Speech by the Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern, T.D., on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Texaco Sportstars Awards 2007 in O’Reilly Hall, UCD on Wednesday, 12 December, 2007 at 7.45 pm.

It is always a pleasure to attend the Texaco Sportstars Awards but this year holds a special significance as you mark your 50^th Anniversary. The fact that these Awards are in their 50th year speaks for itself, demonstrating their popularity and the high regard in which they are held. I know that, for sportspeople everywhere, the Texaco Sportstar is among the most sought after awards.

Launched in 1957, these awards have, over the years, honoured a host of talented sportspeople from all over Ireland, in a wide range of sporting activities.

I am delighted to be joining you here tonight to pay tribute to Irish sportsmen and women for their outstanding achievements this year.

The calibre of the sportstars receiving their awards tonight once again highlights that Ireland is as well positioned as ever to compete on the world stage. Sport displays qualities that we value individually and as a nation – dedication, determination, selflessness and creativity. And tonight we see those qualities in abundance in the award winners.

The Texaco Sportstars Awards is the longest running commercial sponsorship in Irish sports history. That is a remarkable record. I want to thank Chevron (Ireland) Limited for being such generous and loyal supporters of both sport and art in Ireland over the last 50 years. Your company has contributed enormously to our sporting and cultural activities and we are all deeply grateful for this.

This year, to coincide with your 50^th anniversary, Chevron launched a unique sports bursary totaling €50,000. This is a very generous gesture and highlights your ongoing commitment to developing sports at grassroots level and fostering the young sports stars of the future. I would like to congratulate the thirteen sports clubs which received awards last month under this initiative.

I also want to congratulate Chevron on your exciting new documentary -

“50 Years of Irish Sportstars”. While this year may not have been a great year to remember in terms of rugby or soccer, a documentary of this kind gives us an opportunity to look back over the last fifty years and remind ourselves of all the great sporting moments we have to cherish. I was delighted to have been asked to participate in the documentary.

And now, without further ado, I would like to say a few words about this year’s winners. Of the ten stars receiving Texaco Sportstars awards tonight, six are being honoured for the very first time. It is always great to see new talent being recognised and acknowledged at ceremonies such as this.

In athletics, this year’s award goes to Dubliner, David Gillick, who won the European Indoor Championships in the 400 metres for the second time. Not content with just winning, however, David also set the Irish indoor record of 45.52 seconds in this year’s final.

Bray boxer, Katie Taylor, takes this year’s award for winning the European Championships for a third year in a row. Katie made history in 2005, when she became the first Irish woman to win a gold medal at the senior European Championships. Katie is also the first female boxer ever to receive an award in the history of this event.

This year held big surprises in the cricket world, with Ireland defeating Pakistan and Bangladesh. Irish captain Trent Johnston played a very big part in this and in ensuring that we retained the International Cup title.

When you think of Kerry, you think of Gaelic Football, and in this context, it is difficult not to think of the three O’Sé brothers. This year’s award goes to the youngest of the brothers, Marc, who put in outstanding performances in both league and championship this year. And I see Marc is enjoying continuing success with his club, An Ghaeltacht, recently winning their first ever county league title.

It was another great year for Ireland’s golfing hero, Padraig Harrington, who won both the Irish Open and the British Open. Few of us will forget his performance in Carnoustie, defeating Sergio Garcia in a four hole play-off by one stroke.

2007 was another great year for horse trainer, Aidan O’Brien, with victories in the French Guineas and for the first time ever, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with Dylan Thomas. And I see just last Monday, Dylan Thomas won the Horse of the Year Award for 2007.

In hurling, it was a great year for the Lismore man. Dan Shanahan gave outstanding performances in the championship, scoring 8 goals and 13 points in just five games. He is well deserving of recognition.

At only 22, Cork footballer, Angela Walsh already has three All Ireland senior football medals. Her performances in this year’s championship make her a very worthy addition to this year’s list.

For his leadership skills over the last year in guiding Leinster and Ireland, we honour Irish international Brian O’Driscoll. Despite a disappointing World Cup, Brian excelled in leading by example.

A difficult year in soccer did not deter Manchester City and Republic of Ireland International, Richard Dunne, who is being honoured for his hard work and professionalism. Richard is just one cap short of reaching 40 appearances for the Republic of Ireland.

I am delighted that this year’s Hall of Fame Award goes to cyclist, Sean Kelly. Sean, of course, is no stranger to the Texaco Awards, having won no less than ten awards on previous occasions. Ranked as the number 1 cyclist in the world for many years, Sean is truly a wonderful Ambassador for Irish sport and will remain one of the all time greats.

This year’s Special Achievement Award goes to one of Northern Ireland’s leading sports journalists, Dr. Malcolm Brodie. Malcolm, who I think attended his first World Cup in 1954, in Switzerland, has done the world of sport enormous service with his reporting over the years.

As a former member of the Texaco Sportstars judging committee, Malcolm will appreciate just how difficult a job it is. I want to pay tribute to and thank this year’s judges for all their hard work, time and effort. Given the diverse nature of the sports and the talent of players available, I have no doubt that the task of selecting winners becomes more difficult every year.

I wish Chevron (Ireland) Limited all the best for a bright future and I hope your success over the last 50 years is mirrored in the next.

Have a great evening of celebration.

Thank you.

ENDS