The Echo Women in Sport awards: 12 contenders to be crowned Sportswoman of the Year

Thu, 06 Feb, 2025 - 15:25

Eamonn Murphy

The Echo Sportswoman of the Year award will be revealed at The Metropole this evening.

There have been 17 previous recipients of the prestigious prize while a new member of the Hall of Fame will be inducted and an Outstanding Achievement award handed out. Former winner Juliet Murphy will be the guest speaker.

Former overall winner Juliet Murphy will be the guest speaker this year. Picture. Jim Coughlan.

As always there is a spread of sports covered by the 12 monthly winners from last year, including basketball, swimming, hockey, athletics, camogie, ladies football, soccer, horse racing and boxing. Indeed boxer Linda Desmond made the shortlist again having won last year’s top award.

THIS YEAR’S CONTENDERS

Lauryn Homan: In January, she helped Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell capture a first National Cup. The talented basketballer has been capped at senior international level after coming through the Brunell academy and impressing at second level with St Vincent’s.

Jane Jolly: A leading light in Masters Swimming, she came home from Doha with a gold medal against the best in the world. Her grá for swimming started when she was a child at Eglinton Street Bath in the city.

Lauren Homan: The Brian Dillon’s camogie ace fired Cork to an intermediate league title and then followed it up with an All-Ireland against Kilkenny in Croke Park. A gifted forward, her work-rate also marks her out.

Joy Sampson: The teenage hockey sensation fired Cork Harlequins Hockey Club to a double. Sampson, who also impressed with her school Ashton, hit all three goals during a 3-2 victory over UCC.

Jody Townend: The Lisgoold native became the first jockey to win a monthly award. From a strong racing family, she recorded notable victories at Punchestown Festival and Cheltenham.

Phil Healy: A regular contender for The Echo Women in Sport Award, the Ballineen native was in the form of her life last season. Before reaching an Olympics final in Paris, Healy was electric as Ireland secured silver at the 4x400 women’s relay at the European Championships in Rome.

Denise O’Sullivan: Another previous monthly winner, the northsider led Ireland to a historic 3-1 victory over France at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. O’Sullivan grabbed a brilliant goal but has long been one of the best midfielders in the world.

Laura Treacy: A regular All-Star in Rebel red, the Killeagh club woman was at her best throughout the summer. Despite injury issues, she was immense in defence as Cork beat Galway to retain the O’Duffy Cup.

Sinead O’Connor: A deserved monthly recipient after winning a third Echo Women’s Mini Marathon in five years.

The Leevale athlete has a busy family lift but still rips it up on the roads in Cork and nationwide.

Aoife O’Neill: What a season it was for St Finbarr’s, bridging a gap of 17 years to regain the Cork senior title. Collectively the Barrs were brilliant, none more so than tigerish defender O’Neill as they shut down Sars’ dynamic attacking unit.

Linda Desmond: The Rylane boxer has been a force at amateur level and was nominated as a high-performance panellist by Olympic coach Zaur Antia. She retained her National Elite title and is destined for even more success.

Laura O’Mahony: O’Donovan Rossa have been on a roll across the past two seasons, lifting two counties titles, two Munster crowns and an All-Ireland. Cork senior O’Mahony has been to the forefront of their move up the ladies football ranks to senior.

The Echo Sportswoman of the Year winners:

2007: Jessica Scannell.

2008: Briege Corkery.

2009: Olive Loughnane.

2010: Derval O’Rourke.

2011: Juliet Murphy.

2012: Orla Barry.

2013: Christina Desmond.

2014: Denise O’Sullivan.

2015: Lizzie Lee.

2016: Rena Buckley.

2017: Saoirse Noonan.