THE NOMINEES FOR the 2017 RTÉ Sports Team of the Year award have been announced, with seven teams in contention for the accolade following their successes over the last 12 months.
Both All-Ireland winning teams, the Dublin footballers and Galway hurlers, are included on the shortlist, while the Cork camogie team and Dublin ladies footballers also receive recognition.
Cork City’s incredible double-winning season has earned John Caulfield’s men a nomination, and rowers Mark O’Donovan and Shane O’Driscoll complete a large Rebel representation.
The Irish showjumping team, who won European gold in Gothenburg, are also in the running for the award which will be determined by a public vote during the annual awards ceremony on Saturday 16 December.
Nominated for the third year running, Jim Gavin’s Dublin footballers won a third consecutive All-Ireland crown in 2017 and will be considered as one of the favourites to win the award — but could face strong competition from the Dublin ladies.
After defeat in the 2014, 2015 and 2016 finals, Dublin ended their All-Ireland heartbreak with victory over Mayo in this year’s decider as Sinead Aherne lifted the Brendan Martin Cup in front of a record-breaking crowd of 46,286 at Croke Park.
Galway, meanwhile, will be many people’s favourites. After a 29-year gap, the Tribesmen reigned supreme again as they stormed to All-Ireland glory with victory over Waterford, ending a run of six defeats since their last win in 1988.
The Skibbereen duo of O’Donovan and O’Driscoll enjoyed a superb year as they claimed World Rowing Championship gold as well as European gold in the lightweight men’s category.
They will be hoping to emulate the O’Donovan brothers, who won the award last year on the back of their Olympic silver medal.
The nominees:
- Cork camogie
- Cork City FC
- Dublin football
- Dublin ladies football
- Galway hurling
- Irish showjumping
- Mark O’Donovan and Shane O’Driscoll
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