Padraig Harrington was named RTE's Sports Personality of the Year on Sunday night, just days after his fellow professionals in America voted him as golfer of the year in their annual awards.

"There is no greater accolade than to receive an award from your peers and to receive the Player of the Year award is phenomenal," said Harrington.

"It is an individual game when we're out there competing but you do want and crave the respect of your fellow pros. The fact they have picked me as their Player of the Year, I find it hard to describe.

"I can't believe I can actually say something can compare to going out there and winning a major championship but this accolade, no doubt in my mind, is right up there."

In other Irish golf news, Rory McIlroy will play in next year's Masters after finishing in a tie for third place in the South African Open when fellow Ulsterman Gareth Maybin was beaten in a playoff for the title by Richard Sterne.

"It's obviously very nice to be playing in the Masters," said McIlroy after protecting his place in the world's top 50 to secure an invite to Augusta.

"It's been an absolutely great year and to get to play at Augusta in my second season, making the top 50 in the world and staying there, I had to go out this week and I played pretty well and I did that. I'm over the moon."

Carton House in Maynooth is the latest venue to be named as a possible host for the Irish Open sponsored by telecoms company Three next May.

Clarke's Call

Armagh star Ronan Clarke has urged the Ulster Council to play his team's championship opener against Tyrone in Healy Park next May and resist calls to move the glamour tie to Croke Park.

"I think Ulster football should be kept in Ulster. It's the Ulster championship and it should be played there," said Clarke.

"I don't think the size of the venue should dictate things because the match will be televised so people will get to see the game.

"I would keep it in Clones or even if we had to go to Omagh, then I would go there. It's a great draw. They will be highly motivated for it and so will we.

"To be honest, we are looking forward to just the very first game back in the McKenna Cup and we will take it from there."

McEneaney Stays

Manager Seamus McEneaney has committed himself to the Monaghan job for a fifth season. "I felt it was the right decision to go back and keep the continuity," he said.

"Quite a few of the players are 27, 28, 29, 30 and squeezing the most out of this group of players is what it's about.

"I think it's fair to say that Monaghan has progressed nicely over the last three or four years. I've always said I hope I know when to go and whenever we stop making progress, it's time to move and let somebody else in.

"But at the moment, we're making progress, the players are quite happy with the management set-up and the management is very happy with the players. The respect is there. And the county board has been very good to us as well."

Carr's Prediction

New Cavan boss Tommy Carr is predicting an exciting 2009 for the Ulster side as he looks to make an immediate impact in the competitive provincial championship.

"I think it is very exciting, very intense," said Carr. "I think there are huge challenges with it. I think we have all admired it over the years though some people are very critical of it. But I admire it.

"I think it is very manly, very physical. I don't have a problem with it. Ulster football teams have proved over the last number of years, despite what we all think, and whether we like it or not, that they are winning All-Ireland titles."

Walsh for Kerry

Kerry forward Tommy Walsh has put any possible Aussie Rules career on hold after a 10-day trial with the Si Kilda's club.

"It's been a very enjoyable week and all of the Saints' players and coaches have been very helpful," said Walsh before his return to Ireland from Australia.

"I'm not going to rule out coming back next year, but there's nothing set in stone. I am going home to concentrate on the next few years with Kerry."

GAA Shorts

Kilkenny's All-Ireland winning hurling boss Brian Cody has confirmed his commitment to the county team for the foreseeable future. "I have passions all right, but nothing that is twisting my arm to move away from hurling just yet," said Cody. "I am enjoying it. It is as simple as that." . . .

Crossmaglen's Francie Bellew has escaped any action over an incident with Ballinderry's Brian McGuckin in the recent Ulster SFC club final replay and is now free to play in the All-Ireland semifinals against Munster's Dromcollogher-Broadford in February . . .

New Derry football boss Damien Cassidy has left Kevin McCloy, Enda Muldoon and Paddy Bradley out of his squad for the McKenna Cup next month but all three are expected to return for the NFL campaign in the New Year . . .

New Dublin hurling boss Anthony Daly has offered football star Conal Keaney the chance to resume his career with the county hurlers and combine the two codes next season . . .

Laois star Craig Rogers has been ruled out for at least two months after he suffered a broken cheekbone in the county under-21 football final . . .

Asthma victim Aidan O'Mahony's appeal against a failed drugs test will resume in the New Year when the Kerry star expects to clear his name . . .

New Donegal football team boss John Joe Doherty has appointed Rory Kavanagh as team captain for the McKenna Cup campaign next month . . .

Croke Park bosses are to reduce funding to clubs and counties by a massive €8 million next year as the credit crunch continues to take effect . . .

Former Cork player and manager Billy Morgan has turned down an offer to become the new boss of Cork City soccer club . . .

Dublin midfielder Eamon Fennell is looking to transfer from O'Toole's to the All-Ireland club champions St. Vincent's . . .

Ireland Compromise Rules team selector Hugh Kenny is the new manager of the Sarsfields club team in Kildare . . .

Veteran midfielder Paul McGrane is to continue for at least one more season with the Armagh footballers . . .

Former Leitrim boss Dessie Dolan is to take over as manager of the Shamrocks club in Offaly . . .

Anthony Rainbow has made himself available for an 18th season with the Kildare footballers . . .

Aussie Rules agent Ricky Nixon is to hold another three recruitment camps in Ireland in 2009 . . .

Fergal Tuohy has quit as a selector with the Clare senior hurlers . . .

Clare hurler Ciaran Brennan has thrown his lot in with Cavan.