Just hours after victory over Bath, Sexton picked up his latest award

Jonny Sexton picked up his latest award at a gala event in Dublin last night, just a couple of hours after steering Leinster to victory over Bath in a windswept Aviva Stadium.

The Dublin was announced as the winner og this year’s RTÉ Sport Awards were announced tonight on RTÉ One television and RTÉ Player during the live broadcast of the ceremony which looked back on a stellar year for Irish sport.

World Rugby Player of the Year Johnny Sexton was voted the RTÉ Sport Sportsperson of the Year after a 2018.

Sexton was instrumental in Ireland's third Grand Slam, a series win over Australia and a first win against the New Zealand All Blacks on home soil. It was also a busy year at Leinster, who won the European Champions Cup and the PRO14.

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Sexton praised the role of his wife, Stuart Lancaster and his teammates. He was minded of his obsession NFL quarterback Tom Brady.

“I didn’t know who Tom Brady was until two years ago. Stuart Lancaster came to Leinster and started giving me books about him and sending me emails about him. I was thinking about retirement and now I’m thinking the total opposite.

"I'd like to thank all the teammates and coaches. The Irish coaches are top class, world class and they make your job that bit easier.

"I feel a bit bad accepting individual awards as a No. 10. You're meant to be the guy that sits in the background and help control the team. I don't think you should be getting individual awards because it's the other guys that make you look good."

It was a big week for Sexton, who signed an IRFU contract extension which will see him play his rugby in Ireland up to the end of the 2020/21 season.

David Nucifora, IRFU Performance Director, commented, “Johnny’s hunger and drive mark him out as a truly world class competitor. He sets a performance benchmark for those around him and is investing in the development of young out-halves in the Ireland squad while also seeking improvement in his own performance. He is a model professional and has been at the centre of a lot of the success enjoyed by Irish Rugby over the past few years.”

Johnny Sexton, commented, “I am delighted to sign a new IRFU contract to continue to play for Leinster and Ireland. It is where I have always wanted to play so I am delighted to extend. We get looked after extremely well here and it is an exciting time for Irish rugby. I am looking forward to hopefully being a part of that over the next few years”