Sexton had perhaps the best year in a wonderful career for club and country in 2018. Bryan Keane/INPHO
SOTY
Johnny Sexton named RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year
He was integral to a record-breaking year for Leinster, as well as Ireland’s unprecedented success – including a Grand Slam and home victory over the All Blacks.
JOHNNY SEXTON HAS been named as RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year after a year which saw him guide Ireland to Grand Slam success and a historic victory over New Zealand.
Rugby enjoyed perhaps its finest year on these shores and Sexton was undoubtedly at the centre of Ireland and Leinster’s successes on the pitch.
Joe Schmidt’s side were peerless in the Six Nations earlier this year and had Sexton to thank after his drop goal in the opening game of the competition against France set the tone for a dominant campaign.
Ireland were able to wrap up the Grand Slam in Twickenham with a comfortable win over England.
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Jonathan Sexton (right) and Conor Murray celebrate Ireland's Grand Slam victory at Twickenham. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
He was also key to Leinster’s historic double success in the PRO14 and Heineken Champions Cup as Leo Cullen’s side swept all before them on the club scene.
A victory in the summer tour of Australia came next for Schmidt’s side, but it was victory over New Zealand in the Guinness November Series that was the stand-out success this calendar year.
For the first time in history, Ireland beat the All Blacks on home soil to make history and round off an almost flawless year for Irish rugby.
Sexton was key to Ireland's victory over New Zealand in Dublin last month. Tommy Dickson / INPHO
Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO
On an individual level, Sexton’s achievements were honoured as he was named World Rugby’s Player of the Year – the first Irishman to win it since Keith Wood in 2001.
Murray Kinsella, Gavan Casey and Eddie O’Sullivan preview another big weekend of Heineken Cup action and dissect the week’s main talking points.
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Johnny Sexton named RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year
JOHNNY SEXTON HAS been named as RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year after a year which saw him guide Ireland to Grand Slam success and a historic victory over New Zealand.
Rugby enjoyed perhaps its finest year on these shores and Sexton was undoubtedly at the centre of Ireland and Leinster’s successes on the pitch.
Joe Schmidt’s side were peerless in the Six Nations earlier this year and had Sexton to thank after his drop goal in the opening game of the competition against France set the tone for a dominant campaign.
Ireland were able to wrap up the Grand Slam in Twickenham with a comfortable win over England.
He was also key to Leinster’s historic double success in the PRO14 and Heineken Champions Cup as Leo Cullen’s side swept all before them on the club scene.
A victory in the summer tour of Australia came next for Schmidt’s side, but it was victory over New Zealand in the Guinness November Series that was the stand-out success this calendar year.
For the first time in history, Ireland beat the All Blacks on home soil to make history and round off an almost flawless year for Irish rugby.
On an individual level, Sexton’s achievements were honoured as he was named World Rugby’s Player of the Year – the first Irishman to win it since Keith Wood in 2001.
Murray Kinsella, Gavan Casey and Eddie O’Sullivan preview another big weekend of Heineken Cup action and dissect the week’s main talking points.
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Champions Cup Heineken Champions Cup Ireland Johnny Sexton Jonathan Sexton pro14 RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year Rugby SOTY