The winners of this year’s RTÉ Sport Awards were announced on Saturday night, and amongst some stiff competition, Michael Conlan was named the Sports Person of the Year.
After a stunning 2015 in which he became the first ever Irish World Championship Boxing gold medallist Michael Conlan, European and World Bantamweight Champion, was named the RTÉ Sport Person of the Year.
A late surge from Conor McGregor, who claimed the UFC undisputed featherweight championship last weekend with a spectacular knockout of Jose Aldo, was not enough to give him the win.
Other names that had been in the running for the award were Sopie Spence, Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy, but Conlan's 12 months in the ring have shown that he is one of the stars of a generation and will be headed to Rio to hopefully claim gold for Ireland next year.
Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill was named Sport Manager of the Year after the Portadown-native managed to guide his team to a first ever European Championship finals by topping their Euro 2016 qualification group.
Image: ©INPHO/Donall Farmer
Other awards on the night were given to Kilkenny hurling icon Henry Shefflin, who was honoured with the Hall of Fame Award, marking the career 10 All Ireland senior hurling titles he also received 11 All-Star awards.
Image: ©INPHO/Donall Farmer
The Sport Team of the Year Award, which was voted for by the public, was given to Dundalk FC, who won the double this year.
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