REVEALED: Ireland's Greatest Sporting Moment of 2023

Ireland’s greatest sporting moment of 2023 has been revealed after what was an unforgettable year of success for Irish athletes and teams.

Find out below what Irish sports fans picked out as the highlight of 2023 plus what were their biggest letdowns and hopes for 2024.

Ireland’s Grand Slam Voted #1 Sporting Moment of 2023

The Irish rugby team’s 2023 Grand Slam victory at the Six Nations has come out on top as the #1 sporting moment of 2023. A new poll of 1,000 sports fans carried out by BoyleSports singled out the heroics of Andy Farrell’s men, who overcame England in March to seal their first Grand Slam on home soil.

20% named the successful Six Nations campaign as their most cherished memory of the 2023 sporting calendar, and Rugby Union dominated the landscape as the World Cup exit at the hands of the All Blacks in France was voted the lowest moment of the year by a whopping 59%.

Six Nations Success Top Of Irish Punters 2024 Wishlist

But Irish punters are already having their say on what 2024 could have in store and they are eager to put Rugby World Cup disappointment behind them as a majority of 51% said a Six Nations victory for Ireland in 2024 is what they’d like to see most, a 6/4 shot with BoyleSports.

The Rugby Union side certainly has the right man at the helm according to the results of the poll, as Andy Farrell (14%) was also voted Ireland’s second-greatest sporting coach of all time, with only the legendary Jack Charlton ahead of him on 29%.

Commenting on the survey results, Lawrence Lyons, spokesperson for BoyleSports, said:

“There have been highs and lows for Irish punters throughout 2023, but they’re already eager to bank on what surprises the new year could have in store.

“It’s evident that many sports fans aren’t over Ireland’s Rugby World Cup exit just yet, but the results show they remain confident the Boys in Green will bounce-back next year.”

Roy Keane Backed As The Man To Turn Around Irish Football Fortunes

The Republic of Ireland’s dismal end to the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign came second on the list of 2023 let downs on 23%, but Roy Keane was earmarked as the number one preference with fans to revive fortunes on the soccer pitch. 36% want the former Ireland captain to get the nod to replace Stephen Kenny, although he’s still available at 8/1 while the likes of Chris Coleman (3/1) or Lee Carsley (7/2) are rated more likely appointments by the FAI.

Keane however had to settle for second place when fans were asked to name the greatest Irish sports star of all time. 14% opted for the former Manchester United midfield general, but 20% clearly had Katie Taylor’s recent victory in mind as they voted the Bray boxer Ireland’s ‘G.O.A.T.’ (Greatest of all time).

Irish Sports Fans Hoping For Katie Taylor Croke Park Fight

Meanwhile, 36% had a Taylor bout under the lights at Croke Park on top of their 2024 wish list and odds of 11/8 with BoyleSports suggest they may just get their wish.

In the same category, some even looked beyond the sporting field as 18% were singing to the tune of Ireland ending its barren run with victory at Eurovision (33/1), but only 9% want to see Conor McGregor follow through on his plot to announce a bid to become next President of Ireland (8/1).

A spokesperson for BoyleSports said:

“Katie Taylor clearly packs a huge punch with Irish sports fans so we’ll see if they get their new year wish for a thrilling bout in Croke Park.”

“In the sport and entertainment world, 2024 could be quite a year for Cork natives too with Cillian Murphy favourite for an Oscar and football fans more than Keane on a Roy return to the Irish dugout!”