Kate O’Connor named sportswoman of the year

Track and field athlete Kate O’Connor (left), who crowned an unbelievable breakthrough year by winning silver in the heptathlon at the World Championships in Tokyo in September, is The Irish Times Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year 2025.Kate is pictured with Legendary Mayo Gaelic football forward Cora Staunton, who won four All-Irelands and 11 All Star awards during her 24 year senior career with the county and was presented with the Outstanding Contribution to Sport Award at The Irish Times Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year awards 2025. Photo: Barry Cronin for The Irish Times.

Kate O’Connor, who won silver in the heptathlon at the World Championships in Tokyo, is the Irish Times Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year for 2025.

In a brilliant breakthrough year, the track and field star announced herself on the world stage as one of the best all-round female athletes in the world.

Over the last 12 months the Dundalk based athlete medalled in all four championships she entered, including becoming the first Irish athlete to medal in a senior multi-event.    

With her silver medal in Tokyo, she becomes just the sixth Irish athlete to win a World Championship medal outdoors.    

This year's Outstanding Contribution Award went to Mayo ladies football legend Cora Staunton, who won four All-Irelands, 11 All-Stars and six All Ireland club medals during her career.

She retired from intercounty football in 2019. However, she continued to play Aussie Rules, having become the first overseas player to be drafted in the fledgling Women’s Australian Football League when she was selected by Great Western Sydney Giants for the 2017 season. She went on to score over 50 goals in her Aussie Rules career before retiring in 2023.

Staunton, along with several members of the Mayo football team, also played soccer. Indeed in 2006, she was a member of the Mayo Ladies League representative team that won the FAI Cup defeating UCD 1–0 in the final at Richmond Park. And she captained Castlebar to a first Connacht Rugby Women’s League title back in 2013.