This article originally appeared on KCLRFanzone.com.
Recognising excellence in sport in Kilkenny.
That’s what the 2017 David Buggy Motors Kilkenny Sport Star Awards are all about. Launched on Monday 8 March, the new annual sporting awards for Kilkenny, backed by David Buggy Motors and KCLR, will recognise the sporting achievements of teams and individuals on a monthly basis.
February’s nominees – who you can vote for now – include Carrickshock GAA, Thomastown United and boxed Darren O’Neill.
VOTE NOW: Vote for February’s Sport Star Awards
It’s been known for some time that Carrickshock would be returning to senior club hurling in Kilkenny, but in February, they built on their Leinster intermediate club hurling championship victory with a resounding 2-15 to 0-06 victory over Ahascragh-Fohenagh in Croke Park to seal the All-Ireland intermediate club hurling crown.
Thomastown United continue to make strides for local soccer on a national level and February saw them overcome SSE Airtricity giants Shamrock Rovers with a 1-0 injury time victory at United Park to set up a quarter-final draw with reigning champions Dundalk FC in Oriel Park.
Paulstown boxer Darren O’Neill boxed his way to an impressive seventh National Elite title with a unanimous decision victory over Ken Okungbowa in the 91kg division.
VOTE NOW: Vote for February’s Sport Star Awards
Speaking on the launch of the awards, sponsor David Buggy expressed his delight at the involvement.
“We’re delighted to be involved with and to launch the Kilkenny Sport Star Awards”, says Buggy.
“There’s a wealth of sporting talent across the length and breadth of the county, and that’s not just on the hurling front. From soccer to rugby, locals involved in the golf overseas, youngsters competing at national and international levels in athletics, boxing and the rest, it’s great to be able to recognise those achievements.”
“We’re a local business and community is a key part of what we do at David Buggy Motors. Sport too is a large part of that community, so we’re delighted to partner with KCLR on the awards and we’re really looking forward to seeing the achievements highlighted over the coming months.”
Each month, a panel of experts will draw a shortlist of nominees for the monthly award which will be announced live on KCLR and online through KCLR Fanzone. Voting will be open to the public for a week, before the winners are revealed the following Monday.
“We’re extremely delighted to launch the awards”, says KCLR’s Head of Sport, Stephen Byrne.
“Sport is such a massive part of our output for both Kilkenny and Carlow, between interviews, reports, live commentaries, streaming games, special sports programmes and the awards will further enhance our coverage of all elements of local sport.”
“On top of that, the Fanzone continues to grow online to spread the word of what’s happening on the ground locally on a daily basis, and reach audiences we can’t always get to on air, whether they’re at home or abroad. This is also a perfect chance for those people to show their appreciation to their own sporting heroes and sport stars.”
Voting on the February nominees for the David Buggy Motors Kilkenny Sport Star Awards continues until 6pm Sunday 12 March.
