Jockey Rachael Blackmore honoured at Sportswoman Awards

There were few more emotional days in the Irish sporting year than Blackmore’s Cheltenham triumph on Honeysuckle in what was the legendary mare’s final race before retirement.

Tipperary jockey Rachael Blackmore was among those honoured at The Irish Times / Sport Ireland Sportswoman Awards which took place in the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin recently.

This is the 20th year of the awards and the Killenaule native was one of 15 sportswomen who was honoured with a monthly award for her achievements during the year.

There were few more emotional days in the Irish sporting year than Blackmore’s Cheltenham triumph on Honeysuckle in what was the legendary mare’s final race before retirement. Blackmore brilliantly steered the horse to a fairytale ending to its career, the reception that both she and Honeysuckle received as they headed for the parade ring one that won’t soon be forgotten. Adding to the emotion of the day was what trainer Henry de Bromhead, his wife Heather and their family had endured with the loss of their son Jack the previous November.

Blackmore’s first thoughts were for the 13-year-old after the race. “We all wish a very special kid could be here today, but he’s watching down on us,” she said. Due to her racing commitments Blackmore was unable to attend the ceremony and her Sportswoman of the Month award for March was accepted on her behalf by her mother Eimir.

Sportswoman of the Year

Arsenal star Katie McCabe, the first Republic of Ireland soccer player to captain her country at the Women’s World Cup, was crowned The Irish Times / Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year for 2023. McCabe, who has been capped 79 times for her country also became the first Irish player to score a goal at the World Cup; her ‘Olimpico’ (a goal direct from a corner) in the match against Canada being nominated for goal of the tournament.

In another action-packed year for Ireland’s high achieving sportswomen, McCabe stood out for the quality of her own performances in Australia and for the leadership qualities she demonstrated, not just during a challenging World Cup campaign but also on her return to international action in the UEFA Nations League, where Ireland won six games on the bounce and earned promotion to League A.

But it isn’t just in the green jersey that the versatile left-back / winger has been shooting out the lights. In June she was named as Arsenal’s Player of the Season, while her winning goal against Manchester City in April won WSL Goal of the Season. A stellar year for McCabe was capped with selection on the Champions League team of the season, the only non-finalist to make the XI, as well as a nomination for the Women’s Ballon d’Or - the first Irish footballer to be nominated for the prestigious award.

Fiona Coghlan honoured with Outstanding Contribution Award

This year’s Outstanding Contribution to Sport Award went to former rugby player Fiona Coghlan who captained Ireland to the Grand Slam and the country’s first women’s Six Nations championship in 2013. During that campaign Ireland beat England for the first time, before going on to beat the New Zealand Ferns for the first time at the World Cup in France the following year. That famous 17-14 win was the first time New Zealand had ever been beaten at a World Cup.

Ireland qualified for the semi-finals of that tournament, their best ever result, with Coghlan retiring shortly afterwards, after representing her country 85 times. Coghlan has played a key role in the development of women’s rugby in Ireland and in her work as a commentator and analyst continues to be a key advocate for the women’s game both in Ireland and beyond.

Exactly a decade after she was presented with The Irish Times / Sports Ireland Sportswoman of the Year Award she was back in the Shelbourne Hotel, the most deserving winner of this year’s Outstanding Contribution to Sport Award.

Other recipients of the 12 monthly awards on offer included: Sprinter Rhasidat Adeleke, who rewrote Irish records over both 200m and 400m both indoors and outdoors; boxer Katie Taylor, who won her rematch with Chantelle Cameron to become Ireland’s first two-weight world champion; cycling’s Katie-George Dunlevy who won five gold medals at the Paracycling World Cup; Thammy Nguyen, who won Ireland’s first European Weightlifting Championship senior medal; and golfer Leona Maguire who won her second LPGA title.

Praise for inspirational sportswomen

The Sports Editor of The Irish Times Noel O’Reilly paid tribute to all the 2023 winners.

“With every passing year, the bar keeps being raised with soaring new standards set by Irish sportswomen for those who will come after them. The past 12 months have been no different with inspirational performances and unprecedented achievements across the board. It’s been an honour for The Irish Times to follow their journeys through 2023, and we look forward to savouring their achievements in the years to come.”

The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD commented: “Over the past year we have witnessed some remarkable successes in a wide range of sports with our sportswomen making history and breaking records on a regular basis. Their commitment to their sport and their determination to succeed is so inspiring for young girls all over the country. I want to congratulate all of this year’s award recipients and acknowledge their enormous contribution to Irish sport.”

The Minister for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne TD, said: “Sport has the ability to bring happiness and joy to the lives of many, not just the athletes themselves, but to the clubs, coaches, volunteers, communities, families and friends which they represent. Our incredible athletes have made many sacrifices and I want to sincerely thank them for their continued dedication to sport. Congratulations to all of the monthly Irish Times Sport Ireland winners”.

Paying tribute to all the 2023 winners, Sport Ireland CEO Dr Una May commented: “The unparalleled performances by Irish sportswomen in 2023 captivated the Irish public. The inspiration these outstanding women and teams provide for the next generation of aspiring sports stars is invaluable. I would like to congratulate all of the monthly winners and also pay tribute to their families and all of the coaches, volunteers and support teams who have helped them to reach the highest levels of sport.”