Taylor beats McIlroy and O’Driscol to top award
Irish sports fans have ranked Katie Taylor’s record-equaling fifth World Boxing Championship title as the greatest Irish sporting achievement of 2014 ahead of Ireland’s Six Nations win and Rory McIlroy’s double-Major winning year.
The reigning Olympic champion won her fifth straight lightweight title in South Korea in November, defeating Yana Allekseevna of Azerbaijan.
The results of the PSG Sponsorship Sport Sentiment Index 2014, which was published today, found that 30% of those surveyed thought the Bray native’s exploits were the standout Irish sporting feat in 2014.
Her bout against Allekseevna was also chosen as the most iconic moment of the year, pipping Brian O’Driscoll’s final game in a green jersey as well as Ireland’s heroic win in the Stade de France in March.
Most notably, as the boxer’s repute continues to soar, her popularity was underlined in the fact Taylor was ranked ahead of O’Driscoll, among others, as the most admired Irish sporting personality with 34% of the vote.
“I’m so proud and honoured to even be recognised amongst such great Irish sporting talent like Paul O’Connell, Rory McIlroy, Brian O’Driscoll and Robbie Keane who are all great stars in their own right. It is always humbling to be recognised by Irish people and great for all women who play sport,” Taylor said.
