RTÉ Sports Person of the Year - wikipedia RTÉ Sports Person of the Year Seán Kelly won in 1986. Stephen Roche won in 1987. Christy O'Connor Jnr won in 1989. Mick McCarthy won in 2001. Ronan O'Gara won in 2004. Brian O'Driscoll won in 2009. Graeme McDowell won in 2010. Rory McIlroy won in 2011 and 2014 Katie Taylor won in 2012. A.P. `` Tony '' McCoy won in 2013. The RTÉ Sports Person of the Year Award is the titular award of the RTÉ Sports Awards ceremony, which takes place each December. The winner is the Irish sportsperson ( from the island of Ireland ) judged to have achieved the most that year. The winner was originally chosen by a special panel of RTÉ journalists and editorial staff, but was selected by a public vote from a pre-determined shortlist in 2016. The first Irish sports award ceremony took place in 1985, and was closely modelled on the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award. Three people have won the award multiple times : athlete Sonia O'Sullivan won the award five times, including a record three successive awards, and golfers Pádraig Harrington, with three wins, and Rory McIlroy, who won it twice. The oldest recipient of the award is Christy O'Connor Jnr, who won in 1989 aged 41. Rory McIlroy, who first won in 2011, aged 22, is the youngest winner. Ten sporting disciplines have been represented ; golf has the highest representation, with seven recipients. Eamonn Darcy, Ronan Rafferty and Des Smyth, who won the Alfred Dunhill Cup in 1988, are the only non-individual winners of the award. Counting them separately, there have been twenty - seven winners of the award. Five of these have been Northern Irish. The most recent award was made in 2016 to mixed martial artist Conor McGregor. Contents 1 Winners 2 Shortlists 2.2 2011 2.3 2012 2.4 2013 2.5 2014 2.6 2015 2.7 2016 3 References Winners RTÉ Sports Person of the Year Award winners Year Nat. Winner Sport Sporting synopsis Ref. 1985 IRL McGuigan, Barry Barry McGuigan Boxing Defeated Eusebio Pedroza to become World Boxing Association featherweight champion. 1986 IRL Kelly, Seán Seán Kelly Cycling He finished on a podium in a grand tour for the first time when he finished third in the 1986 Vuelta a España. IRL Roche, Stephen Stephen Roche Cycling Winner of the 1987 Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and World Cycling Championships. 1988 IRL NIR IRL Darcy, Eamonn Eamonn Darcy Rafferty, Ronan Ronan Rafferty Smyth, Des Des Smyth Golf For winning the Alfred Dunhill Cup. 1989 IRL O'Connor Jnr, Christy Christy O'Connor Jnr Golf For a stunning 2 iron shot on the last hole at the Belfry which he left just 4 feet from the hole during the successful 1989 Ryder Cup. 1990 IRL Bonner, Packie Packie Bonner Football For his famous penalty save from Daniel Timofte of Romania at the 1990 FIFA World Cup. 1991 IRL Keyes, Ralph Ralph Keyes Rugby union Overall top scorer with 68 points at the 1991 Rugby World Cup. 1992 IRL Carruth, Michael Michael Carruth Boxing Gold medallist in the welterweight section at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. 1993 IRL O'Sullivan, Sonia Sonia O'Sullivan Athletics Silver medallist in the 1500m at the World Championships. 1994 IRL O'Sullivan, Sonia Sonia O'Sullivan Athletics Gold medallist in the 3000m at the World Championships. 1995 IRL O'Sullivan, Sonia Sonia O'Sullivan Athletics Gold medallist in the 5000m at the World Championships. IRL Smith, Michelle Michelle Smith Swimming Triple Olympic gold medallist for the 400m individual medley, 400m freestyle and 200m individual medley, and bronze medallist for the 200m butterfly event. 1997 IRL Doherty, Ken Ken Doherty Snooker Winner of the 1997 World Snooker Championship. 1998 IRL O'Sullivan, Sonia Sonia O'Sullivan Athletics Double gold medallist at the World Cross-Country Championships and double gold medallist at the European Championships. 1999 IRL Keane, Roy Roy Keane Football Captain of the Manchester United team that completed a treble of English Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League successes. 2000 IRL O'Sullivan, Sonia Sonia O'Sullivan Athletics Olympic silver medallist in the women 's 5000m at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. 2001 IRL McCarthy, Mick Mick McCarthy Football Secured qualification for the 2002 FIFA World Cup for the Republic of Ireland national football team. 2002 IRL Harrington, Pádraig Pádraig Harrington Golf Member of the European team that won the 2002 Ryder Cup. 2003 IRL Geraghty, Barry Barry Geraghty Horse racing Winner of the Aintree Grand National on Monty 's Pass. IRL O'Gara, Ronan Ronan O'Gara Rugby union Member of the Ireland team that won the Triple Crown in the 2004 Six Nations Championship. 2005 IRL Ó hAilpín, Seán Óg Seán Óg Ó hAilpín Hurling All - Ireland - winning captain with Cork and winner of a third All - Ireland medal. 2006 IRL Shefflin, Henry Henry Shefflin Hurling Won his fourth All - Ireland medal with Kilkenny as well as being named Hurler of the Year for a second time. 2007 IRL Harrington, Pádraig Pádraig Harrington Golf Became the first Irishman in over sixty years to win the Open Championship. 2008 IRL Harrington, Pádraig Pádraig Harrington Golf Retained his title as British Open championship, thus becoming the first European to win back to back major championships. 2009 IRL O'Driscoll, Brian Brian O'Driscoll Rugby union Grand Slam - winning captain and member of the Leinster team that won the 2008 -- 09 Heineken Cup NIR McDowell, Graeme Graeme McDowell Golf Winner of the 2010 US Open and member of the European team that won the 2010 Ryder Cup. 2011 NIR McIlroy, Rory Rory McIlroy Golf Winner of the 2011 US Open. 2012 IRL Taylor, Katie Katie Taylor Boxing Olympic gold medallist in the women 's lightweight section at the 2012 London Olympic Games. 2013 IRL McCoy, Tony Tony McCoy Horse racing 18 - times champion jockey who created history in November when he rode his 4,000 th winner over jumps. 2014 NIR McIlroy, Rory Rory McIlroy Golf Won the 2014 Open Championship and 2014 PGA Championship, became the first European to win three different majors, and was a member of the European team that won the 2014 Ryder Cup. 2015 IRL Conlan, Michael Michael Conlan Boxing Won the gold medal in the bantamweight division at the 2015 AIBA World Boxing Championships. 2016 IRL McGregor, Conor Conor McGregor Mixed martial arts Became the first fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two divisions simultaneously. Shortlists The winner is in bold. Katie Taylor ( boxing ) Graeme McDowell ( golf ) Gráinne Murphy ( swimming ) Tony McCoy ( horse racing ) Lar Corbett ( hurling ) Paddy Barnes ( boxing ) Tommy Bowe ( rugby union ) Derval O'Rourke ( athletics ) Rory McIlroy ( golf ) 2011 Darren Clarke ( golf ) Michael Fennelly ( hurling ) Sean O'Brien ( rugby union ) Katie Taylor ( boxing ) Rory McIlroy ( golf ) John Joe Nevin ( boxing ) Kevin O'Brien ( cricket ) Alan Brogan ( Gaelic football ) Robbie Keane ( soccer ) 2012 Fionnuala Britton ( athletics ) Rob Kearney ( rugby union ) Karl Lacey ( Gaelic football ) Rory McIlroy ( golf ) Michael McKillop ( athletics ) Joseph O'Brien ( horse racing ) Mark Rohan ( cycling ) Henry Shefflin ( hurling ) Jason Smyth ( athletics ) Katie Taylor ( boxing ) 2013 Robert Heffernan ( athletics ) Martyn Irvine ( cycling ) Tony Kelly ( hurling ) Michael Darragh MacAuley ( Gaelic football ) Tony McCoy ( horse racing ) Michael McKillop ( athletics ) Annalise Murphy ( sailing ) Joseph O'Brien ( horse racing ) Jason Quigley ( boxing ) Jonathan Sexton ( rugby union ) Jason Smyth ( athletics ) 2014 Niamh Briggs ( Rugby ) Seamus Coleman ( Soccer ) Briege Corkery ( Gaelic football ) Mark English ( Athletics ) Carl Frampton ( Boxing ) Rory McIlroy ( Golf ) Michael McKillop ( Athletics ) James O'Donoghue ( Gaelic football ) Jonathan Sexton ( Rugby ) Jason Smyth ( Athletics ) Richie Hogan ( Hurling ) Katie Taylor ( Boxing ) 2015 Michael Conlan ( boxer ) Leighton Aspell ( Horse Rasing ) Rena Buckley ( Camogie ) Andy Lee ( Boxing ) Shane Lowry ( Golf ) Jack McCaffrey ( Football ) Rory McIlroy ( Golf ) Michael McKillop ( Athletics ) Paul O'Connell ( Rugby ) TJ Reid ( Hurling ) Sophie Spence ( Rugby ) Richie Towell ( Soccer ) Jon Walters ( Soccer ) Conor McGregor ( MMA ) 2016 Seamus Callanan ( Hurling ) Eoghan Clifford ( Cycling ) Katie - George Dunlevy & Eve McCrystal ( Cycling ) Denise Gaule ( Camogie ) Brian Fenton ( Football ) Carl Frampton ( Boxing ) Daryl Horgan ( Soccer ) Annalise Murphy ( Sailing ) Conor McGregor ( MMA ) Paul O'Donovan ( Rowing ) Jamie Heaslip ( Rugby ) Brid Stack ( Football ) References Jump up ^ `` Sport : Sonia wins RTÉ Sports Award ''. RTÉ Sport. 14 June 2007. Retrieved 24 December 2013. Jump up ^ `` McCarthy wins top RTÉ Sporting Award ''. RTÉ Sport. 14 June 2007. Retrieved 24 December 2013. Jump up ^ `` Harrington wins RTÉ award ''. RTÉ Sport. 14 June 2007. Retrieved 24 December 2013. Jump up ^ `` Geraghty scoops major sports award ''. RTÉ Sport. 14 June 2007. Retrieved 24 December 2013. Jump up ^ `` O'Gara named Sports Personality of the Year ''. RTÉ Sport. 14 June 2007. Retrieved 24 December 2013. Jump up ^ `` Shefflin named RTÉ Sports Person of the Year ''. RTÉ Sport. 14 June 2007. Retrieved 24 December 2013. Jump up ^ `` Harrington named RTÉ Sports Person of Year ''. RTÉ Sport. 26 December 2007. Retrieved 24 December 2013. Jump up ^ `` Rugby stars dominate RTÉ Awards ''. RTÉ Sport. 5 February 2010. Retrieved 23 December 2013. Jump up ^ `` McDowell named Sportsperson of the Year ''. RTÉ Sport. 22 December 2010. Retrieved 23 December 2013. Jump up ^ `` McIlroy, Leinster and Trap win RTÉ awards ''. RTÉ Sport. 19 December 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2013. Jump up ^ `` Katie Taylor named RTÉ Sports Person of the Year ''. RTÉ Sport. 24 December 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2013. Jump up ^ `` Tony McCoy crowned RTÉ Sports Person of the Year ''. Irish Independent. 22 December 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2013. Jump up ^ `` Rory McIlroy named RTÉ Sport Sports Person of the Year ''. RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 22 December 2014 Jump up ^ `` Michael Conlan named RTÉ Sport Person of the Year ''. RTÉ Sport. 19 December 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015. Jump up ^ `` McGregor crowned RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year ''. RTÉ Sport. 18 December 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2016. Jump up ^ `` Shortlist for RTÉ awards named ''. The Irish Times. 15 December 2010. Retrieved 15 December 2010. Jump up ^ `` RTÉ Sports Awards shortlist revealed ''. RTÉ Sport. 8 December 2011. Retrieved 8 December 2011. Jump up ^ `` Nominees for RTÉ Sports Awards ''. RTÉ Sport. 19 December 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2013. Jump up ^ `` RTÉ Sports Awards 2013 ''. RTÉ Sport. 19 December 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2013. Jump up ^ `` RTÉ Sports Awards 2014 ''. RTÉ Sport. 8 December 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2015. Jump up ^ `` The nominees for the 2015 RTÉ Sports Awards have been announced ''. The 42. 12 December 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2016. Jump up ^ `` The nominees for the RTÉ Sports Person of the Year award have been revealed ''. The 42. 3 December 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016. Jump up ^ `` Conor McGregor crowned 2016 RTÉ Sports Person of the Year ''. The 42. 17 December 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2016. RTÉ Sports Awards Awards Sports Person Team Manager Hall of Fame RTÉ Sports Person of the Year winners 1985 Barry McGuigan 1986 Sean Kelly 1987 Stephen Roche 1988 Eamonn Darcy, Ronan Rafferty & Des Smyth 1989 Christy O'Connor Jnr 1990 Packie Bonner 1991 Ralph Keyes 1992 Michael Carruth 1993 Sonia O'Sullivan 1994 Sonia O'Sullivan 1995 Sonia O'Sullivan 1996 Michelle Smith 1997 Ken Doherty 1998 Sonia O'Sullivan 1999 Roy Keane 2000 Sonia O'Sullivan 2001 Mick McCarthy 2002 Pádraig Harrington 2003 Barry Geraghty 2004 Ronan O'Gara 2005 Seán Óg Ó hAilpín 2006 Henry Shefflin 2007 Pádraig Harrington 2008 Pádraig Harrington 2009 Brian O'Driscoll 2010 Graeme McDowell 2011 Rory McIlroy 2012 Katie Taylor 2013 Tony McCoy 2014 Rory McIlroy 2015 Michael Conlan 2016 Conor McGregor Sportsperson of the Year National Algeria Argentina Australia Austria Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Brazil Bulgaria Canada Marsh ( general ) Conacher ( male ) Rosenfeld ( female ) Springstead ( female ) Croatia Czechoslovakia Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Hungary Iceland India Iran Ireland Jamaica Japan Kenya Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Malaysia Moldova Montenegro Netherlands New Zealand Norway Philippines Poland Portugal Serbia NOC Slovakia Slovenia South Africa Spain Sweden Bragdguldet Jerringpris Idrottsgalan Switzerland Ukraine United Kingdom Northern Ireland Scotland Wales United States AP ESPY female male Sporting News Sports Illustrated NOC USSR Yugoslavia Sport Sportske novosti Zimbabwe World Laureus Awards male female team breakthrough comeback disabled action sport BBC Overseas Sports Personality L'Équipe Champion of Champions Philips Sports Manager of the Year 1982 Pat Henderson 1983 Brendan Edwards 1984 Mick O'Dwyer 1985 Mick Doyle 1986 Jim McLaughlin 1987 Jack Charlton 1988 Jack Charlton 1989 Jack Charlton 1990 Billy Morgan and Fr Ml O'Brien 1991 Pete McGrath 1992 Brian McEniff 1993 Jack Charlton 1994 Eddie Jordan 1995 Ger Loughnane 1996 Liam Griffin 1997 Brian Kerr 1998 Brian Kerr 1999 Seán Boylan 2000 John Oxx 2001 Mick McCarthy 2002 Joe Kernan 2003 Brian Cody 2004 Eddie O'Sullivan 2005 Mickey Harte 2006 Brian Cody 2007 Paul Doolin 2008 Declan Kidney 2009 Declan Kidney 2010 Liam Sheedy 2011 Giovanni Trapattoni 2012 Billy Walsh and Pete Taylor 2013 Jim Gavin 2014 Joe Schmidt 2015 Martin O'Neill and Michael O'Neill 2016 Stephen Kenny Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title= RTÉ_Sports_Person_of_the_Year&oldid = 793672276 '' Categories : 2000 establishments in Ireland Awards established in 2000 Lists of Irish sportspeople National sportsperson - of - the - year trophies and awards RTÉ Sport Irish sports trophies and awards Hidden categories : EngvarB from November 2013 Use dmy dates from November 2013 Articles with hCards Talk Contents About Wikipedia Deutsch Français Edit links This page was last edited on 3 August 2017, at 07 : 22. 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Question: who has won rte sports person of the year five times
Answer: Sonia O'Sullivan