Down Squash Star Named The Irish Times
Vhi Healthcare Sportswoman of the Month

Wednesday 9 th January 2007 – Squash legend Madeline Perry from Banbridge, Co. Down was announced winner of The Irish Times Vhi Healthcare Sportswoman Award for December.

Madeline was crowned 2007 Irish National Squash Champion at the Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club last month. She saw of stiff competition from Aisling Blake in the final to capture her eighth National title in ten years.

2007 has been a difficult year for the Banbridge star. The early part of Madeline’s season on the professional circuit had been interrupted by a persistent knee injury. Then in September, Madeline suffered serious head injuries after an attack in Milan.

She has overcome these setbacks and aims to make up on lost ground as she aims to improve her world ranking from No. 13 to break into the top five.

Commenting on Madeline’s achievements, Declan Moran, Director of Marketing and Business Development, Vhi Healthcare said; “Madeline has been the leading light in Ladies squash in Ireland for almost a decade. Her courage and enthusiasm for the sport sets a shining example to be admired by all sports fans.”

Madeline will be part of the cream of the crop of Irish sportswomen, who are set to be honoured at the Irish Times Vhi Healthcare Sportswoman of the Year Awards which takes place on Friday 18 th January at the Westin Hotel, Dublin.

The Irish Times Vhi Healthcare Sportswoman of the Year Award is the first Irish award of its kind, aimed specifically at women in sport and is aimed at creating awareness of their achievements and successes.

Malachy Logan, Sports Editor of The Irish Times, said: “This award has gone from strength to strength to become a recognised event in the Irish sporting calendar. The depth and quality of achievements by all the monthly award winners speaks volumes for the strides women’s sport has made in recent years.”

This year’s nominees are some of the very best competitors Irish sport has to offer, including world champions, golfing prodigies, All Ireland winners and trailblazers.

The Award runs monthly and is selected by a panel of three independent judges:

• Greg Allen (RTE),
• Lindie Naughton (Evening Herald),
• Mary Hannigan (The Irish Times)