James McClean ‘doesn’t give a toss’ as he shines his RTÉ award

James McClean has responded to critisicm after he was named RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year in his trademark no nonsense style by apologising “sincerely for not giving a toss”.

The Ireland international took 19.4 per cent of the 28,500 votes cast by members of the public between 8am on Friday December 8th and 5pm on Wednesday December 13th and was named as the winner of the award on Saturday night after a year in which the highlight was his winning goal against Wales in Cardiff to book Ireland a World Cup qualifying playoff place.

However, the decision was met with some surprise on social media, with one memorable reaction being: “WHAT DID McCLEAN WIN IT FOR?? NOT WEARING A FECKIN’ POPPY?’.

Other standouts included: "James McClean has 0 goals and 1 assist in 44 appearances for West Brom and he just won Irish Sportsperson of the year hahahahahahaha Jesus Christ" and "Brexit, Donald Trump and now James McClean winning sportsperson of the year. Democracy ain't working."

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Now, despite the fact that we all know public votes actually mean very little in the long run, the debate continues to rumble. On Monday the decision was criticised by Sunday Independent journalist Paul Kimmage when he said on Today FM's The Last Word that only McClean's parents would agree with their son receiving the award.

“It’s astonishing. Everybody likes him. I love his commitment to the team. I love the way he plays for Ireland,” Kimmage said.

“It is great that you acknowledge his contribution but by no means is he the Sportstar of the Year.

“Nobody agrees, other than James’ parents, that James McClean is the Sportstar of the Year.”

Well, McClean certainly wasn’t going to let that lie.

A man notorious for his tweeting (and lack of tweeting during those times he deletes his account) was always going to hit back. Hard.

“So Paul Kimmage ( some journalist ?? ) is upset the critter about me winning RTE sportsperson of year, as voted by the Irish public i may add.. Paul and whoever else is upset about it, as i go shine my award i apologise sincerely for not giving a toss,” McClean said on Twitter.

We dare say that the Irish showjumpers’ reaction to the criticism of them winning team of the year may not be quite as blunt.