Shortlists unveiled for 2025 Team Ireland Olympic Sport Awards

From Rory McIlroy winning the Masters to Kate O'Connor setting five personal bests claiming a World Championship silver medal it has been a year of outstanding achievements for Irish athletes.
Shortlists unveiled for 2025 Team Ireland Olympic Sport Awards

SHORTLIST: The shortlists for the 2025 Team Ireland Olympics Sports Awards have been announced by the Olympic Federation of Ireland.

The shortlists for the 2025 Team Ireland Olympics Sports Awards have been announced by the Olympic Federation of Ireland. The awards celebrate the outstanding achievements, perfomances and moments across the Olympic community throughout 2025.

In 2025, Irish athletes secured 68 medals on the world and European circuits including more than 20 senior world podiums alongside a string of national records and personal bests. This year's shortlists includes performances that will go down in Irish sporting history including moments that captured the nation from Rory McIlroy completing the career Grand Slam when he won the Masters to Kate O'Connor setting five personal bests as she claimed a silver medal at the World Athletics Championships becoming the sixth Irish athletic to win a medal at the championships.

Female Athlete of the Year nominees are Roscommon boxer Aoife O'Rourke, Galway rower Fiona Murtagh, Dundalk heptahlete Kate O'Connor and Wicklow cyclist Lara Gillespie. 

Male Athele of the Year nominees are cyclist Ben Healy, middle distance runner Cian McPhillips, rower Fintan McCarthy and golfer Rory McIlroy. 

The President's Award will be presented at the discretion of OFI President Lochlann Walsh in recognition of an exceptional contribution or service to Irish Olympic sport. 

The voting is open to the public and can cast their vote before November 14. 

2025 SHORTLISTS 

Female Athlete of the Year

  • Aoife O’Rourke (Boxing) 
  • Fiona Murtagh (Rowing) 
  • Kate O’Connor (Athletics) 
  • Lara Gillespie (Cycling) 

Male Athlete of the Year

  • Ben Healy (Cycling) 
  • Cian McPhillips (Athletics) 
  • Fintan McCarthy (Rowing) 
  • Rory McIlroy (Golf) 

Rising Star

  • Eve McMahon (Sailing) 
  • John Shortt (Athletics) 
  • Patsy Joyce (Boxing)

Team of the Year

  • Fintan McCarthy & Philip Doyle (Rowing) 
  • Senior Eventing Team (Equestrian) 
  • Men’s 3x3 Basketball Team 

Coach of the Year

  • Dominic Casey (Rowing) 
  • John Szaranek (Athletics) 
  • Michael O’Connor (Equestrian) 

Olympic Sporting Moment of the Year

  • Rory McIlroy’s Masters triumph 
  • Ben Healy in the yellow jersey at the Tour de France 
  • Kate O’Connor’s World Championships silver medal 

High Performance Programme of the Year

  • Cycling Ireland 
  • Rowing Ireland 
  • Swim Ireland 

Creator of the Year

  • Ayeisha McFerran & Unboxed 
  • Daniel & Nathan Wiffen’s Vlog 
  • Rhys McClenaghan 

Community Impact Award

  • Rhys McClenaghan’s Club Tour 
  • Inbhear Dee Athletics Club’s Noreen O’Reilly, Eithne Walsh & Anne-Marie Kelly 
  • Cricket Connects Summer Camp
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