McDonnell wins Coach of the Year award

John McDonnell has capped a remarkable indoor athletics season by being named the Male Coach of the Year by the United States Track Coaches Association (USTCA).

University of Arkansas head coach McDonnell, from Mayo, claimed an unprecedented 40th US national collegiate title and 18th national indoor crown at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships earlier this month.

The 66-year-old had already guided Ireland’s Alistair Cragg to a gold medal in the 3,000 metres at the European Indoor Championships in Madrid.