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Conlan had a memorable year. Donall Farmer/INPHO
Awards Season

Boxer Michael Conlan named 2015 RTÉ Sports Person of the Year

The World bantamweight champion fought off stiff competition to win the coveted prize.

MICHAEL CONLAN’S STELLAR year was capped this evening as he was crowned RTÉ Sports Person of the Year for 2015 at the annual awards ceremony.

The Belfast boxer fought off stiff competition to claim the coveted prize as he joined Katie Taylor, Michael Carruth and Barry McGuigan on the roll of honour.

Conlan made history in October as he became the first ever Irishman to win a World Championship title.

The 24-year-old survived an early scare to defeat Murodjon Akhmadaliev in the 56kg bantamweight final as he added World gold to the European crown he secured in August.

The Olympic bronze medallist, who also became a father for the first time in 2015, will head to Rio next August installed as the favourite to claim gold in the bantamweight division.

“If I hadn’t I would have been a bit disappointed,” he said. “Listen it means the world to me, coming down here I had a bit of doubt in my head but I had it in the back of mind I was going to win it.”

The ceremony, which was broadcast live on RTÉ One television, recognised Ireland’s sporting elite and their achievements over the last twelve months.

Conlan was among 14 nominees for the night’s top accolade, a shortlist which included Conor McGregor, Rory McIlroy and Jon Walters.

The winner was selected by a panel of RTÉ journalists and editorial staff.

Meanwhile, former Kilkenny hurler Henry Shefflin was honoured with the RTÉ/Sport Ireland Hall of Fame Award.

Dundalk were voted Team of the Year while Michael O’Neill was crowned Manager of the Year.

‘I should have been a brain surgeon but I didn’t have time to study’ – Billy Walsh

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