THE LAST POINT: Hard to avoid cliche on a wonderful night

Cliches are there for a reason - they're familiar, they sum up sentiments and emotions in an easy to understand manner that convey all manner of subtexts. We're told to avoid the dreaded cliche but sometimes, there are occasions when you just have to bite the bullet and  resort to an old familiar line because nothing beats a good cliche!

So when I say that last Saturday's Leitrim Sports Star Awards were a true celebration of what matters in Leitrim sport, it matters not that it is a cliche that gets trotted out on occasions like this because of one simple fact - it is undeniably true as the 14th edition of the Awards, organised expertly as ever by the Leitrim Sports Partnership, truly were a celebration of all that is best in the sporting endeavours of this county.

The Leitrim Sports Star Awards are different to your usual Dinner Dance or club night out - for one, people have travelled from all over the county so there probably isn't quite the same local intimacy but Leitrim, being the size it is, everyone seems to know each other anyway and that adds to the unique buzz on the night.

Then when you read the superb booklet outlining the achievements of the nominees - some as young as 12 and 13 to some much, much older - you begin to realise the scale of what Leitrim sports people achieved in 2025 and it really brings home, to use yet another cliche, how much Leitrim punches above its weight in the sporting arena.

To be honest, it was hard to get one's head around the quality of nominees in Lough Rynn last Saturday and, as much as this will come across as a platitude or, God damn it, another cliche but all of those who were shortlisted for the various awards would have been worthy winners had their names being called out by MC John Lynch.

THE LAST POINT: NOT ALL PROGRESS IS EXACTLY LINEAR

Attempting to decide between the various nominees was almost like trying to untie the mythical Gordian knot - you could make a case for so many to win out on the night but -  cliche alert - even being nominated makes one a winner in my book and I'll defend that cliche to the hilt!

I will go out on a limb  and say it was probably the most raucous atmosphere I've experienced at the Leitrim Sports Star Awards down through the years and I mean that in the best possible way  - the various tables got behind their teams and stars when the  nominations were being announced - the cheering and clapping of each group's particular hero made it a very special atmosphere, almost football like - all we were missing was the chants and songs!

It helps that the night sped along thanks to John Lynch and Enda Lyon's team at the Leitrim Sports Partnership - just everything about the evening spoke of pride in honouring the county's heroes and ensuring that everyone had a wonderful evening.

Special guest Jason Smyth had the audience riveted - you could have heard a pin drop as the multiple Paralympic, World and European champion spoke of the challenges he faced during his storied career as he talked of the imperative to believe in yourself and to surround yourself with the support of family, friends and the right coaching team to get the very best out of yourself.

It is a message that I'm sure resonated with so many of the young sportspeople there who are forging a path for themselves in disciplines as diverse as martial arts, pool, darts, gaelic football, boxing, rugby, endurance running, weightlifting, basketball, dragon boat racing, musical pony ride and rowing - whew, what a list of sports our small county excels it!

Only two winners were interviewed on the night but I guess the reaction of Hall of Fame winner Ann Marie Cox and Overall Leitrim Sports Star of the Year winner Eddie McGowan probably captured the emotions of just about everyone who won an award when they spoke of their disbelief in actually winning the Award.

I actually know how they felt when I suddenly heard my name being called out as the recipient of a Special Recognition Award - to say it was a surprise doesn't do justice to the hop I got and I'm sure it showed all over my shocked face, at least that is what everyone told me afterwards - much to their amusement!

No more than Ann Marie revealing she asked Enda Lyons if he had got the right person when told she was joining the Hall of Fame, I'm still having trouble getting my head around this award - I'm incredibly privileged to be in a job I love, putting words to the sporting achievements of Leitrim people is a thrill so getting an award for doing my job seems somewhat incongruous to me.

THE LAST POINT: SYSTEM OR FLAIR - WHAT MAKES A COACH?

I believe the old reporter's maxim that we're not supposed to be the story but once I settled down after the shock (I can't remember a word John Lynch uttered when reading the citation!), I've got to say I'm truly honoured, humbled and still raging a little that I had absolutely no idea of what was about to happen - although I’ve probably calmed down enough not to carry out my threats to those responsible for the surprise!

But it did give me an insight into the emotions wrapped up in last Saturday’s event - when you realise that this was just the 14th edition of the Sports Star Awards, it gives you some idea of the prestige these Awards have garnered over the years, how the respect and acclamation of not only of your own peers but those in other sports add a lustre to the entire event.

So, congratulations to everyone who was nominated for an Award, it truly is a special honour to be shortlisted for the awards, a mark of achievement in its own right. And to those who won the Awards on the night, enjoy your moment in the spotlight - once you've gotten over the shock!