The Big Boss Man: Martyn Irvine is among 11 athletes shortlisted for the RTE Sports Person of the Year award.
Martyn Irvine's place among the Irish sporting greats of 2013, and indeed over the past decade, has been further underlined with news today that he is among 11 leading sports stars to be nominated for RTE Sports Person of the Year, run by Ireland's national television and radio broadcaster.
His inclusion on that short list comes after a season of massive swings for the good and bad, with the shining accolade being his victory in the scratch race at the UCI World Track Championships in Minsk back in February. He also won silver in the pursuit just an hour earlier and took World Cup gold in the points race in Manchester last month.
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However, his Worlds gold ended a wait of 117 years for Ireland to win a track title and is far and away the best result of his career to date, and one of the best ever by an Irish cyclist.
It is a mark of Irvine's standing now that his bronze medal in the omnium at the European Track Championships this season is little more than a foot note when reflecting on his performances in 2013.
However, that medal was a pretty remarkable achievement given Irvine had broken his femur riding the Tour of Taiwan in March just weeks after his world track title win and did not return to even gentle racing until the end of July.
Irvine will perhaps face the toughest competition for the RTE award from 50km World Race Walk Champion Rob Heffernan and champion jockey AP McCoy who rode his 4000th winner this year.
The award winner will be decided by a panel of RTE sports journalists and will be presented during a ceremony on December 21st .
Shortlist for RTE Sports Person of the Year 2013
Rob Heffernan: Won the 50km title at the World Athletics Championships
Martyn Irvine: Won gold in the scratch race and silver in the individual pursuit at World Track Championships.
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Tony Kelly: One of the key players for the All Ireland-winning Clare hurlers.
Michael Darragh Macauley: Was outstanding for Dublin as the county won the All Ireland Gaelic Football Championship.
Tony McCoy: Legendary jockey has been champion jockey 18 times and this year took his 4000th win.
Michael McKillop: Was a double gold medalist at the World Athletic Paralympic Championships in 800m and 1500m.
Annalise Murphy: Won gold in the Laser class at the European Sailing Championships
Joseph O’Brien: The most exciting new face on the horse racing scene, he broke Michael Kinnane’s 20-year-old record by riding 128 winners on the flat.
Jason Quigley: Became the first Irish man to win silver at the world boxing championships after also taking the European title this year.
Jonathan Sexton: Was outstanding in taking Rabo Pro12 and Amlin titles with Leinster. He also started all three rests for the Lions in Australia, where they won the series.
Jason Smyth: Was a double gold medalist at the World Athletic Paralympic Championships in the 100m and 200m.
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