All four of the All Ireland winning managers in last year’s Gaelic Games Senior Championships will go head to head for RTÉ Sport’s Manager of the Year Award.

John Kiely, Dessie Farrell, Mick Bohan and Brian Dowling are joined by Shamrock Rovers’ Stephen Bradley and racehorse trainer Joseph O’Brien on the shortlist for the award.

Jim Gavin won the award last year, following Davy Fitzgerald in 2013 as the only two managers from Gaelic Games to win the award since it was created in 2011.

The Young Sportsperson of the Year shortlist is perhaps the most diverse in its history with competitors from Mountain Biking, Snooker, Darts, Boxing and Gaelic Football.

The Awards will be broadcast live this Thursday 28 January at 10.15 pm on RTÉ One.

RTÉ SPORT YOUNG SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

AARON HILL

Cork teenager Aaron Hill secured the most high-profile win of his snooker career, pulling off a sensational victory over six-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan at the European Masters. In March the 18-year-old won the EBSA European Under-21 Snooker Championships, before turning professional.

KATELYNN PHELAN

The Kildare Boxer got the better of the previously undefeated German Jessica Schadko in Munich to claim the WBC youth title, as well as the WBF and WIBA belts in the welterweight division. Phelan now has four wins from her pro career so far.

KEANE BARRY

The 18-year-old Meath man became a dual darts world champion after winning the BDO World Youths Championship in London. Barry picked up the Junior Darts Corporation’s world title at Alexandra Palace a month earlier, and later in the year claimed his first Challenge Tour title.

OISIN MULLIN

Mayo Full-back Mullin had a breakthrough year to remember. The Kilmaine clubman’s physicality and speed stood out as he became a regular in James Horan’s All-Ireland finalists. His consistently strong performances in 2020 also led to him being named on the Sunday Game’s Team of the Year.

OISIN O’CALLAGHAN

The Limerick teenager claimed a first ever downhill gold for Ireland at the Junior World Mountain Bike Championships in Austria. It was O’Callaghan’s first ever race at that level. The 17-year-old followed up his win in Austria with two stage wins at the recently held World Cup competition in Portugal.

RTÉ SPORT MANAGER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

BRIAN DOWLING

In his maiden year in charge, Dowling helped Kilkenny claimed just their second All-Ireland title since 1994, and banish memories of some recent dark days in Croke Park. The black and amber put on an impressive second half display, and claim revenge over last year’s champions Galway.

DESSIE FARRELL

Dessie Farrell ensured it was business as usual for the relentless Dubs, as they claimed more history by winning 6-in-a-row All-Ireland Football Championships. In what was a difficult year to take the reins, the Dublin manager oversaw a side that swept away all who stood before them.

JOHN KIELY

Treaty manager Kiely saw his impressive Limerick team go through the year unbeaten. They were the standout hurlers in 2020, winning back-to-back league and Munster titles, as well as regaining the Liam McCarthy Cup they last won in 2018.

JOSEPH O’BRIEN

Joseph O’Brien once again denied his father Aidan in the Lexus Melbourne Cup, as 25/1 shot Twilight Payment made all to lift the Group One contest at Flemington.

MICK BOHAN

Dublin Ladies Football Manager Bohan led his charges to their fourth consecutive TG4 All-Ireland final victory. Dublin saw off great rivals Cork in the decider just six days before Christmas.

STEPHEN BRADLEY

The Shamrock Rovers boss oversaw a first Premier Division title since 2011 with four games to spare. The Dublin club were unbeaten throughout the 2020 league campaign, the first time this has happened since the 1926-27 season.

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