Sonia O'Sullivan's return to the top of world athletics has earned her the RTE/Ballygowan Sports Personality of the Year award for the third time. The Cork woman was selected for the honour, regarded as one of the most prestigious accolades in Irish sport, by the general public in a tele-poll vote.

The announcement was made last night at Dublin's Burlington Hotel, where John O'Sullivan collected the award on behalf of his daughter. Sonia O'Sullivan is currently training in Australia, and she sent her thanks and good wishes via a video link.

The presentation was made by Brendan McGuinness, managing director of Ballygowan, and Tim O'Connor, head of RTE sport. The function was attended by guests from Irish and international sport.

The last 12 months saw O'Sullivan return to her best after taking a year out to give birth to her daughter Ciara. Last September she won the silver medal over 5,000 metres at the Sydney Olympics, an event watched by almost every household in Ireland.

O'Sullivan last picked up the RTE/Ballygowan award in 1998 when she also demonstrated a remarkable return to form to win both races at the World Cross Country Championships in Morocco as well as a double over 5,000 and 10,000 metres at the European Championships in Budapest.

There were 13 nominations for this year's award coming from a variety of sports. They were Mairead Berry (Irish Paralympian), DJ Carey (hurling), Darren Clarke (golf), Mick Galwey (rugby), Padraig Harrington (golf), Roy Keane (soccer), Seamus Moynihan (Gaelic football), Johnny Murtagh (horse racing), Brian O'Driscoll (rugby), Sonia O'Sullivan (athletics), John Oxx (horse racing), Ruby Walsh (horse racing) and Ted Walsh (horse racing).