The most-read sports stories of the year

Not sure there has ever been a year like 2024 in the history of Irish sport.

Four Olympic gold medals, more glory at the Paralympic Games, continued excellence for our rugby teams, relay athletes and the likes of Katie Taylor and Rory McIlroy (even if the latter endured as much pain as glory).

Then there is the annual fare of the GAA, League of Ireland and horse racing, plus those news stories that nobody sees coming.

It's hard to sum up a 12 months like that but we have compiled the top 10 for each month here, to give you an idea of what you were reading on these pages this year.

Just to note, we have not included live blogs, so as to give a better idea of the top news stories, as opposed to events. So if you're wondering why certain huge rugby, football or hurling games don't feature, rest assured the live blogs of huge matches would be among top overall articles for the year.

1. Rory McIlroy snatches defeat from the jaws of victory at Dubai Invitational

Rory McIlroy let victory in the Dubai Invitational slip through his fingers after a dramatic final round in the United Arab Emirates, losing to Tommy Fleetwood in dramatic circumstances that would be a familiar theme for the Holywood golfer throughout the year.

2. Rassie Erasmus recovering from chemical burns sustained in 'freak accident'

South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus was admitted to hospital for a medical procedure to treat chemical burns. The 51-year-old, who led the Springboks to World Cup glory in 2019 and 2023, sustained the injury in a "freak accident using a powerful detergent product".

3. Garry Ringrose ruled out as Joe McCarthy and Calvin Nash start for Ireland against France

Garry Ringrose was ruled out of Ireland's Guinness Six Nations opener