Leinster Express reporter scoops prestigious sports journalism award

The Leinster Express / Laois Live HQ is buzzing with pride following the announcement that sports reporter Gavin Cooper has won the Local Media (Radio & Newspaper) (Mick Dunne Memorial Award) for his sports coverage.

This award is given for the recognisable and effective use of Local Media to promote and report on camogie. 

Gavin's reporting stood out to the judging panel due to its accuracy, consistency, quality and variety of coverage. Gavin has kept Laois sports fans up to date through match reporting, interviews, live updates from matches, and reviews.

The impact, colour and emotional appeal of Gavin's pieces stood out both locally and nationally, as well as the presentation of the content.

Having studied Journalism in TU Dublin, Gavin first joined the Leinster Express / Laois Live team as a sports reporter in 2023. 

"I have always had an interest in sports growing up, but I was never good enough to play myself," Gavin joked.

"I decided I would go on to write about it. The idea stemmed from when I was in Transition Year, someone from Portlaoise soccer club came in asking if anyone was interested in writing reports on the matches on weekends," Gavin explained.

"Our homework that weekend was to go watch a match and write up a report on it, that was where it all started."

Gavin has a keen interest in the equal reporting of men and women's sports, with his dissertation based on the difference in media coverage on the day after the men's all Ireland finals, compared to the women's.

He has spent the last two years travelling the length and breadth of the country, covering matches near and far.

"Any time there was a camogie match on, I was there," Gavin said.

"I really want to thank Laois Camogie and in particular St Brigid's. All of the clubs that helped me in all of my coverage, players and managers. If they don't talk, I don't have a story," he said.

"When the email came in that I had won, I was in shock. I'm relatively new into the career, I'm two years in the job," he said.

"I have always tried to give the four GAA sports the most coverage that I could. Last year I covered the camogie journey with Laois, when they got to the final of all three competitions, and for St Brigid's to go home with the Leinster title and lose to the eventual All-Ireland champions Clanmaurice after what was really a titanic battle," he said.

"I love GAA sports, you're waiting for the matches to go on, the worst part is the post match interviews with the team that loses, you don't know what to say to the managers, you don't want to poke the bear," Gavin joked.

"The County final days are the days I love the most, the buzz around the place and being down on the pitch getting the post match reactions. You can see the villages and towns all out in force, people are all just starstruck by what has happened. You're standing in the middle of all of that," he said.

"You always hope that after the County finals, the team will go on to win the Leinster final, and St Brigid's went on to do that. That was a great day in Tullamore, to see them lift the cup above their heads," said Gavin.

"When you cover matches, you nearly become a supporter. Travelling around to these matches, you want them to win. When they miss, you have your hands on your head," he said.

"You get caught up in it all, but that makes it even easier to write when you have so much interest in the game itself," he said.

"I want to thank everyone who has helped me along the way, with interviews after matches and before matches. I especially want to thank Brian Bowe, Pat Collier, Robert Jones and Paddy Dwyer," Gavin finished.

For more articles from Gavin Cooper, keep an eye on the Leinster Express / Laois Live sports section.