SPORTS AWARDS: Junior Sportsperson - Emma Kernohan (hockey)

HOCKEY player Emma Kernohan says getting to compete in the same arena as Olympic athletes will inspire her in her future career.

By The Newsroom

Published 29th Jan 2013, 12:00 BST

The Ballymena Academy picked out her inclusion in the UK School Games in London last summer as the highlight of a memorable year.

“It was amazing to see the Olympics and the stadium and what it would be like to compete is really inspiring,” she said.

Despite only being 15 years of age, Emma represented Ulster at under-18 level and Ireland under-16s in the European Hockey Championships in Spain, where the Irish finished fourth.

Back at home, Emma plays her club hockey for Ballymoney First XI, who finished runners-up in the Premier League, the highest level of club hockey in the Province.

When asked about juggling her busy hockey schedule with school life, Emma said: “You get into it and it becomes part of your life.”

Also short-listed: Eva McClurg (equestrianism); Samantha Henderson (golf).