SPORTS AWARDS: Disability Award - Darrell Erwin (handcycling)

Darrell Erwin refused to let a season blighted by injury and illness curtail his exploits as he won the Sportsperson/Team with a Disability award for the fifth time.
Darrell Erwin receives the Sportsperson with a Disability award from John Blair of sponsors JBE Building Services. INBT06-223ACDarrell Erwin receives the Sportsperson with a Disability award from John Blair of sponsors JBE Building Services. INBT06-223AC
Darrell Erwin receives the Sportsperson with a Disability award from John Blair of sponsors JBE Building Services. INBT06-223AC

By his own admission, 2013 hadn’t been the greatest year of his handcycling career, yet he still managed some outstanding results.

They included a gold medal in the Ulster 10-mile time trial championship - where he set a new Irish time trial record of 31 minutes, seven seconds - and a bronze at the Irish national championships.

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He also managed two third places at the Irish Paracycling national series and also won four time trials at regional level - great achievements given that he had been unable to train properly since the end of February.

“It’s been a difficult year with illness and injury - just things that come with being in a wheelchair sets you back so much,” he explained. “It can wipe me out for months on end and I end up having to take a few months off.

Of his Ulster triumph, Darrell said: “It was a new course and I wasn’t expected to win gold. I just dug in and never say die.

Darrell was particularly pleased with his Irish bronze, stating: “I beat competitors who I thought would beat me by a big margin.”

Also short-listed: Stephanie Kennedy (bocce); Drew Cochrane (golf).

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