Sport Inspires event celebrates our sporting champions and raises funds for future athletes
DOUBLE OIympic gold medallist, turned TV gold, Dame Kelly Holmes headed a star studded guest list as Mary Peters Trust supporters joined athletes past and present in coming together in the spirit of sport for the Trust’s annual festive fundraising get together.
Hosted by UTV sports presenter and Local Women Sport columnisy, Ruth Gorman, the 2024 Sport Inspires festive lunch event took a look back to Northern Ireland’s Paris 2024 Olympic success as well as celebrating the incredible achievements of our local sporting heroes across the decades.
On stage and joining 1972 Olympic pentathlon gold winner Lady Mary Peters were guests of honour who included Olympic rowing medallists Hannah Scott, Philip Doyle and Rebecca Shorten; Northern Ireland football manager Michael O’Neill and boxing icon Carl Frampton.
Also joining our local stars was Dame Kelly Holmes who has carved out a new career as a Loose Women TV panellist and author and this year is marking 20 years since her double gold at the Athens Olympics in 1984. Making a special appearance was the Sam Maguire Cup, brought along by Armagh county chair, Paul McArdle, following Armagh GAA’s incredible win at this year’s All Ireland Football Championship.
The top tier panel chatted to MC Ruth Gorman about the highs and lows of life in the sporting fast lane and overcoming challenges to ultimately achieve goals and reach the pinnacles of their game.
Taking place at Belfast’s Europa Hotel, the convivial gathering celebrated Northern Ireland’s sporting excellence whilst raising funds for talented athletes, both disabled and able-bodied, to go forward and progress to the highest level possible.
The festive fundraiser featured silent and live auctions with many amazing prizes, including signed items by sporting icons and amazing money can’t buy items.
From the starter’s gun to crossing the finishing line, guests and athletes had a ball. The Mary Peters Trust thanks everyone who came along for their spirited support and superb generosity.
Michael O’Neill, Carl Frampton and Jim Gracey with Dame Kelly Holmes, Lady Mary Peters and Ruth Gorman
2024 achievements celebrated, included:
The 2024 Olympics in Paris added a glittering new chapter to Northern Irish sporting history.
Prior to the Games, only three athletes from Northern Ireland had ever won an Olympic gold medal.
Over the two weeks of action in France there were four more golds added to that tally – along with a silver and two bronze.
Our winners were: Daniel Wiffen (Swimming gold for Ireland in the Men’s 800m freestyle and Bronze in the Men’s 1500m freestyle)
Jack McMillan (Swimming gold for Great Britain in the Men’s 4x200m freestyle relay)
Hannah Scott (Rowing gold for Great Britain in the Women’s quadruple sculls)
Rhys McClenaghan (Gymnastics gold for Ireland on the Men’s pommel horse)
Rebecca Shorten (Rowing silver for Great Britain in the Women’s four)
Philip Doyle (Rowing bronze for Ireland in the Men’s double sculls)
Injury cruelly robbed Ciara Mageean of her chance of Olympic glory but it was still a memorable year for Ciara as she continued to break Irish records and took 1500 metres gold at the European Athletics Championships
And Nick Griggs set a Park Run World record for the 5K – 13 minutes 44 seconds
In football, Northern Ireland’s renaissance continued as winners of their Nations League group and we are delighted to welcome manager Michael O’Neill here today
Larne again won the Irish League title while Cliftonville recorded a memorable Irish Cup win
We also welcome a certain Mr Sam Maguire in the hands of the Armagh All Ireland winning team’s chair, Paul McCardle, and special mention, too, for the Armagh Ladies on winning their National League division one title
On the club front, Watty Graham’s, from Glen, in Co Derry, landed the All Ireland club football title
In the ring, Anthony Cacace, the Andytown Apache, reigns as IBF Super Featherweight Champion
Ireland’s men added another Six Nations rugby title to their impressive collection while the Women’s upward trajectory continued with their qualification for the 2025 World Cup in England
In hockey, the Men’s Irish team qualified for the Olympics and have also gained promotion to the FIH Pro League, a competition that unites the world’s finest men’s and women’s international hockey teams in a prestigious global competition. With the Women’s team, Ballymoney’s Katie Mullan stepped back from her 8 year captaincy. Under her reign the team won Silver in 2018 at the World Cup and qualified for the Tokyo Olympics… she led them with integrity.
Rory McIlroy won his customary Race to Dubai title while his fellow Holywood golfer, Tom McKibbin, gained his PGA Tour card
Mark Allen reigned for a time as World Number One in snooker
On two wheels… record breaking winners Michael Dunlop at the Isle of Man TT and Glenn Irwin at the North West TT
And, last but not least, Jude McAtamney from Swatragh made history as our first player to make an NFL American football start with the New York Giants
It is worth noting that every one of our Olympic medallists, and many more on that list besides, have been supported by the Mary Peters Trust. So take a bow, Lady Mary, our original Olympic champion still championing Olympians 50 years on from her Golden hour at Munich in 1972.
From left: Carl Frampton, Michael McKillop, Hannah Scott, Rebecca Shorten, Lady Mary Peters and Michael O’Neill
Paula Gracey, Lady Mary Peters and Dame Kelly Holmes
