In the latest of a series of shortlist announcements, RTÉ has named the eight managers in contention for the Manager of the Year Award to be handed out at the RTÉ Sport Awards on Sunday night, December 15th.
RTÉ SPORT MANAGER OF THE YEAR 2024 NOMINEES
ANDY FARRELL – IRISH RUGBY
The Englishman led Ireland to back-to-back Six Nations titles.
KIERAN MCGEENEY – ARMAGH FOOTBALL
Guided the Orchard County to their first Sam Maguire in 18 years, beating Galway in what was only their second ever All-Ireland win.
BRIAN LOHAN – CLARE HURLING
The Shannon man led Clare to All-Ireland glory beating Cork in the final, giving the banner County their first Liam McCarthy win in 11 years.
WILLIE MULLINS – CHAMPION TRAINER
The first champion trainer both sides of the Irish Sea since Vincent O’Brien in 1954. Record breaking Grade 1s in a year including 8 at Cheltenham, he also picked up the Aintree Grand National with I Am Maximus.
GER MANLEY – CORK CAMOGIE
The former Cork hurler managed Cork to All-Ireland Senior Camogie victory with a win over Galway in Croke Park.
DECLAN QUILL/DARRAGH LONG – KERRY FOOTBALL – JOINT MANAGERS
Kerry, guided by joint managers Quill and Long, ended a 31-year All-Ireland Senior drought with victory over Galway in the final at Croke Park.
AIDAN O’BRIEN – IRELAND AND UK CHAMPION TRAINER
2024 saw the Tipperary-based trainer crowned champion flat trainer in Ireland for the 27th time and champion trainer on the flat in Britain for the seventh time. Notable wins included a 10th success in the Epsom Derby, a 400th Group 1 / Grade 1 win and a 20th Breeders Cup meeting win.
DAMIEN DUFF – SHELBOURNE
The Irish footballing legend took unfancied Shelbourne to the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division title for the first time in 18 years.
The RTÉ show will take place on Sunday, December 15th, with the winner of the Manager of the Year award selected by a panel of RTÉ personnel.
SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
The managers of each of the flagship events across the major sports has been named on the shortlist but looking imaginatively Willie Mullins is the first Irish Trainer to have landed the Irish and British National Hunt Trainers Title, based on the amount of money won, since the legendary Vincent O’Brien a full 70 years ago and would be an interesting choice.
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
The RTÉ Awards will be broadcast live from Montrose next Sunday evening, December 15th.
The Sport for Business Membership comprises nearly 300 organisations, including all the leading sports and sponsors, as well as commercial and state agencies.
