Kate O’Connor (Dundalk St Gerard’s AC) has been crowned Athlete of the Year at the 123.ie National Athletics Awards which took place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry today (November 26th).

O’Connor took top honours following a remarkable season that saw her win silver in the heptathlon at the World Championships in Tokyo, gold at the World University Games, and medals at both the World and European Indoor Championships. She twice broke her own national heptathlon and pentathlon records, finishing the year as the top-ranked European and number two in the world.

O’Connor also collected the Field & Multi Event Athlete of the Year Award, fending off strong competition from Diarmuid O’Connor (Bandon AC), Niamh Fogarty (Raheny Shamrock AC), Eric Favors (Raheny Shamrock AC), and Reece Ademola (Leevale AC), all of whom enjoyed outstanding seasons.

Fionnuala McCormack (Kilcoole AC) was named Endurance Athlete of the Year following another stellar year that included a top-ten finish in the marathon at the World Championships in Tokyo, and a personal best of 2:23:46 in Valencia, just 23 seconds off the Irish record. Other nominees in this category included Efrem Gidey (Clonliffe Harriers AC), Niamh Allen (Leevale AC), Fearghal Curtin (Youghal AC), and Peter Lynch (Kilkenny City Harriers AC).

Conor Kelly (Finn Valley AC) was awarded Under 20 Athlete of the Year after a season highlighted by gold in the 400m at the European U20 Championships, three national U20 400m records, and selection for multiple Irish relay teams at senior championships.

Nicola Tuthill (UCD AC) was named Under 23 Athlete of the Year, following a season that included silver at both the World University Games and European U23 Championships, gold at the European Throwing Cup (U23), and twice breaking the national U23 hammer throw record.

Cian McPhillips (UCD AC) was crowned Track Athlete of the Year after a historic season that saw him finish fourth in the 800m at the World Championships in Tokyo, set new Irish records in both the semi-final and final, and become the first Irish man to run under 1:43 for 800m.

The Men’s 4x100m relay team of Michael Farrelly, Sean Aigboboh, Marcus Lawler, Israel Olatunde, and Bori Akinola took home the Team of the Year Award after breaking the national record twice in one week, including a 38.88 clocking at the European Team Championships.

Derval O’Rourke was a hugely popular inductee into the Irish Athletics Hall of Fame. The Cork native burst onto the international stage in 2003, breaking the 13 second mark for the first time with a 12.96 in the 100m hurdles to finish fourth at the European U23 Athletics Championships in Poland. That performance not only set a new national record but also secured the ‘A standard’ qualification for the 2004 Olympic Games.

It marked the beginning of an illustrious career that would see O’Rourke represent Ireland at three Olympic Games. Her breakthrough continued in 2006 when she claimed World Indoor gold in the 60m hurdles, cementing her status as one of Ireland’s most decorated athletes.

While the 123.ie National Athletics Awards are a celebration of the many successes of our international and national athletes, it also commemorates the association’s exceptional volunteer base. The Lifetime Services to Athletics Award was presented to Cyril Smyth (Bray Runners AC), while Declan Curtain won Official of the Year.

Dick Hooper was the recipient of the Special Recognition Award, while Joe Doonan received the award for services to coaching.

A special moment in the ceremony also commemorated the 40th anniversary of Ireland’s world record in the 4×1 mile relay (15:49.08), set on August 17th 1985, with team member Eamonn Coghlan accepting a commemorative gift on behalf of the team which also included legends Ray Flynn, Frank O’Mara, and Marcus O’Sullivan.

World champions Greta Streimikyte and Orla Comerford also received special acknowledgement on the evening following their outstanding 2025 seasons that saw them bring home gold at World Para Athletics Championships in India.

Speaking at the awards, Gavin Macklin, Director of 123.ie said: “As a proud sponsor of Athletics Ireland, we at 123.ie are thrilled to share a mutual passion for this sport and to be part of driving the future of Irish athletics. Our partnership with Athletics Ireland reflects our unwavering commitment to empowering athletes at every level.

“We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished together and our contract extension with Athletics Ireland to 2030 showcases our commitment to supporting the great work being done by the athletics community throughout Ireland. We thank the team at Athletics Ireland and the wider volunteer base for the tremendous work they put in to promote and grow athletics across the country. We look forward to the upcoming championships over the coming weeks, and to what promises to be another exciting year in 2026.”

Hamish Adams, CEO of Athletics Ireland said: “The 123.ie National Athletics Awards provide an important opportunity to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our athletes and the organisation over the past year. They also allow us to express our gratitude to the members, coaches, officials, and clubs whose dedication and commitment are fundamental to the success of our sport. 2025 has been a landmark year for Athletics Ireland, highlighted by a record 75,078 registered members. We look forward to building on these accomplishments as we prepare for an exciting and ambitious 2026 and beyond.”

Brid Golden, President of Athletics Ireland said: “This has been an exceptional year for Irish athletics, culminating in an amazing haul of medals across the international stage – from U18, U20, U23 championships right up to Senior and Masters levels. We are delighted to celebrate our athletes’ achievements at our National Awards and to express our gratitude to the coaches, clubs, volunteers, and long serving members of our athletics community. Their dedication and commitment are vital to the continued promotion, growth and success of our sport.”

123.ie National Athletics Award Winners 2025

• Hall of Fame: Derval O’Rourke
• Athlete of the Year: Kate O’Connor
• Lifetime Services to Athletics: Cyril Smyth
• Endurance Athlete of the Year: Fionnuala McCormack
• Under 20 Athlete of the Year: Conor Kelly
• Under 23 Athlete of the Year: Nicola Tuthill
• Track Athlete of the Year: Cian McPhillips
• Field & Multi Event Athlete of the Year: Kate O’Connor
• Team of the Year: Men’s 4x100m Relay (Michael Farrelly, Sean Aigboboh, Marcus Lawler, Israel Olatunde, Bori Akinola)
• Inspirational Performance on Irish Soil: Cian McPhillips (Morton Games)
• Special Recognition Award: Dick Hooper
• Performance Club of the Year: Dundrum South Dublin AC
• Services to Coaching: Joe Doonan
• Official of the Year: Declan Curtin
• Development Club of the Year: Moy Valley AC
• Mountain Runner of the Year: Brian Mullins
• Masters Athlete of the Year: Edel Maguire
• Ultra Runner of the Year: Caitriona Jennings
• Schools’ Athlete of the Year: Sean Doggett
• University Athlete of the Year: Laura Frawley

Interviews and highlights are available on Athletics Ireland’s Facebook Page.