The winners of this year’s RTÉ Sport Awards, in association with the Irish Sports Council, were announced tonight (Sunday 21 December) on RTÉ One television and RTÉ Player during the live broadcast of the ceremony which looked back on a momentous year in Irish sport.
After a stunning 2014 which included winning two Majors – the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool and the PGA Championship at Valhalla – as well as playing a leading role in Europe’s Ryder Cup victory, world number one Rory McIlroy was named RTÉ Sport Sports Person of the Year for the second time.
Irish rugby coach Joe Schmidt was named the winner of the RTÉ Sport Manager of the Year. Having started 2014 by guiding Ireland to 6 Nations glory, Schmidt saw his side go on to end the year unbeaten with wins over South Africa, Australia and Georgia and with a highest ever ranking of third in the world.
As well as acknowledging this year’s sporting achievements, the RTÉ Sport Awards also paid tribute to one of Ireland’s greatest sporting legends. Recently retired Irish rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll was honoured with the RTÉ/Irish Sports Council Hall of Fame Award. During a stellar career in which he became the most-capped player in rugby union history, Brian captained Leinster, Ireland and the British and Irish Lions winning the 6 Nations twice and the Heineken Cup three times along the way.
This year the highly-coveted RTÉ Team of The Year Award was won by the Cork Ladies Football Team, All Ireland Champions for an astonishing 9th time in 10 years after an breathtaking final against Dublin.
The RTÉ Sports Awards were presented by RTÉ’s Darragh Maloney, and also featured a host of well-known Irish sports stars and analysts reflecting on the Irish sporting year that was.
Date: Sunday 21 December 2014
For further information please contact: Fergus McCormack, RTÉTelevision, 086 8674751 Email: Fergus.mccormack@rte.ie
Note to Editor:
Images from tonight’s pre-awards reception will be sent directly to all national photodesks entitled “RTÉ Sport Awards” by Andres Poveda/AA Photo on behalf of RTÉ.
The winner of the RTÉ Sport Team of the Year will be selected by the public via phone and text vote held live during the broadcast of the programme on the night.
The winner of the RTÉ Sport Sports Person of the Year was selected by a panel of RTÉ Sport journalists and editorial staff.
The winner of the RTÉ Sport Manager of the Year was selected by a panel of representatives from national media outlets.