Paul O'Connell was named the Sports Person of the Year at the 2015 Person of the Year awards on Saturday night. 

Having given so much over an incredible career to both Munster and Ireland, O'Connell's contributions to rugby in Ireland were recognised as he hung up the green jersey for the last time this year. 

Due to his injury, Paul wasn't able to attend but sent a video message offering his thanks and saying that he was "a little bit embarrassed" to be named alongside some of the other winners on the night. 

Paul's father Michael accepted the award on his behalf, saying "he's given us a great run for 16 years, and it's been an unbelievable trip". 

He gave a bit of detail on Paul's recovery, saying that "he's doing very well, he's been on a brace and crutches for nearly six weeks [...] but he's been off it since last week", adding that there are probably another two to three months of rehab to be done before he can test out the injury to see how the process has gone. 

He also jokingly added that Paulie definitely got the "fear of God" side of his personality, that was so famous when he pulled on an Ireland jersey, from his mother's side of the family. 

Other winners on the night include the Yes Equality campaign, for Community Group of the Year  as well as Fr. Brendan McBride and consul general in San Francisco Philip Grant for International Persons of the Year, who provided support to the families of students involved in July's tragedy in Berkeley, California.  

Ken Maleady also won a Person of the Year award for the role he played in saving the life of Mary Leech, who collapsed during the Dublin Marathon earlier this year.