Gordon Elliott wins sportsperson of the year award
Gordon Elliott scooped the 2018 Meath Sportsperson of the Year award at the Knightsbrook Hotel on Friday night.
It was a second success for the Summerhill man who won the inaugural accolade in 2007.
Elliott dedicated the award to his late uncle Willie Elliott who passed away in 2018.
"I wouldn't be involved in racing only for Willie and this award is dedicated to his memory," Gordon told Evanne Ni Chuilinn in a brief interview.
Gordon won the monthly award for March as he enjoyed a marvellous Cheltenham Festival.
He retained his leading trainer’s title with eight winners over the four days, edging out his great rival Willie Mullins who finished with seven.
In a great year he also won the Aintree and Irish Grand Nationals and late in the year the American equivalent and he also had success at Royal Ascot.
Kells Handball Team scooped the team of the year award.
In August 2018 the team from Kells Handball Club - Dylan Sheridan, Robbie Fox, Troy Flanagan, Daniel Farrelly and Jack Rennicks - won medals at the World Handball Championships in Minneapolis.
Dylan Sheridan (22) and Robbie Fox (21) claimed top spot in the 40x20 men’s B World Doubles final.
Medals were also won by Troy Flanagan (22) and teenager Daniel Farrelly when they combined brilliantly to claim silver in the men’s C Doubles.
There was also a fine individual performance by 16-year-old Jack Rennicks, who took bronze in his section.
Nichola Duffy (won the Connemara 100-mile Marathon) won the outstanding achievement award.
The event proved no problem for the Kilmessan runner in August 2018 when she was the first woman home and 11th overall in the 100-mile event in a time of 22 hours and 28 minutes.
It is AAI sanctioned and has IAU Bronze Label status.
The finish included three laps of Clifden and she bravely kept going despite struggling from the 67-mile marker with an old injury.
Matthew Costello picked up the young sportsperson of the year award - sponsored by Meath Local Sports Partnership
Seven contenders were announced in December and following lengthy discussions by the members of the Meath Chronicle sports department, Conall Collier, Fergal Lynch and Jimmy Geoghegan, the Dunshaughlin teenager was selected as the overall recipient.
Costello was the captain of the Meath minor team that won the inaugural Leinster MFC title at the u-17 grade and the Royal County made it to the All-Ireland MFC semi-final against Galway at Croke Park.