Sports awards: McCarthy, O'Brien and Dunne go head to head

Republic of Ireland soccer manager Mick McCarthy will go head to head with Tipperary hurler Tommy Dunne and champion horse trainer Aidan O'Brien for the prestigious Canon Hayes national sports awards.

The recipients will be announced in Dundrum, Co Tipperary on Saturday evening.

McCarthy, who is tipped for the honour, is bidding to follow in the steps of other distinguished winners such as Cork hurler Brian Corcoran, athletes Sonia O'Sullivan and Catriona McKiernan and swimmer Michelle Smith.

Athlete Tomas Coman and the Tipperay hurling and camogie teams are in the running for the county award.