Blackmore among the stars honoured at the annual Sportswoman Awards
Eimir Blackmore accepting her daughter Rachael's award
In what was an amazing year for Irish sport, jockey Rachael Blackmore was among the stars honoured at The Irish Times Sport Ireland Sportswoman Awards which took place in the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin recently.
This was the 20th year of the awards and the Leighlinbridge based jockey was one of 14 sportswomen who was honoured with a monthly award for her achievements during the year.
Blackmore, received the Sportswoman of the Month Award for March and with it a nomination for the overall title of Sportswoman of the Year, after she won the Champion Chase at Cheltenham.
Captain Guinness’s victory in that race - it was Blackmore’s 16th festival winner – was hard earned for the 17-2 shot, who had failed to win in 13 previous Grade One attempts. In an event filled race she steered Henry De Bromhead’s horse to victory, staving off a late challenge from Mark Walsh on Gentleman De Mee.
With that win, the 35-year-old became just the eighth jockey to put together the elite trio of Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and Champion Chase. It goes without saying that Blackmore is the first and only woman on that list.
Due to her racing commitments Blackmore was unable to attend the ceremony and her award was accepted on her behalf by her mother Eimir.
Kellie Harrington, who claimed her second Olympic gold medal at the Paris Olympics last August, was crowned The Irish Times Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year for 2024.
The Dubliner’s victory over China’s Wenlu Yang in the 60kg final on a never to be forgotten night at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, made Harrington the first Irish boxer to win two gold Olympic medals.
Harrington, who celebrated her 35th birthday in early December, also joins a select group of only four athletes who have successfully defended an Olympic title – the others being double sculls rowers Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy and hammer thrower Dr Pat O’Callaghan.
It was the second time Harrington has claimed the overall Sportswoman of the Year title, winning her first in 2018.
Katie-George Dunlevy, Ireland’s most decorated Irish Paralympic athlete, and her pilots Linda Kelly and Eve McCrystal claimed the ‘Team of the Year Award’ for their outstanding achievements at the Paralympics and World Championships this year.
In an amazing year Dunlevy amassed 5 Paralympic and World Championship medals. In Paris, she won a gold and silver with new pilot Kelly as well as a silver with long-time partner McCrystal before going on to win two gold at the World Championships in Zurich with Kelly.
Other recipients of the 12 monthly awards included:
Sprinter Rhasidat Adeleke for her superb performance at the World Relay Championships, boxer Katie Taylor who retained her lightweight titles following an epic fight against Amanda Serrano, Ciara Mageean who won the 1.500m final at the European Championships and Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh who captained Kerry to All-Ireland glory.
The Sports Editor of The Irish Times Noel O’Reilly paid tribute to all the 2024 winners.
“Twenty years ago, when the Sportswoman of the Year awards were launched, we could scarcely have imagined how high the bar would be raised. Each year soaring new standards continue to be set by Irish sportswomen, inspiring and challenging those who will come after them.”
“It’s been a thrill and a pleasure for us to report on their feats. A scroll through our list of overall winners is a reminder of just how many magical days they have given us, and a memorable 2024 has proved to be an exceptional year on so many fronts. A huge congratulations to all the monthly winners, sportswomen whose stories continue to show the next generation that nothing is impossible. Here's to another 20 years of excellence, and many more magical moments.”
Sport Ireland CEO, Dr Úna May said 2024 had been a year of fantastic accomplishment for our sportswomen.
“Our female athletes continue to demonstrate that with dedication, ambition, and determination, the extraordinary is possible. The diversity of sports being celebrated at these Awards highlights the incredible breadth of talent right across the nation. To all who stand behind these athletes — coaches, families, volunteers, clubs, and communities — your unwavering support is instrumental in these achievements, and we extend our gratitude to you all.”
The first winner of The Irish Times Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year Award back in 2004 was jockey Cathy Gannon. Boxer Katie Taylor has won the overall award a record five times and been a monthly award winner 18 times. Besides Kellie Harrington, the only other double award winner is former Cork dual player Briege Corkery.
