THE SHORTLIST for RTÉ Sport Manager of the Year award for 2022 is out.
The award that recognises Irish sporting achievements from managers home and abroad includes the likes of Ronan O'Gara, Vera Pauw, Andy Farrell, Willie Mullins and others as nominees this year.
Previous winners of the award include Limerick's John Kiely, who won the award in 2020, Dublin manager Jim Gavin who won it in 2019, and ex Ireland rugby coach Joe Schmidt won the award in 2014.
This year's newly crowned winner is set to be announced live on RTÉ One on Saturday night, 17 December.
This year Jacqui Hurley, Evanne Ní Chuilinn and Ruby Walsh will present the RTÉ Sport Awards 2022.
Who would be your Manager of the Year? https://t.co/LDTBLPoq82 #rtesportawards
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 7, 2022
The nominees
ZAUR ANTIA
Under the Georgian's guidance, Ireland’s boxers have had a year of unprecedented success: winning two World gold medals, four European golds, three European silvers and two European bronzes. There were also seven medals taken home from the European U22s by Antia’s young talents.
STEPHEN BRADLEY
Shamrock Rovers manager Bradley has overseen a great period for the Hoops as they secured a three-in-a-row of SSE Airtricity League Premier Division titles with two games to spare. The 37-year-old also led the Irish champions to the group stages of the Europa Conference League.
BRIAN DOWLING
Kilkenny camogie boss Dowling has brought great success to Kilkenny since his appointment after the 2019 season. He guided the Cats to All-Ireland success in 2020, and once again this year, after a dramatic final against rivals Cork.
DOMINIC CASEY
Casey’s rowing charges produced the goods again this year. Paul O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy claimed lightweight double sculls World and European golds, while his lightweight women’s duo brought home a bronze medal in the World Championships in Czech Republic.
ANDY FARRELL
A respectable second place finish in the Six Nations was the catalyst for Andy Farrell’s men to become the number one rugby team in the world, in a year that brought a first ever series win in New Zealand, plus Autumn Series international victories over world champions South Africa and Australia.
Andy Farrell celebrates with Conor Murray after game (Image: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)JOHN KIELY
John Kiely's Limerick men secured their fourth successive Munster hurling crown, and then went on to deliver their first ever three-in-a-row of senior All-Ireland hurling titles by beating Kilkenny in the final.
WILLIE MULLINS
The Closutton machine delivered a record 10 winners at the Cheltenham festival, including five on the final day, and was named Champion Trainer for an incredible 16th time having saddled over 200 winners.
EAMONN MURRAY
The now departed Meath Ladies Football manager oversaw the Royal women's greatest ever period of success, claiming the Division 1 league title in the spring, and then retaining their All-Ireland title against Kerry.
RONAN O’GARA
La Rochelle boss Ronan O'Gara led his team to their first ever European Cup in a dramatic final against Leinster, joining Leo Cullen and Toulouse boss Ugo Mola as the only men to win the trophy as both player and a coach.
JACK O’CONNOR
In his third spell in charge, the Kerry manager delivered a first All-Ireland title for the Kingdom in eight years, and also took home the Division 1 league title to herald a new era of success for the county.
VERA PAUW
The Republic of Ireland’s Dutch manager masterminded a first ever major tournament qualification, reaching the FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia/New Zealand next summer after a 1-0 playoff win over Scotland in Glasgow.
Scotland , United Kingdom - 11 October 2022; Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw. (Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)