MANY congratulations to Aisling McGreal, Rebecca Yorke, Edel Whyte and Rebecca Lyons who, last Friday night, were announced as the overall Longford Sports Star of the Year.

The quartet were at the prize-giving night as winners of the monthly award for August (sponsored by Ulster Bank) and, in landing the overall title, beat opposition from the worlds of Gaelic football (men’s and women’s), hurling, swimming, athletics, clay pigeon shooting and karate.

The Ganly’s Longford Sports Star Awards are held in association with Longford Sports Partnership and the Longford Leader whose reporter on the night wrote the following:

“There were great scenes of jubilation as Longford Pony Club were announced as the winners of the coveted Overall Sports Star of the Year accolade at the 2017 Ganly’s Longford Sports Star Awards, in association with Longford Sports Partnership and the Longford Leader.

“Having won the Irish Open Show jumping event in Mullingar, the talented quartet of Aisling McGreal (Ballinalee), Rebecca Lyons (Melview), Edel Whyte (Legan) and Rebecca Yorke (Ardagh), went on to be crowned International Show jumping winners at the UK Championships and their achievements saw them win favour with the Longford voting public in a text poll prior to last Friday’s gala awards banquet in The Sin Bin Event Centre.

“Aisling, Rebecca Lyons and Edel – the fourth member of team, Rebecca Yorke was unable to attend and she was represented by her mum Irene – along with their families and supporters, were overjoyed after MC Tony Ghee revealed they were overall winners.

“Aisling spoke about the skill, effort and preparation required to be successful, while Rebecca said their triumph in the UK was a ‘once in a lifetime’ win and she also pointed out that the English teams weren’t expecting their Irish counterparts to sweep the boards. Edel praised their mentors and support network at Longford Pony Club for leading them on the road to glory.”