The country’s finest young up and coming stars where honoured at the Emerald Crystal Juvenile All Star Awards in Tullamore court hotel on Saturday evening.
Louise Shanahan picked up the international athlete award having finished sixth in a new personal best of 2:08.29 at the Youth Olympics in China.
“It was a great 2014” explained a delighted Shanahan. “I was delighted to qualify for the Youth Olympics in China, but now to get recognition for it is really special”.
“It’s amazing looking at the group in my club Leevale, Ailish was here tonight and she comes down to talk to us at training, as do Ciaran Ó Lionáird and Mark Carroll.”
“My main priority is my leaving cert for this year” added Shanahan. “Though I would like to win the schools title in Tullamore, as this is my last year and I’ve never won it before”.
Guest of honour national 100 metres record holder Ailis McSweeney was delighted to present the award to her club-mate and had special words for the winners.
“These athlete’s performance give me and people like me who have retired, great inspiration and I am very much looking forward to watching them in the green singlet as senior athletes.”