A PACKED Armagh City Hotel will celebrate tonight’s announcement of the 2017 Irish News Allstar team.
Now in its 24th year, the gala event has become established as one of the highlights of the GAA programme and more than 400 Gaels will in attendance at the popular Cathedral City venue.
The centrepiece of the night – which will be broadcast live on The Irish News Facebook page - is the announcement of The Irish News Allstar team as voted for by our readers. There are also ‘excellence awards’ in camogie, hurling and Ladies’ Football as well as an extra 'special' presentation on the night.
Guest speaker is legendary jockey Tony McCoy. ‘AP’, from Moneyglass, county Antrim, brought the curtain down on his astonishing career in April 2015 as Champion Jockey for the 20th consecutive year.
In all, he rode 4348 winners, galloping to victory in the 2010 Grand National, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the Champion Hurdle, the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the King George.
A keen Gaelic Footballer in his youth, the former BBC Sports Personality of the Year winner lined out for Moneyglass at underage level and will be enjoy the opportunity to meet some of the amateur sportsmen he admires.
“I’m really looking forward to meeting the players and managers that have provided us with so much excitement in the Championship this year,” he said.
“Across all sport it is all about performing to a very high level in order to be first past the post or progressing to the next game in the All-Ireland Championship. The night will also give me an opportunity to share some of the key moments in my career.”
Irish News sports editor Thomas Hawkins has fond memories of charting McCoy’s rise and rise, and is looking forward to reliving some of his greatest feats.
He said: “Tony's a legend in his sport, and an inspiration not just in the world of horseracing but to sportsmen and women in every field.
“I remember standing in the bookies in Union Street a few years back with a few friends from the office to watch him challenge for his 4,000th winner. What a moment, it was electric.
“I had also cheered him on when he landed his one and only Grand National on Don't Push It. I wasn't on the winner that day but I was cheering him on nonetheless.
“He's a great ambassador, the very best in sporting excellence''
Irish News marketing manager John Brolly added: “It will be fascinating to hear first-hand the passion that provided Anthony with the motivation to keep going and wanting to keep winning. AP McCoy is a sporting icon and we are delighted to have him speak at our awards night."
