Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny was this afternoon named Phillips Lighting Sports Manager of the Year after his side's wonderful achievements at home and in Europe.
Kenny most notably guided his team to an unprecedented run in the Europa League after narrowly missing out on a spot in the Champions League group stages. During their run in Europe, Dundalk defeated Champions League regulars BATE Borisov. His side just fell short against Legia Warsaw, but were guaranteed a spot in the group stage of the Europa League.
They made history by becoming the first Irish club side to win a point in the group stage of a major European tournament with a draw against AZ Alkmaar and then went one better to become the first Irish team to get a win at the same stage against Maccabi Tel-Aviv.
His side currently face a must win match in Israel to be in with a chance of progressing to the next round of the competition.
Stephen Kenny and his team celebrate winning the league. Image: ©INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan
Dundalk also completed a domestic three-in-a-row this year with another league win and were just denied a second consecutive FAI Cup with a 1-0 defeat to Cork City.
Patrick O’Donovan, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, David Nicholl CEO Philips Lighting UK & Ireland, and Cel O’Reilly Managing Director of Philips Lighting Ireland, presented Stephen’s wife Siobhan, with the 2016 Award at a special luncheon in the Intercontinental Hotel Dublin.
