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12 Feb 2026
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12 Feb 2026
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Overall winner Eddie McGowan is interviewed by John Lynch Picture: Brian Duignan
On a star studded night that celebrated the best of Leitrim sport, Drumshanbo’s Eddie McGowan was named to great acclaim as the overall winner of the 14th annual Leitrim Sports Star Awards at the Lough Rynn Castle Estate & Gardens Hotel.
The World Champion Pool player was temporarily lost for words when it was announced that he had won the overall award, organised by the Leitrim Sports Partnership, before a sold-out gathering that honoured the remarkable achievements of Leitrim sporting heroes over an incredible 2025.
With winners drawn from activities as diverse as pool, mountain running, gaelic football, weightlifting and rugby, Saturday’s event again reflected the range and depth of Leitrim’s sporting activity with boxing, martial arts, darts, rowing, basketball and Musical pony club among the sports nominated for awards.
Special guest Jason Smyth wowed the crowd with his recollections on his remarkable career that saw him win six Paralympic gold medals, eight World Championships and a further six European Championships gold medals over 100m & 200m as well as setting world records in those events.
In a wonderful interview with MC John Lynch, Smyth’s thoughts on what drove him to achieve what he did were met with total silence and rapt attention from guests as he outlined just what drove him to achieve all he did on the track.
HUMBLED ANN MARIE COX JOINS LEITRIM'S SPORTING LEGENDS
Addressing the guests, Leitrim Sports Partnership Board Chairperson Mick O’Rourke highlighted the importance of the awards and the work of the Leitrim Sports Partnership: “As we come to the awards this evening, tonight is really about our people - our Leitrim people - the volunteers who give their time week in, week out; the coaches who inspire the next generation; the athletes who push boundaries; and the community groups who ensure no one is left behind.
“These awards are a celebration of commitment, resilience, inclusion, and community spirit. Every nominee here tonight represents the very best of Leitrim - not just in sporting success, but in how sport brings people together, supports wellbeing, and strengthens our communities.
“On behalf of Leitrim Sports Partnership, thank you for everything you do. Tonight we celebrate your achievements, your dedication, and the positive impact you continue to make across our county.
“In 2025 alone, Leitrim Sports Partnership supported and engaged 12,000 participants in sport, physical activity and wellbeing programmes. In a county the size of Leitrim, these numbers represent a remarkable reach - touching almost one in every three people living here. But what really matters is not just the number - it’s who those numbers represent.
“One of the strongest messages from our 2025 figures is that Leitrim is leading the way nationally in inclusive participation. Through the dedicated work of our Sports Inclusion Disability Officers, over 13 hundred participants availed of targeted disability and inclusion programmes.
“These are not token initiatives - they dedicated inclusive multisport, autism-friendly sessions, inclusive camps, adapted yoga, swimming, GAA 4 All, and programmes for young people, adults and older adults with disabilities.
“Again in County Leitrim this year female participation within our programmes exceeds male participation. That is not accidental - it is the result of deliberate programme design, dedicated safe spaces for women, trusted staff, and sustained community engagement. It shows us all that when barriers are removed, women and girls will participate, will enjoy their sport and will do so in large numbers.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM LEITRIM SPORTS STAR AWARDS
“Tonight as our Hall of Fame recognizes one of Leitrim's all time greats Ann Marie Cox. While some greats may drift off into the sunset after years of fantastic participation, Ann Marie now brings on the next generations through wonderful coaching, managing teams and supporting up and coming talent at club and county level. In county Leitrim we are in very safe hands.
“What makes Leitrim Sports Partnership stand out is not just volume of delivery, but quality of the work, inclusion for everyone and a balance of programming. Inclusion is embedded, not just added on; Female participation is growing, not declining; Rural communities are reached, not overlooked; Older adults are engaged, not forgotten.”
The full list of 2025 winners on Saturday night was as follows:
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