HURDLER Thomas Barr has been named Irish Athlete of the Year at the 2015 GloHealth National Athletics Awards.
The Ferrybank athlete enjoyed a fruitful summer, claiming the World Universities 400m hurdles title in South Korea and set a new Irish 400metre hurdles record of 48.65 second.
Barr, who is from Waterford, also earned the Field Athlete of the Year and University Athlete of the Year Awards during a stellar 12 months.
The 23-year-old beat race walker Rob Heffernan (Togher) and middle-distance runner Mark English (UCD), who came second and third respectively.
Meanwhile, former middle distance runner Frank O'Mara, twice a 3000m World Indoor Champion (1987 and 1991), was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
GloHealth National Athletics Awards winners
Athlete of the Year: Thomas Barr (Ferrybank)
Hall of Fame: Frank O’Mara
Lifetime service to Athletics: Dick Hodgins (Cork City Sports)
Outstanding Official Award: John McDermott (Annalee AC)
Junior Athlete: Kevin Mulcaire (Ennis Track)
U23 Athlete: Mark English (UCD)
Endurance: Rob Heffernan (Togher)
Track & Field: Thomas Barr (Ferrybank)
Inspirational Performance: Brian Murphy (Crusaders)
Performance Club: Clonliffe Harriers
Development Club: Finn Valley AC
Team of the Year: Women’s Senior Team European Cross Country Championships
Service to Coaching: John Shields (Clonliffe Harriers)
Mountain Runner: Ian Conroy (Raheny Shamrock)
Master Athlete: Mick Traynor (Raheny Shamrock)
Ultra Athlete: Eoin Keith (Sportsworld)
University Athlete: Thomas Barr (Ferrybank)
Irish Schools Tailteann Awards – Girl: Phoebe Murphy (Loreto Clonmel)
Irish Schools Tailteann Award – Boy: Matthew Behan (CUS)
