Katie Taylor has bounced back to the top of Ireland’s most admired sports stars list according to an annual study undertaken by sponsorship advisors ONSIDE.
Taylor’s return to the summit in 2024 coincides with her record-breaking bout against Amanda Serrano in Texas and means 2023 is the only year since 2017 that she has failed to top the chart.
It’s a boxing one-two in the standings with Kellie Harrington claiming second place in the year she secured a second Olympic gold medal in Paris. The third most admired sports star amongst the Irish public in 2024 is the retired footballer Roy Keane.
ONSIDE’s Director of Intelligence and Insight, Kim Kirwan explains: “Ireland is unique in having two female boxers as the most admired sports personalities in the country. Taylor continues to be popular across demographics, especially females and those aged between 35 to 54 while the levels of admiration for Harrington are higher in 2024 than they were after her first gold medal in 2021.”
Last year’s most admired sports star was retiring rugby captain Johnny Sexton who remains the most admired rugby player in fourth position on the overall sports list and continues to be particularly popular amongst young people. He is one of three retired rugby players inside the top 10 along with Brian O’Driscoll (6th) and Paul O’Connell (10th).
Kirwan adds: “With six players in the top 20 most admired sports stars, rugby is comfortably ahead of golf (3), soccer (3) and GAA (1) as the most prominent sport but we have yet to see a breakout star emerge from within the current men’s or women’s squad. Bundee Aki (11th) and Peter O’Mahoney (16th) are the only currently active players inside the top 20 with La Rochelle coach Ronan O’Gara (20th) completing the list.”
Fifth spot in the sports list and this year’s highest climber is sprinter Rhasidat Adeleke who enjoys strong support from the nation’s youth and was second to Taylor amongst the 25-34 age group.
The top 10 is rounded out by golfers Shane Lowry (7th) and Rory McIlroy (8th) with the triple Olympic medallist Paul O’Donovan in 9th spot.
