Ryan named Athlete of the Year

DEIRDRE RYAN (Dundrum South Dublin) was named Athlete of the Year at the National Athletics Awards in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry on Saturday night.

The award follows Ryan’s most successful competitive season, the highlight of which was her sixth place in the high jump at the world championship final in Daegu.

Ryan’s season best jump of 1.95m was an Irish record and secured qualification for the London Olympics.

And there was double celebration for her as Dundrum South Dublin were named Club of the Year following incredible successes in cross country, road running and track & field competitions in 2011.

The Emerging Athlete of the Year Award went to Kate Veale of West Waterford AC who won the 5km race walk at the World Youths’ Track & Field Championships while Ciara Mgeean (City of Lisburn AC) was named Junior Athlete of the Year in recognition of her silver medal in the 1500m at the European Championships in Estonia.

Brian Gregan of Clonliffe Harriers who also claimed silver for 400 metres at the European U23 Track & Field Championships in Ostrava was named U23 Athlete of the Year while Fionnuala Britton (Kilcoole AC) took the Endurance Athlete of the Year Award. The Irish men’s U23 group that won gold in the European Cross Country Championships in late 2010 received the Team Award of the Year.

Ciaran Ó Lionaird’s sensational breakthrough performances at 1500m were also recognised when the Leevale AC man was given the Inspirational Performance of the Year Award.

The Master Athlete of the Year Award went to Joe Gough of West Waterford AC with Karen Alexander (Sperrin Harriers) named Mountain Runner of the Year.

The winners of the Aviva Tailteann Schools Awards were Kate Veale (St Augustine’s College, Dungarvan) and Tommy Casey (Sligo Grammar School).

Teresa McDaid from Letterkenny AC received the Coach of the Year Award while Aine Pobjoy (Mid Sutton AC) collected the Outstanding Official Award for a lifetime of voluntary contribution to athletics.

Brother John Dooley received a standing ovation as he was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Brother Dooley has made a huge contribution to Irish athletics for the past 50 years — coaching a succession of Irish athletes as well as developing in Cork the North Monastery PLC course which prepared many Irish athletes for US scholarships.

Meanwhile, reigning Olympic champion Usain Bolt (Jamacia) was this weekend named Male IAAF Athlete of the year — his third time to win the coveted title.

Australian hurdler Sally Pearson, who won gold in the 100m hurdles at the World Championships in Daegu in a brilliant time of 12.28 seconds, was named as IAAF Female Athlete of the Year.