Paul O'Donovan named RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year

Limerick swimmer Róisín Ní Riain was named Young Sportsperson of the Year.

Paul O'Donovan during the RTÉ Sports Awards 2024 at RTÉ studios in Donnybrook, Dublin. Picture: by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Paul O’Donovan was named RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year on Sunday night. The Corkman was part of the Irish lightweight double sculls boat, along with Fintan McCarthy, which won gold at the Paris Olympics.

In winning gold, O'Donovan became the first Irish athlete to win medals at three consecutive Olympic Games. He won silver with his brother Gary beside him in 2016 and gold with McCarthy three years ago in Tokyo. O'Donovan also won gold in the lightweight single sculls at the World Rowing Championships in August. He is the first Cork winner of the RTÉ award since Seán Óg Ó hAilpín in 2005.