'He truly deserves to win the top accolade': Lady Mary Peters backs Rory McIlroy for BBC Sports Personality of the Year award
Northern Ireland’s first ever winner of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award has called on the province to get behind Rory McIlroy’s efforts to win the coveted prize this year.
McIlroy has made the final six shortlist to win the gong which will be awarded at a ceremony in Salford on December 18, with viewers able to vote live during the show.
The golf star enjoyed two massive victories this year after he became only the sixth man to complete a grand slam of golf’s four majors after winning the Masters back in April.
Then at the Ryder Cup he contributed three and a half points to Europe’s dramatic victory over the USA, with the Holywood man also winning the Race to Dubai for the seventh time in his career.
He has been named as a nominee alongside England football team-mates Chloe Kelly and Hannah Hampton, newly-crowned Formula One world champion Lando Norris, darts sensation Luke Littler and England’s rugby World Cup winning star Ellie Kildunne.
Lady Mary Peters became the first sportsperson from Northern Ireland to win the top prize in 1972 after her Olympic gold in the pentathlon in the same year.
Boxer Barry McGuigan (1985) and Tony McCoy (2010) are the other two winners from these shores, with McIlroy one of the favourites to join that trio this time around.
“I’m thrilled that Rory McIlroy has again been shortlisted for this Year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year and he truly deserves to win the top accolade,” Lady Mary said.
"Rory has been an amazing ambassador for Northern Ireland and wherever you go in the world people know him, where he is from and really respect all his achievements over the years.
“I’m proud that he is also a past Mary Peters Trust’s international award winner and we should all get behind him and give him our vote and encourage our friends and families to do the same.”
Lady Mary’s triumph in the 1972 edition came a year after Princess Anne was named as the winner in the sport of eventing.
She fondly recalls receiving the trophy which was impeccably kept by the Royal.
“I can recall being really surprised but honoured to receive the award back in 1972 and pleased to win for Northern Ireland,” she continued.
"I was presented with the trophy by the previous year’s winner, who happened to be the Princess Royal, and I quipped to the audience about how clean the Princess had kept the trophy before handing it on.
"I have so many lovely memories of the 1972 awards and of being a guest at other BBC Sports Personality of the Year award ceremonies. It’s a wonderful evening.”
Meanwhile, McIlroy has also been nominated for the RTÉ Sport Sportsperson of the Year award.
Newry’s Kate O’Connor is also in the running after a spectacular season. She won a silver medal in the World Heptathlon, a silver medal in the Pentathlon at the World Indoors, as well a bronze medal in the Pentathlon at the European Indoors.
The winner will be crowned on Saturday, December 20.