Sonia O'Sullivan receives East Cork & District Sports Award

SONIA O’SULLIVAN RECEIVES EAST CORK & DISTRICT SPORTS AWARD

...by John Walshe

Awards are nothing new to Sonia O’Sullivan over the past two-and-a-half decades but today the Cobh native was honoured in her own native area when she received the East Cork & District Sports Award at a function in the Midleton Park Hotel.

Organised by Sean O’Sullivan and sponsored by the Midleton Park Hotel in association with Cork’s Red FM, Sonia was described by the organiser as being an outstanding ambassador for many decades, both as an athlete and since her retirement from the sport.

Describing her as the ‘Cobh’s People’s Champion, Sean O’Sullivan said it was a chance meeting with Sonia on George’s Quay in Cork that led to his dream of honouring the Olympic silver-medallist and world champion for her various achievements and thanked her for returning to her roots to accept the award.

In reply, Sonia said she was delighted to be present and said it brought back many memories of receiving various awards in the past. Describing Midleton as ‘a short hop from Cobh’, she said there was a time when it seemed a long way away – no doubt recalling her schooldays when her athletic career commenced with cross-country races in nearby Ballyannon and track events in the Midleton CBS field.

On the previous day, Sonia had taken part in her first Olympic distance triathlon – the Jailbreak event in Cobh – where she took third place in her F45 category.

Pic – Sonia receiving the award from Patrick Shields, General Manager of the Midleton Park Hotel, along with distinguished guests, sponsors, family and friends. Photo: John Walshe. 

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