Smyth and McKillop nominated for leading Irish sports award

Track and field stars Jason Smyth and Michael McKillop have been shortlisted alongside 10 other athletes for the Sports Person of the Year Award by Irish broadcaster RTÉ.

In August both athletes enjoyed great success at the IPC Athletics European Championships in Swansea, Great Britain. Visually impaired sprinter Smyth won gold in the 100m and 200m T12, whilst teammate McKillop stood top of the podium in the 800m and 1,500m T37.

Also on the shortlist of 12 for the award are golfer Rory McIlroy, boxer Katie Taylor, rugby player Jonathan Sexton and footballer Seamus Coleman.

The winners of the RTÉ Sport Sports Person and Manager of the Year awards, along with team of the year, will be revealed in association with The Irish Sports Council on Sunday 21 December at 20:30 CET. The ceremony will be broadcast live on RTÉ One.

As part of the ceremony, the RTÉ/Irish Sports Council's Hall of Fame Award will be also presented, to someone RTÉ have described as "a very special Irish sporting legend".

Meanwhile, Smyth and McKillop’s teammate Orla Barry has been nominated for the Her.ie Irish Sportswoman of the Year 2014. The 25-year-old won silver in the discus F57 event at August’s European Championships. The public can vote for her here.