‘I REALLY didn’t think I was going to win this,’ Nicola Tuthill admitted, as she posed for the official winner’s photo at the 2025 West Cork Sports Star Awards.

Less than ten minutes earlier, the 22-year-old Kilbrittain hammer thrower had been announced as the latest recipient of the West Cork Sports Star of the Year Award at the annual awards banquet in the Celtic Ross Hotel in Rosscarbery on Saturday night.

The body of evidence from 2025 supporting her rise to the throne was overwhelming. Tuthill won silver medals at the World University Games and the European U23 Championships, became the first Irish athlete to win U23 gold at the European Throwing Cup, finished 11th at her first senior World Athletics Championships, defended her senior national title, and set new personal bests that also stand as national U23 records.

The rising Irish athletics star proved a popular winner, as the packed banquet room erupted to salute the newly anointed best in the west.

Nicola Tuthill with, from left; PJ McNamara (C103); Helen Wycherley (Celtic Ross Hotel); David Gillick (special guest) and Kieran McCarthy (The Southern Star). (Photo: Martin Walsh)

Making it even more special was the huge Kilbrittain contingent in attendance. Philip and Kate Wall were both monthly award winners in 2025, while the All-Ireland-winning Kilbrittain hurlers were crowned Team of the Year. To see one of their own land the top honour was a special moment.

‘The talent in West Cork is insane, so for me to win this award is amazing,’ Tuthill told The Southern Star.

‘Even the support from the whole room when it was announced was incredible – West Cork is on a different level to everywhere else in that way.’

Incredibly, Hall of Fame award winner Graham Canty admitted to being starstruck while sitting beside Nicola earlier in the night. Canty, one of the finest footballers ever produced by the region, hailed the Olympian as one of West Cork’s top athletes.

‘The first thing I said to her was, “Jesus Christ, Nicola, if my daughter knew I was talking to you she’d be starstruck!”’ Canty laughed.

‘That’s the standard we have here in West Cork – it’s just phenomenal,’ he added, noting that the sporting future of the region is in safe hands with Nicola leading the charge.

Having turned 22 just last month, Nicola is the youngest-ever female winner of the West Cork Sports Star of the Year Award – aged 22 years and 26 days when crowned on Saturday night.

‘It’s amazing. It’s a huge honour to win an award, especially this one because it’s so prestigious,’ she said. ‘So many great sportspeople have won this before and I never expected it. I’m really delighted.’

She was quick to stress the role her family continues to play in her remarkable journey.

From growing up on a dairy farm in Kilbrittain to competing on the biggest stages in world athletics, family have been the constants in Nicola’s story. Take a bow, parents Norman and Colette, and sisters Olivia and Aoife.

Kilbrittain's Nicola Tuthill is presented with the 2025 West Cork Sports Star of the Year award by David Gillick, special guest. (Photo: Martin Walsh)

‘My family has backed me all the way. I wouldn’t be here without them,’ Nicola stressed.

‘I have my throwing cage at home that my parents built. My dad fixes all my broken hammers. If I’m stuck with anything, mom will always help, whether it’s with training, bringing in the hammers, or driving me to sessions.

‘Behind every athlete is a massive support team. It really does take a village, and that’s no different for me.

‘I might be winning this award, but I wouldn’t have won it without my family – even my sisters putting up with me complaining about being tired and sore!’

Her gym coach Roland Korom was at the Celtic Ross Hotel on Saturday night to support his prodigy, while throws coach Killian Barry – a key figure in her continued progress – was unable to attend. Both are central characters in this story.

2025 West Cork Sports Star Award winner Nicola Tuthill celebrates with her parents, Norman and Collette, and sisters Olivia and Aoife. (Photo: Martin Walsh)

‘They’re constantly there for me. If I’m injured, they adjust my programmes. If I’m not injured, they push me on and help me get the most out of myself,’ she explained.

There are many moving parts working together to give Nicola the platform to fulfil her sporting potential – her sponsors, college UCD, and Sport Ireland among them.

‘It’s all those little one-percenters that help you be in the best possible shape, both physically and mentally, going into competitions,’ she said. ‘While I’ve won this award, there are so many people behind the scenes who helped me get here.’

There is also her home club, Bandon AC, where it all began. The club’s new 400-metre all-weather track is due to open early this year and promises to be a game-changer for athletics in the region.

‘There is so much talent in West Cork, and in Bandon, just look at Adaora (Nnemenka) winning the West Cork Sports Star Youth Award tonight,’ Nicola said. ‘The track will have a huge impact on the younger generation. There are so many options within track and field. Kate O’Connor shows that – she runs, jumps, throws, does it all. Myself and Eric Favors are showing the field events. There’s so much to offer in athletics, and these facilities will make such a difference.’

For sports-mad kids across West Cork, having Nicola as a role model matters too. Driven, hard-working, and grounded, she is making the most of her talent with the help of those around her. Impressive inside and outside the throwing cage, Nicola Tuthill is a superb West Cork ambassador – and the outstanding athlete in the region in 2025.