A worthy winner.
Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has won BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award for coach of the year at tonight’s ceremony in Belfast.
O’Neill guided Northern Ireland to Euro 2016, their first major tournament in thirty years, as the un-fancied side finished top of their qualifying group.
He also received RTE’s equivalent of the award last night in Dublin.
For getting @OfficialIrishFA to @UEFAEURO 2016, Northern Ireland's Michael O'Neill is Coach of the Year #SPOTY pic.twitter.com/opKFVqUHjP
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 20, 2015
The 46 year old was awarded the accolade ahead of Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill, who was in attendance at the event in Belfast. Northern Ireland have been drawn alongside Germany, Poland and Ukraine in their group for next summer’s tournament.
If O’Neill can get the team out of that group, he’ll deserve a lifetime achievement award at next year’s ceremony.
He was a popular choice with the Belfast crowd and on Twitter.
Michael O'Neill, fully deserved. Fantastic.
— Ewan Murray (@mrewanmurray) December 20, 2015
Class act, Michael O'Neill. Big fan.
— Tom English (@TEnglishSport) December 20, 2015
Well done Michael O'Neill..well deserved Coach of the Year at #SPOTY #GAWA pic.twitter.com/FvTnA6rU41
— Ruth Gorman (@RuthGorman_UTV) December 20, 2015
Well done Michael O'Neill pic.twitter.com/lZn2GaqCBw
— Paul Kimmage (@PaulKimmage) December 20, 2015
