CIT Athletic Club Top of Class at 27th Annual CIT Sports Awards
CIT Athletic Club Honoured with Club of the Year Award
CIT AC took top honours, as Club of the Year, at the recent CIT Sports Awards. This is the first time in a decade that the club has received the accolade, having last won it in 2010.
In addition to the Club of the Year Award, CIT Lions, as the club is also known by, claimed the Supreme Achievement Award, along with three other individual awards.
This is the first time the club has captured the Club of the Year accolade, in the past decade, last winning it in 2010, and received the prestigious award following their performances, capturing four medals at the Irish Universities Athletic Association (IUAA) Indoor T&F Championships, earlier this year.
The awards were featured in today's Evening Echo, Tuesday May 26th
Individual Award Winners (Athletics)
| Forename | Surname | Club | Coach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clodagh | Walsh | Abbey Striders | Eamonn Flanagan |
| Katie | Walsh | Carraig Na BhFear AC | Willie Walsh |
| Zach | Harrington | Cork Track Club | Ian O'Sullivan |
| David | Kenny | Farranfore Maine Valley AC | Robert Heffernan |
Supreme Achievement Award
The Supreme Achievement Award went to Mechanical Engineering student David Kenny (Farranfore-Maine-Valley AC), who is coached by Rob Heffernan.
Award Citation
The award for Supreme Achievement goes to David Kenny, for his outstanding achievements in
Athletics. A Mechanical Engineering student from Killarney, David came 1st in the Irish Universities Athletics
Association 2km Racewalk - Defending his title from last year making him the first CIT student to achieve such
an accolade. David smashed the long standing National Colleges record in the process.
In the 2 weeks after this David also became national champion over 2 other distances. David became national
senior indoor track 5km champion beating multiple times Olympians in the process. If this wasn't enough a
week later David became National 20km Racewalking Champion. Once again leaving multiple Olympians in his
wake. All of the above races carry important qualification points for next year's Olympics in Tokyo. David has put
himself as the firm favourite to qualify to represent Ireland in next year's games! David would be the first
member of CIT Athletics Club to achieve this amazing.
We wish him all the best on the road to Tokyo.
Some of this years highlights for David include: National Colleges Indoor 2km Racewalk Champion, National
Indoor 5km Racewalk Champion, National Road 20km Racewalk Champion and New Personal Bests over 4
distances. An unbelievable year for this young man and very deserving of this CIT Supreme Achievement
Award.
Clodagh Walsh
Award Citation
In recognition of her outstanding achievements in athletics, the next recipient of a CIT Sports Award goes to Clodagh Walsh. The Mallow Pole Vaulter is currently completing her 2nd year of Marketing. Since arriving in CIT Clodagh has excelled both in and out of the track.
A Sports Scholarship recipient and previous award winner, she has been a committee member of CIT Athletics club for the last two years, while also winning 4 gold medals at the IUAA Championships.
Last June, Clodagh won the Celtic International Colleges Pole Vault title. She backed this up by winning the Cork City International Sports Pole Vault title in July.
Since arriving in CIT Clodagh has been a great ambassador for the athletics club. On multiple occasions she has coached juvenile athletes from across the county in all aspects of the sport.
Clodagh's 19/20 achievements include: Intervarsity Pole Vault Champion, Celtic International Colleges Pole Vault Champion, Cork City International Sports pole Vault Champion (New PB 3.75m & Intervarsity Outdoor Pole Valutr Champion
Katie Walsh
Award Citation
Katie is currently completing her 2nd year of Chemical Engineering. She has been a leading force in the CIT Athletics club this year, which finished 5th place overall, in the 2020 Indoor Intervarsity's. A native of Cork City, she is an accomplished combined eventer both in Ireland and Internationally.
Katies was nominated for this award by her club mates for her unwavering commitment. She never missed a competition, but most of all she welcomed and encouraged beginners and new members to try the sport.
Always the first to put her hand up. Last year Katie was one of the lead coaches on the first ever CIT Athletics Summer Camp. Showing her in depth knowledge of all disciplines to the next generation of athletes.
Katies achievements include: National Indoor Combined Events Champion. National Indoor Varsity Combined Events Champion. 2nd place in both the National outdoor Varsity High Jump and Celtic Colleges International High Jump.
Zach Harrington
Award Citation
Zach is a 4th year Structural Engineering student from Enniskeane, Co.Cork.
Zach receives this award today for his commitment and drive for not one club but two, CIT Orienteering Club and CIT Athletics.
When Zach arrived as a Fresher to CIT. he already was well established on the Orienteering scene, receiving one of our first ever scholarships for the Sport. However, there was no club at the time. Zach took it upon himself to establish the CIT Orienteering club and over the last few years has been the absolute driving force of the Club. Numbers, training and competing have grown year on year and that is no small part due to Zach's efforts over the last number of years.
Not only has Zach, set up, established, promoted and been the key driving force of the CIT Orienteering Club, but is also the leadman for CITAC . He placed 2nd in the County Cross Country Championships. Was also CIT AC Men's captain for
the MUAA Road relays, MUAA Cross Country Relays & the IUAA Road Relays.
Zach has ran new personal bests over 800m, 3000m, 5Km & 10Km this year.
Zach has been nominated for this award for his commitment to both Athletics & Orienteering clubs as he flies the CIT flag both at home and abroad. He is an outstanding student athlete and we wish him well for the year ahead.
