The Trinity Sport Awards took place online on Wednesday, 26th May, seven awards and the Pinks ceremony were announced during the zoom webinar. The annual awards are open to all sport clubs and they acknowledge the extraordinary commitment made by the sporting community at Trinity College Dublin. The 8th Annual Trinity Sport Awards 2021 were presented by broadcast journalist, Maire Treasa Ni Cheallaigh. During the awards, Ryan Baird, Irish and Leinster rugby player, Kate Doherty, Irish International Athlete and Nicole Owens, Trinity Alumni and Dublin Ladies GAA player took part in a panel discussion on the theme of ‘the emergence of sport from Covid-19’.
Reflecting on the year, Michelle Tanner, Head of Sport and Recreation at Trinity College Dublin commented, “It has been an extraordinary year for many and tonight, we are honoured to be able to celebrate the extraordinary people involved in Trinity Sport, and the commitment and achievements of our sports clubs. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate every student athlete, administrator and club nominated this evening for a Trinity Sport Award 2021. I would also like to thank and commend the committees of each club for the huge effort made during the pandemic closure to keep your members active and engaged. I would also like to thank our sporting colleagues and friends throughout the University, who continue to support our student sporting endeavours. I believe even more now than ever; we all appreciate the true values that sport offers our community.”
The highly coveted Sport Person of the Year Award went to Ireland and Leinster rugby player, Ryan Baird. The 21-year-old Computer Science and Business student made his debut for Ireland against Italy during the Six Nations Championship. He slotted into the Ireland squad with ease and stepped up for his team against Scotland by blocking down an Ali Price kick, then tackling the Scot that allowed Iain Henderson to come up with a crucial penalty turnover.
The Performance of the Year Award went to Trinity Sport Scholarship student and Irish International athlete, Kate Doherty who was part of Ireland’s Women’s 4 x 200m relay team that secured a stunning second place finish and set a national record in the final at the World Relays.
The full list award winners are as follows:
- Sport Person of the Year Winner - Ryan Baird, Ireland, and Leinster Rugby player
- Performance of the Year Winner – Kate Doherty, being a part of Ireland’s Women’s 4 x 200m relay team that secured a stunning second place finish and set a national record in the final at the World Relays.
- Club Administrator of the Year Winner - Emily O’Neill, Dublin University Ladies Hockey Captain
- Impact Award Joint Winners:
o DU Trampoline – Irish Student Trampoline Open fundraiser
o DULHC – Chase what Matters - Participation Award Winners – Suzanne Richmond, Marchathon Walkaholic’s team captain
- Trinity Sport+ Virtual Member of The Year Winner - Filomena Peluso
- Social Media Campaign of the Year Winner – Dublin University Ladies Hockey team
In addition to the Sport Awards, the University Pinks were announced on the night including Erica Markey, DULHC (Ladies Hockey); Isabelle Delamer DULHC (Ladies Hockeu Club), DULHC (Ladies Hockey Club); Rachel Burns, DULHC (Ladies Hockey Club); Aisling Page, DU Karate club; Jack MacNamara, DUUFC (Ultimate Frisbee); Brian Connelly, DUUFC (Frisbee); Ailbhe Kelly, Swimming and Waterpolo club; Jack Kelly, Trinity Rugby; Johnny McKeown, Trinity Rugby; Max Kearney, Trinity Rugby; Micheal Silvester, Trinity Rugby; Laura Stack, Camogie; Oskar Ronan, Archery; Sean Thompson, DUHAC (Harriers and Athletics). Distributed annually since 1950, the Pinks are bestowed by Dublin University Central Athletic Club (DUCAC) to student athletes who have shown outstanding individual merit – in much the same vein as a ‘Blue’ is allocated in Oxford and Cambridge. Over 1,220 students have received the prestigious accolade since its inception.