Olympians dominate RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year list, with one GAA star in frame
Reigning RTÉ Sport Sportsperson of the Year Rhys McClenaghan. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
RTÉ SPORT has confirmed the list of nominees for this year's RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year, with Olympians dominating the shortlist.
Paris gold medal winners Rhys McClenaghan, Kellie Harrington, Paul O’Donovan and Katie George Dunlevy will be favourites to scoop the top prize, though there is stiff competition from the likes of Katie Taylor, Paul Townend and Anthony Cacace.
Hurler of the Year Shane O'Donnell represents Clare's All-Ireland winners on the shortlist, with no footballer or soccer player listed.
The awards will be presented Sunday night, December 15, live on RTÉ One. Other awards include Team of the Year, Manager of the Year and Young Sportsperson of the Year.
Here is the full list of nominees for the Sportsperson award.
The reigning RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year, followed up a brilliant 2023 by becoming the first ever Irish Gymnast to medal at an Olympic Games, picking up Pommel Horse Gold and banishing the heartbreak he suffered in Tokyo three years earlier.
Became Ireland's first ever individual back-to-back Olympic champion at Paris 2024 adding Gold to the Gold she picked up in Tokyo 2020.
If 2023 was his breakout year, 2024 was the year in which Daniel Wiffen arrived. Double World Gold was followed up with an Olympic Gold and Bronze and an 800m freestyle Olympic record.
Won bronze in 2016, silver in 2022 and in 2024, achieved a lifelong dream, winning Gold in the 1500m at the European Championships.
The star Clare forward hurler earned the title of GAA/GPA Hurler of the Year and The Sunday Game Hurler of the Year 2024.
Became the first Irish Olympian to win medals at three consecutive games, winning Olympic Gold at the double sculls - and Gold at the World Rowing Championships single sculls.
In 2024, Ireland's most successful female Paralympic athlete brought home a Gold and two Silvers, bringing her Paralympic medal haul to eight across three games. She also picked double World Gold on the Road this year.
The Bray boxer is the undisputed World Super-lightweight Champion. This year she defended her status as undisputed world light-welterweight champion following a unanimous decision victory over Amanda Serrano in Texas.
The second jockey in history and the first since 1930 to win the Champion Hurdle, the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Aintree Grand National.
The boxer beat Joe Cordina to take the IBF World title belt and become Ireland's first Super-featherweight Champion.
After a breakout year, Rhasidat won Gold at the European Championships as part of the Mixed relay team, individual silver in the 400m and silver in the women’s 4 x 400m as well as breaking a whole host of national records and becoming Irish Athlete of the Year.
After making her Paralympic debut in Tokyo 2020, Róisín became a double medallist, taking home a Silver & Bronze Medal at this year’s Games in Paris for the 100m Backstroke S13 and 200m Individual Medley SM13, as well as Double Gold at the European Championships in the 100m back and 100m breaststroke.
