Thursday, December 17, 2009

Butler named Echo Sports Star of the Year


Glenanne's Stephen Butler was named The Echo Newspaper Sports Star of the Year last night at a ceremony in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel on the Naas Road.

The 30-year-old overcame competition from Dublin GAA stars Conal Keaney, Liam Rushe, David O'Callaghan and Siobhan McGrath; National light-welterweight boxing champion Phil Sutcliffe and six others to win the prestigious award.

Butler was rewarded for a year in which he became Ireland's most capped player (currently with 161) and helped Ireland to gold in the European Hockey Trophy and Silver in the Champions Challenge II.

He is also Ireland's all time top goalscorer (79) and was instrumental in qualifying his club for the Irish Hockey League final in May after he scored a hatrick against Banbridge in the semi-final. The result meant Glens qualified for the EHL which took place in October.

It was an excellent night all round for the Tallaght club as St Francis Ladies football club picked up the Team of the Year gong with Glenanne Ladies first team player Mary Waldron part of their contingent.

Words: David O'Malley

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

congrats stephen. great to see hockey being recognized

Anonymous said...

Well done Stephen. well deserved

Anonymous said...

well done glens

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to both Mary and Stephen, well done and well deserved!

Anonymous said...

not bad for a 30 something. Well done Stephen.....

Anonymous said...

Similar to Ryan Giggs..fantastic career and well deserved awards! Just shows if you look after yourself you can achieve well into your 30's! Well done again Steve

Anonymous said...

Well done Steve. Thoroughly well deserved. Great ambassador for the Glens and Ireland.