Who is/was Ireland's most famous sports star?

Yer Da sells Avon

salmocab wrote: »

Indeed, also it’s popularity increase correlated with the increase in professional rugby played regularly by very good players based in Ireland. This made it all a lot more accessible than it used to be when the only rugby available for people to see was some 5N games and a few other games. Mostly with no chance of attending as tickets were like hens teeth.

I wouldn't deny that the IRFU have done a great job at popularising their sport - but they've been helped enormously by the hype generated by the media (especially RTE) in the wake of the Ireland team's success. I've sat in pubs when the rugby was on (and I've been inexplicably "hushed" when a player was taking a penalty) and the majority of people there, despite their obvious enthusiasm, didn't know the rules of the game.

salmocab

Yer Da sells Avon wrote: »

I wouldn't deny that the IRFU have done a great job at popularising their sport - but they've been helped enormously by the hype generated by the media (especially RTE) in the wake of the Ireland team's success. I've sat in pubs when the rugby was on (and I've been inexplicably "hushed" when a player was taking a penalty) and the majority of people there, despite their obvious enthusiasm, didn't know the rules of the game.

The hushing is nonsense but people can enjoy something without knowing all the rules, I played for nearly 30 years and still struggle with some of them. Rugby’s popularity is linked to going professional and increasing its accessibility to people. Obviously being successful helps but the product is appealing to people. It’s the same with all sports once they are in people’s view lots will watch. Tennis for two weeks lots of people watch and enjoy it then barely take an interest until Wimbledon rolls around again. Soccer during a WC especially one with Ireland in it people are crazy for it then when it’s over plenty go back to just looking out for a teams results at best.

Woke Hogan

eagle eye wrote: »

Everyone watched it then too.

Nobody watches rugby in the 90s apart from a few diehards, Poshos from Dublin, and people in Limerick.

Marcus Rashford

Rugby is popular because it’s clean-cut and we’re good at it.

eagle eye

TomasMacR wrote:

A once off event and its viewership numbers is no reflection of how popular a sport is...absolutely nothing to do with it.

You brush it off as a once off event but they played more games in the World Cup. I just gave you the figures for the biggest game.
Do you know for a fact that they don't watch the Six Nation's, the Rugby Championship, Super Rugby, Champions Cup and their very own Top League?
Why have they got a big league of their own?

TomasMacR wrote:

I'd be fairly confident that our own viewership numbers were quite high for yer one that got the olympic medal in sailing yet we're not all running down to dun laoghaire harbour with a laser boat on a trailer tied to the back of the car.

I didn't watch it and nobody I know watched it either.

eagle eye

Marcus Rashford wrote:

Rugby is popular because it’s clean-cut and we’re good at it.

It's always been popular. Of course you have the Fairweather fans but rugby has a huge fanbase in this country who following it through the good times and the bad.

JohnnyFlash

Woke Hogan wrote: »

Nobody watches rugby in the 90s apart from a few diehards, Poshos from Dublin, and people in Limerick.

Parts of Cork and North Kerry as well, Woke.

The_Kew_Tour

eagle eye wrote: »

Everyone watched it then too.

No they didn't

Marcus Rashford

eagle eye wrote: »

Marcus Rashford wrote:

Rugby is popular because it’s clean-cut and we’re good at it.

It's always been popular. Of course you have the Fairweather fans but rugby has a huge fanbase in this country who following it through the good times and the bad.

That’s not true. It hasn’t always been popular. 200 people used to go to interprovincial games.

eagle eye

Marcus Rashford wrote:

That’s not true. It hasn’t always been popular. 200 people used to go to interprovincial games.

Thanks was prior to Champions Cup rugby. Back then the likes of Shannon and Cork Con had big crowds every game.

weemcd

The answer is, in this order:

McGregor
George Best
Roy Keane
McIlroy

There isn't a fith. It was probably a dead heat between Best and Keane for a time but McGregor is light years ahead now.

Tell me how

weemcd wrote: »

The answer is, in this order:

McGregor
George Best
Roy Keane
McIlroy

There isn't a fith. It was probably a dead heat between Best and Keane for a time but McGregor is light years ahead now.

You think more people know Roy Keane and George Best than McIlroy. Can't see how.

Teddy Daniels

salmocab wrote: »

The hushing is nonsense but people can enjoy something without knowing all the rules, I played for nearly 30 years and still struggle with some of them. Rugby’s popularity is linked to going professional and increasing its accessibility to people. Obviously being successful helps but the product is appealing to people. It’s the same with all sports once they are in people’s view lots will watch. Tennis for two weeks lots of people watch and enjoy it then barely take an interest until Wimbledon rolls around again. Soccer during a WC especially one with Ireland in it people are crazy for it then when it’s over plenty go back to just looking out for a teams results at best.

Rugby has no rules, it has laws.

megadodge

rob316 wrote: »

McGregor and it's not even close, regardless what you think of him or mma.

Worldwide he's top 3 with Ronaldo and Messi I reckon. The Americans absolutely worship him.

Ah here, get a grip. Ever hear of Federer, Nadal, Bolt, Tiger Woods, Floyd Mayweather, Le Bron James, etc. etc.

The problem people have on here is this - America is NOT the world!! (Even though Americans think it is).

McGregor is massive in the States. Also obviously in Ireland. Quite big in the UK and maybe well known in Brazil because it's an MMA powerbase. That still leaves an awful lot of human beings all over planet Earth who never heard of the fella. I'm serious. Ask the average African or Asian who he is and it's seriously doubtful they ever heard of him. And that's an awful lot of the world's population.

For what it's worth, I wouldn't be surprised if McIlroy is more famous WORLDWIDE.

Edit. Here's a link that shows McGregor in 25th place WORLDWIDE and McIlroy in 14th.

http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/page/worldfame100/espn-world-fame-100-top-ranking-athletes

feargale

weemcd wrote: »

The answer is, in this order:

McGregor
George Best
Roy Keane
McIlroy

There isn't a fith. It was probably a dead heat between Best and Keane for a time but McGregor is light years ahead now.

Best was the only one worth supporting. I wouldn't urinate from a height on the others, even if they were on fire.

Setanta/Cú Chulainn is by far the most famous sports star in Irish history. His feats have been recounted to every generation of Irish people since at least the 8th century. Come back to me about any of the buckos in this thread in 1200 years and see if people are still talking about them.

TerrorFirmer

megadodge wrote: »

Edit. Here's a link that shows McGregor in 25th place WORLDWIDE and McIlroy in 14th.

http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/page/worldfame100/espn-world-fame-100-top-ranking-athletes

I like how you chose an old, out-of-date ranking to support the point!

The latest, 2019 version of that exact same list has McGregor at 5th.

McIllroy at 25th.

Woke Hogan

Deleted User wrote: »

Setanta/Cú Chulainn is by far the most famous sports star in Irish history. His feats have been recounted to every generation of Irish people since at least the 8th century. Come back to me about any of the buckos in this thread in 1200 years and see if people are still talking about them.

Fictional characters don't count. Do you also consider Roy of the Rovers to be England's most famous sports star? Or World Cup winner Hotshot Hamish for Scotland? :D:D

Woke Hogan

Hey does anyone remember when American football star Flash Gordon saved the planet from the cruel Ming the Merciless??? :rolleyes:

Franz Von Peppercorn

Woke Hogan wrote: »

Fictional characters don't count. Do you also consider Roy of the Rovers to be England's most famous sports star? Or World Cup winner Hotshot Hamish for Scotland? :D:D

I’m surprised you don’t think it’s johnny joe o Shea your local GAA star. He scored ten against ballychairbottom that time in the club championship in 1982. Lest we forget.

Marcus Rashford

Woke Hogan wrote: »

Deleted User wrote: »

Setanta/Cú Chulainn is by far the most famous sports star in Irish history. His feats have been recounted to every generation of Irish people since at least the 8th century. Come back to me about any of the buckos in this thread in 1200 years and see if people are still talking about them.

Fictional characters don't count. Do you also consider Roy of the Rovers to be England's most famous sports star? Or World Cup winner Hotshot Hamish for Scotland? :D:D

Is that why Sheamus and Conor McGregor are so hotly debated?

TheQuietFella

Best wasn't Irish anyway but Ruby Walsh surely would be up there!

Woke Hogan

Franz Von Peppercorn wrote: »

I’m surprised you don’t think it’s johnny joe o Shea your local GAA star. He scored ten against ballychairbottom that time in the club championship in 1982. Lest we forget.

Sorry what are you talking about?

TCM

Marcus Rashford wrote:

Rugby is popular because it’s clean-cut and we’re good at it.

Good at it in a tiny global pool.

JohnnyFlash

Franz Von Peppercorn wrote: »

I’m surprised you don’t think it’s johnny joe o Shea your local GAA star. He scored ten against ballychairbottom that time in the club championship in 1982. Lest we forget.

Bit of a bizarre rant there, dude. You ok? Maybe you should go back to bed for a few hours.

Franz Von Peppercorn

Woke Hogan wrote: »

Sorry what are you talking about?

Can’t believe you forgot. Shame.

Franz Von Peppercorn

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

Bit of a bizarre rant there, dude. You ok? Maybe you should go back to bed for a few hours.

Not really a rant was it, Flash. Just wondering why Woke has forgotten the great GAA stars of his townland.

It has been a bad day though. I was in a cubicle taking a crap and this lad comes in to the other cubicle and also takes a crap. Hard to recover from that.

Woke Hogan

Franz Von Peppercorn wrote: »

Can’t believe you forgot. Shame.

Ha ha okay, big boy. Whatever you say.

Mad_maxx

weemcd wrote: »

The answer is, in this order:

McGregor
George Best
Roy Keane
McIlroy

There isn't a fith. It was probably a dead heat between Best and Keane for a time but McGregor is light years ahead now.

George Best didn't identify as Irish ( not meant as a criticism of the great man)

McIlroy likes to hedge his bets, being the corporate robot that he is

Marcus Rashford

Mad_maxx wrote: »

weemcd wrote: »

The answer is, in this order:

McGregor
George Best
Roy Keane
McIlroy

There isn't a fith. It was probably a dead heat between Best and Keane for a time but McGregor is light years ahead now.

George Best didn't identify as Irish ( not meant as a criticism of the great man)

McIlroy likes to hedge his bets, being the corporate robot that he is

I think it’s more the case that people who’ve grown up post Peace Process prefer not to dwell on the moronic sectarian stuff and see themselves as Northern Irish rather than Irish or British.

JohnnyFlash

Mad_maxx wrote: »

George Best didn't identify as Irish ( not meant as a criticism of the great man)

McIlroy likes to hedge his bets, being the corporate robot that he is

McIlroy just doesn’t care - big difference. He’s worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and doesn’t give a rats arse about what some barstool Republican thinks of him. Or knuckle dragging Loyalist either.

J. Marston

Tonight it's Becky Lynch. Doing the Parish proud.

Mad_maxx

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

McIlroy just doesn’t care - big difference. He’s worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and doesn’t give a rats arse about what some barstool Republican thinks of him. Or knuckle dragging Loyalist either.

I think he believes not hitching his cart to either flag is more commercially friendly

branie2

Anthony Daly

EICVD

Tiger Roll, he’ll achieve more than any Irish sports person will

EICVD

J. Marston wrote: »

Tonight it's Becky Lynch. Doing the Parish proud.

If only it wasn’t entertainment & a real sport

megadodge

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

I like how you chose an old, out-of-date ranking to support the point!

The latest, 2019 version of that exact same list has McGregor at 5th.

McIllroy at 25th.

It was the very first one on the Google search I did. I didn't check any others as it seemed pretty legit.

janfebmar

Mad_maxx wrote: »

George Best didn't identify as Irish ( not meant as a criticism of the great man)

McIlroy likes to hedge his bets, being the corporate robot that he is

McIllroy said 'I've always felt more British than Irish'. That is his right, he has the right to identify himself as he wishes.

EmmetSpiceland

janfebmar wrote: »

McIllroy said 'I've always felt more British than Irish'. That is his right, he has the right to identify himself as he wishes.

He should play under the flag of the Golfing Union of Ireland. Just like our rugby team does with the IRFU flag.

janfebmar

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

He should play under the flag of the Golfing Union of Ireland. Just like our rugby team does with the IRFU flag.

Our rugby team represents the island of Ireland. Most of the players grew up in the Republic of Ireland, were educated by the Irish taxpayer, pay their taxes in the Republic etc.

McIllroy can choose his own identity, people from N. Ireland have that choice.

dundalkfc10

Mad_maxx wrote: »

weemcd wrote: »

The answer is, in this order:

McGregor
George Best
Roy Keane
McIlroy

There isn't a fith. It was probably a dead heat between Best and Keane for a time but McGregor is light years ahead now.

George Best didn't identify as Irish ( not meant as a criticism of the great man)

McIlroy likes to hedge his bets, being the corporate robot that he is

George Best was a wife beating scumbag

EmmetSpiceland

janfebmar wrote: »

Our rugby team represents the island of Ireland. Most of the players grew up in the Republic of Ireland, were educated by the Irish taxpayer, pay their taxes in the Republic etc.

McIllroy can choose his own identity, people from N. Ireland have that choice.

They still play under a flag representing the whole island. In fact, the sooner they take down the tricolour and Ulster flag and stop playing the soccer anthem at home games the better.

He should play under a flag that covers the whole island to avoid the nonsense.

Pissartist

dundalkfc10 wrote: »

George Best was a wife beating scumbag

Yes Alex Higgins too

janfebmar

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

He should play under a flag that covers the whole island to avoid the nonsense.

What nonsense? McIllroy himself said 'I've always felt more British than Irish'. Does'nt his passport than he chose (and he had a choice) say "The UK of Gt. Britain and Northern Ireland"? He seems happy enough and lives a clean life, no scandals?

feargale

Woke Hogan wrote: »

Hey does anyone remember when American football star Flash Gordon saved the planet from the cruel Ming the Merciless??? :rolleyes:

Was that the MEP? I didn't know he was good with the penalty kick.

feargale

Woke Hogan wrote: »

Fictional characters don't count. Do you also consider Roy of the Rovers to be England's most famous sports star? Or World Cup winner Hotshot Hamish for Scotland? :D:D

LollipopJimmy

I was at the event on Friday when McGregor turned up, the chap was hounded and spent a good hour and a bit having his photo taken. He eventually left with crowds running after him, it was insane and I've never seen the likes before

Pherekydes

Well, have any conclusions been arrived at?

Has John M. Lynch been mentioned?

Thought he'd at least get a mention...

Tombo2001

salmocab wrote: »

Well no most sports are played in pockets and no very few are truly global, boxing, soccer, athletics probably one or two others. Then there are plenty that are played in lots of countries but generally in very small numbers. I’m not knocking cricket to be clear I like it and have been to matches. The poster said it was played in all corners of the globe which it isn’t. I don’t see that saying cricket isn’t played to a high level globally is a big deal tbh and I doubt many cricket fans think it is.

None of those are truly global.

salmocab

Tombo2001 wrote: »

None of those are truly global.

Well soccer surely is as close to a true global game as we’re likely to get. It doesn’t mean much though Mc Donald’s is as close to a true global restaurant as we’ll get but it doesn’t make it better than supermacs just more successful.