Ready, set, go for The Echo 2023 Amateur Sports Awards

THE ECHO Amateur Sports Awards has launched, with the 2023 edition gearing up to honour sports stars, teams and volunteers at The Plaza Hotel.

Together with the South Dublin County Sports Partnership (SDCSP) and South Dublin County Council, The Echo has, for the past 15 years been recognising the tremendous achievements of local athletes by way of these awards.

After holding the awards virtually in 2021, The Echo made a return to the ceremonial tradition of the event with an evening in The Plaza Hotel bringing everyone together in January.

The in-person event brought together some of the rising and accomplished stars and teams that had shone throughout 2022, with Rhasidat Adeleke being named The Echo 2022 Sports Star of the Year.

Castle Golf Club was then named The Echo 2022 Team of the Year after winning the prestigious AIG Men’s Junior Cup.

Now, with a fresh slate and new line-up of nominees to be honoured throughout the year, The Echo is proud to continue featuring and highlighting those who give their all in sports across the county.

“The Echo is so proud of the local sports stars in our communities,” says Emma Kennedy, Managing director of The Echo.

“It is an honour to be in a position to report on their amazing achievements every week and it is one of the highlights for us as a Local news platform and for our sports community to have their achievements recognised.

“The Echo Amateur Sports Awards have been celebrating our local sports stars for many years now and has grown into a very exciting annual calendar event.

“We are delighted to have The Plaza Hotel come on board as a 3rd title sponsor, along with our long-standing sponsors of South Dublin County Sports Partnership (SDCSP) and South Dublin County Council (SDCC).

“The Plaza Hotel is at the centre of our local communities and since re-opening has re-introduced some amazing hospitality options in food, accommodation and function rooms.

“And as we emerge from the last three years, post Covid, we look forward to what will be an amazing year for sport, communities and businesses and bringing them all together next January for our Gala Amateur Sports Star Awards.

” As The Echo Sports Awards get ready for another year, Thos McDermott, co-ordinator of SDCSP is excited to see it returning yet again.

“South Dublin Co. Sports Partnership is delighted to be a core partner of the annual Echo Amateur Sports Awards,” McDermott said.

“Each year the Awards showcase the great sporting talent that is present in our community across a great spread of sports, from athletics to basketball, boxing to GAA, motorsport to swimming and many more.

“This is a great reflection of the local clubs we have and the coaches and volunteers that give their time.

“South Dublin County Council looks to support this through its investment in developing better community sport and recreation facilities as well as grant support to clubs.

“We would like to thank all those who help to promote sport and healthy recreation in South Dublin County – clubs, players, coaches, sponsors, private facility providers and media supporters like The Echo.

“Together we all play a very important role in making our community a great place to live in.”

Meanwhile, The Plaza Hotel, who hosted the first in-person event since 2019 in January, is looking forward to hosting and honouring athletes who shine throughout 2023.

“The Plaza Hotel are delighted to be associated with The Echo Sports Awards for 2023,” Majella Kernan-Finlay from The Plaza Hotel says.

“As we are a local 4 star Hotel in the heart of Tallaght, just newly re opened after an extensive refurbishment, we are delighted to support local businesses.

“Being part of celebrating the exceptional achievements of our local athletes and teams, is an award in itself.

“As a sponsor for this prestigious Awards Night, The team at the Plaza Hotel look forward to the event and wish all our sport superstars the best of luck.”