Meath Sports Awards... Coscoran’s stunning run lights up Tokyo

Andrew Coscoran has been quoted as calling 2021 his "breakthrough" year - and with good reason. He participated in the biggest sporting extravaganza in the world when he took part in the Olympic Games in Tokyo last Autumn. The Games had been delayed because of Covid.

On the big stage Coscoran, who at club level runs in the colours of Star of the Sea, put in a big performance to earn a place in the semi-finals of the 1500m along with some of the biggest names in middle-distance running in the world.

Coscoran finished in 10th place, running in a time that was just outside his personal best. The origins of Coscoran's career in athletics goes back to 2001 when, as a five-year-old, he started to take up running with Star of the Sea.

In July 2010 he won his first All-Ireland gold medal in the 1500m in a time of 4:28: 58. He subsequntly won All-Ireland schools and indoor titles. He represented Ireland in the European Track & Field Championships in Sweden in 2015. He reached the final there also where he finish in eighth place.

In 2020 Coscoran competed in the indoor season in the US where he set a new PB of 3.37:98. He also broke the four-minute mile in the Wannamaker Mile. Back home he set a new championship-best performance when he won the national 1500m at Abbotstown in 3.41: 36. Last June he won the national 1500m and kept his place in the world rankings to qualify for Tokyo - where he certainly made his mark.

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