Five stars of Mullingar"s sporting life honoured

Mullingar paid tribute to its three Olympians at a special reception held at Belvedere House and Gardens. Cathaoirleach Joe Whelan praised their 'unprecedented' achievement in qualifying for the world"s greatest sporting event.Council Chairman also lauded the successes of the Westmeath Football team, citing their win in Division 2 of the National League and the achievements of John Keane and Gary Connaughton who both attained national recognition and All Star status.All five sporting stars will now have their achievements held in the county council"s official records. 'The achievements of our Olympians bodes well for more success in London in 2012,' said the Cathaoirleach.'John Joe Nevin, a native of Mullingar, is a member of the Cavan Boxing Club. Boxing as a bantamweight he qualified for the Beijing Olympics in Pescara, Italy last February. He previously won national titles as Junior Champion in 2006 and 2007, Intermediate Champion in 2006 and was crowned National Champion in 2008.'Another Mullingar native, John Joe Joyce is a member of the St Michael"s Club in Athy, Co Kildare. His previous achievements include winning European Junior Bronze Medals in 2005 and 2006, three senior championships in 2005, 2006 and 2007 before qualifying for the Olympics in Athens.'Martin Fagan, our third Mullingar native to be honoured, succeeded in finishing in 2 hours 14 minutes 06 seconds, comfortably inside the Olympic qualifying standard of 2.15 at the Dubai Marathon to achieve his target of an Olympic qualifying standard for Beijing. Martin is a member of the Mullingar Harriers Athletic Club,' the Cathaoirleach told the invited guests.'Then we have John Keane who has been a key defender in the corner back position on the Westmeath County Football team for a number of years. This year is when his performances identified him as one of the best backs in the country when he won his second All Star award and when he was marked out as a cornerstone of the Rosemount club.''Gary Connaughton of Tubberclare made history in 2008 being the first Westmeath man to be awarded an All Star in the goalkeeping position. It was third time lucky for Garry as he was nominated twice previously. This award was long overdue as he has been recognised as a top class goal keeper for many years.'The official address read as follows: 'Now therefore, be it resolved by the Westmeath County Council to extend this Address of Recognition as a symbol of admiration and commendation to these athletes who represented this county and country at the Beijing Olympics, John Joe Nevin, John Joe Joyce and Martin Fagan, and to the county"s two All Stars Gary Connaughton and John Keane.'You can be proud of your achievements. Your exploits, victories and defeats have earned the respect and admiration of every citizen in the County Westmeath.'