This Sunday night (15 December, 9.30pm), live on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, Joanne Cantwell, Darragh Maloney and Jacqui Hurley will present the RTÉ Sport Awards 2024 from Studio 4 in RTÉ. The Awards being handed out on the night in front of an audience of Irish sports stars include RTÉ Sport Sportsperson of the Year, RTÉ Sport Team of the Year, RTÉ Sport Manager of the Year and RTÉ Sport Young Sportsperson of the Year. This year’s nominees for the RTÉ Sport Manager of the Year are listed below.
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 Kilkenny 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 Group1/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.
-ENDS-
Date: Monday 9 December 2024
RTÉ Communications: Adam Thibault and Fergus McCormack