Team Ireland Olympic Sport Awards 2025 Winners Announced
Ireland’s Best Take Centre Stage after Stellar Year
Irish performance sailor Eve McMahon was named "Rising Star" at the Team Ireland Olympic Sport Awards on Saturday, 6 December.
McMahon's win follows an oustanding year for the Howth sailor including a Bronze at the ILCA 6 World Championships in China as well as a Gold at the LA Sailing Grand Slam.
More than 500 people attended the event, which also included a nod to the past, the present and the future, with attendees including Ireland’s Sydney Olympians, as well as this year’s European Youth Olympic Festival medallists. It also included a salute to the athletes preparing for the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Milano Cortina.
In a year of extraordinary results across multiple sports, the awards highlighted the importance of recognising athletes’ achievements, especially in a year of global championships, Olympic qualification battles, and standout moments on the world stage.
The success seen across Irish sport was credited to the strength of the high-performance systems developed within the national federations, supported by Sport Ireland, and delivered through the hard work of coaches, support teams, and federation staff nationwide.
Each winner received the Olly, the Olympic Sport Award Trophy, inspired by the Olympic torch. The judging panel, along with strong input from the public, faced particularly tough decisions this year given the breadth and depth of performances across Irish sport.
The night opened up with a powerful spoken word from poet, Stephen James Smith, who penned a dedication to Irish Olympians, ‘From Torch to Tally’, followed by a night of entertainment and awards.
This year’s prestigious President’s Awards was awarded posthumously to Maeve Kyle, who passed away earlier this year. Kyle was the first woman to represent Ireland in the sport of Athletics and went on to inspire and guide many women who followed in her footsteps. The night was marked with a message from the President of the IOC, Kirsty Coventry, who acknowledged the achievements of the pioneer of Irish women’s sport.
The Olympic Federation of Ireland extends thanks to Paul Byrne Media, Sound to Light, florist Lia Q Bell and the staff of the Dublin Royal Convention Centre for contributing to an incredible night, and to Off the Ball, official media partner to the Team Ireland Olympic Sport Awards for their support and coverage before and during the event.
2025 TEAM IRELAND OLYMPIC SPORT AWARD WINNERS
Female Athlete of the Year, sponsored by Allianz
Winner: Kate O’Connor (Athletics)
Runner Up: Aoife O’Rourke (Boxing), Fiona Murtagh (Rowing), Lara Gillespie (Cycling)
Male Athlete of the Year, sponsored by Allianz
Winner: Rory McIlroy (Golf)
Runner Up: Ben Healy (Cycling), Cian McPhillips (Athletics), Fintan McCarthy (Rowing)
Rising Star, sponsored by Sport Ireland
Winner: Eve McMahon (Sailing)
Runner Up: John Shortt (Swimming), Patsy Joyce (Boxing)
Team of the Year, sponsored by Flogas
Winner: Fintan McCarthy & Philip Doyle (Rowing)
Runner Up: Senior Eventing Team (Equestrian), Men’s 3x3 Basketball Team
Coach of the Year, sponsored by Key Patent Innovations
Winner: Dominic Casey (Rowing)
Runner Up: John Szaranek (Swimming), Michael O’Connor (Athletics)
Olympic Sporting Moment of the Year, sponsored by Fiat
Winner: Kate O’Connor’s World Championships silver medal
Runner Up: Rory McIlroy’s Masters triumph; Ben Healy in the yellow jersey at the Tour de France
High Performance Programme of the Year, sponsored by Deloitte
Winner: Cycling Ireland
Runner Up: Rowing Ireland; Swim Ireland
Creator of the Year, sponsored by McKeever Sports
Winner: Rhys McClenaghan
Runner Up: Ayeisha McFerran & Unboxed; Daniel & Nathan Wiffen’s Vlog
Community Impact Award, sponsored by SPAR/EUROSPAR
Winner: Inbhear Dee Athletics Club’s Noreen O’Reilly, Eithne Walsh and Anne-Marie Kelly
Runner Up: Rhys McClenaghan’s Club Tour; Cricket Connects Summer Camp
President’s Award
Recipient: Maeve Kyle
Speaking after the ceremony, Peter Sherrard, CEO of the Olympic Federation of Ireland, said,
“Tonight was about recognising the people who give their all for Irish sport. Our athletes don’t show up once every four years, they train, compete and represent Ireland all year round. Their achievements this year reflect the strength of our high-performance structures, the support of Sport Ireland, and the tireless work of the national federations. The Olly celebrates not just the result, but the commitment and excellence behind it.”
OFI President Lochlann Walsh summed up the event, saying,
“This has been a massive year for Irish sport, and the standard of performances made this one of the toughest judging processes we’ve had. It was important to come together tonight to acknowledge the athletes, coaches, creators and volunteers who continue to inspire the nation. Every winner, and every nominee, represents the very best of Irish sport.”
The 2025 Team Ireland Olympic Sport Awards celebrated not just podiums and moments, but the dedication, resilience and spirit that drive Irish athletes every day.