Examiner photographer snaps up top awards

IRISH EXAMINER photographer Denis Minihane last night picked up two national awards from his peers for the quality of his pictures.

Mr Minihane’s picture of youngster Darragh McGarry at last year’s All-Ireland hurling final was adjudged the best sports features pictures by the Press Photographers’ Association of Ireland (PPAI).

At the association’s awards in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dublin, Mr Minihane also took first place in the picture story category for a series showing five-year-old Heir islander Anna Humphreys on her first day at school.

The PPAI said Mr Minihane’s winning sports entry was unusual and clever, while his Anna Humphreys series was singled out for its originality.

The awards, sponsored by AIB Bank, named the Press Association’s Niall Carson as the evening’s overall winner.

One of Mr Carson’s entries — a portrait of Northern First Minister Rev Ian Paisley — can be seen on the back page of this paper.

PPAI chairman Ray McManus said: “I join press photographers all over Ireland in celebrating the success of our colleague Niall. His portfolio epitomises what is best about our wonderful craft of visual storytelling.

“We salute his considerable achievement in being honoured with Ireland’s premier photo- journalistic honour. His contribution is an example to us all and enhances further the proud role that Irish press photographers play globally.”

The awards attracted 1,600 entries from a 121 photographers from the North and the Republic.

RTÉ communications director Bride Rosney, Ian Day from England’s Yorkshire Post newspaper, and Jon Levy from Foto8 magazine were the judges for the 30th annual PPAI awards.

There were 10 competition categories and one overall prize.

Colin Keegan, from Collins Photo Agency, won the prize for best news picture with his photograph of the funeral of Bray firefighter Brian Murray, aged 46.

Declan Doherty, from the Donegal News, won best features picture award for his picture of a car dump on Arranmore Island.

The best sports action photograph, taken by freelancer James Horan, showed Australian rugby player Matt Giteau scoring a try against Wales.

Winner of the individual study category was John D Kelly’s study of Michael Hogan, the nephew of Croke Park Bloody Sunday victim Michael Hogan.