KERRY CYCLIST HONOURED

Barry Woods

AT IRISH EXAMINER NATIONAL JUNIOR SPORTS STAR AWARDS

Kerry cyclist Barry Woods was one of twenty of Ireland's leading young sporting talents honoured at the 20th annual Irish Examiner National Junior Sports Stars Awards, in association with TV3. (Thursday, March 18th)

Athletes from 20 sporting disciplines between the ages of 15 and 19 received the awards in recognition of their extraordinary achievements in 2003 in their chosen sports. The awards were presented by guest of honour Padraig Harrington at a reception in the Berkeley Court Hotel, Dublin.

Barry Woods winner od the Junior Tour Prologue Time Trial

PRACTICALLY every week from March to August, Barry Woods, has been visiting the winner's podium at cycle races throughout the country and more often than not for first prize. The podium has been a familiar spot to find the young Killorglin man since he took up cycling, but 2003 was an exceptional year. He finished second junior in the Lacey Cup in Tralee on the first weekend in March, won the junior title at the Mick Cahill Memorial in Banteer a week later and on the weekend of the March 15/16, he won the overall (junior/vets/senior C) at the Newbridge Grand Prix. He won the Crowley Cup in April, a stage and fifth overall in the Gorey 3-Day when again racing against the senior riders and finished second overall in the
Kanturk 3-Day, finishing third and second on stages. He competed in the Huevelland Junior Tour of Holland, finished 12th in the Kingswood Festival Race in Bristol and won the high profile criterium at the finish of the FBD Milk Ras in the Phoenix Park before taking a break to sit his Leaving Cert. He won four gold medals at the All-Ireland track championships and represented Ireland at the world junior road championships in Canada.

Since its inception in 1984, over 420 teenagers have been honoured including Irish rugby internationals DONNCHA O'CALLAGHAN and ANTHONY FOLEY, Irish international soccer heroes DAMIEN DUFF and ROBBIE KEANE, former World Cross Country Champion and Olympic silver medallist SONIA O'SULLIVAN, Irish boxer and European bronze medal winner ANDY LEE and GAA stars SEAMUS MOYNIHAN and SEAN ÓG O HAILPIN.

This year's Irish Examiner - National Junior Sports Stars in association with tvthree are:

· Athletics Ann Loughnane Galway
· Badminton Scott Evans Dublin
· Basketball Niall Murphy Cork
· Boxing Eric Donovan Kildare
· Camogie Claire Grogan Tipperary
· Cycling Barry Woods Kerry
· Equestrian Anthony Condon Waterford
· Gaelic Football Chris Bergin Laois
· Golf Aaron O'Callaghan Cork
· Handball Maria Daly Kerry
· Hockey Mark Gleghorne Antrim
· Horse Racing Billy Lee Limerick
· Hurling James Fitzpatrick Kilkenny
· Ladies Football Kasey O'Driscoll Kerry
· Rowing Orla Hayes Cork
· Rugby Ross Noonan Cork
· Sailing Nicholas O'Leary Cork
· Soccer Willo Flood Dublin
· Special Olympics Carina McCauley Donegal
· Swimming Barry Murphy Dublin

Congratulating the winners, Mr. Tom Murphy, Irish Examiner, Chief Executive said "This is the 20th anniversary of the Irish Examiner National Junior Sports Star Awards and we were delighted to be able to nominate 20 deserving winners, reflecting the wealth of sporting talent in Ireland. This initiative is a celebration of young Irish sporting excellence. These winners have already experienced remarkable success and the country awaits their further achievements with great anticipation. We at the Irish Examiner are committed to excellence in sports journalism and are particularly proud of our wide-ranging coverage of Irish sport. It is from this commitment to Irish sport that the National Junior Sports Star concept emerged".

Mr. Pat Kiely, Director of Sales and Marketing, Tvthree said, "We are delighted to be involved with these awards again, particularly considering the significance of this year's event. TV3 was but a pipe dream 20 years ago, but since our launch acknowledging young talent has been a key factor of our success. Our involvement in the Irish Examiner National Junior Sport Awards complements the ethos of our flagship sport show - Sports Tonight. Recognising up-coming sports stars and covering all areas of Irish sport, including minority sports, has been an essential ingredient to this show. I am delighted that this year's 20th anniversary of the awards will be marked with a Sports Tonight Special covering today's awards. Congratulations to the Irish Examiner on reaching such a significant milestone and we look forward to this year's winners gracing the TV3's screens for many years to come"


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Issued by John Corcoran, Slattery Communications, Thursday, March 18th.