Newtownards gymnast Rhys McClenaghan is RTÉ Sportsperson of Year

Rhys McClenaghan in action during the pommel horse final in Antwerp in October

County Down gymnast Rhys McClenaghan has been voted Irish broadcaster RTÉ's Sportsperson of the Year for 2023.

The 24-year-old, who is from Newtownards, won his second European gold medal in April on the pommel horse.

Six months later he retained his World Artistic Gymnastics Championships title in Belgium.

McClenaghan was also nominated for the award in 2022 and is a previous winner of RTÉ Young Sportsperson of the Year.

Speaking at the ceremony on Saturday night, he said: "I can't believe I'm holding this in my hands. It's amazing.

"It's just incredible that I'm an Irish gymnast taking home world titles and that's never been done before. I'm so proud to be able to do that."

He beat Ireland rugby captain Johnny Sexton and boxer Katie Taylor to win the award.

McClenaghan said it was amazing to win the RTE award

He added: "Although it's an individual sport there is a team behind us as individual athletes and it's incredible that I have that support from Gymnastics Ireland, from everybody at Sport Ireland.

"It all works towards that ultimate goal to bring home medals for the country and hopefully we can go one further at the Olympic Games in Paris."

Meanwhile, Londonderry sprinter Jason Smyth was inducted into the RTÉ Sport Hall of Fame

Smyth, Paralympic sport's fastest man until 2021, announced his retirement at the age of 35 earlier this year.

He won six Paralympic gold medals, eight world championship titles and six Europeans during his career.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell was awarded RTÉ's Manager of the Year, while Brighton striker Evan Ferguson was awarded Young Sportsperson of the Year.