Sportswoman of the Year:Olive Loughnane has been named Irish Times/Irish Sports Council Sportswoman of the Year Award 2009in recognition of her silver medal performance in the 20km walk at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Berlin in August.
The Corkwoman is the sixth winner of the award and topped the list ahead of 14 other nominees who won monthly awards throughout the year.
“It was a great year not just for women’s athletics, but for all of women’s sport,” said Loughnane, who had just flown in from warm-weather training in Portugal. “So to win this award in a year when there was such a broad spectrum of achievement is extra special.
"I think in athletics as well we’re starting to steal a march on the men, and hopefully that can continue.”
The 33-year-old mother of three became just the fourth Irish athlete to win a medal at the championships after Eamonn Coghlan, Sonia O’Sullivan and fellow race walker Gillian O’Sullivan, who had won just four between them.
As remarkable an achievement as it was, however, she faced stiff competition from her fellow nominees, not least Derval O'Rourke who performed so well when taking fourth in the 100m hurdles at the same championships.
Boxer Katie Taylor was also a contender after yet aother exceptional year, as were swimmer Graine Murphy and emerging distance runner Ciara Megeean (17).
The unenviable decision was ultimately made by a panel comprising Irish Timesjournalist Mary Hannigan, RTE's Greg Allen, and Lindie Naughton of the Evening Herald.
Sisters and camogie players Angela and Ann Downey also received lifetime achievement awards for their inter-county careers with Kilkenny. In 23 years the pair won 24 All Ireland senior medals between them.
Speaking at the ceremony in Dublin’s Shelbourne Hotel this afternoon, Minister for Sport Martin Cullen said: “The hard work, commitment and talent that lies behind Olive Loughnane’s success, the personal success of each of the 2009 monthly winners and the lifetime achievement winners, serve to inspire, encourage and raise the spirits of us all.
“Success is not achieved without hardship and many sacrifices. Curtailment of social activities and the endurance of many hours of training when no one is watching and no one is cheering, is a necessary ingredient for achieving success in any sport.”
He added: “Active participation in sport and physical recreation contributes enormously to the physical and emotional wellbeing of the individual, and by extension, of the whole community.
“It is fitting, therefore, that we honour the achievements of our athletes and that we support them as they strive for further success.”
Nominations for the overall 2009 Irish Times/ Sportswoman of the Year
January: Jessica Kuerten — Showjumping
February: Mary Cullen — Athletics
March: Nina Carberry — Horse Racing / Derval O'Rourke — Athletics
April: Leona Maguire — Golf
May: Lisa Maguire — Golf
June: Katie Taylor — Boxing
July: Ciara Mageean — Athletics and Grainne Murphy — Swimming
August: Olive Loughnane — Athletics
September: Madeline Perry — Squash and Mary O'Connor — Gaelic Games
October: Yvonne Tracy — Soccer
November: Emma Smyth — Hockey
December: Annalise Murphy — Sailing