YOU’VE BEEN SPEAKING Internet land, and we’ve been listening.
A debate has been sparked in the comment section of our story on Katie Taylor winning Sports Woman of the Year as to who is Ireland’s Sports Person of the Millennium or, at least, the twelve years that have passed in it so far.
So, since the year 2000, who has been Ireland’s real sporting star?
Is it a rugby, GAA or soccer player? A golfer or a boxer?
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The truth is, we don’t know, that’s why we’re asking you so let us know what you think in the comment section below.
It has to be Brian O’Driscoll – by a mile – he is without a doubt Irelands greatest sporting talent. Time after time, year after year and injury after injury he has played to the highest level and without him both Leinster and Ireland are a weaker proposition – and I am a fan of both teams.
It has to go to Brian O’ Driscoll most capped Ireland captain, 3 European cups, 1 grand slam, 3 triple crowns, 3 lions tours 1 as captain, most try’s for a centre in world rugby and Ireland’s top try scorer, approaching most capped international rugby player of all time. Hes played in 4 rugby world cups and scored tries in each of them. Was voted player of the decade and should of won irb player of the year in 2009 but lost it due to a scandal that meant Richie macaw won by 1 point because he was sponcered end by Adidas likewise the reward. So he’s the best irish sports person and nobody will beat it. I’m sure ill get replies telling me likewise but the stats speak for the selfs. :)
King Henry has to be up there. BOD would be there yes. Katie has to be well in there. Harrington fell off since his last major so maybe McIlroy to replace him. Shefflin for me though. 2 cruciates, busted shoulder this year. 9 All Irelands. 11 All stars. How many Leinsters? Leagues? Player of the year 3 times I think and never missed starting a Championship match since ’99? Hard to argue with that haul of consistent medal winning.
If hurling had a bigger base even in Ireland then it would be Henry Shefflin’s without a doubt. Won everything so often its boring!
Tony McCoy has won something like 15 UK jockeys titles in a row and won every big race.
A lot of Roy Keane’s best days were in the 90′s. Robbie Keane would get soccer nod without a shadow of a doubt. His international goals record is astonishing even if his best days are behind him.
It’s between BOD, O’ Connell and O Gara for rugby but BOD prob has that little bit special.
Gooch or Darragh O Se for the football. I’d say Darragh O Se who was more influential than Cooper.
It’s been some decade for Irish golf. I’d say Harrington prob has it for winning three majors but McIlroy will pass him out next year.
Are we including Northern Ireland in this? O’Driscoll for me regardless. Taylor, Keane (Roy), O’Connell, Harrington, Shefflin and McCoy all get worthy mentions! If we are to include the North of the Border then McIlroy would be 2nd only to O’Driscoll.
Played an International game on a world stage for a start. Rather than a minority sport in Ireland.
And before you all start – Hurling is a great game but is at least Fourth behind Gaelic Football, Soccer and Rugby by participation in Country of less them 6 million.
For consistent excellence and almost total domination of their sporting codes on a year in year out basis since 2000 – there really are only three choices. Henry Shefflin, Darragh O’Sé, Ruby Walsh. A tentative vote for Henry Shefflin ahead of the other two but its marginal.
Hard to compare different sports. Don’t get the Henry Shefflin thing. Deadly consistent in a great team, but that’s been done many times before. Katie Taylor for all she’s achieved moreso cos there was no one to blaze a trail for her. Can’t argue with BOD if only for an earth shattering tackle I was privileged to witness in Grand Slam game v England, not forgetting Paris hat trick! Katie it is.
Brian O’Driscoll definitely has to be up there as does Padraig Harrington, Shefflin has had it handy in fairness to him, with the players around him and the lack of competition he can’t be held in the same light (as well as the fact that he clearly gets away some filthy play because of who he is) but someone else who deserves a mention is Rob Heffernan the distance walker, if you look at his results over the last twelve years he has mixed with the best for a long time now and has just fell short of the medals on several occasions.
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It has to be Brian O’Driscoll – by a mile – he is without a doubt Irelands greatest sporting talent. Time after time, year after year and injury after injury he has played to the highest level and without him both Leinster and Ireland are a weaker proposition – and I am a fan of both teams.
It has to go to Brian O’ Driscoll most capped Ireland captain, 3 European cups, 1 grand slam, 3 triple crowns, 3 lions tours 1 as captain, most try’s for a centre in world rugby and Ireland’s top try scorer, approaching most capped international rugby player of all time. Hes played in 4 rugby world cups and scored tries in each of them. Was voted player of the decade and should of won irb player of the year in 2009 but lost it due to a scandal that meant Richie macaw won by 1 point because he was sponcered end by Adidas likewise the reward. So he’s the best irish sports person and nobody will beat it. I’m sure ill get replies telling me likewise but the stats speak for the selfs. :)
Katie Taylor. 5 time European Champion, 4 time World Champion, and of course Olympic Gold. Simple
There are more rugby players in Limerick then there are ladies boxers in the entire world. Can’t be her.
Shefflin has been and is a phenomenal sportsman… But even as a hardened GAA head, BOD is the standard bearer
Paul Brady (handball) has dominated the sport since 2003. Regarded as the greatest to ever have played the game. One of unsung hero’s of Irish sport.
King Henry has to be up there. BOD would be there yes. Katie has to be well in there. Harrington fell off since his last major so maybe McIlroy to replace him. Shefflin for me though. 2 cruciates, busted shoulder this year. 9 All Irelands. 11 All stars. How many Leinsters? Leagues? Player of the year 3 times I think and never missed starting a Championship match since ’99? Hard to argue with that haul of consistent medal winning.
Gaelic Football=Gooch
Womens Gaelic Football=Cora Stantoun
Hurling=Shefflin
Soccer=Roy Keane and Damien Duff
Golf=Padraig Harrington
Rugby=O’Gara and BOD
Horse Racing=Walsh
O’Gara, ah here
womens football, ah here
If dufffer is in the mix then shay given should be. ! The Gooch. sure I heard he was a bottler!
Donegal win 2 all Ireland’s in the history of the GAA…and then all of a sudden the hooch is a bottler haha quality
Has to be BOD he is one if the greatest ever… Taylor only amateur…. BOD at the very verry top level.. AP 2nd if counting NI and Shefflin in 3rd
If Amateur status counts against you then Shefflin is out too.
Brian O Drisoll or maybe Padraig Harrington 3 majors! Ruby Walsh or mc coy in horse racing,or Henry Shefflin. Who Knows, Roy Keane!
Horse racing isn’t a sport.
Sport of Kings!
What is sport so?
Henry Shefflin….a real man’s sport…played exsiquitely
B O D OF COURSE DONE
BOD is God.
Paddy Harrington second.
King Henry third.
That is all.
The Bull Hayes!!!!!!!
If hurling had a bigger base even in Ireland then it would be Henry Shefflin’s without a doubt. Won everything so often its boring!
Tony McCoy has won something like 15 UK jockeys titles in a row and won every big race.
A lot of Roy Keane’s best days were in the 90′s. Robbie Keane would get soccer nod without a shadow of a doubt. His international goals record is astonishing even if his best days are behind him.
It’s between BOD, O’ Connell and O Gara for rugby but BOD prob has that little bit special.
Gooch or Darragh O Se for the football. I’d say Darragh O Se who was more influential than Cooper.
It’s been some decade for Irish golf. I’d say Harrington prob has it for winning three majors but McIlroy will pass him out next year.
1) Harrington
2) BOD
3) Shefflin
Sheffiin won everything? No That was Kilkenny. Very hard to judge individual v team e.g. Ruby Walsh v Kilkenny? How the hell do you compare?
Drico. Fact.
Are we including Northern Ireland in this? O’Driscoll for me regardless. Taylor, Keane (Roy), O’Connell, Harrington, Shefflin and McCoy all get worthy mentions! If we are to include the North of the Border then McIlroy would be 2nd only to O’Driscoll.
Don’t disagree with any of them but just to point out that McCoy is also northern Irish!!
BOD is a legend but what has he done in rugby that Shefflin hasnt done in hurling?
Played an International game on a world stage for a start. Rather than a minority sport in Ireland.
And before you all start – Hurling is a great game but is at least Fourth behind Gaelic Football, Soccer and Rugby by participation in Country of less them 6 million.
For consistent excellence and almost total domination of their sporting codes on a year in year out basis since 2000 – there really are only three choices. Henry Shefflin, Darragh O’Sé, Ruby Walsh. A tentative vote for Henry Shefflin ahead of the other two but its marginal.
Paul McShane.
what about John Mullane.
Hard to compare different sports. Don’t get the Henry Shefflin thing. Deadly consistent in a great team, but that’s been done many times before. Katie Taylor for all she’s achieved moreso cos there was no one to blaze a trail for her. Can’t argue with BOD if only for an earth shattering tackle I was privileged to witness in Grand Slam game v England, not forgetting Paris hat trick! Katie it is.
Brian O’Driscoll definitely has to be up there as does Padraig Harrington, Shefflin has had it handy in fairness to him, with the players around him and the lack of competition he can’t be held in the same light (as well as the fact that he clearly gets away some filthy play because of who he is) but someone else who deserves a mention is Rob Heffernan the distance walker, if you look at his results over the last twelve years he has mixed with the best for a long time now and has just fell short of the medals on several occasions.
Rob Heffernan could be performance of the year ok.
What about Jim stynes ?
Padraig O’ shea