Last chance to cast vote in Westmeath Independent/Hodson Bay Hotel Sports Awards

ANTICIPATION is reaching fever pitch as the 2011 Westmeath Independent/Hodson Bay Hotel Sports Awards prepare to take place this coming Friday evening. A spectacular and prestigious event in the local sporting calendar, the 2011 awards will bring together a plethora of the region's most well-known and successful sports people, when the gala event takes place at the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone on Friday, January 27 (7.30pm). Renowned sports presenter Robbie Irwin will be the master of proceedings and a huge crowd of local sporting followers are expected to attend an event that has become an integral fixture in the annual sporting calendar. The ceremony will see all of the twelve 2011 monthly award winners presented with their awards, in what is set to be a wonderful occasion for local sport. The overall Sports Star of the Year will be revealed on the night, while Fr Michael Cremin will be presented with the 2011 Hall of Fame Award. Readers also have the chance to vote for the Readers' Choice award. Votes can be cast using the coupon on this page or via the Westmeath Independent website. Simply log on to www.westmeathindependent.ie/sportsstar/ and follow the instructions there. Tickets for the prestigious event are also currently on sale from the Westmeath Independent offices in Sean Costello Street, Athlone, and are priced at €45. For every five tickets purchased, you receive one free ticket, while for every ten tickets bought, you receive two free tickets. Tickets can be purchased up until 2pm on Friday, but people are advised to get their tickets as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. The Westmeath Independent/Hodson Bay Hotel Sports Awards have been held to much acclaim over recent years, with the sheer level of sporting diversity and endeavour acknowledged by the awards, making the occasion a truly memorable and prestigious affair. This year, swimming, Gaelic football, hockey, rugby, soccer, boxing, Special Olympics, paracycling, ladies football, and golf are all recognised, with some of the most prominent local sporting figures expected to attend on the night. Last year, Moate boxer Joe Ward retained the overall Westmeath Independent/Hodson Bay Hotel Sports Award, after previously winning in 2009. Ward was selected for last year's overall award for his fabulous achievement in winning the middleweight division in the AIBA World Youth (U-19) Championships in Azerbaijan. Ireland U-17 soccer starlet Jennifer Byrne was chosen as the 2010 Readers Choice Sports Star of the Year via a public vote on the Westmeath Independent website and through coupons in the paper. Moate boxing sensation, Joe Ward, has been the overall winner for the past two years, and is again among the monthly award winners for 2011. For further information on tickets to this year's event, you can contact the Westmeath Independent at 090 6434300, or simply call into the Westmeath Independent offices in Sean Costello Street, Athlone. Those attending the event will also be treated to a sumptuous five-course meal at the Hodson Bay Hotel, and the exciting sounds of one of the Midlands' best known and popular music groups, with The Lols confirmed to perform on the night. Both the overall sports star winner and the readers' choice award will be chosen from among the 12 monthly winners who are Chloe Joyce, Brendan Gibbons and Alex Condron (Joint winners for January); Senan Kilbride; Pat Fox; Robert Henshaw; Joe Woods; Joe Ward; Paul Dalton, Michael Glynn and John Michael Gannon (Joint winners for July); Sean Dempsey; Mark Rohan; Laura Walsh, Michelle Malone and Laura Brennan (Joint winners for October); Charlie McMickan; and Dessie Dolan.