In the end there could be no arguing with Mick McCarthy's selection as Philips Sports Manager of the Year for 2001. His achievement in leading the Republic of Ireland soccer team to next summer's World Cup was not just the most significant of the last year, but also the most difficult.

The extent of McCarthy's success was reflected by the immense achievements of his fellow nominees at yesterday's award ceremony in Dublin's Berkeley Court Hotel. Among those also in the running were both All-Ireland winning managers, a prominent manager in the English Premiership and one of the most successful managers of the Irish rugby team.

There is no bigger stage in sport, however, than soccer's World Cup. To get there McCarthy had to guide his team through one of the most testing qualifying paths, which finally ended with the play-off win over Iran. That earned him the monthly award for November.

A family commitment in England prevented McCarthy from attending the ceremony, but he did send his thanks via a video link, while his daughter, Anna, accepted the award on his behalf.

It was hard to imagine how the 20th edition of the award could have assembled a group of more celebrated managers.

Warren Gatland, the winner for October following the memorable Irish win over England at Lansdowne Road, received one of warmest receptions, which made his introduction as "former Irish rugby manager" sound all the more bizarre. McCarthy was among those to wish Gatland luck in whatever road he now takes.

All-Ireland winning managers Nicky English (Tipperary hurlers) and John O'Mahony (Galway footballers) accepted awards for September, and Mick O'Callaghan was duly honoured for his success with the Irish rowing team which won three titles at the World Championships in Lucerne in August.

At the start of the year one of the men least expected to be honoured would have been Luke Dempsey, but he was also in the mix as July winner thanks to Westmeath's phenomenal run in the football championship.

Philips Sports Manager Monthly Award Winners: December 2000 - Michael Dempsey (O'Hanrahan's Gaelic football); January 2001 - Declan Kidney (Munster rugby); February - David O'Leary (Leeds United FC); March - Mick McCarthy (Republic of Ireland soccer); April - Pat Holmes (Mayo football); May - Willie Anderson (Dungannon rugby); June - Aidan O'Brien (trainer of Galileo); July - Luke Dempsey (Westmeath football); August - Mick O'Callaghan (Irish rowing); September - Nicky English (Tipperary hurling)/John O'Mahony (Galway football); October - Warren Gatland (Irish rugby); November - Mick McCarthy (Irish soccer).

Judging Panel: Tom Aherne (Examiner), Eoin Brannigan (The Star), Pat Courtney (Irish Independent), John Laverty (Belfast Telegraph), Malachy Logan (Irish Times), Tim Tuomey (Today FM), Trevor Welch (TV3), Roy Willoughby (RT╔).