DEIRDRE Ryan, from Dundrum South Dublin (DSD) Athletic
Club, was celebrating recently after being named Athlete of the Year at the
National Athletics Awards.
This was the year when Deirdre made the great leap
forward to medal contender in one of the most technically and mentally
demanding of field events – the High Jump.
Her sixth place finish at the World Championships was
the standout performance by an Irish athlete at major championships this
season.
The athlete’s season best of 1.95m set a new Irish
record and also secured the
‘A’ qualification standard for London 2012.
Given an injury free build-up and another fractional
improvement on her current best, Ryan, who also won the Track and Field Athlete
of the Year award, should be one of our leading hopefuls for London 2012.
DSD were also the worthy recipients of the Club of the
Year Award.
The Under 23 Athlete of the Year was Brian Gregan of
Santry-based Clonliffe Harriers Athletic Club.
Brian ran the race of his life at the Under 23
European Championships in Ostrava, running a personal best of 46.12, to split
two sub-46 second British athletes.
A month later, the DCU student went below 46 seconds
for the first time when running 45.96 to finish fifth at the World Student Games
in China.
The Outstanding Official Award was presented to Aine
Pobjoy from Mid Sutton Athletic Club who embodies the ethos of volunteerism,
giving unselfishly of her time and energies for the benefit of others.
Aine is a permanent fixture at local and national
competitions and has also helped develop the annual Juvenile Star Awards.
The Northside woman has also been involved in the
management of many successful Celtic Games competitions and European Youth
Olympics teams.
The awards were held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in
Santry in association with Woodie’s DIY and Tipperary Crystal.