power