AVIVA: FROM SOME key wins for the Irish rugby team to the footballers’ defeat of Bosnia to secure Euro 2016 qualification, there were some memorable moments in the stadium over the past 12 months.
Barr: Thomas Barr won the 400m hurdles at the World University Games and also was named Irish Athlete of the Year.
Cricket: It was another encouraging year, with the Ireland men’s team defeating West Indies at the World Cup and the women’s team qualifying for the World T20 India 2016.
Dublin GAA: Dublin overcame Kerry 0-12 to 0-9 to win their 25th All-Ireland.
Eva Caneiro: The Chelsea doctor left the club after a dispute involving Jose Mourinho and her troubles came to symbolise the growing discontent at Stamford Bridge at large.
Fifa: The embattled organisation were involved in a corruption scandal, while Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini — two of the most powerful people in football — were accused of unethical behaviour.
Gerrard: The Liverpool legend finally left Anfield to a hero’s send off after 27 years at the club.
Hockey: The Irish men’s team qualified for Rio while the women’s side came desperately close to emulating that achievement.
Injuries: Many people blamed them, and in particular the loss of the legendary Paul O’Connell, for Ireland’s disappointing Rugby World Cup quarter-final exit against Argentina.
Jonah Lomu: The New Zealand rugby legend suddenly passed away at the age of 40 in November.
King Henry: Henry Shefflin finally announced his retirement from hurling, while his beloved Kilkenny team won another All-Ireland in his absence, beating Galway 1-22 to 1-18 in the final.
Leighton Aspell: The Dubliner became the first back-to-back Grand National winner in over 40 years.
McGregor: Conor McGregor secured his iconic status at UFC 194 after beating Jose Aldo in a fight that lasted just 13 seconds.
New Zealand: The All Blacks deservedly won a second successive Rugby World Cup trophy, triumphing 34-17 over Australia in the final.
O’Herlihy: The much-loved RTÉ sports broadcaster Bill O’Herlihy passed away at the age of 76 back in May.
Pacquiao: The Filipino fighter ultimately lost out to Floyd Mayweather in the biggest boxing match of the year.
Quigg: The British fighter finally agreed a deal to take on Belfast native Carl Frampton in February 2016.
Roche: It was a turbulent year for the Golden Girl of Irish football — her famous goal for Peamount was runner-up for Fifa’s Puskas Award before her time at Houston Dash in America came to a premature end and she subsequently signed for Sunderland.
Sophie Spence: Spence was nominated for World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year award after helping Ireland win the Six Nations.
Towell: Richie Towell managed 25 goals in the league for Dundalk, helping them win the title as well as the FAI Cup before securing a move to Championship side Brighton.
Usain Bolt: Beat a number of athletes, including runner-up Justin Gatlin, to win the 100m World Championships final in Beijing, as well triumphing in the 200m event.
Vardy: Jamie Vardy inspired Leicester’s meteoric rise in the Premier League, owing to his lightning pace and prolific goalscoring.
Walsh: Coach Billy Walsh left Irish boxing in controversial circumstances, following another successful year that saw Michael Conlan win a World Championship gold.
Xavi: The Spanish legend departed Barca, having helped them win La Liga and the Champions League, after over 500 appearances with the club, joining Qatari side Al Sadd.
‘YES!’: What Shane Long shouted in his post-match interview after Ireland secured a historic Euro qualifying victory over world champions Germany.
Zlatan: Irish fans turned their attention to the PSG striker, after the Boys in Green were drawn in a difficult-looking Euro 2016 group alongside Belgium, Italy and Sweden.
Thank god we drew Sweden in the group or you would have struggled for a Z
P for pacquio is a bit of a weak one! He didn’t even win his only fight of the year! P for Paulie o’connell
C should be for “chat shit get banged”
People always say there’s too much football on t.v.. But there’s too much endless crap related to football, that’s the problem. E is for Eva Caneiro. Seriously? England embarrassed hosting a world cup seems like a bigger story.
Sheflin retired in April