Paul O’Donovan was named RTÉ Sport Sportsperson of the Year at the 2024 awards ceremony held in Dublin this evening. Paul O’Donovan is the winner of RTÉ Sport Sportsperson of the Year 2024 🌟#RTÉSportAwards pic.twitter.com/S5KnbfMhnw — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 15, 2024 In a year that he became the first Irish Olympian to win medals […]
Paul O’Donovan was named RTÉ Sport Sportsperson of the Year at the 2024 awards ceremony held in Dublin this evening.
Paul O’Donovan is the winner of RTÉ Sport Sportsperson of the Year 2024 🌟#RTÉSportAwards pic.twitter.com/S5KnbfMhnw
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 15, 2024
In a year that he became the first Irish Olympian to win medals at three consecutive games, winning Olympic Gold at the double sculls in Paris and gold at the World Rowing Championships single sculls, O’Donovan beat off competition from fellow Olympians and stars of many sports.
When asked what motivated him to continue, O’Donovan credits ‘old’ athlete’s wisdom as a reason for remaining successful.
“When Im talking to older people like Timmy Harnedy and Eugene Coakley, they would be saying, they wish they were younger and still wish they were still doing it,” jokes O’Donovan.
The triple Olympic medallist was coy about why he loves his sport but credits his teammates for his success.
“Im not sure, I have just been doing it for so long I don’t know any better.
“I like the sport, for one, that helps, I have had some good teammates over the years and that helps get the results.”
Róisín Ní Riain was named RTÉ Sport Young Sportsperson of the Year as 2024 saw her became a double Paralympic medallist, taking home a silver and 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.
Double Paralympic medallist Róisín Ní Riain named RTÉ Sport Young Sportsperson of the Year.
RTÉ Sport Awards 2024 🌟
📺 📺 Watch the RTÉ Sport Awards on @RTE1and @RTEPlayer, catch live updates on https://t.co/YXqp4pbqKj pic.twitter.com/bExP1opJfq— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 15, 2024
Willie Mullins was revealed as the RTÉ Sport Manager of the Year as he became the first champion trainer both sides of the Irish Sea since Vincent O’Brien in 1954.
This year also saw him achieve record breaking Grade 1s in a year including eight at Cheltenham while also picking up the Aintree Grand National with “I Am Maximus”.
A visibly shocked Willie Mullins is RTÉ Sport Manager of the Year as he became the first champion trainer both sides of the Irish Sea since Vincent O’Brien.
📺 Watch the RTÉ Sport Awards on @RTE1and @RTEPlayer, catch live updates on https://t.co/YXqp4pbqKj pic.twitter.com/HOza1OOFRE
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 15, 2024
Katie-George Dunlevy and Linda Kelly were this year’s winners of the RTÉ Sport Team of the Year award as the Paralympic team took home gold and silver medals in road cycling at this year’s Paris 2024 Games and are double World champions.
Katie-George Dunlevy and Linda Kelly were this year’s winners of the RTÉ Sport Team of the Year award.
📺 Watch the RTÉ Sport Awards on @RTE1and @RTEPlayer, catch live updates on https://t.co/YXqp4pbqKj pic.twitter.com/9KONkWAaj9
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 15, 2024
Legendary boxer Michael Carruth was inducted into the RTÉ Sport Hall of Fame. The former welterweight who took home a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona was honoured for his many career achievements, rounding out an exciting night for the Irish sporting community.
‘This is called the oldie award,’ jokes Michael Carruth as he is inducted into the RTÉ Sport Hall of Fame
📺 Watch on @RTE1 and @RTEPlayer from 9.30pm
📱 Live updates and stories on @RTESport Online and the @RTENews app https://t.co/gBq15F6AdN#RTÉSportAwards pic.twitter.com/zQEGNIAWTT— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 15, 2024
Group Head of Sport with RTÉ, Declan McBennett said: “It was a truly remarkable year and both the extent and nature of success for our remarkable athletes shows how standards simply keep rising. The success is now coming across so many disciplines and codes that 2024 will act as a catalyst for even greater feats in the years ahead as a new generation is inspired to replicate the heroic efforts witnessed across RTÉ channels this year.”
