January Sports Star of the Month: Lara O’Byrne

DONORE Harriers Lara O’Byrne was crowned the national senior indoor combined event champion for 2024 at the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena (NIA) in Abbotstown.

In what was a brilliant start to the year, Lucan girl O’Byrne took gold in what was an exciting Pentathlon competition.

The 23-year-old was trailing Laura Frawley from Nenagh Olympic AC going into the final event, the 800m, but her 2.31.24 finishing time was enough to catapult her to the top of the podium.

Ultimately she had in excess of one hundred points to spare on Frawley as she finished with 3499 points.

“I was delighted to win the national senior pentathlon competition,” Lara told The Echo.

“The pentathlon starts with hurdles, high jump and shot putt, long jump and then 800 metres and takes place over one-day and is a tough competition to win.

“I’m now going to focus on the heptathlon which is seven events which takes place around May,” added Lara.

This is the first time Lara has won this title.

The Active South Dublin Sports Awards are run in association with The Echo, and supported by South Dublin County Council and The Plaza Hotel, Tallaght.