Katie Taylor remains Ireland's most popular athlete

Katie Taylor remains the most popular athlete in Ireland after she was named 'Ireland's Most Admired' for a seventh consecutive year.

The 2023 Teneo Sport and Sponsorship Index (TSSI) found that Taylor remain high in the public's affections while Andy Farrell's Ireland rugby side are the most popular team.

Having bounced back from the first professional defeat of her career to beat Chantelle Cameron and become a two-weight undisputed world champion, Taylor took 20% of the vote to claim the title of Ireland’s most admired athlete for a seventh year running.

Conor McGregor was the last athlete to claim the title back in 2016.

Sharing second spot on 9% are World Rugby Player of the Year nominee, Bundee Aki, and Ireland Rugby team captain, Jonathan Sexton, who played his final season in 2023.

Jockey Rachael Blackmore slides out of the top three for the first time in two years and is fourth with 6% of the vote, ahead of Ireland rugby international Peter O'Mahony who captained Munster to victory in the United Rugby Championship, ending the province’s 12 year wait for a major trophy.

The Republic of Ireland women’s football captain Katie McCabe is the third most admired female athlete, taking 4% of the vote and a share of sixth place overall alongside golfer Rory McIlroy, Kerry footballer David Clifford and sometime UFC fighter McGregor.

There was a tie for greatest sporting achievement, with 25% of the vote each going to Katie Taylor's victory over Chantelle Cameron and the Ireland men’s rugby team’s Six Nations Grand Slam win over England on St Patrick’s weekend.

The Ireland men’s rugby team were named the team of the year with 29% of the vote, while the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team and the Ireland rowing team take third