Skibbereen rower Paul O'Donovan was the big winner at Sunday night's RTÉ Sports Awards, as the two-time Olympic gold medallist won the coveted Sportsperson of the Year Award for the first time.
This summer the 30-year-old became the first Irish Olympian to win medals at three consecutive Games (Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024), when he combined with Fintan McCarthy to win gold in the lightweight men's double sculls in Paris.
Just three weeks later O'Donovan would taste further success as he travelled to the World Rowing Championships in Canada where he won gold in the lightweight single sculls event.
O'Donovan fended off stiff competition which included double Olympic medallist Daniel Wiffen (swimming), Olympic champion Rhys McClenaghan (gymnastics) and two-time Olympic champion Kellie Harrington (boxing) to claim the top prize.
O'Donovan was his usual self when asked by RTÉ presenter Jacqui Hurley what motivates him to continue rowing:
"I like the sport anyway, that helps. I've had some good teammates as well over the years, that helps get the results and stuff," he said.
"When you're talking to old people like Timmy Harnedy and Eugene Coakley around the place, they'd be saying they wished they were younger and able to still be doing it [rowing].
"I think when you get older in life you've plenty of time to be doing other things like working and stuff."
There were several other winners on the night also.
Limerick swimmer Róisín Ní Riain was named RTÉ Sport Young Sportsperson of the Year. Ní Riain became a double Paralympic medallist in 2024 taking home a silver medal in the S13 100m Backstroke, before winning bronze in the SM13 200m individual medley.
Horse trainer Willie Mullins is the 2024 RTÉ Sport Manager of the Year after becoming the first champion trainer in both the UK and Ireland since Vincent O'Brien in 1954.
Katie George Dunleavy and Linda Kelly won the RTÉ Sport Team of the Year accolade after winning gold and silver medals in road cycling at the Paris Paralympic Games.
Meanwhile, 1992 Olympic champion boxer Michael Carruth was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
SEE ALSO: Paul O'Donovan Had Hilariously Humble Response To Praise After Seventh World Title
