Pádraig best in Open and shut contest

Sports Awards: As widely expected, Pádraig Harrington was named the RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year at last night's award ceremony, broadcast live on RTÉ.

The Dubliner, who in July became only the second Irishman, and the first in 60 years, to win the British Open Golf championship and rose to sixth in the world rankings as well as finishing second in the European Order of Merit, was presented with the award by last year's winner, the Kilkenny hurler Henry Shefflin.

The RTÉ Sports Team of the Year award went to the Irish cricketers, who achieved an Irish first in qualifying for the World Cup and played brilliantly in Jamaica, beating Pakistan in the group stages, qualifying for the Super Eight stage and making many friends in the process.

The former Irish international soccer player and manager Johnny Giles was presented with the RTÉ/Irish Sports Council's Hall of Fame Award. The legendary Manchester United and Leeds United midfielder - now an RTÉ and newspaper pundit - earned his first international cap at the age of 18 and went on to captain the Irish side before embarking on a management career that brought spells as player-manager of Ireland, West Bromwich Albion and Shamrock Rovers.

The awards programmes was presented by Michael Lyster, Darragh Maloney and Joanne Cantwell and included contributions from Brent Pope (rugby), Derval O'Rourke (athletics), Anthony Daly (hurling), Liam Brady (soccer), Des Smyth (golf) and Tony Davis (Gaelic football).

Glen Killane, group head of sport, RTÉ, said: "RTÉ are delighted to acknowledge the tremendous achievements in Irish sport this year.

"Tonight has shown what a momentous year it has been and we look forward to broadcasting further Irish successes in 2008."

© 2007 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times