Soccer

Martin and Michael O’Neill named Philips Sports Managers of the year

Ireland and Northern Ireland managers both masterminded Euro 2016 qualification

Wed Dec 09 2015 - 15:48

Martin and Michael O’Neill have been named the joint-Philips Sports Managers of the year.

Ireland Manager Martin and Northern Ireland manager Michael received the honour after a year which saw them both guide their sides to improbable qualification for Euro 2016.

Martin O’Neill’s Ireland reached the European Championships via the play-offs after coming third in a qualification group which included Germany, Poland and Scotland - and he oversaw one of the most famous nights in Irish sporting history as his side beat the world champions 1-0 at the Aviva Stadium.

Martin O’Neill guided Ireland to Euro 2016 qualificaiton, beating world champions Germany on the way. Photograph: Inpho
Martin O’Neill guided Ireland to Euro 2016 qualificaiton, beating world champions Germany on the way. Photograph: Inpho
Michael O’Neill helped Northern Ireland to their first major tournament since 1982. Photograph: Inpho
Michael O’Neill helped Northern Ireland to their first major tournament since 1982. Photograph: Inpho

Ireland then negotiated a tricky two-leg play-off tie against Bosnia and Herzegovina in November to secure their ticket to France.

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Meanwhile Michael O’Neill guided Northern Ireland to their first major tournament since 1982 with his unfancied side finishing top of their qualification group.

Michael O’Neill’s team won six and drew three of their games in Group F, finishing above Romania and Hungary in the process.

The award was shared in 2012, when it was given to Irish boxing coaches Billy Walsh and Pete Taylor, and the duo are the first national soccer managers to receive the award since Giovanni Trapattoni in 2011 and Mick McCarthy in 2001.

Before that, the award was last shared in 1990, between Cork hurling and football managers Fr. Michael O'Brien and Billy Morgan.

Walsh was among the other front runners for this year's award, alongside Kilkenny hurling boss Brian Cody and Dublin football manager Jim Gavin, who both led their sides to All-Ireland titles in 2015.

Both O’Neill’s will be in Paris on Saturday as they await the fate of their sides in the draw for the European Championships. Both teams are among the lowest tier of seeds for next summer’s competition, so can’t be drawn against each other.