PICS: These stunning images have been voted the best sports pictures of 2014

Fantastic moments caught at exactly the right time

The life of a sports photographer is a tough one sometimes. You're on the sideline at big events probably getting soaked while you're also hoping for just that one moment to make the effort worthwhile. However when that moment does arrive, and everything aligns just perfectly, then photographers can capture what a thousands words could never express. The world best sports photographs were unveiled earlier today and there are some stunning images on display from the World Press Photo Organisation,including a first prize for an Irishman efforts. Kieran Doherty took home the best prize in the Sports Story category for his pictures about the smaller tennis courts at Wimbledon. The best individual images are simply stunning with an picture of Lionel Messi looking forlornly at the World Cup trophy after Argentina's 1-0 loss to Germany voted the best in the world The image is called 'The Final Game' and is by Chinese photographer Bao Tailiang. Second place went to one of the most iconic sporting moments of 2014. Everyone knew Odell Beckham Jr. was a special talent but nobody really knew how special his ability was until this amazing one handed catch for the New York Giants against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium. The picture is simply called 'The Beckham Catch' and was snapped by Al Bello Third place was won by this haunting image of the late cricketer Philip Hughes, who died after being hit by a ball during the match between New South Wales and South Australia in Sydney. He was treated on the ground by medical staff before being transferred to hospital where he later died. The image is called '63 Not Out' and is by Mark Metcalfe