Loughnane named Sportswoman of the Year
Friday, 22 January 2010World race-walking silver medallist, Olive Loughnane, was crowned The Irish Times/Irish Sports Council Sportswoman of the Year 2009.
The award comes on the back of her performance at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Berlin earlier this year when she took the silver medal in the 20 km walking competition.
The 33- year-old was presented with her award by Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Martin Cullen TD, at a gala awards ceremony in Dublin.
Renowned camogie sisters, Angela and Ann Downey received the Lifetime Achievement Award for inter-county careers, spanning 23 years, in which the pair garnered 24 All Ireland senior medals.
'I am delighted to be selected as Sportswoman of the Year and it is an enormous honour to be in the company of other sports stars like Katie Taylor, Derval O'Rourke and Mary Cullen', said Olive of her award win.
'It is a great way to round off a very successful sporting year for me. When I came home the crowds that turned out at Loughrea and Coachford were amazing. The World Championships was a significant step for me and has given me the confidence I need for the next two years, in looking forward to London 2012.'
Other high achievers commended at the awards included Katie Taylor, who retained her European Union Championship in June, Squash star Madeline Perry who reached the final of the British Squash Open in Manchester and Leona and Lisa Maguire, teenage twins from Co. Cavan, who won the award in April and May respectively for their successes on the golf course.
The winner is decided by a judging panel, which is represented by individuals from The Irish Times, RTÉ, and the Evening Herald.
