The big names of Irish sport gathered in Montrose on Saturday as RTÉ held its sports awards.
The major winners on the night were Michael Conlan, who won Sports Person of the Year, Dundalk, who won Team of the Year and Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill who took the Manager of the Year award.
Conlan was recognised for his gold medal winning performance at the World Championships back in October. In victory, he became the first ever Irish boxer to win a World Championship title.
Michael O'Neill was acklowledged for his guiding of Northern Ireland to Euro 2016.
Double winners Dundalk were named Team of the Year, an award decided by public vote. It was this which proved particularly divise on Twitter, with many believing All-Ireland winners Dublin and Martin O'Neill's Ireland team were more deserving than the League of Ireland and FAI Cup winners.
Dundalk win Team of the Year
I'm off 2 the leaba. Feel like I won 2 prizes 2night. Between Michael Conlon & Dundalk, a good day. Codladh samh xoxozz
— Gerry Adams (@GerryAdamsSF) December 20, 2015
What a farce the @RTESportAwards are! Absolute joke ! #Dundalk ? — Hill 16 Army (@Hill16Army) December 20, 2015
HUGE fan of the FAI asking for votes for the international team and Dundalk winning instead of them #rtesportawards
— Dodge (@seidodge) December 19, 2015
Dundalk. Teams there that have qualified for international tournaments for the first time in years but sure.. #rtesportawards — Lauren Guilfoyle (@GuilfoyleLauren) December 19, 2015
The Dubs win four trophies from four and are not team of year? No disrespect to Dundalk, but give me a break.
— Roy Curtis (@RoyCurtis68) December 19, 2015
So, we beat Germany, the world champions. We qualified for Euro 2016. And Team of the Year is, er, Dundalk. Ha! #rtesportawards — Philip Nolan (@philipnolan1) December 19, 2015
Michael Conlon a great choice for Sports Star of the year. But how were Dublin overlooked for team of the year. The mind boggles
— John Brennan (@JohnBrennanSW) December 19, 2015
@irlsport @RoyCurtis68 @McDonnellDan silly decision-patronising to Irish sports fans. Very few people could even name 2 Dundalk plyrs — Gordon Manning (@Gordon_Manning) December 20, 2015
Dundalk's win tonight might be the sporting moment of the year. Dubs, egg & ybig all in meltdown. Hilarious stuff.
— John O'Sullivan (@johngosullivan) December 20, 2015
Michael Conlan wins Sports Person of the Year
I AM NOW IRELANDS CHAMPION OF SPORT !!!
— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) December 20, 2015
Celebrating w/ @mickconlan11 on winning RTÉ Sports person of the yr. Slipped'm a few € to pip @TheNotoriousMMA tho ? pic.twitter.com/aIhMNIjbpn — Cathal Pendred (@Pendred) December 20, 2015
Congrats to the champ @mickconlan11 fantastic athlete and very deserved Sports Person of the Year ? nice tie! pic.twitter.com/RFgalDnvii
— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) December 20, 2015
Delighted @mickconlan11 tonight awarded Sportsperson of the Year.Just recognition for a great Ambassador for Irish Sport. #rtesportawards — Martin McGuinness (@M_McGuinness_SF) December 20, 2015
Fair play to Michael 'Conlon' Conlan. Class act.
— Kieran Cunningham (@KCsixtyseven) December 20, 2015
Conlan/McGregor both had phenomenal years, only one could win. It's the opinion of a small group of people in RTE against yours, that's all. — Paul Dollery (@PaulDollery) December 20, 2015
Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill wins Manager of the Year
Congratulations to Michael O'Neill who was named manager of the year at the RTE sport awards last night! pic.twitter.com/C6AmvoXM3L
— Official Irish FA (@OfficialIrishFA) December 20, 2015
#rtesportawards Michael O'Neill the outstanding manager. For any doubters it's the equivalent of Wicklow winning All Ireland — Alan Murphy (@murphal) December 20, 2015
