Meath Sports Awards: Who is in the running for our Outstanding Achievement Award?
Sports people are constantly striving to achieve something extraordinary and from time to time they do just that. The Meath Chronicle Outstanding Achievement Award acknowledges those who manage to utilise their talents and resources to step outside their comfort zone and push on to go beyond the ordinary. Last year's Outstanding Achievement Award, for example, was won by horse trainer Dermot McLoughlin, the trainer of Lord Lariat the horse that won the 2022 Irish Grand National, it was the Ratoath trainers second successive Grand National victory after the success of Freewheelin Dylan. So the standard is high indeed.
THE NOMINEES
ANDREW COSCORAN
Nice has been long noted as one of France's most appealing cities with it's long seafront walks and beach that goes on forever at the edge of an azure Mediterranean. It was in the famous city in June that Star of the Sea athlete Andrew Coscoran chalked up one of his finest performances of his entire career. Coscoran smashed his own Irish 1500m record.
Racing in the famous Nikaia de Nice track Coscoran pulled clear of the field as the runners approached the finish line to win the race in a time of 3.32.68, smashing his old mark by nearly a second.
It was yet another indication that Coscoran (who represented Ireland in the Beijing Olympics) was bang on form in 2023 and in the mood to make his mark as the previous February in Birmingham he had also broken the Irish indoor record after a fine performance. The record had been created by Ray Flynn in 1982 of 3:33.5.
In the lead up to breaking his outdoor record Coscoran had won a race in Hengelo in a time of 3.37 and 48 hours later raced in Bydgoszcz, Poland clocking up a PB there of 3:33.87. As it turned out those races were perfect preparations for his run in Nice and his step into history.
His magnificent form continued in December when Coscoran competed in the Australia 10,000m National championship and out kicked Australia’s two fastest ever 10000m runners, Jack Rayner and Patrick Tiernan, to take out the race in 27:56.37.
NA FIANNA
Na Fianna ladies finished a hectic 2023 a few weeks before Christmas when they played in the All-Ireland Club Intermediate Camogie final against Kerry side Clanmaurice. The contest didn't unfold as they would have hoped. They lost out on the big stage, yet what a year it was for them. A year that was full of adventure and new horizons conquered. It was the same for the club's female footballers. They didn't reach an All-Ireland final, but they went close and like the camogie team they did end up with a valued Leinster title.
Not many clubs manage to win a provincial crown. Na Fianna did it twice in the one year. It's some going especially when it is considered that so many of the players, a small select group, turned out for both teams.
Within two exceptional weeks in November Na Fianna teams completed the provincial double. The footballers were first up when they overcame Wexford side Shelmalier in Carlow, 2-8 to 1-10 to claim the Ladies Leinster Club Intermediate title.
There wasn't much rest for the dual players. They were out again the following week and played their part as the Leinster Intermediate Camogie crown was bagged with a 1-11 to 1-9 win over Laois side O'Moores also in Carlow. The precious, coveted double was completed.
Another significant achievement was the way Na Fianna players Sophia Payne and Claire Coffey also won Soaring Stars awards. It added more lustre to what was a remarkable year for the Na Fianna club and the ladies who made up the camogie and football teams.
LIAM FOLEY
To win one gold medal at a major athletics event is praiseworthy enough but to claim two is extra, extra special. That's what Clonard athlete Liam Foley did at the SUDS European Athletic Championships in Padua, Italy.
The 26-year-old competitor won gold in the 1500m event on the Friday in 6:32 just defeating the Italian athlete on the line. After falling well behind Liam put in a mighty surge on the last lap to overtake the Italian and claim the top prize. That final lap, and the performance of the Meath runner, will be long remembered by those who saw it online.
On the Saturday Liam, who is also a member of Trim AC, again showed his class by winning the 800m race in 2:55.63, a phenomenal achievement for his first ever international track event. Not only that he set a new European record in the event. In the triathlon Liam went agonisingly close to winning bronze when he finished fourth but what a few days for the young man. What memories were made.
There was quite a scare experienced by Liam and his family after he had returned home when his two gold medals were stolen from a bag in local gym. Liam's mother Geraldine Regan pleaded for the return of the medals. Later a search of an overgrown area on Haggard Street in Trim was completed by Gardai and the stolen items were located - much to the relief of Liam and his family. The medals represent a huge achievement for the athlete in what was an unforgettable end to the summer for him.
With thanks to Bective Stud & Team Rooms / Meath Co Council / Meath Local Sports Partnership