Waterford Olympian Patricia Walsh has won a Recognition Award at the 2019 Irish Life Health National Athletics Awards.

Ireland’s first female Olympic discus thrower finished 9th in the final in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

She set an Irish record in 1984 that still stands and won nine All-Ireland discus titles, two shot put titles and one javelin title.

At the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blanchardstown today, Patricia was recognised for being a “ground breaker” and “pioneer”.

Brid Golden from Ferrybank received a European Athletics Leadership Award for her coaching ability.

She won 21 Irish senior titles in her career, 14 in the heptathlon.

Ciara Mageean was named Athlete of the Year at the ceremony while Sonia O’Sullivan was inducted into the Hall of Fame for 2019.