Shane Lowry wins RT Sport Sportsperson of the Year 2019

The winners of this year's RT Sport Awards were announced tonight (Saturday 14 December) on RT One television and RT Player during the live broadcast of the ceremony which looked back on the year in Irish sport.

Golfer Shane Lowry was voted the RT Sport Sportsperson of the Year after a year in which heclaimed his first major title in commanding fashion in the 148th Open at Royal Portrush. The Clara man battled miserable conditions to become the fifth Irish player to lift the Claret Jug. He also won his first tournament in three and a half years with victory in the Abu Dhabi Championship at the start of the year.

Former Dublin Football Jim Gavin was named RT Sport Manager of the Year for overseeing an unprecedented five-in-a-row All-Ireland titles and in doing so taking his place in GAA history.

Gavin's former charges Dublin made history in September when winning that fifth All-Ireland title in-a-row. After two epic final encounters with rivals Kerry, the Dubs have now taken their place as one of the greatest teams ever and tonight were named RT Sport Team of the Year.

Rhys McClenaghan created history this year as he became the first Irish gymnast to medal at the World Championships, claiming a bronze medal in the pommel horse. He also booked a place at the 2020 Olympic Games by qualifying for the final earlier in the week and was named RT Sport Young Sportsperson of the Year for the second year running.

Olympic 5,000m silver-medallist and former World 5,000m champion Sonia O'Sullivan received the RT Sport Hall of Fame Award recognising her many achievements in an Irish singlet during an incredible career.

The RT Sport Awards were presented by RT 's Darragh Maloney and Joanne Cantwell, and also featured a host of well-known Irish sports stars and analysts reflecting on the Irish sporting year that was.

See more here.

A panel consisting of the following members determined the RT Sport Sportsperson of the Year award, the RT Sport Manager of the Year award and the RT Sport Team of the Year award while the RT Sport Young Sportsperson of the Year was chosen by a separate panel made up of senior RT Sport staff.

RT SPORT AWARDS 2019 - JUDGING PANEL

Sean Blackwell - RT Sport Awards Programme Editor

Kieran Cunningham - Chief Sports Writer, Irish Daily Star

Declan McBennett - RT Sport, Group Head of Sport

Ryan McCann RT Sport Awards Executive Producer

Shane McGrath - Chief Sports Writer, Irish Daily Mail & Irish Mail on Sunday

Donagh McGrath RT Sport, Deputy Head Radio Sports & News

Mary O'Connor CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport

Cl ona O'Leary - RT Sport, Deputy Head, TV Sport

Sarah O'Shea Secretary General at Olympic Counsel of Ireland & Director at SOS Sports Consulting

Mikey Stafford - Editor, RT Sport Output on Digital Platforms

Denis Walsh - Sports Writer, The Sunday Times

Andy Watters - Sports Reporter, Irish News

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