The nominees for the 2017 Irish sportsperson of the year have been released. Upon posting the news out earlier this morning, one particular omission dominated the response.
On a list boasting a number of world champions including - but not limited to - Katie Taylor, Ryan Burnett and Paul O'Donovan, the usual presence of a number of standout GAA performers somehow failed to feature O'Callaghan.
With Andy Moran, Rena Buckley, Joe Canning and Noelle Healy all featuring, the apparent snub of the young Dub became a point of grave contention.
Despite being just 21-years-old, 2017 signaled an incredible year of sporting achievements for the dual-playing Cuala man.
Taking football first, O'Callaghan became a Leinster and All-Ireland winner at both U-21 and senior level, claiming an All-Star and the Young Footballer of the Year award in the process.
As if that wasn't enough, O'Callaghan's hurling exploits are nearly more impressive still. Playing with Cuala, "King Con" was a key part of the first Dublin club to win the All-Ireland club championship last March - not to mention that Cuala have again claimed county and provincial honours in the 2017/18 edition.
It has been a truly astonishing year for the young man. Yet, he has not been selected among this year's nominees. The decision on RTÉ's behalf did not take long to spread over social media this morning.
Seriously @RTEsport how in the name of God is Con O'Callaghan not nominated for #RTESA Sports Person of the Year? Baffling that 7 major medals in 2 codes in 10 months isn't recognised! Need to get @sportsdes on the case
— Sinéad (Carberry) Murphy (@Shinners17) December 8, 2017
For what it's worth I thought Con O'Callaghan should have been nominated for sports personality of the year. What he has achieved in one year is just incredible. Not only did he win a lot of medals but more importantly he was a leader on the teams he played on
— Darren Magee (@DarrenMagee1) December 8, 2017
Not something you have control over @sportsdes but the omission of Con O’Callaghan from RTE SPOTY is baffling.
— Darren Chambers (@dmcambrois) December 8, 2017
Con O'Callaghan not even nominated for sportsperson of the year. What more does he need to do in 12 months? #rte #spoty
— Domhnall Kelly (@domhnall_kelly) December 8, 2017
How on Earth did you exclude @DubGAAOfficial @CualaCLG Con O'Callaghan from this list after the Year he's just had. I presume it's just an oversight 😭😭
— Harry Roberts (@HarryRobertsi) December 8, 2017
How has Con O’Callaghan not appeared on the RTE Sportsperson of the year list!?!? Delighted for @NoelleHealy - will be chucking all the votes behind her! #upthedubs #coygib
— Maria S (@Maria_Shannon) December 8, 2017
How in gods name did Con O'Callaghan not get nominated as a choice #RTEsportsawards
— James Murphy (@jmsmurphy138) December 8, 2017
The sense of bafflement surrounding this snub is palpable then. Although some are charging O'Callaghan's club mate and RTÉ employee Des Cahill with sort this situation out, one many who is offering a rationale for the decision is Joe Brolly.
Because he's not a soccer player?
— Joe Brolly (@JoeBrolly1993) December 8, 2017
This one may be set to run a little longer yet. One small consolation for RTÉ is that O'Callaghan simply doesn't have any more competitions to win this year.
