GUIDING NORTHERN IRELAND to their first major tournament in more than three decades has earned Michael O’Neill the RTÉ Manager of the Year award.
O’Neill picked up the honour at this evening’s awards ceremony, which also saw Henry Shefflin inducted into the RTÉ/Sport Ireland Hall of Fame.
The former Shamrock Rovers boss presided over the North’s hugely successful Euro 2016 qualifying campaign as they booked their ticket for France with room to spare.
O’Neill’s side finished top of Group F to qualify for their first European Championships and a first tournament since the 1986 World Cup.
A 3-1 victory over Greece in October sparked wild celebrations at Windsor Park as the Green and White army ended 30 years of heartache.
In last weekend’s draw, Northern Ireland were paired in Group C alongside Germany, Poland and Ukraine.
O’Neill pipped his Republic of Ireland counterpart, Martin O’Neill, to the award after the pair shared the 2015 Philips Manager of the Year accolade.
The 12-man shortlist was decided by a panel of representatives from national media outlets including print, online, TV and radio.
It included Ireland coach Joe Schmidt, Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny and Ireland hockey head coach Craig Fulton among others.
Meanwhile, Dundalk were voted Team of the Year after Kenny’s charges defended their SSE Airtricity League title and won the FAI Cup, beating Cork at the Aviva Stadium.
