Crombie among the prize winners at the AIB Press Photographer of the Year Awards

Acclaimed Westmeath sports photographer James Crombie was among the prizewinners, once again, at the recent AIB Press Photographer of the Year Awards.

Crombie's image, Clash of the Ash - which captures the exact moment when Clare’s John Conlon breaks his hurl as he is tackled by Limerick's Cian Lynch during an Allianz Hurling League Division 1 clash in Cusack Park, Ennis last March - won third place in the Sports Action category.

Commenting on the image, the judges said 'Once again, split second timing sees a hurl shattered during a game. The flying splinters add drama and makes this picture a stand-out sports photography image'.

The AIB Press Photographer of the Year Award, which Rahugh native Crombie won in 2021 and 2022, was won by Mark Condren of Irish Independent/Sunday Independent for a record sixth time.