Ryan named Athlete of the Year

Deirdre Ryan was named as the Athlete of the Year at the National Athletics Awards on Saturday night.

Ryan’s sixth place finish at the World Championships was the standout performance by an Irish athlete at major championships this season.

Her season best of 1.95m set a new Irish record and also secured the ‘A’ qualification standard for London 2012.

The Emerging Athlete of the Year was awarded to World Youth 5km Walk Gold medallist Kate Veale. Ciara Mageean was named as the Junior Athlete of the Year.