My 2006 by Derval O'Rourke

YOUR HERO OF 2006? The Munster rugby team – they showed terrific heart and team spirit to reach the Holy Grail that is the European Cup.

VILLAIN OF 2006? My agent, Conor Ridge of Horizon Sports Management. He keeps telling me that I have achieved nothing yet, so that I don’t rest on my laurels. He is a cold, hard-nosed businessman, who tells me I am high maintenance and has no regards for my feelings at all. He’s all about “Showing him the money”.

BEST PERSONAL MOMENT? Winning Silver at the European Outdoor Championships in August. Even though I won the World Indoors in March, I had to overcome an injury during the summer to even compete at the Outdoors. It was a great personal achievement to come away with a medal, as I really had to pull it out on the day.

BEST MOVIE? Borat. It’s pretty close to the bone, but bloody hilarious!

BEST RECORD? Kanye West – Late Registration.

BEST TV PROGRAMME? The Podge And Rodge Show.

BEST BOOK? Tour de Force – a mind-blowing book about Lance Armstrong

BEST THING ABOUT THE YEAR? Winning two major international medals and being able to celebrate my wins with my family.

YOUR HOPE FOR NEXT YEAR? I had a pretty good 2006, but I must look ahead and keep progressing. My hope would be to stay injury free and give myself a chance to win medals at both the European Indoors in Birmingham in March, and at the World Outdoors in Osaka next September. 2007 will be all about building towards the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008.

WHAT TICKLED YOUR FUNNYBONE IN 2006? I love good comedy. Podge and Rodge make me laugh every time I watch them. And Borat, which I just saw recently, is pretty hilarious too.