Nicola Tuthill crowned Echo Sportswoman of the Year

Thu, 05 Feb, 2026 - 21:26

Eamonn Murphy

Nicola Tuthill was honoured as the Echo Sportswoman of the Year after a 2025 to remember when she impressed on the European and World stage.

Tuthill was selected as the 19th winner of the prestigious award where the most talented female athletes in Rebel county are recognised.

At the annual event in The Metropole Hotel, an Outstanding Achievement award was given out to Julie Dwyer for her contribution to Special Olympics, while the Hall of Fame selection was camogie and GAA stalwart Tracey Sheehan, with Valerie Wheeler on duty as MC.

Tuthill was picked for the overall prize ahead of camogie and rugby ace Caoimhe Murphy, boxer Donna McCarthy, ladies footballer Allie Tobin, world champion rower Mags Cremen, golf tyro Clauia O'Donoghue, Aussie Rules dynamo Erika O'Shea, dual GAA stars Meabh, Orlaith and Kate Cahalane, camogie icon Ashling Thompson, cross-country runner Fiona Everard, soccer captain Nathalie O'Brien and jockey Jody Townend.

The 22-year-old from Kilbrittain became Ireland’s first medallist in European Throwing Cup history when she picked up U23 bronze two years ago before capturing gold in Nicosia last March.

She followed up with a third-place finish at the 2025 European Athletics Team Championships Second Division in June, the same month she threw an Irish U23 record at the Cork City Sports.

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Tuthill added silver medals at the European Athletics U23 Championships and the World University Games in Germany.

She took up the sport after trying it at a Bandon AC camp when she was 12 years old and being encouraged by her neighbour Kevin Warner, a former hammer thrower. When her interest accelerated, her father built her a custom throwing cage at home in West Cork.

Tuithill won her first Irish senior hammer title in 2020 at the age of 16 and finished eighth at the World Athletics U20 Championships. She became an Olympian in 2024 in Paris and hasn't looked back.

Nicola Tuthill with her family, Olivia, Norman, Colette and Aoife Tuthill. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

"It's incredible to be recognised locally because that type of support sets you on the path in the first place. I wouldn't be where I was without my coaches, my parents and everyone that allows me to combine studying at UCD with travelling to compete. It's a network of people that don't always get the credit they deserve."

Guest speaker, former jockey and RTÉ and Racing TV analyst Jane Mangan, paid tribute to The Echo's commitment to women's sport and the quality of the monthly winners. She detailed how sport is a great leveller, where a young girl who never dreamed of being a broadcaster growing up in Conna could go on to feature on the Royal Ascot stage.

Echo sports editor John McHale stated they are delighted to be heading into the 20th year of the awards with women leading the way for Cork sport yet again, "winning trophies at every level and impressing at home and abroad".

The Examiner/The Echo deputy editor Shelia Reilly said the group are proud to support Cork athletes across their highs and lows.

"We must pay tribute to those involved from the beginning, who foster the love of the game, the coaches, mentors and parents who drive them to training on wet Saturday mornings. That is the foundation of all sporting success."

The Echo Sportswoman of the Year roll of honour:

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.