HIGHER Education Sport has, like every other sector, seen activity severely curtailed since March 12.

Despite the sudden halt, there was still a lot achieved by the CIT Sports Clubs, deserving recognition and the institute took the opportunity this week to pay tribute to all our sporting heroes for 2019/20.

In launching the 27th Annual Sports Awards, the president of CIT, Dr Barry O’Connor, spoke of his delight that these athletes got due recognition.

AWARD WINNERS

Katie Walsh (athletics): Studying chemical & biopharmaceutical engineering, for her outstanding performances in the IUAA Indoor T&F Championships, taking gold.

Leon O’Regan (tennis): Studying digital media, was acknowledged for his resilience, dedication, and phenomenal work as club chairperson.

Mary Taylor (boxing): A second-year social care student recognised for securing gold at the boxing inter-varsities in Dublin recently.

Daniel Dineen (gaelic football): Completing quantity surveying, this dedicated CIT gaelic footballer received his award for an outstanding 5-14 scoring contribution in their successful Trench Cup campaign.

Ross O’Connor (power lifting): Third year in auto management & technology, during his time in CIT, he has amassed World Championship medals, a world record for deadlift, and a plethora of Irish records.

James O’Shea (AFL): The second-year construction management student was unearthed as a marquee forward when CIT won the 2019 Irish Universities. His effective kicking technique has seen him selected for Ireland.

Zach Harrington (orienteering and athletics): Completing structural engineering, he was recognised for his commitment to both athletics and orienteering.

Anthony Casey (GAA club): A master of science (research) student, he has made a huge contribution to CIT sport. A member the Cork senior football, panel he still finds time to chair the biggest and oldest sporting club in CIT with 400 members.

Clodagh Walsh (athletics): In her second year in marketing, she received her award for consistently impressive performances for the CIT Lions, winning a remarkable four national titles.

Sophie Hudner and Dean Meehan (soccer): They received a joint award for their roles as administrators.

Fresher of the Year Award: Louise Scannell (basketball): Studying business admin, she was recognised for her performances in helping CIT win the All-Ireland Freshers including being top scorer and MVP. Louise is a standout Super-League player for Glanmire.

Supreme Achievement Award: David Kenny (athletics). The Rob Heffernan-trained athlete currently studying mechanical engineering, received this award for his outstanding recent performances.

International achievement awards were given to David Walsh and Adam Walsh (handball) for their success in retaining the USA International Collegiate Men’s Senior Open Handball Doubles in Texas earlier this year.

William O’Donohue (power lifting): The nutrition and health science student was placed first in the 67.5kg category at the National Full Powers Championship in February 2019, securing an invite to the World Championships in Canada in October.

Ryan Broderick (powerlifting): The Nutrition and Health Science student who also qualified for the World Championships, won an impressive silver in the sub 105kg junior category, with a colossal squat of 200kg, a 119kg bench press and a 190kg deadlift.

Club of the Year: CIT Athletics Club. Also known as the CIT Lions, they received the prestigious award for their performances this year at the Irish UAA Indoor T&F Championships where the club took home a total of four medals.

Risam Uile awards

Men’s senior gaelic football team: Having been controversially relegated to the second tier of the Higher Education Football Championships at the beginning of 2019/20 season, CIT’’s senior footballers, under the management Conor Kelleher and coach Pat Spratt, won their first Trench Cup since 1979 and thus regain Sigerson status all in less than six months.

CIT Boxing Club: Under the watchful eye of coach Ken O’Connor, the endless hours put in at training paid rich dividends at the 2020 Boxing Intervarsities in March with the club returning with three gold and two silver medals.