Michael O’Neill wins SPOTY coach of the year award

A worthy winner.

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill has won BBC's Sports Personality of the Year award for coach of the year at tonight's ceremony in Belfast. O'Neill guided Northern Ireland to Euro 2016, their first major tournament in thirty years, as the un-fancied side finished top of their qualifying group. He also received RTE's equivalent of the award last night in Dublin. https://twitter.com/BBCSport/status/678677182026092544 The 46 year old was awarded the accolade ahead of Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill, who was in attendance at the event in Belfast. Northern Ireland have been drawn alongside Germany, Poland and Ukraine in their group for next summer's tournament. If O'Neill can get the team out of that group, he'll deserve a lifetime achievement award at next year's ceremony. He was a popular choice with the Belfast crowd and on Twitter. https://twitter.com/mrewanmurray/status/678677554430128128 https://twitter.com/BBCTomEnglish/status/678679678182363136 https://twitter.com/RuthGorman_UTV/status/678679528554815488 https://twitter.com/PaulKimmage/status/678677759833612290