Loughnane reflects on a season full of highs

RACE walker Olive Loughnane reflected on a memorable season yesterday after she topped a year in which she claimed world championship silver in Berlin in May, with a new national record in Russia at the weekend.

The Galway native, now based in Coachford in Co Cork, was back on Leeside to pick up the Boardwalk Bar and Grill Sportsperson of the Month Award after her recent exploits, but the Loughrea AC star insists she will now take it easy after her most successful year.

“I’m winding down now,” says the 33-year-old, “It’s been hectic enough as you can imagine since Berlin. I’m tired of heading away at this stage so I’m just going to chill out for the three weeks I plan to take off.”