Gallery- Galaxy of county stars honoured at Kilkenny Awards night

The achievements of the county’s finest athletes were celebrated as the Kilkenny AAI awards were held in the Set Theatre.
Achievements in track & field, road races and cross-country events were honoured, recognising the hard work and talent it takes to not only compete but win honours at county, provincial and national levels.

The Star Awards are presented to athletes who have excelled in their field at various competitions, while the Championship Best Performance awards recognise athletes who have set new Leinster records indoors and outdoors. From juvenile athletes to master athletes, new records were set in walks, sprints, middle distance, steeplechase, throws and combined events.

Star Awards

The Star Awards recognise those that have had success in various competitions throughout the year, winning or placing in the top positions in every competition they compete in. Like the Championship Best Records, a number of county clubs were represented.

Juvenile Cross-Country: Daniel Greene (Kilkenny City Harriers)

This was Daniel’s second year to win a Star award. This year his accolades included winning golds at county, Leinster and national cross-country levels. 1 County U14, 1 County U15, 1 Leinster U14, 3 Leinster U15, 1 National U14, 8 National U15
Juvenile Track and Field: Conor Knox (Kilkenny City Harriers)

Conor Knox is no stranger to the podium, having won numerous medals and podium places in 2025, in many different disciplines. Conor’s shot-put is one of his strongest events in the combined competitions so far and no doubt one to watch again this year as he competes in the Nationals next month.

Conor’s achievements for 2025 are exceptional: County Indoors 1 HJ, 1 SP, 2 60m, County T&F 1 80m, 1 Hammer, 1 HJ, 1 LJ, 1 TJ, 2 200m. Leinster Indoors 1 HJ, 1 SP, 1 LJ, 2 Combined. Leinster T&F 2 LJ, 2 Discus, 2 Combined, 3 HJ. National Indoors 1 LJ, 3 Combined, 4 HJ, 4 SP. National T&F 3 Discus, 4 LJ, 6 LJ.

Senior Cross-Country: Callum Barron (Kilkenny City Harriers)

Callum Barron had his most successful season in 2025, winning many Leinster titles on the track in the 3000m and 5000m, but his most honourable win was his fantastic first place finish in the National Novice Cross-Country in Abbottstown last December.

In the most horrendous wintery conditions with lasing rain and howling winds, on a course that saw athletes knee-high in muck up from the very first lap, Callum ran a superb tactical race keeping within the top pack before he broke for the gold in spectacular fashion.

Callum’s honours include County Junior T&F 3000m 1, County Senior T&F 800m 2, Leinster Junior 3000m 1, Leinster Junior 5000m 1, Leinster Junior XC 3, National Novice XC 1, Junior Autumn Open XC 6, National Junior 5000m 4, National Junior XC 6.

Senior Track & Field: Shane Power (St Joseph’s AC)

Shane Power certainly sailed to new heights this year as he clinched the double honours in Pole Vault at Leinster Indoors and Outdoors last spring. Shane had a great pole vault season medalling in four out of six competitions with top four placings in all events throughout the year. Leinster Senior Indoors Pole Vault 1, Leinster Senior T&F 1, National Senior Indoor Pole Vault 3, National Senior T&F Pole Vault 4, AAI Indoor Games Pole Vault 2, Cork City Sports Pole Vault 4.

Walks Athlete: Evan Walsh (St Joseph’s AC)

Evan has walked his way through the rankings from a promising young juvenile race walker to a record setting Junior athlete who also represented Ireland at the SIAB during 2025. Evan dominated the race walks in 2025 in both the under-18 and Junior age categories winning medals at county, Leinster and National levels.

Evan won silver at the SIAB for his school and country during his very successful year. County Indoors U18 1, County T&F U18 Walk 1, Leinster Indoor U18 1500m Walk 1, Leinster Indoor U20 3000m Walk 1, Leinster T&F U18 5000m Walk 1, National Indoor U20 3k Walk 3, National Indoor U18 1500m Walk 2, National T&F U18 5k Walk 1, National T&F U20 3k Walk 3.

Junior Athlete: Rachel Gardiner (Gowran)

Rachel has won many honours throughout her juvenile throwing career at all levels, and now won her Star Award at Junior having competed up at Junior for 20025. Rachel’s preferred throws of Shot-Put and Weight for Distance at Indoors and Discus and WFD at Outdoors have proved very successful for her this year, with numerous medals and top eight National places for her efforts.

County Junior T&F 1 WFD, 1 Shot Put, 1 Discus, Leinster Junior Indoor 1 SP, 1 WFD, Leinster Junior T&F 2 SP, 2 WFD, 2 Discus, National Junior Indoor 2 WFD, 6 SP, National Junior T&F 2 WFD, 8 SP, 8 Discus.

Road Athlete: James Kelly (Castlecomer)

James Kelly is an accomplished athlete in both road races and cross country races, but this year saw him win his Star Award for all his achievements in county, Leinster and national road races. Competing at various different race distances from 10km to half marathon James won many titles with excellent top 12 finishes at national level to earn his award.

County 10km road race 1, County Half Marathon 1, Leinster MO35 1, Leinster Half Marathon O35 6, National Road 5km O35 6, National Road 10km O35 11th, National Half Marathon O35 6.

Masters Athlete: Graham Bourne (Kilkenny City Harriers)

Graham Bourne is no stranger to Master competitions and competes in many of the Master events in various disciplines which includes setting a new Leinster Record in the 3000m Steeplechase for the past few years. From the pentathlon to the 400mH and Triple jump Graham has settled himself into the Multi Event category for Leinster’s and Nationals.

County T&F O40 2 5000m, 2 200m, 1 100m, 1 1500m, 1 HJ, 1 800m, 3 LJ, 2 Jav, Leinster Indoors 2 60mH, 1 TJ, 1 PV, 1 WFD. Leinster T&F O45 3 CE, 1 110mH, 1 400mH, 1 HJ, 1 TJ, 1