Anna Dawson has won the overall prize at the Waterford Sports Awards in association with WLR and the Granville Hotel.
She received the 2025 honour at a black-tie Gala Banquet at the Granville Hotel on Saturday, January 17th. Waterford’s top sports stars gathered on the night to celebrate their achievements.
2025 proved to be a landmark year for Dawson. She won the AIG Irish Women’s Close Championship in August. She also helped Ireland claim victory in the Home Internationals. These achievements earned the 22-year-old the title of Irish Women’s Amateur Golfer of the Year.
Dawson overcame strong competition to claim the overall award. Her rivals included national marathon champion David McGlynn, Irish basketball internationals Kate and Sarah Hickey, world masters medallist Joe Gough, Munster and Ireland forward Tom Ahern, karate champion Dean O’Mahony, surfer Tom Breen, All-Ireland minor winning manager James O’Connor, and GAA stars Dessie Hutchinson, Pauric Mahony, and Stephen Bennett.
It was also a special night for the Guinan family. Larry Guinan became the second inductee into the Waterford Sporting Hall of Fame. The honour recognises a lifetime of achievement in Gaelic Games.
Guinan (88) remains one of the last surviving members of the famous Déise team that lifted the Liam McCarthy Cup in 1959.
The Mount Sion man represented Waterford for 17 years, from 1957 to 1973. He scored 12 goals and 11 points for his county. He won three Munster medals, one National League title, and that historic All-Ireland crown.
At club level, Guinan captured 11 Waterford Senior Hurling Championship titles and three Waterford Senior Football Championship titles. He also won five Railway Cup medals and played for five years with the Déise senior footballers.
Many regard Larry Guinan as one of the greatest hurlers to ever grace the pitch. He stands as a worthy inductee into the Waterford Sporting Hall of Fame.
A statement from the Waterford Sports Awards committee said:
“2025 was another remarkable year for Waterford sport, with achievements at local, national, and international levels. The athletes honoured represented their county, communities, and families with distinction. This awards night celebrates their dedication, talent, and commitment. Anna Dawson has established herself as one of Ireland’s finest emerging golfers and is a worthy overall winner. Larry Guinan’s achievements speak for themselves. We hope 2026 will bring another year of success and pride.”
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