Last night's RTÉ Sports Awards were notable for the absence of GAA personalities from the list of winners.

Hurler of the Year Joe Canning and Footballer of the Year Andy Moran were shortlisted for the prestigious RTÉ Sport Awards Sportperson of the Year accolade, while Cork's All-Ireland winning camogie captain Rena Buckley and Dublin ladies football star Noelle Healy were also among the 14-strong shortlist. 

However, following a public vote, there were no GAA winners with Irish soccer star James McClean landing the big prize.

RTE pundits Michael Duignan and Tomas O Se were among those to query why the achievements of dual star Con O'Callaghan - who didn't even make the shortlist - and the Dublin footballers weren't recognised. 

The winners were:

Sportsperson of the Year: James McClean
Team of the Year: The Irish showjumping team
Manager of the Year: Aidan O'Brien
Young Sportsperson of the Year: Mona McSharry

Hall of Fame Inductee: Ken Doherty

 

James Mc Clean is a man I admire greatly but to me Con O Callaghan is by far the outstanding Irish sportsman of 2017. His achievements will never be matched.

- Michael Duignan (@DuignanMichael) December 16, 2017

I'd love if I was wrong .... but the dubs were team of the year. Jim Gavin was manager of the year and Con o Callaghan???? They have been snubbed..no doubt about it. 3 in a row is some achievement not done since 80s!!!

- Tomás Ó Sé (@tomas5ky) December 17, 2017

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