Duggan nominated for RTE Young Sportsperson of the Year award
Meath's remarkable All-Ireland SFC success continues to reap rewards with Emma Duggan the latest player to be recognised with a nomination for the RTE Sport Young Sportsperson of the Year award.
The six nominees for the Young Sportsperson of the Year, which will be announced next Saturday night, have been revealed and Duggan is in some illustrious company.
The Sport Awards for 2021 will be presented by Joanne Cantwell and Darragh Maloney on RTÉ One, with cricketer Amy Hunter, Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, cyclist Lara Gillespie, para-swimmer Nicole Turner and sprinter Rhasidat Adeleke all in the running.
The Meath starlet capped a sensational individual championship by scoring 1-2 in a thrilling final defeat of Dublin.
The 19-year-old Dunboyne forward scored a total of 3-19 in the championship, as the Royal County claimed the Brendan Martin Cup for the first time and denied Dublin in their drive for five.
Cricketer Amy Hunter struck an unbeaten 121 against Zimbabwe in October to become the youngest player, male or female, to score a one-day international century, all on her 16th birthday, and having only made her international debut in May.
Republic of Ireland’s first choice goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu had several nights to remember as he became a permanent fixture in Stephen Kenny’s side.
The 19-year-old stopper produced a string of world class saves, the highlight of which was to deny Cristiano Ronaldo from the penalty spot.
Ireland’s young cyclist Lara Gillespie claimed a silver medal at the Under-23 European Track Cycling Championships, finishing second in the individual pursuit in Holland. In doing so, the Enniskerry native continued her impressive haul of medals of recent years.
The 19-year-old para-swimmer Nicole Turner won silver in the S6 50m butterfly at the Tokyo Paralympic Games. The Portarlington teenager qualified for the final with the second fastest time and backed up that form to land her spot on the podium, finishing in second place behind world record holder Yuyan Jiang of China.
Rhasidat Adeleke won double gold at the u-20 European Athletics Championships. The 19-year-old became the first athlete since Jodie Williams a decade ago to win a 100/200m double at the event. The Dubliner also broke the Irish 200m record with a time of 22.90.
Meath will be well represented at the awards with Vikki Wall in the running for Sportsperson of the Year and the All-Ireland champions nominated for Team of the Year. It is also expected that Eamonn Murray will be in the running for Manager of the Year.