The 2012 Athlete of the Year was announced at our presentation night in early January and this year’s recipient was Niamh Ryan (Moynetemple). Niamh had a fantastic year in both Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field and she also performed very well on the Cross Country Circuit. Niamh’s first competition was in early February when she competed at the All Ireland ‘B’ Cross Country Championships in Roscommon where she finished 5th in the U11 competition and in doing so led her Club team to Silver Medals, Niamh was also a member of the County Team which finished 1 st on the day. Following that event her focus moved to Track & Field where she had a very successful season, she finished 1st in Long Jump and 2nd in 600mts at the County Indoors, she was 5th in Long Jump and 5th in 600mts at the Munster Indoors. At the County Outdoor Track & Field Niamh was 1 st in Long Jump, 1st in 600mts and 4th in 60mts, she finished 8th in 600mts at the Munster Outdoors.
Niamh then moved on to the Munster ‘B’ Track & Field where she finished 2 nd in 600mts and 3rd in Long Jump, from there it was on to the All Ireland ‘B’ Track & Field in Santry where Niamh finished 3rd in 600mts and 6th in Long Jump, this event brought to a conclusion the Track & Field season for 2012 so after a very short break the focus switched back to Cross Country. Niamh finished 2 nd at the U12 County Cross Country Championships and was 7th in the U13 competition, she was also part of the U12 & U13 Club Teams that finished 2nd at these events. She then moved on to the Munster Championships where she finished 10th in the U12 competition and qualified to represent Munster at the National Cross Country Championships in Co Meath where she finished 33rd overall. Niamh also was a member of the Tipperary team which qualified for the U13 National Championships in Co Wexford. After a very busy and successful season she was deservedly presented with the Perpetual Shield by Club Chairman Paddy Doyle making her Moyne AC ‘Athlete of The Year 2012’.
