On a night where Eamonn Coughlan was honoured as the winner of the Hall of Fame Award on the 25th anniversary of the historic day for Irish sport, when Eamonn won the 5,000m World Championship in Helsinki, so too, was Phil Roche recognised as the Coach of the Year at the 2008 Waterford Crystal National Athletics Awards Dinner, last night in the Crown Plaza hotel in Santry, Dublin.

This was a huge honour for both Phil and Dooneen A.C. This award was one which all 6 on the judging panel agreed unanimously upon, which is a sure sign of how well deserved it is. According to club members, Phil is something of a human dynamo. She organises every club training session and is behind every club social occasion. She is happy and willing to help athletes at every level and ability, "If Phil were not here we would have no club", was a simple but very telling endorsement from one of the club's athletes who helped put together the submission which led to Phil Roche being selected as Coach of the Year, 2008.

Her dedication to the club is legendary and as well as coaching, she fulfills numerous other roles at the club.

Congratulations Phil, from all at Dooneen A.C. This was a long-overdue award and we are all very proud of you.