THE O’DONOVAN BROTHERS and Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny were recognised for their respective achievements in 2016 at the RTÉ Sports Awards on Saturday night.
The O’Donovan brothers were voted Team of the Year while Stephen Kenny was named Manager of the Year.
Paul and Gary O’Donovan, who beat the likes of the Dublin footballers, Connacht and the Irish rugby team to the award, won a silver medal in the lightweight double sculls at the Olympic Games, while Paul also took home a World Championship gold amid a memorable year.
“We’re young yet, we’re only starting out hopefully,” Paul commented upon receiving the award. “We’ve got a taste of success now, so we’re going to capitalise on it.”
Gary jokingly added: “It’s funny the way it has worked out because we’ve been doing regattas all our lives, it just so happened that RTÉ turned up to this regatta.”
Kenny was similarly gracious in accepting the Manager of the Year award, saying he was “humbled” to receive the accolade, while paying tribute to the efforts of his players.
The Dundalk manager, who guided his side to a third successive league triumph, in addition to overseeing their historic Europa League run, overcame strong competition from the likes of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill and Connacht head coach Pat Lam.
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Interesting article , it shows that there is much more to the IRFU recruitments than meets the eye .
@Limón Madrugada: The IRFU have invested a lot of money in their Exiles program recently but this certainly goes beyond the pale. He must have been tearing it up in Australia to get noticed.
This lad looks as if he has the mental strength to go all the up to the highest level. The number of really good young props coming through is very encouraging.
Another Leinster man up north.
@Lf: He may come from Leinster but that’s where the association ends. More like another player that Leinster had nothing to do with playing at another province.
@EK: If you’ve ever taken a fart in Leinster lf would claim you as a Leinster product
https://youtu.be/A0IPESHL40U
Good going Tom.
Let’s forget the hype and wait and see how he steps up
@Mark Smith: The problem is he is only one player and Ulster need volume of quality Youngsters who can break through into the 1st squad.
Great story.Best of luck to him.
Good commend
This Irish u20 team are terrible
Will never make the team, couldn’t tackle for his dinner, useless
@Royster: always the optimist, keep up the good vibe!
A career only going one way – upwards!