Why is there ever a debate about who was the best Irish Sports person ever? *READ OP*

ShatterAlan

Deleted User wrote: »

Couldn't think of a worse ambassador, McGregor is a feral knackbag.

True.


But so is Mike Tyson...a scummer of the highest order. BUT classed as one of America's greatest sports persons.


Pele was another knacker who slutted around, abandoned his kids, didn't even go to funerals of children he whelped.


I suppose it's all down to ability rather than a person's moral compass.


Tiger Woods? A charlatan nice-guy who was mucking around with pornstars.
Ryan Giggs? Shagging his brother's wife for YEARS while being a UNESCO ambassador.

Morrison J

Jimmy McLarnin

Most boxing historians would tell you he's a top 20-30 P4P boxer of all time. Above the big modern names like Mayweather and Pacquiao. Should be far more celebrated on this island.

feargale

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

"You can't be an Ulsterman without being an Irishman", who said that?

Ian Paisley.

If that dirty bigot could call himself an Irishman, then so was George Best.

Easy there. The man took a bath from time to time.

feargale

ShatterAlan wrote: »

True.


But so is Mike Tyson...a scummer of the highest order. BUT classed as one of America's greatest sports persons.


Pele was another knacker who slutted around, abandoned his kids, didn't even go to funerals of children he whelped.


I suppose it's all down to ability rather than a person's moral compass.


Tiger Woods? A charlatan nice-guy who was mucking around with pornstars.
Ryan Giggs? Shagging his brother's wife for YEARS while being a UNESCO ambassador.

You seem to take a special interest in this shagging business. I'd say there would be a run on popcorn in your house if it ever became an Olympic event.

eagle eye

Truthvader wrote:

Disqualified

She wasn't disqualified.

eagle eye

Most famous Irish sports person is probably McGregor.
Picking the best is very difficult. In modern times I think Brian O'Driscoll would have to be up there.Padraig Harrington too. Roy Keane as mentioned by the OP. Going a bit further back and Eamon Coughlan was a great one and World Champ over 5000 metres too. And then there's our great Olympian and multiple weight pro world Champion boxer Katie Taylor.

Abel Ruiz

Sonia o'sullivan.
Multiple world champion, silver in the Olympics. Held World records for years, the 2km and 2mile.

yerwanthere123

Not reading through the whole thread to see if she got a mention, but surely Sonia O'Sullivann is a decent shout here? World champion and Olympic silver medallist whilst having to compete against the doped up Chinese and Russians is no mean feat. At one point had one of the fastest mile and 3,000m in history too.

Gretas Gonna Get Ya!

sxt wrote: »

Roy Keane

There is no other Irish person close. Who ever is second, is a distant second

He is the most influential sports person in Irish sporting History, and in British football history

Any objections?

Roy Keane was a great player, but he only has one Champions League to his name in his entire career... and he didn't even play in that final.

People tend to overhype the premier league and how much it's really worth in terms of sporting achievement. To truly be classed among the greats of the game, you really need to be dominating both domestically and in europe. Keane's man utd team never really did that consistently. (Apart from the treble season - but that was only one season out of about 13/14 that he was at the club)

Gretas Gonna Get Ya!

Abel Ruiz wrote: »

Sonia o'sullivan.
Multiple world champion, silver in the Olympics. Held World records for years, the 2km and 2mile.

Would be a great shout, but she always seemed to bottle it at the olympics for some reason. I think the pressure of winning olympic gold, and the hopes of the entire nation, were just too much for her to handle mentally!

Coillte_Bhoy

eagle eye wrote: »

Most famous Irish sports person is probably McGregor.
Picking the best is very difficult. In modern times I think Brian O'Driscoll would have to be up there.Padraig Harrington too. Roy Keane as mentioned by the OP. Going a bit further back and Eamon Coughlan was a great one and World Champ over 5000 metres too. And then there's our great Olympian and multiple weight pro world Champion boxer Katie Taylor.

O'Driscoll? A great in his sport, yes. But its a sport played seriously by less than 10 countries

Tell me how

afro man wrote: »

Who identified him as British.. Born n bred in the island of ireland

The Good Friday Agreement.

lawrencesummers

Coillte_Bhoy wrote: »

O'Driscoll? A great in his sport, yes. But its a sport played seriously by less than 10 countries

You know 20 teams competed at the last World Cup right? And a lot of countries didn’t qualify.

tritriagain

lawrencesummers wrote: »

You know 20 teams competed at the last World Cup right? And a lot of countries didn’t qualify.

I'm a rugby fan but realistically the rugby world cup can be won by one of eight teams.( At a push)

YFlyer

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

As far as I know, Jimmy Magee still protests her innocence. There are none so blind ...

Edit. He's dead isnt he? RIP memory man Jimmy Magee

Mr Magoo.

S. Goodspeed

Strumms wrote: »

No way would you put Harrington up there, he’s shat the bed in numerous big competitions when he’s been leading. Ok three majors and around 06/07/08 he was something else.... a real purple patch..But .... blowing a three shot lead somewhere with three holes to play and he is interviewed... “ Padraig, you must be devastated ?”... PH : “ahhh sure, ahhh sure, look it’s a lovely day isn’t it.” He’s been second so often that it’s just bewildering.

Roy Keane :

7 Premier League Championships

4 FA Cups

1 Champions League

1 intercontinental Cup

1 Scottish League

1 Scottish League Cup

12 years at United, 13 trophies.

The fact Padraig was second so often in a highly competitive is a pretty remarkable feat for a start. He was also around during peak Tiger Woods. I wouldn’t have him top sportsperson but its farcical trying to write him off as some loser bottler when he has three majors when only a handful of players (5 I think) have more since the 90s.

Roy Keane won all of his titles in a completely dominant team playing in a largely uncompetitive league for most of his time there. John O’Shea has a pretty similar list of medals (including 5 Premier League titles), do we make him Ireland’s number two sports person on that basis? I don’t care about Saipan but barely representing your country on the top stage has to count against you.

Personally I’d say it’s Sonia O’Sullivan. She competed in a sport that pretty much ever girl in the world is forced to try at some point. She was robbed of multiple world and Olympic titles by competitors who it is widely accepted (and in many cases proven) were doping and yet she still dominated the world scene for years.

Other names I’d throw in are Giles, Brady, O’Driscoll (limited popularity of rugby globally hurts him), McGregor (definitely not a fan but ask any yank to name an Irish person let alone sports person and they’ll name him), McElroy & Best if we are taking in Northies. I’m sure I’m missing others. Katie Taylor is a star but really competing in a very limited pool hurts her.

Mysterypunter

lawrencesummers wrote: »

You know 20 teams competed at the last World Cup right? And a lot of countries didn’t qualify.

Ireland never got past the last 8 in a world cup, so rugby players can't be considered, its the world stage, not beating France and England at home, and Wales and Scotland away. To win the 5 nations, (everyone beats Italy). Why is the Clones Cyclone not mentioned at all, Barry McGuigan won 27 straight fights in a tough division, and only got chinned because of the greed of his promoter Barney Eastwood who wanted to make a few quid, and sent him out to fight in very high temperatures against Steve Cruz in Vegas. Northern bias again maybe. Sean Drea would be my pick, a high class rower who was second in the world champions, in 1975, broke the world record in the Olympic semi final the following year, but unfortunately only managed 4th in the final. He spent a lot of his career rowing against Russians, who cheated a bit, and notorious East Germany who cheated a lot, where even the women had beards.

Muscles Schultz

sxt wrote: »

Can you name an Irish sports star that would compare?

That ginger lass who won all the swimming medals

YFlyer

eagle eye wrote: »

Most famous Irish sports person is probably McGregor.
Picking the best is very difficult. In modern times I think Brian O'Driscoll would have to be up there.Padraig Harrington too. Roy Keane as mentioned by the OP. Going a bit further back and Eamon Coughlan was a great one and World Champ over 5000 metres too. And then there's our great Olympian and multiple weight pro world Champion boxer Katie Taylor.

How is McGregor the most famous? Roy Keane or Damian Duff would have been watched in practically every country in the world on a weekly basis playing Premier League football.

salmocab

tritriagain wrote: »

I'm a rugby fan but realistically the rugby world cup can be won by one of eight teams.( At a push)

Soccer is much more widely participated in and doesn’t have many more countries likely to win a World Cup. It’s the same for most team sports dominated by a small number of countries. Some people get a chip on their shoulder about rugby and how many countries play it at the top level when really what they mean is it’s not soccer and I don’t like it.

Rockbeast2

Kevin Moran

Revolutionized centre-half back play with Dublin in the 70s, winning:

2 All-Irelands
3 Leinster Titles
1 League Title
1 All-Star

Then, he CHANGES SPORT to soccer.

Wins 2 FA Cups with Manchester Utd

Represents Ireland 70+ times.
Plays in European Championships 1988
Plays in World Cup 1990
Squad member for 1994 World Cup at age of 38.

lawrencesummers

tritriagain wrote: »

I'm a rugby fan but realistically the rugby world cup can be won by one of eight teams.( At a push)

What a stupid argument. How many at a soccer world cup can realistically win it? one of 3? one of 4?

valoren

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

Guy Boros. Professional "athlete"

Ronaldo. World Cup winner. "athlete"

pconn062

Trying to decide whose best is pointless in such varied sports but it's hard to look past Sonia O'Sullivan. In an individual sport she won:

3 European championships
One world championship on the track
Two world championships in cross country
Olympic silver
Former world record holder

wexandproud

pconn062 wrote: »

Trying to decide whose best is pointless in such varied sports but it's hard to look past Sonia O'Sullivan. In an individual sport she won:

3 European championships
One world championship on the track
Two world championships in cross country
Olympic silver
Former world record holder

for me Sean kelly would be number 1 and sonia a close second
Kelly worlds number 1 for 4 years . Don't know of any other irish sports person ranked number 1 in their sport for 4 consecutive years . Almost 300 wins in his career including tour of spain which is often said by the pros to be a tougher race than the TDF . During his 16 yr career he was one of the most consistent rider's all year , every year

irishguitarlad

Gretas Gonna Get Ya! wrote: »

Roy Keane was a great player, but he only has one Champions League to his name in his entire career... and he didn't even play in that final.

People tend to overhype the premier league and how much it's really worth in terms of sporting achievement. To truly be classed among the greats of the game, you really need to be dominating both domestically and in europe. Keane's man utd team never really did that consistently. (Apart from the treble season - but that was only one season out of about 13/14 that he was at the club)

This. The Serie A was the league in the nineties up until around 2002 when the arse fell out of It. If Keane had won those titles in Italy I'd probably rate him higher.

lawrencesummers

This debate starts and ends with Brian Corcoran.

A dual player of the highest level who was exceptional in attack and defence.

begbysback

lawrencesummers wrote: »

What a stupid argument. How many at a soccer world cup can realistically win it? one of 3? one of 4?

Rugby has zero credibility with the amount of overhyped friendlies, it’s structured terribly, how can it be taken seriously when the sport tries to sell games where a bunch of northern hemisphere players are picked to play a bunch of southern hemisphere players, and it’s marketed as if it’s a war, another overhyped friendly which most people don’t care about. No rugby player should ever get “greatest” anything, you may as well pick a cricket player.

cdeb

Gretas Gonna Get Ya! wrote: »

Would be a great shout, but she always seemed to bottle it at the olympics for some reason. I think the pressure of winning olympic gold, and the hopes of the entire nation, were just too much for her to handle mentally!

In fairness, in 1992 anyway, she was beaten by three Chinese who were pumped full of drugs (as the Chinese themselves recently admitted)

Was also beaten by a Russian in 92 who was later banned for drugs, and another who died unexpectedly at 43 (shades of Flo Jo?)

1996 was weird though. And silver in 2000 was probably respectable at 31.

Homelander

YFlyer wrote: »

How is McGregor the most famous? Roy Keane or Damian Duff would have been watched in practically every country in the world on a weekly basis playing Premier League football.

Because literally the dogs on the street know who he is.

I wouldn't argue that he's the best sportsperson Ireland has ever produced, but it would be next level delusion, requiring commitment, to claim that Damian Duff is better known than Conor McGregor.

paw patrol

YFlyer wrote: »

How is McGregor the most famous? Roy Keane or Damian Duff would have been watched in practically every country in the world on a weekly basis playing Premier League football.

Mcgregor would be more famous in a global sense than keane or Duff.

There would be no contest in terms of fame.



Does that answer the question of best sportstar? no. Just fame.

gourcuff

mcgregor is definitely infamous, but i think only really loved in dublin.

Most Irish people think hes a complete gimp and an embarrassment, sucker punching old lads in pubs and just being a general scrote.

he got destroyed in his last fight, and more than a hint of discrimination/racism about some of his comments..

YFlyer

Homelander wrote: »

Because literally the dogs on the street know who he is.

I wouldn't argue that he's the best sportsperson Ireland has ever produced, but it would be next level delusion, requiring commitment, to claim that Damian Duff is better known than Conor McGregor.

English Premiership is watched the world over. The Manchester United and Chelsea would be watched as regularly as Liverpool, Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Truthvader

eagle eye wrote: »

She wasn't disqualified.

Disqualified by me. Can't even believe she has been suggested. Are we that desperate?

Mysterypunter

begbysback wrote: »

Rugby has zero credibility with the amount of overhyped friendlies, it’s structured terribly, how can it be taken seriously when the sport tries to sell games where a bunch of northern hemisphere players are picked to play a bunch of southern hemisphere players, and it’s marketed as if it’s a war, another overhyped friendly which most people don’t care about. No rugby player should ever get “greatest” anything, you may as well pick a cricket player.

I will so, Ed Joyce

eagle eye

Truthvader wrote:

Disqualified by me. Can't even believe she has been suggested. Are we that desperate?

You: Judge I've no proof he murdered that man but I know he did it.
Judge: Well that's good enough for me. Life in jail for the crime.

Kilboor

gourcuff wrote: »

mcgregor is definitely infamous, but i think only really loved in dublin.

Most Irish people think hes a complete gimp and an embarrassment, sucker punching old lads in pubs and just being a general scrote.

he got destroyed in his last fight, and more than a hint of discrimination/racism about some of his comments..

McGregor has done some stupid things but the hate for the man is completely overblown. When compared to Ali or Tyson in the combat sports sense, what McGregor has been guilty of is tame. Punching the old fella was unacceptable but it doesn't take away from the pure skill and determination of him to rise from a country with basically no culture of MMA and go on to become the most famous UFC fighter of all time, and the first to hold two belts at different weight classes.

He is an inspiration in a sporting sense. I'm not from Dublin either.

Homelander

YFlyer wrote: »

English Premiership is watched the world over. The Manchester United and Chelsea would be watched as regularly as Liverpool, Real Madrid or Barcelona.

If you're actually attempting to argue that Damian Duff is more famous than Conor McGregor, you need professional help.

Mad_maxx

fergiesfolly wrote: »

Eammon Coghlan.
World and European champion.
Held the World record for the indoor mile.
First man over 40 to run a sub minute mile.

coughlan underperformed overall

missed out on two olympic medals when he was at his peak

Mad_maxx

Gretas Gonna Get Ya! wrote: »

Would be a great shout, but she always seemed to bottle it at the olympics for some reason. I think the pressure of winning olympic gold, and the hopes of the entire nation, were just too much for her to handle mentally!

sonia shared a platform with the great michael johnson in 1995

back when track and field had relevance , both won more meets than any other athletes throughout that year

sonia was a giant , she was unlucky to get ill in 1996 , she was over the hill in 2000

as for 1992 when she was young , well the chineese beat her thanks to the worlds best cheating machine , seeing as east germany was no more

joe40

Homelander wrote: »

Because literally the dogs on the street know who he is.

I wouldn't argue that he's the best sportsperson Ireland has ever produced, but it would be next level delusion, requiring commitment, to claim that Damian Duff is better known than Conor McGregor.

I know McGregor is well known in Ireland, but outside of Ireland and outside the fairly niche sport of MMA I don't think he would be well known at all.

In order to decide the greatest sports person you would have to decide a particular criteria beforehand.

Mad_maxx

YFlyer wrote: »

How is McGregor the most famous? Roy Keane or Damian Duff would have been watched in practically every country in the world on a weekly basis playing Premier League football.

Damien Duff would barely be recognisable to most actual football fans in the uk today as he left chelsea not long after circa 2006 , never mind the average joe the world over

Mc Gregor is a huge brand , one of the biggest to ever emerge from this country , thats probably a reflection of the low brow state of things today but its a fact

Mad_maxx

joe40 wrote: »

I know McGregor is well known in Ireland, but outside of Ireland and outside the fairly niche sport of MMA I don't think he would be well known at all.

In order to decide the greatest sports person you would have to decide a particular criteria beforehand.

hes just as well known outside ireland

Homelander

joe40 wrote: »

I know McGregor is well known in Ireland, but outside of Ireland and outside the fairly niche sport of MMA I don't think he would be well known at all.

Has fought in some of the biggest PPV's in history. His antics outside UFC made mainstream news across the world.

He is in the top 5 of the ESPN World fame list alongside the likes of Ronaldo and Messi.

But sure no, no-one knows who he is.

YFlyer

joe40 wrote: »

I know McGregor is well known in Ireland, but outside of Ireland and outside the fairly niche sport of MMA I don't think he would be well known at all.

In order to decide the greatest sports person you would have to decide a particular criteria beforehand.

Exactly a niche sport.

People should clear the cookies from their web browser.

Feisar

Tomaldo wrote: »

Sadly I've never met him, but I admire him so much, but I shud a mentioned The Gooch as well, why wasn't he born in Tallaght or Ballymun

Then he wouldn't be The Gooch, he'd be Goocho.

Truthvader

eagle eye wrote: »

You: Judge I've no proof he murdered that man but I know he did it.
Judge: Well that's good enough for me. Life in jail for the crime.

Judge; In contrast to all known sporting precedent in the history of swimming you have managed to spectacularly improve your performance at an age when everyone else is on the downward trajectory. People are naturally suspicious and given your husbands history of drug cheating we would just like to check. Can we have a urine sample please?

Jesus she's pissed whiskey WTF?

jimgoose

Yizzer are all wrong. The greatest Irish sportsperson ever to have lived or who ever will live, is Big Paddy Ryan, the Pallasgrean Grizzly, who won gold in the hammer-throw and silver in the 56-pound shot in the 1920 Summer Olympics in Belgium.

joe40

Homelander wrote: »

Has fought in some of the biggest PPV's in history. His antics outside UFC made mainstream news across the world.

He is in the top 5 of the ESPN World fame list alongside the likes of Ronaldo and Messi.

But sure no, no-one knows who he is.

I couldn't name a current MMA fighter, that is how niche the sport.

Homelander

joe40 wrote: »

I couldn't name a current MMA fighter, that is how niche the sport.

Which has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with your deluded initial claim that Conor McGregor isn't well known outside of Ireland.

When he's literally one of the most famous athletes in the world.

It's OK to be wrong.