Brian Cody's wait for a second Philips Sports Manager of the Year award goes on.
For the third time ever, the Philips Sports Manager of the Year has been shared, although it is only the second time it has been shared by coaches who were involved with two different teams.
The two O'Neills, Michael and Martin, shared the award for ensuring that the entire island will be represented at the European Championships next summer.
The last time the managers of two different teams shared the prize was in 1990, when Billy Morgan and Fr. Michael O'Brien (aka, the Canon) were rewarded for their role in steering Cork to a historic double.
Had Martin O'Neill not won the award this year, it would have marked a first. In every previous year where the Republic of Ireland had qualified for a major tournament, the man in charge had won the Philips award. Thus, Jackie Charlton won it in 1987, 1989 and 1993 (as well as 1988), Mick McCarthy won it in 2001 and Trap won the award in 2011.
He had to share it with Michael O'Neill who is the first Northern Ireland manager to win out. Billy Bingham did qualify the North for the Mexico World Cup back in 1985 but he was beaten by Triple Crown winner Mick Doyle.
Brian Cody's claims spurned again. Eight All-Ireland wins have arrived since his only win back in 2003. In fact, even among Kilkenny managers, he is only joint top of the list. Pat Henderson won the inaugural award in 1982.
