WORLD boxing champion Katie Taylor and Irish soccer star James McClean are both among the nominations for RTE Irish Sportsperson of the Year 2017.
There are 14 contenders for this year’s award in total, and all were announced on RTE’s Morning Ireland today.
The list also includes Munster and Ireland scrumhalf Conor Murray as well as Olympic silver medallist rower Paul O’ Donovan.
Hurler of the year Joe Canning is in contention, as are para-cycling duo Katie-George Dunlevy and Eve Mc Crystal.
Cork camogie stars Rena Buckley and Dublin ladies footballer Noelle Healy made the list.
Antrim athlete Michael McKillop and Mayo footballer Andy Moran are also in the mix.
It’s been a hugely successful year for Irish sport, with Katie Taylor securing a world championship belt in Cardiff last month, and Derry man McClean leading the Irish soccer side through a year of impressive results.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxXwmwFs4fU
Jockey Robbie Power, para athletic sprinter Jason Smith and boxers Joe Ward and Ryan Burnett are also up for the public vote.
The awards ceremony will be broadcast on RTE One at 9.15 on Saturday, December 2016.
Nominees for the team of the year and manager of the year, plus a new category for 2017 Young Sportsperson of the Year will be announced later.
Voting can be done online at rte.ie/sport or by text and closes on Wednesday, December 13 at 5 pm.
