Rory McIlroy named RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year

Rory McIlroy has been named RTÉ Sport Sportsperson of the Year for the third time. Pic: RTÉ

Rory McIlroy has been named RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year for 2025. The world number two-ranked player became the sixth golfer ever to complete a career Grand Slam when he won the Masters at Augusta in April. McIlroy was also part of the European Ryder Cup team which defeated the USA at Bethpage Black. 

It is the third time McIlroy has won the award, having previously claimed the title in 2011 and 2014. Earlier this week, the 36-year-old was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Aoife O'Rourke, Ben Healy, David Clifford, Fiona Murtagh, Katie McCabe, Kate O'Connor, Lara Gillespie, Orla Comerford, Roisín Ní Riain, Sarah Healy and Troy Parrott were the others nominated for the RTÉ award.

Earlier in the evening, swimmer John Shortt was named Young Sportsperson of the Year. The Galway teenager won 200m backstroke gold at the recent European Short Course Championships. He also claimed double gold at the World Junior Championships during the summer.

The Kerry footballers were named Team of the Year after winning the county's 39th All-Ireland SFC title with victory over Donegal in July. In what was a year of change with Gaelic football's new rules introduced, Kerry also won the National League title. 

Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley was named Manager of the Year after leading the Hoops to their first league and cup double since 1987. Rovers also qualified for the Uefa Conference League group phase. 

Former Ireland and Lions hooker Ciarán Fitzgerald was inducted into the RTÉ Sport Hall of Fame.