Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton beat McIlroy by a small margin for the main national award.
Northern Irish golf ace Rory McIlroy has been named as BBC Northern Ireland's Sport Personality of 2014, after Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton beat him by a small margin for the main national award.
McIlroy received the Northern Ireland honour after Sunday's BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards ceremony in Glasgow. Boxer Carl Frampton and Paralympic skier Kelly Gallagher were second and third in the Northern Ireland awards.
Also Read: Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy named European Tour's Golfer of the Year
McIlroy said that the support he gets from Northern Ireland 'means a lot', adding that he 'tries to keep his connection' with his native country as much as he can, though he is not there 'quite as much as he used to be', The BBC reported.
The world number one said that he has 'tremendous support' from people back home, and thanked them for this award. McIlroy's selection as the BBC Northern Ireland winner was no surprise after his glorious 2014 season.
Related: Golf ace Rory McIlroy urges for faster version of the sport to attract younger players
McIlroy went into 2014 after a disappointing previous 12 months, but the Northern Irishman's BMW PGA triumph at Wentworth in May kick-started a glorious summer, which saw his Open victory at Royal Liverpool followed by successes at the Bridgestone Invitational and US PGA Championship. The Holywood man's Valhalla success was his fourth major triumph and McIlroy would complete the career Grand Slam if he can win his first Masters title next April.
The Northern Irishman also swept the PGA Tour Awards this year including collecting the Arnold Palmer Award, PGA Player of the year and PGA Tour Player of the Year. Speaking after the ceremony, McIlroy said that he had 'no complaints' after being edged out for the main award by Formula One world champion Hamilton.
McIlroy said that it's 'not that disappointing' and added that Hamilton had a 'great year' and is a 'very worthy winner'.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Rory-McIlroy")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}