Ciara Mageean is named Irish junior athlete of the year

Mageean won a silver medal at the European Junior Championships

Ciara Mageean was named as Irish junior athlete of the year at the Irish Athletics Awards on Saturday night.

Mageean was rewarded for winning a silver medal at this year's European Junior Championships and also setting a superb new Irish junior 1500m record.

High jumper Deirdre Ryan was named athlete of the year after her sixth place at the World Championships.

Kate Veale won the emerging athlete award with Brian Gregan taking the Under-23 award in Dublin.

West Waterford athlete Veale took gold in the 5K walk at the World Youths Championships while Gregan won 400m silver at the European Under-23 Championships and also ducking under 46 seconds for the first time when finishing fifth at the World University Games in China.

Fionnuala Britton won the endurance award after finishing a brave fourth at last year's European Cross Country Championships while the men's Under-23 team that won gold at the same championships in Portugal took the team honour.

Letterkenny AC's Teresa McDaid was named as coach of the year.

McDaid has assembed a fine group of middle distance athletes including Mark English and Darren McBrearty.

Emerging miler Ciaran O'Lionaird was a popular choice for the inspirational performance award.

O'Lionaird produced a sensational performance to clock 3:34.46 in Belgium in early August which qualified him both for the World Chamionships and next year's Olympics.

The Corkman went on to qualify for the 1500m at the World Championships when he placed 10th.

Karen Alexander won the mountain runner award after taking silver in the World Challenge event in Slovenia in June.