IRISH SPORTS COUNCIL World class athlete Olive Loughnane crowned Sportswoman of the Year

World race-walking silver medallist, Olive Loughnane, was crowned The Irish Times/Irish Sports Council 'Sportswoman of the Year 2009' for her performance at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Berlin earlier this year. The thirty-three year old was presented with her award by Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Martin Cullen, T.D., at a gala awards ceremony in Dublin where fourteen other sport stars were recognised for their outstanding achievements throughout the year.

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. Former President of the Camogie Association, Liz Howard presented the two sisters with their awards at the ceremony.

Loughnane won the prestigious overall award for her silver medal-winning performance at the IAAF World Athletics Championships which took place in Berlin in August 2009. She took the silver medal in the 20 km walking competition, finishing just 49 seconds behind defending champion and Olympic gold medallist Olga Kaniskina of Russia, who won in one hour, 28 minutes and nine seconds. Olive is only the fourth Irish athlete ever to have won a World Championship medal, joining Eamonn Coghlan (gold in 1983), Sonia O'Sullivan (silver in 1993 and gold in 1995) and Gillian O'Sullivan (silver in 2003), also in the 20 km walk.

"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".

In 2008, Loughnane enjoyed success at the Beijing Olympic Games, with Ireland's best result in track and field when she finished seventh in the 20km walk. This is a huge victory for the Galway athlete who suffered a chronic iron deficiency following the birth of her daughter Eimear three years ago.

Twins Angela and Ann Downey were awarded the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' for sporting careers that spanned from 1972-1995, a career that saw each one decorated with twelve All-Ireland senior medals. Both were a part of the team that enjoyed Kilkenny's first ever All-Ireland senior success in 1974. The sisters were part of the famous seven-in-a-row winning team, from 1985 to 1991, at a time when Kilkenny proved invincible. Each of them has captained their team to All-Ireland senior success; Angela captaining on three occasions, with Ann leading the team twice.

Speaking after receiving the Award Angela Downey said:

"Ann and I are delighted to be given this award today. It is very flattering to be recognised after years of retirement from the sport. It's particularly special that we are rewarded jointly, having soldiered long and hard on the pitch together for twenty three years! It's only now that we can look back and fully appreciate what we have achieved in our camogie careers."

At the awards lunch, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Martin Cullen, said:

"Today we are honouring talented and enormously committed Irish sportswomen who have achieved excellence in the sporting arena. These athletes are being recognised for the many hours of hard training and dedication that they have put into their sport. Each finalist is a credit to our country and it is with great pride that we can celebrate their success."

John Tracey, CEO of The Irish Sports Council commented on behalf of the awards sponsor, stating:

"The Irish Sports Council is delighted to be associated with these awards which celebrate the achievements of our top sportswomen. They are amazing athletes and fantastic role models who will inspire future generations of Irish women to excel at sport. I would like to congratulate Olive who is richly deserving of this award. In 2009 Olive delivered on her outstanding talent and we are delighted that she will continue to showcase Irish athletics at future major championships".

At the ceremony, Ms. Geraldine Kennedy, Editor, The Irish Times said:

"Each of the finalists here today is worthy of an award, for both your commitment to your sport and for first class performances which will inspire and motivate the next generation of sporting champions. I would like to congratulate each of the finalists and I wish each of you continued success in your sporting careers."

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 gala awards ceremony was attended by well known Irish sports stars and celebrities including Des Cahill, Katie Taylor, Liz Howard and Derval O'Rourke, Leona Maguire, Lisa Maguire, Ciara Mageean and Mary O'Connor. Other previous winners were Katie Taylor in 2008 and 2007, Derval O'Rourke in 2006 and Gaelic football's Briege Corkery in 2005.

Established in 2004 and sponsored by The Irish Times and The Irish Sports Council, the aim of the Sports Woman of the Year awards is to recognise the abilities and achievements of women in Irish sports. The awards run over a twelve month period, with the judges selecting a winner each month for her ability to excel at sport. From the twelve monthly winners, the overall Sportswoman of the Year is selected and announced.

The winner is decided by a judging panel, which is represented by individuals from The Irish Times, RTة, and the Evening Herald.

Further details on the Sportswoman of the Year Awards can be found on www.irishtimes.com/events/sportswoman/