Westmeath Independent/Hodson Bay Hotel Sports Awards

Tadhg Carey, Editor, Westmeath Independent, presenting Dessie Dolan with the overall award in the 2011 Westmeath Independent/Hodson Bay Hotel Sports Awards.

Vote for your Sports Star of the Year

The countdown is beginning to the Westmeath Independent/Hodson Bay Hotel Sports Awards which will take place on Friday, February 8.

The twelve monthly award winners have now been revealed and they are profiled below.

-Readers now have the chance to vote for the Readers' Choice award which will be chosen from the twelve monthly award winners.

Voting is via text message to this number: 57199.

Each of the monthly award winners are assigned a number from 1 to 12, coinciding with the month in which they were chosen for an award. Voters text INDO followed by the nominee's number to 57199.

For example, to vote for the January winner, readers will need to text INDO 1 to 57199; for the February winner, text INDO 2 to 57199; and so on.

The Readers' Choice Award winner will be announced on Friday, February 8 at the awards ceremony in the Hodson Bay Hotel.

Frank Long, Finance Director, Celtic Media Group (parent company of the Westmeath Independent), presenting the Readers' Choice award to Westmeath Ladies footballers Laura Brennan, Michelle Malone and Laura Walsh.

The overall winner in the 2012 Westmeath Independent/Hodson Bay Hotel Sports Awards will also be announced on the night.

The previous winners of the overall award are Roscommon's 2006 All-Ireland minor winning captain David Flynn, Liam Heavin (who played an instrumental role in bringing the European Triathlon Championship to Athlone), former Westmeath football star John Keane, Moate boxing sensation Joe Ward (who won the award twice) and Dessie Dolan (last year's overall winner).

Voting lines for the Readers' Choice Awards will open Wednesday, January 9 at 9am and close on Thursday, February 7 at midnight.

Text line available in the Republic of Ireland only. Texts cost €1. SMS entry requires one message to be delivered. Max 30 entries per mobile number per day. Standard network charges apply.

You may receive promotional SMS in future. To opt out text STOP to 57199. Helpline BDC 0818286600.

Select Month

January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December

January

Leon Brydone

LEON Brydone is the Westmeath Independent/Hodson Bay Sports Awards winner for January, in recognition of his sterling achievements in the competitive field of Taekwon-do.

Early in 2012, 25 year-old Brydone took Gold (in the Sparring category) and Bronze (in Patterns) at the Munster Open Championships in Tralee, where he was also presented with an 'Outstanding Achievement Award', by Master Don Dalton, for winning Gold medals in all four national tournaments in 2011.

A Third Dan at Athlone Taekwon-do Academy, Leon has made an enormous impact on the Irish and European Taekwon-do scene over recent years. Leon is a three-time ITF European Gold medallist, in the U72kg category, a feat achieved by only one other competitor in the history of ITF Championships.

A former member of Athlone Boxing Club, Leon is a gym instructor at Hodson Bay Hotel, and has been a respected member of the Irish Taekwon-do squad for six years running, including the team which won the World Championships in Birmingham in 2007.

Leon has developed supreme martial arts skills over the past 14 years, excelling at the locally-based Academy, under the chief instruction of Mary Mannion. Six younger members of the club also claimed medals at the Championships in Tralee, making it a memorable occasion for the Athlone Academy.

A native of The Hill of Berries, Kiltoom, Leon has his eyes fixed on appearing for Ireland at next year's World Championships in Korea.

Leon is full of praise for the role played by Taekwon-do coach Mary Mannion in his sporting success.

"I'd like to thank Mary for all her assistance over the years. I wouldn't have been able to compete at the level I have it wasn't for Mary," said Leon.

To vote for Leon Brydone as the Readers Choice text INDO 1 to 57199. Lines close at midnight on Thursday, February 7th, 2013. Winner will be announced on Friday, February 8th, 2013 at the awards ceremony.

February

John Henson on behalf of John Gaffey

GARRYCASTLE'S John Gaffey was selected as the February winner in the Westmeath Independent/Hodson Bay Hotel Sports Awards.

Gaffey proved an inspirational captain as Garrycastle defeated neighbours St Brigid's (the Connacht champions) in the semi-finals of the All-Ireland Club SFC, with many applauding his work in coping with the outstanding Senan Kilbride in that victory.

Garrycastle's victory in the local derby against St Brigid's - a game which attracted huge public interest - saw the became the first ever Westmeath club team to reach an All-Ireland senior decider.

Gaffey again performed commendably in the original drawn All-Ireland final against Crossmaglen Rangers, when he was charged with the difficult task of marking Armagh ace Jamie Clarke.

Unfortunately, Garrycastle were defeated in the replay by Crossmaglen, but Gaffey and his heroic team-mates came away from the year with praise ringing in their ears.

Also a regular starter for Westmeath at senior level, John has become a mainstay of the Garrycastle defence in recent years.

Towards the end of last year, Gaffey was also instrumental in helping Garrycastle to become the first Westmeath team to win a Leinster club senior title. Then managed by current Galway hurling boss Anthony Cunningham, Garrycastle defeated St Brigid's (of Dublin) in the provincial decider in December of last year.

To vote for John Gaffey as the Readers Choice text INDO 2 to 57199. Lines close at midnight on Thursday, February 7th, 2013. Winner will be announced on Friday, February 8th, 2013 at the awards ceremony.

March

Brian and Kevin Cooper

THE Cooper brothers, Brian and Kevin, scooped the March award in the Westmeath Independent/Hodson Bay Hotel Sports Awards, for their contribution to the Marist College's historic win in the Connacht Schools Rugby Senior Cup.

The Glasson duo, who also play Gaelic football for Tubberclair, both notched crucial tries in the 12-0 final victory over nine-time winners Sligo Grammar School.

The Marist put aside years of disappointment and lived up to their well-earned billing as favourites to lift the Senior Cup crown in an exciting decider at the Sportsground in Galway.

In the process, the Coopers helped Marist bridge a 35-year gap to their only other success at this level which, ironically, was also achieved against Sligo Grammar.

Brian (18) is a sixth year pupil at the Marist College, while Kevin (19) is now studying engineering at NUI Galway. Sons of Pat (a native of Co Kerry) and Aedine Cooper, they have a younger brother, Ross (who also plays rugby for the Marist) and one sister, Leeanne.

The Marist's victory last March completed a notable league and cup double and was testimony to the superb work which has been carried out in the Athlone school in recent years.

In the process, Marist become only the sixth school to win more than one Connacht Senior Cup title. The victory also helped Marist overcome the disappointment of the defeats to Garbally College and Coláiste Iognáid in the 2007 and 2008 deciders.

Marist College laid the foundation for the victory in the opening half when back-row brothers Brian and Kevin got over for vital tries. Marist's early pressure quickly yielded results with Brian Cooper displaying a neat step inside in the fourth phase of an attack to break through for a try. Later in the half, Kevin Cooper finished off a good move to make it 12-0, and the Marist never looked back.

To vote for Brian and Kevin Cooper as the Readers Choice text INDO 3 to 57199. Lines close at midnight on Thursday, February 7th, 2013. Winner will be announced on Friday, February 8th, 2013 at the awards ceremony.

April

Ronan Stack

One of St Brigid's rising stars, Ronan Stack was chosen for the Westmeath Independent/Hodson Bay Hotel Sports Award for the month of April.

The 21 year-old was selected for his key contribution to Roscommon's success in winning the Connacht U21 Football Championship, and their subsequent run to the All-Ireland final where they lost to a powerful Dublin outfit.

The former Marist College student was also selected as many observers man of the match in the All-Ireland semi-final victory over Cavan last April. And he has made a somewhat meteoric rise through the ranks of his club, St Brigid's, over the past year or so.

The Roscommon U21s overcame a fancied Mayo team in the Connacht semi-finals, before defeating Sligo in the final for the second year in a row.

A squad member for the past number of years, Stack made the breakthrough to the St Brigid's senior ranks this year, and became a regular starter as the Kiltoom/Cam men secured a third successive Roscommon senior football title.

Stack carried his impressive form with the Roscommon U21s into St Brigid's county championship campaign, which culminated with the county final win over Padraig Pearses last Sunday week.

A former player with Athlone Town, Stack has won rave reviews for his contribution to the St Brigid's cause, and he helped the team to add the Connacht club title (also their third in a row) to their earlier county success.

Speaking about the award, Stack said: "I'm absolutely delighted with the award. I'm not very used to getting individual awards, but am privileged to be chosen. I certainly didn't expect anything like this."

Ronan's parents are John and Mary Stack, and his younger brother, Brian, is a noted performer in soccer with Hodson Bay Celtic and the ADSL representative teams, as well as in Gaelic football for St Brigid's and the Roscommon Development Squads. Ronan also has two sisters, Gemma and Sinead.

To vote for Ronan Stack as the Readers Choice text INDO 4 to 57199. Lines close at midnight on Thursday, February 7th, 2013. Winner will be announced on Friday, February 8th, 2013 at the awards ceremony.

May

Aaron N'Neill

Aaron O'Neill, a talented young striker with Temple Villa, is the winner of the Westmeath Independent/Hodson Bay Hotel Sports Award for the month of May.

O'Neill, 15, was an integral part of the Athlone & District Schoolboy League U15 team which reached the final of the prestigious SFAI Inter League. It was the first time a team from the ADSL reached such a final, and O'Neill was central to this run, netting numerous goals along the way to the decider.

Aaron also netted Athlone's only goal in their 4-1 defeat to crack Dublin outfit, the DDSL, in last May's final at Cahir Park.

The teenager from Moate also helped the ADSL to claim the Kennedy Cup Shield earlier this year, and is a member of the FAI Emerging Talent U16 squad. In total, Aaron has bagged a staggering 190 goals for Temple Villa since joining the club aged eight.

Aaron's parents, Richard and Jean, were keen to thank everyone at Temple Villa FC, and also the ADSL for their work and effort with Aaron over recent years.

Aaron said his immediate aims are to continue scoring as many goals as possible in the ADSL with Temple Villa, and then probably progress to represent Athlone Town FC.

The Moate Community School student is also a keen Gaelic football player with Moate All Whites, whom he helped win the Westmeath MFC Division 1 title in October. Aaron was introduced as a substitute in Moate's 2-9 to 0-9 win over Athlone at Cusack Park.

To vote for Aaron O'Neill as the Readers Choice text INDO 5 to 57199. Lines close at midnight on Thursday, February 7th, 2013. Winner will be announced on Friday, February 8th, 2013 at the awards ceremony.

June

Jack Carty

Local rugby star Jack Carty was chosen as the June winner in the 2012 Westmeath Independent/Hodson Bay Hotel Sports Awards.

The Buccaneers player was picked for the award in recognition of his selection on the Ireland squad for the Junior (U-20) World Rugby Championship in South Africa.

The 20-year-old from Barrymore, Athlone, played for Ireland against England, Italy (scoring eleven points) and France. The talented out-half was also Buccaneers' top scorer in the Division 1B of the All-Ireland League last season.

Jack really enjoyed being involvement in the World Cup, describing the spell in South Africa as "an unreal experience". He recalled that his selection was only confirmed a few days before the squad's departure, having missed out on the U20 Six Nations Championship.

Carty's Buccaneers team-mate Conor Finn was also called up to the Ireland U20 squad for the World Cup. Finn actually replaced another Buccaneers player Shane Layden, who was ruled out through injury.

A past-pupil of the Marist College, Jack is now studying commerce at NUI Galway. This is actually the second time for Jack to be honoured in the Westmeath Independent/Hodson Bay Hotel Sports Awards. In 2007, he was chosen for a monthly award by virtue of captaining the Marist College to Connacht and All-Ireland soccer titles at U14 level. Carty went on to represent Ireland in soccer at U-15 level.

A real sporting all rounder, Carty played Gaelic football for St Brigid's and represented Roscommon at underage level. Jack played for Roscommon in the 2009 All-Ireland minor football quarter-final against Kerry at Croke Park.

Carty is concentrating his sporting energies on rugby and his long-term aim is to establish himself into the Connacht senior team. He is a current regular with the Connacht Eagles, and also represented the province's first-team this season in a RaboDirect Pro12 encounter against Glasgow Warriors.

Jack's younger brother Ben featured on the Marist College team which won the Connacht Schools Senior Cup earlier this year. Ben is now also studying in NUIG, while their younger brother, Luke, is a current pupil at the Marist and plays rugby for the school.

A son of Ted and Susan Carty, Jack also has two sisters, Deirdre and Aoife. Ted has served as president of Buccaneers RFC.

To vote for Jack Carty as the Readers Choice text INDO 6 to 57199. Lines close at midnight on Thursday, February 7th, 2013. Winner will be announced on Friday, February 8th, 2013 at the awards ceremony.

July

Sionnan O'Reilly Collins

The sport of modern pentathlon probably gained more public recognition following this year's Olympic Games in London. Kiltoom teenager Sionnan O'Reilly Collins is one of Ireland's rising stars in the sport, and she is the July award winner in the 2012 Westmeath Independent/Hodson Bay Sports Awards.

In addition to the progress she has made in modern pentathlon, Sionann won a bronze medal in the Irish Youth Swimming Championships at the National Aquatic Centre last July. In the U17 200 metres backstroke, Sionann swam a personal best time of 2.33.92, thereby breaking her Athlone Swimming Club record in the process.

Sionann was invited to join the three Irish elite pentathletes at the World Championships in Rome last May. This gave her the opportunity to meet up with the Ireland's elite team, as well as Pentathlon Ireland Performance Director Lindsey Weedon and top international fencing coach, Marek Makay.

Sionann and elite pentathlete Eanna Bailey finished in 9th position in mixed relay at the Modern Pentathlon World Championships. The 17-year-old described her experience as Rome as the highlight of her fledgling sporting career to date. "I really enjoyed it. It was a great experience," said Sionann.

Modern pentathlon consists of horse riding (showjumping), swimming, fencing and the combined run/shoot event. Sionann revealed that it was Emma Davis, Ireland's first ever Olympic triathlete, who encouraged her to pursue modern pentathlon. Sionann had previously competed in tetrathlon, which is a variant of the modern pentathlon, without fencing.

The teenager from Barrymore, Kiltoom, sat her Leaving Certificate in Athlone Community College last June. She is now a student at Bishop Burton College in Yorkshire, studying a degree course in Sport, Coaching, Development and Fitness. As her sport involves so many disciplines, Sionann's training schedule takes up a huge amount of time every week.

Sionann joined Athlone Swimming Club at a young age and is full of praise for the coaching assistance she has received over the years from Johnny Powell. For the past few years, Sionann has practised her showjumping in Essentially Equestrian in Moydrum, and she is thankful for the help of the staff there.

Sionann was born in Sheffield, England, but her family moved to Ireland when she was three years old. Her mother, Theresa is from Leicester while her father, Michael hails from Derry. Sionann has represented Athlone CC in cross country several times, and qualified for a number of All-Ireland finals with the school. Sionann's long-term aim is to represent Ireland in the Olympic Games and her target is Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

If Sionann does make it to the Olympics, she will be following in the footsteps of her grand-uncle, Hugh O'Hagan. O'Hagan, a uncle of Theresa's, competed in the 1948 Olympics in light heavyweight boxing.

To vote for Sionnan O'Reilly Collins as the Readers Choice text INDO 7 to 57199. Lines close at midnight on Thursday, February 7th, 2013. Winner will be announced on Friday, February 8th, 2013 at the awards ceremony.

August

Jim O'Connor

Jim O'Connor's remarkable feat in swimming the length of Lough Ree - raising an considerable amount of money for charity in the process - was recognised in the 2012 Westmeath Independent/Hodson Bay Hotel Sports Awards.

Last August, Jim became the first person to solo swim the length of Lough Ree - and he completed this marathon challenge in order to raise money for South Westmeath Hospice.

The marathon journey began at 6am at the bridge in Lanesboro on August 18 last. After a gruelling 13 hours and 34 minutes in the water, Jim arrived in Athlone to a rapturous reception at the finish line beside Sean's Bar. According to Jim's GPS watch, the distance covered was 33.91 kilometres (over 21 miles). And his heroic efforts raised over €10,000 for South Westmeath Hospice.

The 'Lough Ree Challenge' idea was hatched one night in the Wineport Lodge where Jim was attending a wedding.

It was Athlone Regional Sports Centre swimming coach Dave Warby who came up with the idea, and Jim is thankful to Dave for the assistance he provided during his tough schedule of training.

Jim did the Frances Thornton Clare to Galway sea swim (covering a distance of more than 13k) last year in aid of Cancer Care West. And having enjoyed that experience, he was ready to embark on another challenge.

The Retreat Park resident was initially swimming 15 kms per week in his training, before eventually reaching 90 kms, which was the largest distance he covered over a single week.

Jim is married to Joanne and the couple have four children, Niamh, Hannah, Jack and Charlie. Along with his brother, Mark, Jim runs the family business, O'Connor Memorials, based in Bonavalley, Athlone.

The 50-year-old completed the swim by observing 'Channel rules' which meant he was not allowed to touch the support boat which accompanied him en route. Therefore, a pole containing carbohydrate-rich liquids was thrown out to him every half an hour or so. Under 'Channel rules', he was also not allowed to wear a wetsuit.

When asked how long it took him to recover, Jim said with a laugh: 'I'm not recovered yet."

However, Jim's next big project is to swim the English Channel from Dover to Calais in France.

Jim said the death of his friend, Dr Ursula O'Neill, prompted him to do something to raise money for South Westmeath Hospice.

Jim is thankful to Dave Warby and the other members of the organising committee - Grainne O'Neill, Olaf O'Neill, John Bruton and Denise Dolan. He also acknowledged everyone at Athlone Regional Sports Centre for their help and all those who assisted in any way.

To vote for Jim O'Connor as the Readers Choice text INDO 8 to 57199. Lines close at midnight on Thursday, February 7th, 2013. Winner will be announced on Friday, February 8th, 2013 at the awards ceremony.

September

Mark Rohan

DOUBLE Paralympics Gold medal winner Mark Rohan was awarded the Westmeath Independent/Hodson Bay Hotel Sports Award for September, following his memorable heroics in London that captured the nation's imagination.

Rohan, 31, won gold in both the Men's Road Time-Trial H1 event, and the Men's Road Race H1 events, capping a phenomenal few years for the Ballinahown native.

This is Mark's third time to be selected for a Westmeath Independent/Hodson Bay Hotel monthly sports award, while he also won the overall winner of the Rehab Athlone People of the Year Awards in 2011.

Rohan is also one of ten nominees - along with the likes of Rory McIlroy, Henry Shefflin and Katie Taylor - recently named on the shortlist for the prestigious RTÉ Sports Person of the Year award.

In addition, Mark was recently chosen for the 'Outstanding Games Debut Performance' at the inaugural OCS Irish Paralympic Awards.

It's been a truly remarkable year for Rohan, who continues to win deserved recognition for his inspirational feats since a road accident in 2001 left him paralysed from the chest down.

Last July, Mark was one of two Irish athletes (the other being Katie Taylor) to receive a coveted Sky Sports Scholarship deal, which enabled him to concentrate full-time on his handcycling career.

A former Castledaly and Westmeath footballer (minor and U21), Rohan was also recently drafted into Pat Flanagan's backroom team with the Lake County senior footballers, with Flanagan hoping some of Rohan's undoubted inspiration can rub-off on his team.

To vote for Mark Rohan as the Readers Choice text INDO 9 to 57199. Lines close at midnight on Thursday, February 7th, 2013. Winner will be announced on Friday, February 8th, 2013 at the awards ceremony.

October

Jamie Madden

MOATE All-Whites minor football star Jamie Madden was awarded the Westmeath Independent/Hodson Bay Hotel Sports Award for the month of October.

As captain of the All-Whites' county title winning minor team, Madden accepted the award in recognition of his side's fantastic achievement.

The 18 year-old, a student at Moate Community School, played a significant role as the All-Whites beat Athlone (2-9 to 0-9) in the final to win a first county minor title for several years.

Though Moate fell behind by four points early on, they showed tremendous fight and desire to force a way back into the game and eventually clinch a morale-boosting title for the proud Moate club. Just weeks earlier, Moate's adult team lost out in the semi-finals of the Westmeath JFC, so the minor success was all the more welcome.

Jamie, who was "honoured and proud" to lift the cup on the Moate All-Whites team, said the success meant a huge amount to everyone associated with the club.

"The celebrations at the end were fantastic. I saw a grown man crying tears of joy, a fella' that's been involved with Moate All-Whites for countless years and seen many ups and downs. It was a great achievement and one the club is very proud of. "I am delighted to accept the Westmeath Independent/Hodson Bay Hotel Sports Award for October on behalf of my team-mates and the management of Peter (P.) Gillivan, Cyril Gillivan and Tommy Gorman, great men that have been involved with our group since U8s," Jamie said.

Jamie is a son of well-known Moate couple Kevin and Jackie Madden, and will join the other eleven monthly winners for a banquet evening at the Westmeath Independent/Hodson Bay Hotel Sports Awards night in the Hodson Bay Hotel on Friday, February 8 - when the overall winner of the Westmeath Independent/Hodson Bay Hotel Sports Star of the Year Award will be announced.

To vote for Jamie Madden as the Readers Choice text INDO 10 to 57199. Lines close at midnight on Thursday, February 7th, 2013. Winner will be announced on Friday, February 8th, 2013 at the awards ceremony.

November

Frankie Dolan

ST BRIGID'S ace forward Frankie Dolan was selected as the November winner in the Westmeath Independent/Hodson Bay Hotel Sports Awards.

Dolan was in inspirational form for the South Roscommon side as they defeated Ballaghaderreen in the Connacht Club SFC final in November, thus setting-up a mouthwatering All-Ireland Club SFC semi-final against reigning champions Crossmaglen Rangers next February.

Dolan scored three points played a crucial role in St Brigid's convincing 1-12 to 0-6 victory at McHale Park, Castlebar, as the Kiltoom-Cam men emulated the great Clann na nGael side of the eighties by claiming a Connacht three-in-a-row.

Frankie was also in superb form as St Brigid's retained the Roscommon SFC in October, scoring 2-4 in the county decider against Padraig Pearses. His freetaking prowess was in the Connacht semi-final against Salthill-Knocknacarra, against whom he notched an excellent six points.

Frankie thanked the Westmeath Independent for the award and also his team-mates and management at St Brigid's for their efforts this year.

He said everyone is looking forward to the upcoming All-Ireland semi-final against Crossmaglen, a game which gives St Brigid's a chance to atone for their 2011 All-Ireland final loss to the Armagh side.

"We were back in training last weekend and it's a case of getting up to full speed before February. We won't focus too much on Crossmaglen until the New Year, as the main thing is working on fitness and sharpness. We played Crossmaglen twice in the last few years and on both occasions they beat us by a goal, so the big thing against them is to restrict goalscoring chances, which they're very good at taking.

"I think our panel is stronger this time around.

"There's a lot of experienced guys in there, but we're being pushed hard by the younger lads and I think that's beneficial for the team. Some of us aren't getting any younger and maybe this opportunity is a chance we didn't feel we'd get after the All-Ireland final defeat to Crossmaglen. You don't know if you'll ever get a similar opportunity, so let's hope we can take it this time," said Frankie.

To vote for Frankie Dolan as the Readers Choice text INDO 11 to 57199. Lines close at midnight on Thursday, February 7th, 2013. Winner will be announced on Friday, February 8th, 2013 at the awards ceremony.

December

Johnny Powell on behalf of Brendan Gibbons

BRENDAN Gibbons's continuing rise through the ranks of Irish swimming has been recognised with the Garnafailagh native receiving the Westmeath Independent/Hodson Bay Hotel Sport Award for the month of December.

The 17-year-old earns the award for his fantastic performances at Ireland's Short Course National Championships, which saw the Athlone teenager break three Irish junior records along the way to claiming two gold and a silver medal at the highly-rated event in Lisburn.

Representing Athlone Swimming Club, Gibbons won both the 800m and 1500m freestyle events, clocking-up times of 8:11.00 and 15.26.03 (new Irish junior records).

Brendan also featured for Ireland at the 2012 European Short Course Championships in France.

Making Gibbons' achievements even more notable is the fact he still has two years remaining in the Junior category.

A current member of the Irish High Performance Squad, Gibbons began swimming with Athlone Swimming Club from the age of five, and has been under the expert tutelage of coach Johnny Powell since.

Events at the Irish Short Course National Championships saw Gibbons go up against some of the country's leading swimmers, including Andrew Meegan (of the Aer Lingus club), who pipped Gibbons to gold in the 400m freestyle final.

However, Gibbons took great consolation from that race, as he set a new Irish junior record of 54.21.

Gibbons reversed the result in the 1500m freestyle final, beating Meegan into third place, with Conor Turner finishing second.

Gibbons has this year taken a year out of college to concentrate fully on his continuing development in the pool, and trains in Dublin three times a week with the High Performance Squad. Gibbons is currently in Florida training with the Irish senior squad, so accepting the award on his behalf this week was long-standing coach, Johnny Powell.

Gibbons is one of 12 monthly award winners who will be honoured at a gala night at the Hodson Bay Hotel on Friday, February 8.

To vote for Brendan Gibbons as the Readers Choice text INDO 12 to 57199. Lines close at midnight on Thursday, February 7th, 2013. Winner will be announced on Friday, February 8th, 2013 at the awards ceremony.