by Larry Eder
DUBLIN (IRL): World Race Walk Champion Rob Heffernan was named as the Athlete of the Year at the National Athletics Awards in association with Woodie’s DIY and Tipperary Crystal which took place on Wednesday in the Crown Plaza Hotel. Heffernan was also awarded the Race Walker of the Year Award for 2013. The Endurance Athlete Award went to Fionnuala Britton who successfully defended her European Cross Country title in Budapest. The Track and Field Athlete of the Year was awarded to Mark English after he produced a number of high quality performances on the 800 m. Paul Robinson (1500 m) received the emerging Athlete of the Year award for 2013. Ciaran O’Lionaird (3000 m, mile) received the Indoor Track and Field Athlete Award for his exploits at the European Indoor Track and Field Championship in Sweden. Hurdler Sarah Lavin was the Junior AOY and her coach Noelle Morrissey was the winner of the Coach of the Year award.
