O'Sullivan captures award

SONIA O'SULLIVAN, Michelle Smith and the Clare hurling team were named as the winners of the RTE/Ballygowan sports awards at …

SONIA O'SULLIVAN, Michelle Smith and the Clare hurling team were named as the winners of the RTE/Ballygowan sports awards at a banquet in Dublin's Burlington Hotel last night.

The international award went to O'Sullivan, who crowned another tremendous year in athletics when she won the inaugural 5,000 metres event at the world championships: in Gothenburg. She confirmed her status as one of the top female athletes in the world with victories in 22 of her 24 starts. The Cobh athlete won at practically every major grand prix meeting in Europe and was only pipped for the IAAF athlete of the year prize by American sprinter Gwen Torrance.

The national award winner, Smith, became Ireland's most successful swimmer when she won two gold medals and a silver at the European championships in Vienna last summer. She broke numerous Irish records throughout the year and is now considered a realistic contender for an Olympic title in Atlanta.

Clare hurlers captured the team award for their remarkable achievement in winning their first All Ireland title for 81 years. Ger Loughnane's team generated unbridled scenes of joy when they beat Limerick to capture their first Munster title since 1932 but these were almost insignificant when set against the tide of celebration, which greeted their All Ireland final victory over Offaly in September.