Irish Sportsperson of the Year

Bill2673

Was thinking of this when watching Eoin Morgan hit his century the other day.

It should be an interesting list this year.

If I was to nominate 6 they would be

Eoin Morgan
Nicolas Roche
Lar Corbett
Katie Taylor
Graeme McDowell
Derval O'Rourke

I suppose in terms of pure achievement McDowell would get it .....(but but but....is Golf a sport or a game?).

Personally, I would say in terms of pure Sporting achievement, you would have to give it to Morgan.

(Plus, I just see Women's boxing as too much of a minority sport to give it to Katie. Maybe in 2012 if/ when she wins an Olympic gold. Boxing aficianados, correct me if I'm wrong).


Any thoughts?

Namabillion

Rte tend to stick to gaa, rugby and golf. I like your list though. Roche and especially Morgan not given enough media attention over here.

Namabillion

They won't give it to Morgan as it wouldn't look good to have a country's best sportsman playing for a different country

mathepac

Boxer of the Year - Katie Taylor

Sportswoman of the Year - Katie Taylor

Sports Personality of the Year - Katie Taylor

Sports Personality of the Decade - Katie Taylor

Sporting Hall of Fame Nominee - Katie Taylor

Irish Person of the Year - Katie Taylor

Irish Person of the Decade - Katie Taylor

The Best Thing Ever to Come ouha Wicklah - Katie Taylor

Namabillion

mathepac wrote: »

Boxer of the Year - Katie Taylor

Sportswoman of the Year - Katie Taylor

Sports Personality of the Year - Katie Taylor

Sports Personality of the Decade - Katie Taylor

Sporting Hall of Fame Nominee - Katie Taylor

Irish Person of the Year - Katie Taylor

Irish Person of the Decade - Katie Taylor

The Best Thing Ever to Come ouha Wicklah - Katie Taylor

I'll take it that you are a fan?

mathepac

Did I mention that I think Katie Taylor is brilliant?

Bill2673

mathepac wrote: »

Did I mention that I think Katie Taylor is brilliant?

You obviously know boxing and are a good judge of the standard she is at. She is obviously the best at what she does, but how high is the standard of women's boxing? How many women boxers are there? Please enlighten. I think her success needs that bit of context. My guess is that for every 50 amateur male boxers out there, there is 1 female boxer. In that context maybe Paddy Barnes's achievements, in terms of how difficult that might be to achieve, might equal those of Katie this year.

mathepac

Bill2673 wrote: »

... but how high is the standard of women's boxing? How many women boxers are there? Please enlighten. I think her success needs that bit of context. My guess is that for every 50 amateur male boxers out there, there is 1 female boxer. ...

While I haven't got a clue how many boxers of any kind there are worldwide, it's true that there are fewer women boxers. That said, Katie's performances this year have been exceptional, in particular her last two bouts in the World Championships.

In her semi-final against the smart, fit, hard-hitting American Underwood, Katie had to dig deep physically, technically and tactically to get a two-point win. To then turn around and beat the Chinese girl Cheng Dong comprehensively in the final is a testament to Katie's outstanding preparation and conditioning, physically and mentally.

A lesser athlete might have convinced herself after the semi-final bout that her work was done. Katie didn't fall into the trap and took the final hurdle in her inimitable professional way.

This year again, Katie fought her way to a World Championship, was selected as boxer of the tournament and again was the clear choice as AIBA female boxer of the year.

If the sheer numbers are not competing in Katie's chosen sport, that is hardly her fault. All any competitor, individual or team, can do is beat whatever shows up on the day of the match / bout and in winning as she did Katie is IMHO the clear choice for Sports star of the year.

Bill2673 wrote: »

... In that context maybe Paddy Barnes's achievements, in terms of how difficult that might be to achieve, might equal those of Katie this year.

I've posted elsewhere my opinion about the magnificent achievements of the NI team at the Commonwealth Games, the boxers in particular. But we must put their achievements in context by remembering that some very strong boxing nations were not represented at the Games e.g. USA, mainland Europeans, Cubans, etc. so unfortunately, looking at their achievements in context, I don't see a clear case for changing my mind away from Katie.

Bill2673

mathepac wrote: »

I've posted elsewhere my opinion about the magnificent achievements of the NI team at the Commonwealth Games, the boxers in particular. But we must put their achievements in context by remembering that some very strong boxing nations were not represented at the Games e.g. USA, mainland Europeans, Cubans, etc. so unfortunately, looking at their achievements in context, I don't see a clear case for changing my mind away from Katie.

You've made a convincing case there, in fact I think I'm convinced.

On Barnes, he obviously won the European Gold as well, and so would have beaten the Mainland Europeans there.

So Graham McDowell won it?? graham a good sportsman in his own right but...i think Katie was robbed somehow. she has been miss consistent the last 5 years winning 3 world titles. AP McCoy can feel hard done by too as he has won everything there is to win in horse racing and he must have 2000 races won at this stage?

*Hank Scorpio*

anyone know who the girl was sitting beside luke fitzgerald on the show? Was she a sportsperson?

ryaner012

*Hank Scorpio* wrote: »

anyone know who the girl was sitting beside luke fitzgerald on the show? Was she a sportsperson?

i was going to ask that myself,

it was the only reason that i continued to watch it last night trying to find out who she was

*Hank Scorpio*

ryaner012 wrote: »

i was going to ask that myself,

it was the only reason that i continued to watch it last night trying to find out who she was

looked a bit like daniella moyle, the model. Hard to tell, couldn't see her well.

Everyone seemed to be sports related people, though, near the main stage.

themandan6611

mathepac wrote: »

In her semi-final against the smart, fit, hard-hitting American Underwood, Katie had to dig deep physically, technically and tactically to get a two-point win.

aka as hanging on for dear life;)

efb

themandan6611 wrote: »

aka as hanging on for dear life;)

and thats how champs stay champions. It was some fight.

Losing the Irish Sports Woman of the Year, to the Wexford Swimmer was disappointing, but its the Irish Times, so not surprised.

That being said, I hope both girls bring home medal from London and I'll hopefully be there to see them!