Rory McIlroy is having a superb year and it has now got even better with the young golfer from Holywood named among the Texaco Sportstars for 2009.

It is a wonderful accolade for the 20-year-old who has shot up the world rankings, impressed at the majors and is one of the favourites to win the Dubai World Championship later this month.

The Texaco awards are amongst the most prestigious on the island and Rory is the only Ulsterman to gain the prize this time around.

He is in good company with Ireland’s inspirational Grand Slam winning captain Brian O’Driscoll and Manchester United’s title winning John O’Shea also honoured.

John Oxx and Michael Kinane also make the list for their heroics as trainer and jockey of the brilliant Sea The Stars.

Of the nine stars who will receive awards, five are being honoured for the very first time — McIlroy, Olive Loughnane, Tomás Ó Sé, Tommy Walsh and John O'Shea. Those who have won awards on previous occasions are Bernard Dunne (2006), John Oxx (1995), Michael Kinane (1988, 1989 & 1993) and Brian O'Driscoll (2000, 2002 & 2007).

Commenting, Enda Riney, Country Chairman, Chevron (Ireland) Limited said: “The role which sport has in the lives of Irish people and the status which Ireland enjoys in international sporting competitions are reflected in the distinguished list of sportstars chosen to receive Texaco Sportstars Awards this year. The success being achieved by our sporting heroes, in domestic and international events, is something of which we can be proud.”

The awards will be presented at a ceremony to be held in Dublin on Thursday, November 19 at which An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen TD will be Guest of Honour.

Texaco Sportstars of the Year 2009

Athletics: Olive Loughnane

Before heading for the World Championships in Berlin, Loughnane promised her daughter Eimear that she would bring home a medal. And she was true to her word, finishing second in the 20 kilometres walk, just 49 seconds behind the defending world champion and Olympic gold medallist, Olga Kaniskina of Russia.

Boxing: Bernard Dunne

Despite losing his world title in September, Bernard Dunne fulfiled the promise of an outstanding career on a memorable St Patrick's weekend for Irish sport when he took the WBA world super-bantamweight title at the O2 and Ireland won the Rugby Grand Slam.

Gaelic Football: Tomás Ó Sé

Tomás Ó Sé was inspirational as Kerry beat Cork in the All Ireland football final. There was a player pact to provide Darragh Ó Sé with a sixth All-Ireland medal before retirement was seriously considered; Tomás' response to his brother's need was phenomenal.

Golf: Rory McIlroy

Last year McIlroy entered the top 100 in the World Golf Rankings. In January of 2009, after losing a play-off for the UBS Hong Kong Open title, he moved into the top 50.

And then in February came his first professional tournament success in the Dubai Desert Classic. He did it the hard way. After shooting an opening 64 and holding a six-shot lead over Justin Rose at one stage in the final round, the gap was whittled down to one by the 18th.

Here an up-and-down from the back trap was nothing short of breathtaking and belied his tender years. Having moved to No 16 in the world he proceeded to put together a year of outstanding results including tied third in the USPGA Championship at Hazeltine.

With earnings of well over €2 million this year, he is currently at the WGC HSBC Champions with the prospect looming that he will finish atop the European Tour money list.

Horse Racing: John Oxx and Michael Kinane

In Horse Racing, the award is presented jointly to trainer of Sea The Stars John Oxx (top) and jockey Michael Kinane. A year of prodigious performances saw the unbeaten colt triumph in six Group One races, including the 2,000 Guineas and the Derby, and culminated in a breathtaking finish to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. The belief that Sea The Stars could be the finest horse ever to race in Europe is testament to the outstanding qualities of trainer, John Oxx, and jockey, Michael Kinane, who masterminded and executed a glorious campaign.

Hurling: Tommy Walsh

Now ranked with the greatest defenders of modern times, Kilkenny’s Tommy Walsh collected his fifth All-Ireland senior hurling medal in September. He delivered an epic man-of-the-match performance in the final and was instrumental in Kilkenny winning their fourth successive title at Croke Park.

Rugby: Brian O'Driscoll

Even by his lofty standards, 2009 was a memorable year for Brian O'Driscoll. He would probably say the highlight was getting engaged to Amy Huberman. His fans would be spoilt for choice.

He led Ireland to their first Grand Slam for 61 years, during which he produced a series of outstanding displays, capped by his two-yard 'quarterback sneak' against England.

He was no less influential for Leinster en route to their Heineken Cup success, once again chipping in with crucial tries and, in the final itself, a sharply taken drop goal. Voted the Six Nations Player of the Year, he rounded off a hugely demanding season by assuming a central role in the Lions tour of South Africa.

Soccer: John O'Shea

To have earned the confidence of legendary managers Alex Ferguson and Giovanni Trapattoni, surely tells us all we need to know about the footballing ability of John O'Shea.

This has been a special year for O'Shea, who helped United to a third consecutive FA Premiership title and the Carling Cup, and just missed out on a treble when losing to Barcelona in the Champions League final. On the international front, his versatility was called on, filling centre-back, full-back and midfield roles as the Republic of Ireland qualified for the World Cup play-offs.