JAMES MCCLEAN has officially won the grand prize.
The footballer was up against prime opponents including rugby player Conor Murray, Olympic silver medallist rower Paul O’ Donovan, hurler Joe Canning and para-cycling duo Katie-George Dunlevy and Eve Mc Crystal.
Cork camogie stars Rena Buckley and Dublin ladies footballer Noelle Healy were also nominated for the prize, as were Antrim athlete Michael McKillop and Mayo footballer Andy Moran, alongside Katie Taylor.
Jockey Robbie Power, para athletic sprinter Jason Smith and boxers Joe Ward and Ryan Burnett were also up for the public vote but overall, the total amount of votes were in favour of Irish international and West Brom footballer James McClean.
The Derry man took to Twitter to thank his fans for voting for him, saying he was "immensely proud." The 28-year-old uploaded a photo of the prize, saying: "Immensely proud i am to be named RTE sportsperson of the year, an award that featured so many great Irish sports stars, To everyone that voted for me go raibh maith agat... 3 points today would be great way to celebrate".
Immensely proud i am to be named RTE sportsperson of the year, an award that featured so many great Irish sports stars, To everyone that voted for me go raibh maith agat ???.... 3 points today would be great way to celebrate ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/ubGPLu9a0c
— James McClean (@JamesMcC_14) December 17, 2017
The Republic of Ireland’s @JamesMcC_14 has been voted RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year #rtesportawards pic.twitter.com/nHSAfjAys2
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 16, 2017
McClean fans and Irish people have taken to social media to congratulate the football star, saying it was well-deserved.
A massive congratulations to our fellow Derry man @JamesMcC_14 on winning Our Nations Sportsperson of the year award. Well done James, you really deserve it !! We are immensely proud of you !! ??
— Fiachra McGuinness (@fiachramcg) December 17, 2017
Congrats @JamesMcC_14 Irish Sportsperson of the year 2017! Well done James!!!
— The Wolfe Tones ?? (@wolfetones) December 16, 2017
Massive congratulations and very well deserved @JamesMcC_14 on winning the RTE sports personality of the year!! At least RTE can get some things right. The people of Derry are so proud to call you "ours"
— Elisha Mc callion (@ElishaMcC_SF) December 16, 2017
Congrats to my mate @JamesMcC_14 winning the #RTEsportAwards2017 Welcome to the club mate haha ????
— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) December 17, 2017
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