IT must have been a close call. Most guests at yesterday's Philips Sports Manager Of The Year awards ceremony believed the ultimate accolade would go to either Wexford hurling manager Liam Griffin or Michelle Smith's coach and husband, Erik de Bruin.

In the end the Rosslare hotelier was the deserving recipient from Bernard Allen, the Minister for Sport, and Cel O'Reilly, the managing director of Philips Electronics, in the Berkeley Court Hotel yesterday afternoon. Griffin follows in the footsteps of last year's winner, Clare's Ger Loughnane, in what has been seen as two terrific years for hurling.

"I am absolutely thrilled for my own club (St Mary's, Rosslare) and for the kids in the club. It's another award for Wexford. We won the Team of the Year the other night and we won the two Player of the Year awards. It's another honour for Wexford," said Griffin.

In an unexpected move, triple Olympic gold medallist Michelle Smith received a trophy entitled `celebration', fashioned by silversmith Seamus Gill. In her acceptance speech she quite rightly paid special tribute to the perseverance and contribution of de Bruin.

Next year, every manager of the month will be given a replica of this limited edition trophy.

The media based selection committee comprised Malachy Logan (sports editor, The Irish Times), Fred Cogley (head of sport, RTE), Pat Courtney (group sports editor, Independent Newspapers), Connie Clinton (sports editor, The Star), Tom Aherne (sports department, The Examiner), and Sammy Hamill (deputy editor, Belfast Telegraph).

For the record, the award winners in the past 12 months were:

. Jim Glennon, manager of the Leinster rugby team (December 1995).

. Peter Wright, captain of the Irish men's tennis team (January 96).

. Terry Kennedy, head coach of Ballina basketball team (February).

. John Evans, manager of Laune Rangers (March).

. Brian Kerr, manager of St Patrick's Athletic, and Ronnie McFall, manager of Portadown soccer team - joint winners (April).

. Niall O'Donovan, manager of Shannon rugby club (May).

. Ita Butler, captain of Curtis Cup golf team (June).

. Erik de Bruin, coach to Michelle Smith (July).

. Gerry Kelly, manager of Irish Schools rugby team (August).

. Liam Griffin, manager of Wexford hurling team (September).

. Des Patton, manager of Monaghan women's senior football team (October).

. Pat King, manager of Fermanagh, All Ireland B champions (November).