Katie Taylor shortlisted for RTE Sportsperson of the Year award
Katie Taylor has been named on the shortlist for the RTE Sport 2020 Sportsperson of the Year award.
The Ring Magazine ‘Female Fighter of the Year’ award winner is one six contenders for the gone.
Taylor put on a boxing masterclass to successfully defend her undisputed lightweight belts against challenger Miriam Gutierrez, inflicting a first professional defeat on the Spaniard. In August, the Bray boxer defeated her nemesis Delfine Persoon in a gruelling rematch – and was nominated on the back of both wins.
Taylor last one the award back in 2012 joining the likes of Barry McGuigan -the first ever winner – and Michael Carruth as boxers on the honour roll.
Michael Conlan was the last boxer to win the gong, picking it up in 2015, while Shane Lowry is the current holder.
The RTÉ Sport Awards 2020 will be held on Thursday 28 January on RTÉ One at 10.15pm.
After an unprecedented year both on and off-the-field, Joanne Cantwell and Darragh Maloney will present the show celebrating the stellar achievements of Irish sportspeople in 2020 in the face of never-before-seen challenges.
Below are those rivaling Taylor for the award:
CIARÁN KILKENNY
27-year-old Kilkenny had a stand-out football championship campaign in a Dublin side full of talent.
As the Dubs claimed a historic six-in-a-row, the Castleknock man showed his attacking prowess, scoring 1-20 in five games, all from play, and was named the ‘Sunday Game Footballer of the Year’.
COLIN KEANE
The County Meath man was crowned Ireland’s champion flat jockey for a second time, claiming two classic victories on the way, winning the Irish Oaks and Irish 2,000 Guineas, whilst topping off the season a with Breeders’ Cup win on Tarnawa.
GEARÓID HEGARTY
Limerick wing-forward Gearóid Hegarty topped off a standout hurling championship campaign by being named man of the match in their All-Ireland Final win over Waterford. The St Patrick’s clubman was in scintillating form all year, and hit seven points from play in the final to help Limerick secure their second title in three years. He was also named ‘Sunday Game Hurler of the Year’.
SAM BENNETT
The Carrick-on-Suir rider claimed the green jersey in style at the Tour de France, winning the final stage on the Champs-Élysées, and becoming the first Irish rider since 1989 to win the famous sprinter’s jersey.
SANITA PUSPURE
The 38-year-old rower successfully defended her women’s single sculls title at the European Rowing Championships in Poland, adding a further gold medal to her two world titles at the grade.
