European Bronze Medalist Mark English Named Athlete of the Year at the 2014 National Athletics Awards European Bronze Medalist Mark English (UCD AC) was named as the Athlete of the Year at the National Athletics Awards in association with GloHealth and Emerald Crystal which took place on Wednesday 26th of November in the Crown Plaza Hotel, Santry and was presented by Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring TD.
On a stunning night of athletics in the Letzigrund Stadium Zurich, English claimed the bronze medal in the 800m final at the European Athletics Championships. The performance by the young 21 year old Donegal man was Ireland’s first ever medal in the 800m at any major outdoor championship.
Speaking at the event Minister Ring said: ‘2014 has been another excellent year for Irish athletics with numerous distinguished performances from both established and up-and-coming athletes. There is no doubt that the support provided to athletes through Athletics Ireland’s High Performance system has helped athletes to deliver one of Ireland’s best performances at a European Athletics Championships. I would like to congratulate all the nominees and award winners and to wish them well for the future.’
“I am delighted that these awards also honour the people on the ground who help to make it all happen. I would like to applaud the selfless contribution that volunteers make to sport. Their considerable efforts and willingness to give of their own time is of immense benefit to the sport of athletics as well as the wider community.”
Roisin McGettigan was awarded her retrospective bronze medal at that event for the 1500m from the 2009 European Indoor Athletics Championships in Turin following the banning of the winner Anna Alminova of Russia due to a doping offense. McGettigan who had finished fourth in the championships will now enter the record books as the bronze medallists making it Ireland’s 21st European Indoor medal.
Frank Murphy of Clonliffe Harriers was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014; Murphy enjoyed multiple International success including winning a silver medal over 1500m at the 1969 European Athletics Championships in Athens.
While the National Athletics Awards is a celebration of the many successes of our international and national it also commemorates the association’s exceptional volunteer base. Phil Conway was named as the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient the pinnacle volunteer award. Conway has played a very significant role in Irish Athletics as an athlete, coach, mentor, statistician, volunteer and organiser. Conway is above all a gentleman of our sport and the award is a fitting recognition for all those years of service.
President of Athletics Ireland Prof. Ciarán Ó Catháin said: “We had plenty to celebrate this year with Irish athletes delivering one of Ireland’s best ever performances at European Athletics Championships in the Summer with Mark English bronze medal in the 800m being a highlight performance”.
He added: “It is right and fitting that we acknowledge the clubs and the volunteers who play a vital role in to the development of athletes in Ireland”
Categories & Winners:
Athlete of the Year
Mark English (UCD AC)
Hall of Fame
Frank Murphy (Clonliffe Harriers AC)
Lifetime Achievement
Phil Conway (Crusaders AC)
Track and Field Athlete of the Year
Mark English (UCD AC)
Endurance Athlete of the Year
Fionnuala Britton (Kilcoole AC)
Junior Athlete of the Year
Karl Griffin (UCD AC)
Emerging Athlete of the Year
Christine McMahon (Ballymena and Antrim AC)
Team Performance of the Year
Irish Men’s 4x400m Team
Inspirational Performance of the Year
Thomas Barr (Ferrybank AC)
Outstanding Official Award
Tony Ennis (Fr. Murphy’s AC)
Club of the Year
Leevale Ac
Development Club of the Year
Dunboyne AC
Outstanding Coach Award
Michael Lane (Mullingar Harriers AC)
Mountain Runner of the Year
Sarah McCormack (Clonliffe Harriers AC)
Master Athlete of the Year
Brian Lynch
Ultra Runner of the Year
John O’Regan (Le Cheile AC)
Male University Athlete of the Year
John Travers (Athlone IT)
Female University Athlete of the Year
Maria O’Sullivan (Trinity College Dublin)
Irish School’s Tailteann Awards – Girl
Alanna Lally (Presentation Athenry)
Irish School’s Tailteann Awards – Boy
Harry Purcell (Castleknock College)
Source: Athletics Ireland
