BBC NI's Jackie Fullerton presents the award to David Healy

The Fulham striker, who also won the award in 2005, led Northern Ireland's spirited performance in their Euro 2008 qualifying group.

He surpassed Croatia's Davor Suker European qualifying campaign record by netting 13 goals in the series.

The Killyleagh man picked up his award from BBC Northern Ireland sports presenter Jackie Fullerton.

"It's been another great year, disappointing the way the campaign finished of course, but the goal against Denmark and breaking the record capped a year to remember," said Healy.

Healy was named the Northern Ireland winner by a unanimous decision by judges Shane Glynn, Executive Producer BBC Sport NI, BBC Sport NI presenters Jackie Fullerton and Jerome Quinn, Dr Aiden Hamill, NI Sports Council and David Seaton, chairman of the Northern Ireland Athletic Federation.

David Seaton has been a regular at Windsor Park for 50 years and has rarely seen anything like Healy's history-making goals in the European Championship.

"I was at all of the games this year and David was just amazing," said the athletics official.

"He scored some fantastic goals and lit up the whole place every time. Remember we have had some very lean times so when you put it into context, David has worked miracles for Northern Ireland football."

Shane Glynn added: "When you consider the level of international matches and the quality of teams taking part in European qualifying tournaments it's a tremendous achievement for a striker from Northern Ireland to break the goal-scoring record in the competition.

"David's goal-scoring exploits and the efforts of the team during the campaign really created a feel-good factor for fans and this award is a fitting tribute for what he's achieved."

The BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards, live from Birmingham's NEC, are on BBC One this Sunday, 9 December from 1900 GMT.