Troy Parrott’s dramatic late winner against Hungary has been crowned Ireland’s most memorable sporting moment of the year, according to a nationwide public vote.
The Republic of Ireland striker’s stunning 95th-minute goal in Budapest, which completed a remarkable 3–2 comeback victory, secured 37% of the vote, comfortably topping the poll. The strike not only capped a sensational hat-trick for Parrott, but also kept Ireland’s World Cup qualification hopes alive, cementing the moment as one of the most emotionally charged nights in recent Irish football history.
@ireland The drama. The finish. The scenes. The limbs. What a moment #ireland #irelandfootball #coybig #troyparrott #worldcupqualifiers ♬ som original - Lívia Prado
Despite Parrott’s heroics taking top spot, Katie Taylor remains the country’s most popular athlete overall. The boxing icon finished second in the sporting moments category with 12% of the vote, following her headline-making victory at Madison Square Garden. That bout — her only fight of the year — saw Taylor successfully defend her super-lightweight title in a highly anticipated trilogy showdown against Amanda Serrano.
@netflix Katie Taylor remains the undisputed super lightweight champion my majority decision #taylorserrano ♬ original sound - Netflix
Third place in the moments ranking was shared between two golfing milestones, each receiving 10%. Rory McIlroy’s historic putt to win The Masters at Augusta, completing a long-awaited career Grand Slam, was matched by Shane Lowry’s nerve-shredding seven-foot putt on the 18th at Bethpage, sealing victory for Europe amid wild celebrations.
@cassss0 the way Rory has me SOBBING #masters #augustageorgia #rorymcilroy ♬ Georgia on My Mind - Original Master Recording - Ray Charles
The findings come from the latest Teneo Sport and Sponsorship Index, which also assessed Ireland’s most admired athletes. Katie Taylor again led the way with 14%, while Parrott surged into second place on 10%, boosted by goals against both Portugal and Hungary during a pivotal international window. McIlroy followed in third on 7%, with Lowry close behind on 6%.
In the Team of the Year category, the Republic of Ireland men’s football team topped the list with 25%, reflecting the public’s response to morale-lifting victories over Portugal and Hungary that secured a place in the World Cup play-offs. The Ireland men’s rugby team, fresh from a Triple Crown, finished second for the second consecutive year on 14%, while the Republic of Ireland women’s football team placed third on 12% after earning promotion in the Nations League.
Gaelic games also featured strongly, with Kerry taking fourth place after claiming the All-Ireland men’s senior football title, and the Tipperary senior hurlers rounding out the top five following their Liam MacCarthy Cup triumph — their first since 2019.
Unsurprisingly, Gaelic games were voted Ireland’s favourite sport for the eighth year in a row, attracting 21% of the vote, narrowly ahead of soccer, with rugby third on 15%. Athletics and tennis shared fourth place, while golf completed the rankings.
