Ciara and Zac Ireland’s best

Ciara and Zac Ireland’s best

30 November 2022

PORTAFERRY’S Ciara Mageean rounded off a stellar 12 months when she was crowned Athlete of the Year at the 123.ie National Athletics Awards in Dublin last week.

And in a famous Co Down double Dromara’s Zak Hanna, fresh from a fifth place at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Thailand, was named Mountain Runner of the Year.

Mageean took top honours after her superb season which saw her claim a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in August, before going on to claim yet another silver at the European Championships in Munich.

She went on produce the best performance of her career to date to break Sonia O’Sullivan’s Irish 1500m record on her way to victory at the Diamond League meeting in Brussels in September.

Mageean’s time of 3:56.63 carved more than two seconds off O’Sullivan’s previous record of 3:58.85 set in 1995.

It also brought her home ahead of European champion and Olympic silver medallist Laura Muir, from Scotland.

The Irish 1500m record holder also walked away with the Track and Field Athlete of Year Award, fending off strong competition from fellow Munich medallist Mark English, as well as Sarah Lavin and Louise Shanahan who both enjoyed outstanding seasons.

Zak’s fifth place place finish was the best performance by an Irish male mountain runner in 31 years.

In searing heat and humidity, he completed the 8.5km race in a fantastic time of 49 minutes and 32 seconds.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Elaine Robinson, Managing Director for 123.ie, commented: “The 123.ie National Athletics Awards is a fantastic opportunity to support and honour our Irish athletes on their achievements throughout a very successful and memorable 2022.

“I’d like to congratulate each of the award winners and their families, their coaches, and all of the volunteers across the country on their achievements this past year and wish you continued success in 2023.”

Hamish Adams, CEO of Athletics Ireland, said: “The awards not only allow us to celebrate the great performances of our athletes over the course of the year, but it also gives Athletics Ireland the opportunity to formally acknowledge our coaches, officials, and clubs for their enormous contribution to the success of our sport.

John Cronin, president of Athletics Ireland, added: “We are very proud of how our athletes have represented us both domestically and internationally over the past 12 months in what has been a year to remember for Irish athletics.

“These awards give us the opportunity to acknowledge these performances, but also offer us the chance to thank our coaches, clubs, volunteers, and long serving members of our athletic community who give enormously to our sport each year.”