SPORTS AWARDS: Junior Sportsperson - Roseanna McGuckian (athletics)

A golden year for athlete Roseanna McGuckian ended in more glory as she won the Junior Sportsperson award.
Andrew Barr, of sponsors Flamingo Health and Fitness, presents the Junior Sportsperson award to Roseanna McGuckian. INBT06-216ACAndrew Barr, of sponsors Flamingo Health and Fitness, presents the Junior Sportsperson award to Roseanna McGuckian. INBT06-216AC
Andrew Barr, of sponsors Flamingo Health and Fitness, presents the Junior Sportsperson award to Roseanna McGuckian. INBT06-216AC

The 16-year-old recalled winning a gold medal for Ireland in the European Youth Olympics as her personal highlight, after she ran the second leg for the Irish 4x100 metres relay team, which broke the Irish youth record.

“That was definitely the best part - we didn’t expect to win gold,” she recalled.

At the same championships, she also finished second in the 200 metres - the only female to win two medals at the championships while running for Ireland.

Another memorable performance from Roseanna came when she represented Ulster Schools in an inter-provincial meeting, where she promptly won the 200 metres, 300 metres, 4x100 metres and 4x300 metres!

“The four races were within a two-hour period so I didn’t think I was going to come away with four golds,” she said.

Roseanna has now set her sights on the European qualifiers in Azerbaijan and hopes to reach the qualifying standard for the Youth Olympics in China.

Also short-listed: Hannah Henderson (golf); Aaron Swan (cycling); Jordan Hood (golf).

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