Rory McIlroy has been named RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year for 2025 after a remarkable season in which he won the career Grand Slam and helped Team Europe to Ryder Cup victory
08:52, 21 Dec 2025Updated 08:55, 21 Dec 2025
Rory McIlroy, pictured in action for Team Europe during the Ryder Cup, has been named as the RTE Sportsperson of the Year(Image: AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Rory McIlroy has hailed 2025 as “An incredible year” after being named RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year.
McIlroy’s accolade comes in recognition of his remarkable achievements, which include clinching his first career Grand Slam and steering Team Europe to a Ryder Cup triumph.
The 36 year old golfer joined the ranks of Stephen Bradley, John Shortt, Ciaran Fitzpatrick and the Kerry men’s football team, all of whom were honoured at this year’s ceremony.
McIlroy was also named as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award winner earlier in the week.
In conversation with RTÉ, he expressed his gratitude: “Thank you so much. Very proud to win my third RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year. 2025 has been an incredible year for me. If I rewind, 12 months ago, I was looking and setting goals for 2025 and what it would look like.
“I don’t think I could have came up with this year in my wildest dreams, The Masters, The Open, The Ryder Cup. It’s been a dream season. I just want to say to everyone at home, thanks for your support,” reports the Irish Mirror.
“I feel it out there on the golf course, and when I’m travelling around the world, it’s not lost on me how much support I get back home.”
He further added: “I think at this point in my career, I’m looking for big tournaments and massive moments. Major championships in golf are those, Masters and Ryder Cups, and then the Olympics.
“I’ve had a taste of two Olympics now in Tokyo and Paris. I’ve been pretty close to getting a medal both times, so, 2028 in LA, I would love to give myself another chance to get a medal and bring it back to Ireland.”
Reflecting on his future plans, McIlroy expressed his ambition for more success: “I think mentally I have to be comfortable that this is going to be my best year ever. I hope it’s not, I hope I have many more great years ahead of me.
“I’m only ever going to be able to win my first Masters once. I really enjoyed that. I’ve relished the opportunity to bring the green jacket around the world and show it off.
“It’s been a wonderful year, but I still think I’ve got a lot more to achieve. I’m still ambitious, I still feel young, injury-free, so, hopefully, a lot of good years ahead of me.”
Sportsperson of the Year 2025: Rory McIlroy
Manager of the Year 2025: Stephen Bradley
Team of the Year 2025: Kerry senior football team
RTÉ Sport Young Sportsperson of the Year 2025: John Shortt
RTÉ Hall of Fame inductee 2025: Ciaran Fitzgerald