Poll finds Ireland's greatest sporting moment of the 21st century
Ireland's greatest sporting moment of the 21st century has been revealed in a new poll - Ireland beating the All Blacks for the first time in 2016.
Sports fans from Ireland and Northern Ireland have had their say and the landmark victory over New Zealand came top.
Second place went to Katie Taylor for her boxing gold at the 2012 Olympics, while third spot was another success for the Irish men’s rugby union team – their 2018 Six Nations grand slam win.
The Irish Women's football team qualification for the 2023 World Cup came fourth, and Katie Taylor’s fifth boxing World Championship gold in 2014 fittingly came fifth.
Commissioned by CopyBet.com, the poll of 1,000 Irish adults who watch sport also identified the greatest Irish sportsperson of the century – and Katie Taylor fared well there too, this time taking first place.
Roy Keane and Johnny Sexton came second and third respectively, followed by Rory McIlroy in fourth and Brian O'Driscoll in fifth.
A spokesperson for the betting platform said: “Ireland has a proud sporting history and it’s always enjoyable to reflect on the moments and sportspeople we remember most fondly.
“As the study shows, Ireland and Northern Ireland have had lots of success this century, and with the Summer Olympics and the Six Nations, 2024 will surely see more memorable sporting moments.”
The study found 54 per cent have been brought to tears by Irish sporting success at one time or another.
And it’s possible Sonia O'Sullivan winning silver at the 2000 Olympics or Republic of Ireland reaching the last 16 of the 2002 football World Cup, both voted key moments of this century, have done just that.
Almost nine in 10 (88 per cent) believe Ireland sporting successes boost the morale of the nation – with 71 per cent claiming it’s currently in ‘desperate’ need of another sporting triumph or two.
Other notable achievements in the top 20 include Conor McGregor becoming the first fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two weight classes simultaneously and Rory McIlroy’s US Open win in 2011.
The Dublin Gaelic football team securing an unprecedented six consecutive All-Ireland Senior Football Championships in 2020 also made the cut.
As did Ireland’s women rugby union team winning the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2013 and Rachael Blackmore winning the 2021 Grand National.
Carried out through OnePoll, the study found 75 per cent believe the current generation of Irish sportspeople holds up to those from past eras.
As such, 87 per cent are optimistic about Ireland’s sporting prospects for the decade ahead.
And their hopes might be riding on footballers Evan Ferguson and Conor Bradley or sprinter Rhasidat Adeleke who are the top three sportspeople those polled think will go on to become sporting greats.
A spokesperson for the betting platform added: “Recent successes will surely inspire the next generation of athletes to match or better past achievements.
“The future is looking bright for the Ireland and Northern Ireland – no doubt sports fans will be excited to see what happens next”.
TOP 20 – IRELAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND SPORTING MOMENTS OF THE 21ST CENTURY
1. Ireland beating the All Blacks for the first time in 2016
2. Katie Taylor winning boxing gold at the 2012 Olympics
3. Ireland's 2018 rugby Six Nations Grand Slam win
4. Irish Women's football team qualify for FIFA World Cup 2023
5. Katie Taylor winning her fifth boxing World Championship gold in 2014
6. Ireland’s 2009 rugby Six Nations Grand Slam win
7. Ireland beating England 43-13 in a record win during 2007 Six Nations
8. Conor McGregor becoming the first fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two weight classes simultaneously in 2016
9. Ireland reaching the last 16 of the 2002 football World Cup
10. The Dublin Gaelic football team securing an unprecedented six consecutive All-Ireland Senior Football Championships in 2020
11. Sonia O'Sullivan winning silver at the 2000 Olympics
12. Rachael Blackmore winning the 2021 Grand National
13. Ireland women's 2013 rugby Six Nations Grand Slam win
14. Shane Lowry winning the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush
15. Rory McIlroy winning the U.S. Open 2011
16. Rory McIlroy winning the Open Championship in 2014
17. Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy winning Ireland’s first Olympic rowing gold in Tokyo
18. Kellie Harrington's 2020 Olympic boxing gold
19. Republic of Ireland reaching the last 16 at Euro 2016
20. Robbie Keane becomes Irish all-time goal-scorer (v Faroe Islands 2004)
TOP 10 IRELAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND SPORTSPEOPLE OF THE 21st CENTURY
1. Katie Taylor
2. Roy Keane
3. Johnny Sexton
4. Rory McIlroy
5. Brian O'Driscoll
6. Conor McGregor
7. Sonia O’Sullivan
8. Robbie Keane
9. Ronan O'Gara
10. Kellie Harrington
TOP FIVE IRELAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND UP-AND-COMING SPORTING GREATS
1. Evan Ferguson
2. Conor Bradley
3. Rhasidat Adeleke
4. Sam Prendergast
5. Sophie O’Sullivan