McIlroy scoops NI award

RORY McILROY was named BBC Northern Ireland’s Sports Personality of the Year for 2011 last night.

The 22-year-old capped a spectacular year by winning his first major championship — the US Open — and pipped Open champion Darren Clarke for the award while Ulster and Ireland rugby star Rory Best was third.

“Looking back on 2011, it’s been an amazing 12 months of my life,” said McIlroy. “It’s been a year I will always remember, not least because I won my first major.