We know the list is finite but it seems like a bizarre omission that the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team has not been shortlisted for Team of the Year at next weekend’s RTÉ Sport Awards.
No room either for Vera Pauw or Eileen Gleeson in the Manager of the Year but with the former gone and the latter still on an interim basis there is a logic at least to that.
Pauw won the Manager Award last year and while the team was nominated it gave way to Paul O’Donavan and Fintan McCarthy for the European and World Championship Double.
This year’s build-up to the World Cup, excitement while out in Australia, and six-game winning streak to gain promotion to the top flight of the UEFA Women’s Nations League were surely worth shortlisting for the Public vote award.
The nominees instead are:
Limerick Hurling
League champions, five-in-a-row Munster champions and joint-record four-in-a-row All-Ireland champions.
Dublin Men Football
The Dublin men’s football team beat Kerry in the decider to reclaim Sam Maguire after a three-year wait.
Dublin Women Football
Likewise for the Dublin women’s team as they also overcame the Kingdom in the final.
Cork Camogie
The Rebels won a 29th All-Ireland title in August, beating Waterford in the final for their first title since 2018.
Shamrock Rovers
Stephen Bradley’s side were crowned League of Ireland champions for the fourth season in succession, equalling the record of the 1984-87 Hoops team.
Munster Rugby
A first piece of silverware in 12 years for Munster as they won the United Rugby Championship.
Irish Rugby
A fourth grand slam for the Irish rugby team and the first completed in Dublin.
Katie-George Dunlevy and Linda Kelly
Double gold for Katie-George Dunlevy and Linda Kelly at the Para Cycling World Championships.
Fintan McCarthy and Paul O’Donovan
World gold again for Irish rowers Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy, a fourth in a row for O’Donovan and third for McCarthy.
The nominees for the main RTÉ Sport Sportsperson of the Year are:
Rhys McClenaghan
The Antrim gymnast retained his Pommel Horse World title.
Katie McCabe
The Republic of Ireland captain was nominated for the Ballon d’Or and was named Arsenal’s Player Of The Year.
Jonathan Sexton
Captained Ireland to the Grand Slam and became the all-time leading points scorer in the 6 Nations.
Katie Taylor
The Bray boxer became an undisputed two-weight World Champion.
Aaron Gillane
The Patrickswell man was named Hurler of the Year as Limerick won the All-Ireland for a 5th time in 6 years.
Paul Townend
The Cork jockey won the Gold Cup, Queen Mother Champion Chase, the Arkle, and the Irish Grand National.
Róisín Ní Riain
The Limerick swimmer won World gold and silver medals at the World Para Swimming Championships.
And in the Manager of the Year category, the nominees are:
Andy Farrell
Irish Rugby – Led Ireland to a Grand Slam in 2023 and was named World Rugby Coach of the Year.
Dessie Farrell
Dublin Men’s Football – Brought Sam Maguire back to the capital as Dublin reclaimed the All-Ireland Football crown.
John Kiely
Limerick Hurling – Has steered Limerick to 5 of the last 6 All Ireland Hurling Championships.
Stephen Bradley
Shamrock Rovers – Managed Rovers to a historic 4th League of Ireland title in a row, becoming the first manager to do so.
Ronan O’Gara
La Rochelle – Coached La Rochelle as they secured back-to-back Champions Cup titles.
Mick Bohan
Dublin Ladies Football – Guided Dublin to a sixth All-Ireland ladies title.
Matthew Twomey
Cork Camogie – Was in charge as Cork defeated Waterford to win the All-Ireland Camogie title
Willie Mullins
Trainer – Galopin Des Champs gave him a third Gold Cup and 94th Cheltenham Festival victory overall.
Dominic Casey
Irish Rowing – The Skibbereen rowing mastermind’s charges retained their World Championship title.
The Awards will be broadcast live from Studio 4 at Montrose in front of a live audience next Saturday night, December 16th.
