The RTE Sports Awards 2010 Winners Announced

The winners of this year's RTة Sports Awards in association with the Irish Sports Council were announced tonight (Wednesday 22 December) on RTة One television and RTة.ie during the live broadcast of the ceremony which looked back on a momentous year in Irish sport.

US Open champion and Ryder Cup team hero Graeme McDowell was awarded the coveted RTة Sportsperson of the Year title. 2010 has been an amazing year for the Portrush golfer who claimed his first PGA Tour victory, becoming the first ever Irishman to win the US Open, before going on to play a pivotal role in the European Ryder Cup winning team with an incredible putt on the 16th hole of the deciding singles match. In addition to claiming victory at the Wales Open at Celtic Manor earlier in the year, he finished the season by beating Tiger Woods in a playoff to win the 2010 Chevron World Challenge and also took home the Andalucيa Valderrama Masters.

Celebrating the collaborative achievements of Irish athletes, The RTة Sport Team of the Year award was presented to the Irish Men's Senior Boxing team, winners of an unprecedented five medals at the European Boxing Championships. The collective achievements of Paddy Barnes (gold), Darren O'Neill (silver), Ken Egan, Tyrone McCullagh and Eric Donovan (bronze) marks them out as one of the most successful Irish teams of all time.

As well as acknowledging this year's sporting achievements, The RTة Sports Awards 2010 also paid tribute to one of Ireland's sporting legends. The ceremony saw snooker star Dennis Taylor honoured with the RTة/Irish Sports Council Hall of Fame Award. This year marks 25 years since his 1985 World Snooker Championship win in which he beat the world No. 1 Steve Davis on the black ball in a final often described as one of the sports greatest.

The RTة Sports Awards 2010 was presented by RTة's Darragh Maloney, Michael Lyster, Joanne Cantwell and Des Cahill. The programme also featured a host of well-known Irish sports stars and analysts reflecting on the Irish sporting year that was.

Ryle Nugent, Group Head of Sport, RTة said: "RTة is thrilled to recognise and pay tribute to the fantastic achievements in Irish sport this year. These awards are testament to the sporting accomplishments of Irish athletes, teams and organisations throughout the country and any one of the nominees would have made worthy winners . We look forward to broadcasting further Irish successes in 2011."