Mags and Sinéad honoured in Western People 2015 Mayo Sports Stars Awards
Mags Glavey – 2015 Mayo Sports Stars ‘Special Achievement’
Congratulations to our two members Mags Glavey and Sinéad Diver who have been honoured in the Western People 2015 Mayo Sports Stars Awards announced in this week’s edition. There are eighteen awards in total – as the Western says “individual sporting heroes from all ages, disciplines, and walks of life”.
In 2015 Mags won six gold medals in National Indoor and Outdoor Masters Track Championships in her W65 category. She also won gold in National Masters Cross Country in Tuam in March, and represented Ireland in Home International Cross Country at Santry in November, where she won bronze individual and led the W65 team to gold. Swinford based Mags is also a prolific competitor and a prize winner in numerous road races in recent years – an inspirational woman. Her 2015 Mayo Sports Stars Award is titled “Special Achievement”.
Sinéad Diver 2015 Mayo Sports Stars ‘Athletics’ Award with her South Melbourne AC club-mates
Sinéad Diver’s story has been well documented in recent times since she burst on to the Victoria State athletics scene as a member of South Melbourne AC in 2012. In October 2014 she ran her first marathon in 2:34.15, and followed it up with a 1:13.58 win in the Gold Coast Half Marathon in July 2015. These performances resulted in the Belmullet native being selected to represent Australia in women’s marathon at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Beijing last August where she finished twenty-first overall and fifth European in 2:36.38.
Sinéad is hoping to run in the women’s marathon for Australia in the Rio Olympic Games next August and be in the team with Lisa Weightman Australia’s fastest qualifier who ran 2:27.35 last Sunday finishing second woman in the Houston marathon. Sinéad is an inspiring athlete and winner of the 2015 Mayo Sports Stars “Athletics” category.
We’re delighted to see Michaela Walsh (Swinford AC) recognised with the “Young Sportsperson” Award. It’s great too to see Sean Reilly join the 2015 Mayo Sports Stars “Hall of Fame”. 2015 has been a momentous year for him with the 50th Anniversary of Hollymount International Road Races, which Mayo AC have been connected with for many years.
The Western People says “a more detailed description of each winner’s sporting achievements in 2015 will appear in the paper in the weeks leading up to the Awards”. The ceremony will take place in Hotel Ballina on Friday February 19.