Trinity Graduate Named ‘Athletics Ireland Female University Athlete of the Year’

Posted on: 17 December 2014

Maria O’Sullivan, who completed her BA in Molecular Medicine earlier this year, has been named Athletics Ireland Female University Athlete of the Year 2013-14.  

Maria, who was a member of D.U. Harriers and Athletic Club (D.U.H.A.C.), received a Trinity Sports Scholarship in 2013-14. Her National Award from Athletics Ireland is based on her performances in Irish Universities Athletics competitions which included the IUAA Cross-Country Championship in March 2014, leading the Trinity Women home to retention of the Team Championship.

Maria also won the 3000m and 5000m events at the Outdoors University Track and Field Championships in April and took the Silver medal in the 3000m Indoors at the Athlone Arena in February, each in record times for a Trinity athlete. The Harriers Women’s team also won ‘Team of the Year’ at the Trinity Sports Awards in April this year.

Additional achievements for Maria this year included, the Road Relay Championships in November where Maria clocked the second fastest two-mile leg of 44 competitors and at the Irish Universities v Scottish Universities v Scottish Athletics Select match in Scotland in June, she won the 3000m, contributing to the Irish Universities win in the Women’s match and the Overall match.

Commenting on her award Maria said: “Unfortunately my days in a D.U.H.A.C. singlet have come to an end. I am very grateful for the Trinity Sports Scholarship I received last year, which spurred a stronger passion in me to succeed. D.U.H.A.C. is a great club and being a member made a big difference to my life in College and the support I received last year from the Sports and Recreation Department and D.U.C.A.C. also had a huge impact on my running achievements.”

In addition to her achievements at University level, Maria also won the 2013 Athletics Ireland National Intermediate Cross Country title, the Celtic Nations U23 title in January 2014, and a championship held in conjunction with the IAAF Antrim Cross Country in which she was 12th across the line in a strong international field.