All Time Top Ten Irish Sportspeople

[foitek]

On what basis and ahead of whom

On the basis that he was the first of the current wave of Irish golfers to win a Major, he won three of them including one in the US, and was a world class (top 50) golfer for many years who regularly contended in major tournaments. Ronnie Delaney's and Sonia O'Sullivan's achievements were great in themselves but were quite modest in an international context.
If George Best is to be included, why not Joey Dunlop, Tony McCoy Alex Higgins or Mary Peters? Indeed, there's a distinct lack of equestrian inclusion on the list, the one area above all others where we do compete equally in the international sphere.

 

[Hallbopping]

Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Donovan out for me.

Harrington and Gooch in.

 

[Philby]

I'd be of the view that Giles & Roy would be at a very similar level.

It only comes to mind because I was at a kids rugby tournament this weekend where a side from Ballymoney were playing. But Joey Dunlop is often entirely overlooked in these types of discussions, south of the border at least. But he's held in very high regard in the North + internationally.

Albeit for a sport which doesn't have such mass appeal, but that hasn't worked against Paul O'Donovan.

From a horse racing perspective if you were looking for someone it would be AP McCoy getting the nod over Ruby Walsh I guess.

It would feel incomplete to not have a boxer in the mix. Until Katie's rise I'd imagine Barry McGuigan would've made many people's lists.

 

[Philby]

If George Best is to be included, why not Joey Dunlop, Tony McCoy

Snap.

 

[El Guapo]

On the basis that he was the first of the current wave of Irish golfers to win a Major, he won three of them including one in the US, and was a world class (top 50) golfer for many years who regularly contended in major tournaments. Ronnie Delaney's and Sonia O'Sullivan's achievements were great in themselves but were quite modest in an international context.
If George Best is to be included, why not Joey Dunlop, Tony McCoy Alex Higgins or Mary Peters? Indeed, there's a distinct lack of equestrian inclusion on the list, the one area above all others where we do compete equally in the international sphere.

Right that's the job, now were getting somewhere

I totally disagree with you.

Harrington is a great golfer with unquestionable achievements and a lovely man by all evidence but not for me 3 Majors isn't enough for me

I think Athletics Is one of only two global sports footballers being the obvious other one.

Sonia won world gold in 95, Doubled over world XC short and long course on 98, Doubled at the Euro champs that year. If it wasn't for Ma's Army and Szabo Juiceing would have won gold at Sydney, Atlanta and we'd be talking best about female ever not just Irish.

Delaney similar 4 NCAA and and Olympics gold in the blur riband event. cut his own path, Harrington had plenty of Irish golfers help him along. He's In for me.

I'd drop Best too. Yeah he won a balon d'or but fucked life away to drink .

Kelly would take his spot

 

[Bonbon12]

Why is McIlroy on it. He's British

 

[foitek]

I'd be of the view that Giles & Roy would be at a very similar level.

It only comes to mind because I was at a kids rugby tournament this weekend where a side from Ballymoney were playing. But Joey Dunlop is often entirely overlooked in these types of discussions, south of the border at least. But he's held in very high regard in the North + internationally.

Albeit for a sport which doesn't have such mass appeal, but that hasn't worked against Paul O'Donovan.

From a horse racing perspective if you were looking for someone it would be AP McCoy getting the nod over Ruby Walsh I guess.

It would feel incomplete to not have a boxer in the mix. Until Katie's rise I'd imagine Barry McGuigan would've made many people's lists.

McGuigan - I don't know. One of our better boxers certainly, but hardly one that would have any great regard in a world view of the sport.

 

[El Guapo]

Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Donovan out for me.

Harrington and Gooch in.

on what basis?

This type of post is bollocks.

I'm not saying Gooch and Harrington don't deserve it (well I am but not right now)

But back up your pick

 

[Podsy]

Continuing with the GAA theme, Rena Buckley and Briege Corkery have eighteen All-Irelands apiece, which, to my mind, puts them ahead of every one else on that list.

 

[El Guapo]

Continuing with the GAA theme, Rena Buckley and Briege Corkery have eighteen All-Irelands apiece, which, to my mind, puts them ahead of every one else on that list.

To me that tells a story less of their unquestioned excellence but more of a shallow competition.