Bandon AC's Laura Nicholson selected as best in west

RISING young athlete Laura Nicholson is the 2017 Celtic Ross West Cork Youth Sports Star.

The Bandon AC long distance runner enjoyed a tremendous 2017 that included winning several national titles, setting PBs and also representing Ireland at the European Cross-Country Championships in Slovakia. 

Laura (17) will be presented with her award at the 20th annual 2017 Celtic Ross West Cork Sports Star Awards on Saturday, January 20th in the Celtic Ross Hotel, Rosscarbery.

Former Republic of Ireland international and current football pundit Kevin Kilbane has been confirmed as the guest speaker.

Kinsale ladies’ football team have been announced as the 2017 West Cork Sports Team of the Year while the Hall of Fame entrant will be revealed in next week’s Southern Star.

The overall 2017 West Cork Sports Star of the Year will be announced on the night itself.

Newly-crowned West Cork Youth Sports Star Laura Nicholson commented: ‘It’s a really competitive award to win so I’m delighted I’ve been picked, and that I have been recognised for what I achieved last year.’

Laura won several gold medals on the national stage in 2017, including the combined junior and U18 women’s 4000m national cross-country championships, the junior women’s race at the Autumn Open Cross-Country, the steeplechase at the Celtic Games in August, the All-Ireland U18 1500m title and the All-Ireland U18 2000m steeplechase, as well as setting numerous personal bests. 

The Bandon teenager also qualified to represent Ireland as part of the national U20 team at December’s European Cross-Country Championships in Slovakia.

Her coach, Steven Macklin, added: ‘Laura’s 2017 year was quite remarkable. She pretty much won every race she ran in during 2017.’