Reigning back-to-back world champion gymnast Rhys McClenaghan has been crowned the RTÉ Sport Sportsperson of the Year for 2023.
The native of Newtownards, Co Down won his second European gold medal in April on pommel horse before going on to retain his World Artistic Gymnastics Championships title in Antwerp, Belgium six months later.
The latter victory saw him come out on top in a strong field of contenders which had also featured the return of three-time Olympic gold medalist Max Whitlock to the championships.
McClenaghan, who was also nominated for Sportsperson of the Year in 2022, is a previous winner of the Young Sportsperson of the Year, taking home that award in 2018.
He said: "I can't believe I’m holding this in my hands. It’s amazing. It’s just incredible that I’m an Irish gymnast taking home world titles and that’s never been done before. I’m so proud to be able to do that.
"I want to thank all of all of the nominees for this award for inspiring me and every Irish athlete at the highest level in this country it’s incredible from Johnny’s beautiful leadership for the Irish rugby team to Katie’s undeniable success in the boxing ring and leaving a legacy unmatched is inspiring for me so I want to thank all those athletes.
"Although it’s an individual sport there is a team behind us as individual athletes and it’s incredible that I have that support from Gymnastics Ireland, from everybody at Sport Ireland. It all works towards that ultimate goal to bring home medals for the country and hopefully we can go one further at the Olympic Games in Paris."
This year's winner of the Young Sportsperson of the Year was Republic of Ireland and Brighton striker Evan Ferguson.
The 19-year-old enjoyed a stellar year which saw him score 12 Premier League goals during the calendar year so far, including a hat-trick against Newcastle in September, as well as netting three times for the Boys in Green.
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell was awarded Manager of the Year following a year which saw him lead his team to grand slam glory in the Six Nations and a victory over South Africa in an epic pool stage encounter at the Rugby World Cup, before a narrow defeat to the All Blacks in the quarter-finals.
Team of the Year went to a Limerick side who earned a fourth All-Ireland Hurling title in a row in 2023.
John Kiely's team battled back from behind during a stirring second-half performance against Kilkenny in July's final to seal a fifth Liam MacCarthy Cup crown in six years.
Former sprinter Jason Smyth was inducted into the RTÉ Sport Hall of Fame, marking a stellar career that saw the Derry man win six Paralympic gold medals, eight world championship titles and six Europeans.
