Most recognizable Irish sporting personality in Ireland.

Say Your Number · 08-05-2016 07:59PM

Davy Fitz - The mad bastard.

Anna Geary - While she was playing I didn't have a clue who she was, but since she retired every time I turn on the telly or radio there's a fair chance she'll be on it.

Ken Doherty - Maybe not so much any more since he has declined as a player and interest in Snooker seems to have dropped also.

Joe Brolly - Giving away your kidney to a stranger and being an argumentative bollox on the telly surely would give you some notoriety.

No mentions of Ronan O'Gara or Padraig Harrington.

CloudCumulus · 09-05-2016 05:36PM

MRnotlob606 wrote: »

Brian Dobson's double chin

The blonde one... Blathnaid? and her increasingly husky voice as the news goes on.

Shane Lowry (golfer) got a few looks in Galway last year. Glad to see it cos he seems like a thoroughly nice guy and I hope he wins a few soon.

Brendan Flowers · 09-05-2016 05:46PM

Michelle Smith de Bruin

The 2 Eddie's - Jordan & Irvine. Maybe not so much Irvine nowadays but certainly EJ would be a very recognizable sports personality globally

maudgonner · 09-05-2016 05:56PM

Brendan Flowers wrote: »

The 2 Eddie's - Jordan & Irvine. Maybe not so much Irvine nowadays but certainly EJ would be a very recognizable sports personality globally

The thing about EJ, along with Dunphy and Giles etc, is that he's become recognisable far more as a result of his TV work that when he ran the team. So I don't think any of those should be included.

Likewise Bill O'Herlihy and Marty Morrissey, they're broadcasters, not sports personalities, as far as I'm concerned.

I'd go with Sonia, Brian O'Driscoll, Paul O'Connell, Rory McIlroy, Paul McGrath and Roy Keane. Roy would probably be top of the list.

ziggy · 09-05-2016 06:01PM

This post has been deleted.

Mint Sauce · 09-05-2016 06:08PM

Paul McGrath and Ray Haughton for me.

Have recognised and spoke to McGrath when out, and dispite being in Dublin on the weekend of the first FAI Cup Final at the new Lansdowne, which was also hosting a Rugby International the same weekend, was in a pub were there were several rugby and soccer commentators/pundits, Haughton was the only one who I could both recognise and put a name to the face. All the others were people I recognised off the telly.

I'm one of these people, were alot of the time a celeb could walk by me, or be in the same place, and I would not even notice them.

Skylinehead · 09-05-2016 06:14PM

Robbie Keane

Has to be Keano.

http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i/?img=/soccernet/design05/images/2014/0917/roykeane_800x450.jpg&w=738&site=espnfc

No mistaking him for anyone/anything else.

Ruu · 09-05-2016 06:17PM

International sex symbol Marty Morrissey.

mohawk · 09-05-2016 06:47PM

Robbie Keane

Minderbinder wrote: »

Surprised no mention of Terry Phelan.

Who?? Never heard of him.

Clonmel1000 · 09-05-2016 06:49PM

diomed wrote: »

Paul O'Connell.
I don't know this Brian Cody.

Brian Cody.

I don't know this Paul O Connell

RonanP77 · 09-05-2016 07:02PM

I never hear of Brian Cody before so he's certainly not top of the list.

McGregor would be known to most, my 4 year old knows who he is, as does my 94 year old Gran. Guys at work that don't really understand what MMA is still recognise his name & picture. For that reason I'll pick him.

I'd put Roy Keane in second but wouldn't include any of the rugby guys, it's not that popular a sport. Any of the ladies mentioned wouldn't be recognisable to the younger generation, Katie Taylor isn't recognisable to any generation.

at9qu5vp0wcix7 · 09-05-2016 07:04PM

Worldwide it has to be Roy Keane - unlike rugby, soccer is played in every country in the world, with Keane captaining the most popular team in the world as it expanded to global television.

George Michael · 09-05-2016 07:09PM

gigantic09 wrote: »

Lots of choices here from different sporting backgrounds.Who,if people were to meet them walking down the street,would be most recognizable?.My own Tuppence worth would go on Brian Cody.He's our version of Alex Ferguson in the success stakes.Been around for ages so all age groups would be aware of him.Has a face with gnarled features that stands out.For those that say Conor McGregor,I was in the pub last weekend and over the course of the night at least 15 Mcgregor's came into the place.Only person's still living should be considered.

i would recognise cody no problem. greatest gaa coach and one of the greatest sports coaches of all time. i just wish he managed galway instead of kilkenny

gigantic09 · 09-05-2016 08:31PM

Paul O'Connell

Sunny Tart Lyrics wrote: »

Worldwide it has to be Roy Keane - unlike rugby, soccer is played in every country in the world, with Keane captaining the most popular team in the world as it expanded to global television.

Perhaps he would,but this is in Ireland only.lf we were talking world wide,i'd have to go with Sean og o halpin,with his Fiji connections :-).

Turtyturd · 09-05-2016 08:38PM

Sonia O'Sullivan, that's a face you can't forget no matter how hard you try.

ArnoldJRimmer · 09-05-2016 08:41PM

gigantic09 wrote: »

Perhaps he would,but this is in Ireland only.lf we were talking world wide,i'd have to go with Sean og o halpin,with his Fiji connections :-).

"Sean Og o Hailpin.... his father's from Fermanagh, his mother's from Fiji, neither a hurling stronghold", Micheal o'Muircheartaigh

In fairness, if you're not into the GAA, you probably wont know who Brian Cody is. I don't follow rugby so wouldn't recognize the vast majority of Irish rugby players or coaches. But I would be able to recognise most football players (not so much the hurlers as they wear helmets when playing).

K-9 · 09-05-2016 08:44PM

Robbie Keane

Jim McGuinness would probably be more recognisable than Cody in GAA circles, playing wise maybe the Gooch. GAA players would be well known county wise though if they've won All Irelands, legendary status in a county like Donegal.

Didn't see Robbie Keane mentioned in the first page. Stephen Roche for older generations, maybe Ken Doherty to try and widen it?

gigantic09 · 09-05-2016 08:57PM

Paul O'Connell

K-9 wrote: »

Jim McGuinness would probably be more recognisable than Cody in GAA circles, playing wise maybe the Gooch. GAA players would be well known county wise though if they've won All Irelands, legendary status in a county like Donegal.

Didn't see Robbie Keane mentioned in the first page. Stephen Roche for older generations, maybe Ken Doherty to try and widen it?

Ken isnt really in the limelight anymore though.Somebody earlier mentioned Dennis Taylor and while the younger generation wouldn't be that aware of him now,back in 85 he would arguably have been very high on the list.Apparently the country came to a halt to watch the world final against Davis.many Garda stations reported they didn't get any call outs that night.

Bubbaclaus · 09-05-2016 09:07PM

I have read the first 5 pages of this thread and I'm still none the wiser as to who Brian Cody is.

Roy Keane
Rory McIlroy
Brian O'Driscoll

would be the 3 most likely to be recognised if they strolled down the street. They all have pretty distinct looks as well as being one of the all time greats in their global sports.

salmocab · 09-05-2016 09:22PM

I think people from my favorite sport with a sly dig at a sport I don't like as if this debate means my sport is better.

Id imagine O Connell due to his height gingerness and the ads on tv
Keane because of his long time at the top plenty of controversy which means plenty of exposure plus he's now involved in the national team so still in the media
Probably Mc Ilroy as he's one of the best currently in a massive worldwide sport thats for individuals so no sharing lime light with team mates.

whiskeyman · 09-05-2016 09:49PM

Gary Breen....

And Gary Breen...

Seriously though?
I'd vote Jack Charlton.

09-05-2016 09:58PM

Brian Cody

I have an irrational dislike of Brian Cody's hat. He's always wearing it. On the sidelines, he's wearing it. Post match interview, he's wearing it. On the coach home... oh you better believe he's wearing it. He probably wears it in bed, showers with it on and gets his tea in it too. Stupid f*cking hat.

LordSutch · 09-05-2016 11:03PM

Conor McGregor,
Sonia O'Sullivan,
Paul McGrath?

mansize · 09-05-2016 11:04PM

Sonia O'Sullivan

I always thought Cody looked like a greyhound

SeamusRamos · 10-05-2016 01:12AM

Robbie Keane

A good indication of who is most recognisable, is who would be recognised walking down a street in Australia/ South Africa/Brazil.

Roy Keane probably?

Maximus Alexander · 10-05-2016 01:17AM

Has to be Eamonn Dunphy. Most of the others mentioned wouldn't be recognised by people who aren't into their sport / sports at all.

Ken. · 10-05-2016 01:29AM

Paul McGrath

Poll added. Jack left out cause he's not Irish. If anyone interesting comes up I'll add them to the poll. Max number is 25.

Easca Peasca · 10-05-2016 01:54AM

Roy Keane, closely followed by Brian O'Driscoll. Both had successful careers nationally and internationally and have continued to be mentioned in the media after retiring.

topmanamillion · 10-05-2016 01:57AM

Raf Cretaro ever since he did that hair loss ad he's massive.

entropi · 10-05-2016 03:40AM

Robbie Keane

Out of that original list, I would recognise most of them right away. I'd say Roy Keane would be instantly more recognisable than any of the others though, but from that list...probably McGregor, mostly due to the amount of lads emulating his look right now.

I wouldn't recognise A.P McCoy or Rory McIlroy if they were standing right in front of me though.

Most recognizable Irish sporting personality in Ireland.

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