The BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year is an annual sports award organised by BBC Northern Ireland. It was first awarded in 2003, and has been awarded annually ever since, with the exception of 2016.
The award is conspicuously awarded to athletes whether they represent all of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain and Northern Ireland or even the Republic of Ireland or Europe (e.g. in golf), so long as they are from Northern Ireland. As of 2025, Rory McIlroy holds the record for most titles, with four. Golf, with five awardees, is the most successful sport at the awards.
Winners
YearWinnerSportRationaleRef.2003 Gaelic football Won the 2003 All-Ireland with Tyrone.2004 Lawn bowls Won a third outdoor World Bowls Championship singles.2005 Association football Scored the only goal in iconic 1-0 victory over England at Windsor Park.2006 Golf Key role in winning 2006 Ryder Cup with Europe while grieving loss of his wife, Heather.2007 Association football Scored a hat-trick against Spain in Euro 2008 qualification. Ended as top scorer with 13 goals.2008 Gaelic football Man of the match in 2008 All-Ireland final, winning a third title with Tyrone.2009 Athletics Became first legally blind athlete to qualify for able-bodied European Athletics Championships.2010 Golf Won the 2010 U.S. Open2011 Golf Won the 2011 U.S. Open2012 Golf Won the 2012 USPGA and 2012 Ryder Cup. 2013 Martyn Irvine Cycling Won the scratch race at the 2013 UCI World Track Championships to become Ireland and Northern Ireland's first track World Champion.2014 Golf Won the 2014 Open and USPGA, won both PGA Tour and European Tour. 2015 Boxing Won both the World and European Amateur Boxing Championships at bantamweight.2017 Motorcycle racing3rd Superbike World Championship2018 Rugby unionAwarded Player of the 2018 Six Nations Championship, scoring a record seven tries as Ireland won Grand Slam.2019 Motorcycle racing 5th Superbike World Championship2020 Motorcycle racing 6th Superbike World Championship2021 Association football 2022 Artistic gymnasticsBecame World Artistic Gymnastics champion on pommel horse. Ireland's first world champion in the sport.2023 Athletics Broke the ParkRun 5k world record, and placed 4th in the World Athletics Championships.2024 SwimmingBecame Olympic and double World champion in the pool, and Northern Ireland's first individual Olympic gold medalist for almost 40 years.2025 Golf Won the 2025 Masters becoming the sixth player to win the career Grand Slam of all four men's golf majors.
See also Sport in Ireland BBC Sports Personality of the Year
References
External links