Boxing superstar Katie Taylor, a native of Bray, has once again been awarded the title of Ireland’s Most Admired Athlete, marking seven consecutive years of this achievement, as reported by the Teneo Sport and Sponsorship Index 2023.
The survey, conducted by Teneo, involved a representative sample of a thousand individuals from across Ireland, and examined the attitudes of the Irish general public towards sports and their sporting heroes. The findings revealed the Ireland men’s rugby team as the Team of the Year in the survey, and Gaelic Games as the country’s favourite sport.
Katie Taylor, a two-weight undisputed world champion, secured the top position on the list with 20% of the vote for the most admired athlete, following her victory over Chantelle Cameron in a rematch at Dublin’s 3Arena in November. She expressed her desire for a trilogy fight at GAA HQ Croke Park.
Irish rugby’s Bundee Aki and retired legend Jonathan Sexton share the second spot for the most admired athlete, each garnering 9% of the vote. The Ireland women’s football team captain, Katie McCabe, ranks as the third most admired female athlete, sharing sixth place overall with golfer Rory McIlroy, Kerry footballer David Clifford, and Conor McGregor.
The Team of the Year was named as Andy Farrell’s Irish rugby side, with 29% backing, following their victory in the Six Nations and an appearance in the World Cup quarter-final in France. The Ireland women’s football team secured the second spot with 24% of the vote after making their World Cup debut and facing hosts Australia in front of a crowd of 75,784.
The Ireland rowing team landed in third place with 11% after an impressive performance at the World Rowing Championship, which resulted in four medals and secured qualification for the 2024 Olympics.
In terms of the greatest sporting achievement, Katie Taylor’s victory over Chantelle Cameron was recognized as the top achievement, followed by the Ireland rugby team’s Grand Slam win and Limerick’s victory over Kilkenny in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final. Additionally, Taylor’s win was also voted as the Most Memorable Sporting Moment of the year with 19% of the vote.
Rob Pearson, head of sponsorship at Teneo Ireland, commended Katie Taylor for her continued dominance, stating, “We are running out of ways to adequately describe the phenomenon that is Katie Taylor, Ireland’s Most Admired Athlete for a seventh successive year. She is without doubt one of our greatest ever sports people, an inspiration to many and a role model to boys and girls across the country.”
According to the index, Gaelic Games remains the nation’s favourite sport at 21%, with soccer following closely at 20%, and rugby at 14%. Additionally, tennis and athletics both secured 4% as the nation’s fourth favourite sport.
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