Arthur Lanigan O'Keeffe has been crowned the Beat 102-103 South East Sports Star for 2018.
A celebration of South East sporting success was held last night, 17th January 2019, at the Set Theatre in Kilkenny.
In its 10th year, Beat's South East Sports Star Awards recognises and celebrates the regions sports stars.
Kilkenny's Arthur Lanigan O'Keeffe has made waves as a Modern pentathlete winning a world cup gold medal in May and we are delighted to announce has been crowned Beat's Overall South East Sports Star for 2018.
The Kilkenny native is now the highest ranked athlete in his field and highest rated Irish sportsperson internationally.
The annual gala moved to a new venue this year, The Set Theatre in Kilkenny with guest speaker camogie legend and broadcaster Anna Geary joining Vincent Bradley on stage.
Anna is a four-time All-Ireland camogie title winner with Cork and three-time All-Ireland club title winner.
She is now one of the most recognisable faces on Irish television through her work on Ireland's Fittest Family and Dancing With The Stars.
JANUARY
A first for the South East Sports Star Awards, Presentation secondary school Clonmel were crowned All-Ireland Schools First Year Spikeball Champions in January.
In an increasingly competitive adaptation of volleyball, the girls beat Charlestown of Mayo in the final at UCD, with the match going all the way to a final set.
FEBRUARY – Joint winner 1
Marble City Hawks celebrated league success in February.
They were unbeaten during the month to round off the season as Regular Season champions, earning promotion to this season’s Superleague.
FEBRUARY – Joint Winner 2
Craig Breen finished on the podium at Rally Sweden in February.
The Waterford native was runner-up for Citroen in one of the toughest events on the rally calendar, missing out on a maiden WRC victory by less than twenty seconds!
MARCH
Wexford Wanderers Rugby Club celebrated league success in March.
The club finished top of Division 2B in the Leinster League, securing promotion.
And they’ve been holding their own this season, making another promotion a distinct possibility.
APRIL
Tramore AFC’s under-18s were crowned FAI Youth Cup champions in April.
The Waterford club beat St Kevin’s Boys from Dublin 4-3 after extra-time in an exciting final at Ozier Park.
MAY
Modern pentathlete Arthur Lanigan O’Keeffe realised a life-long ambition in May.
The Kilkenny native won World Cup gold in Bulgaria, adding individual success to two previous relay gold medals with partner Natalya Coyle.
Arthur couldn't make it to the awards due to being abroad for training commitments but sent a video to show is appreciation after hearing he also won the overall award.
JUNE
David Gahan from Waterford’s list of achievements continued to grow in 2018.
In June, David took less than twenty-four seconds to beat his English opponent to win the WUKF championships in Dundee.
David is now a multiple world karate champion, having also won top honours in Serbia in 2012
JULY
Richie Ryan was crowned Dunlop Masters Superbike Champion in 2018.
Throughout the summer, the Kilkenny native was virtually unbeatable as he powered his way to the title, becoming the first rider to retain the crown.
AUGUST
Thomas Barr was a medal winner at the European Athletics championships in August.
The Waterford native claimed bronze in the men’s 400 metres hurdles, with a season’s best time of 48.31.
Thomas is currently away training. He sent a video to Beat in his absence and his mother accepted the award for him.
SEPTEMBER
Waterford athlete Kate Veale enjoyed plenty of success in 2018.
As well as National indoor and outdoor titles, In September, took the honours at the International Sprint Triathlon of Race Walking in the Netherlands.
Kate won the overall ladies event after winning at all three distances, setting a Dutch record along the way.
OCTOBER
Wexford Youths Women cleaned up in 2018.
The south east side won the League Cup, League, and in October, added the FAI Cup title, beating Peamount at the Aviva Stadium.
NOVEMBER
Old Leighlin Ladies footballers enjoyed county and provincial success in 2018.
In November, the club won the Leinster Junior title, beating Castleknock after a replay to lift the provincial crown.
This followed county success for the seniors who won the county championship just weeks earlier.
WILDCARD
Carlow’s senior hurlers had a 2018 to remember.
Colm Bonnar’s side won the inaugural Joe McDonagh Cup in July, earning promotion to the main All Ireland championship draw.
This followed National League success earlier in the year – they beat Westmeath in the final in March, and Division 1 hurling awaits this season.
The South East Sports Star Awards have been running since 2006 and past overall winners include international footballer Kevin Doyle and Ireland rugby star Niamh Briggs.
