Why he’s on the list: Had an assured start to life at Racing Metro following his high-profile move to France, while he was also one of the few Irish players to perform consistently both for the Lions and the national team.
8. Seamus Coleman
(INPHO/Donall Farmer)
Why he’s on the list: In what was a disappointing year for the Irish soccer team, Coleman was one of the few bright sparks — performing admirably both for his country and in the Premier League with Everton.
9. Ellen Ince
Why she’s on the list: Was part of a hugely successful Irish Taekwon-Do team that acquired unprecented levels of success at at the World Championships, with Ince claiming individual titles in sparring and 1st Dan Patterns.
10. Martyn Irvine
(INPHO/Ryan Byrne)
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Why he's on the list: Won a gold medal at the Track World Cup back in November, capping off a highly successful year.
Why she's on the list: Became the first Irish athlete to claim gold at the junior female individual kata event at the Shotokan World Karate Championships.
Why he's on the list: Became the fourth Irish athlete in four years to win a medal at the European Swimming Championships, claiming bronze in the 50m breaststroke.
28 sports personalities who made us glad to be Irish in 2013
1. Annalise Murphy
Why she’s on the list: Won the Laser Radial European title in Dublin back in September.
2. Niamh Briggs
Why she’s on the list: Played a starring role in the Irish Women’s Rugby team’s Six Nations triumph.
3. Shauna Bannon
4. Tony Kelly
Why he’s on the list: Was an integral part of the Clare side, helping the county win their first All-Ireland hurling title since 1997.
5. Michael Darragh MacAuley
Why he’s on the list: MacAuley helped spearhead Dublin’s successful All-Ireland title challenge, winning Footballer of the Year in the process.
6. Rob Heffernan
Why he’s on the list: Recovered from his Olympic heartbreak to triumphantly take gold at the World Championships in Moscow.
7. Johnny Sexton
Why he’s on the list: Had an assured start to life at Racing Metro following his high-profile move to France, while he was also one of the few Irish players to perform consistently both for the Lions and the national team.
8. Seamus Coleman
Why he’s on the list: In what was a disappointing year for the Irish soccer team, Coleman was one of the few bright sparks — performing admirably both for his country and in the Premier League with Everton.
9. Ellen Ince
10. Martyn Irvine
Why he's on the list: Won a gold medal at the Track World Cup back in November, capping off a highly successful year.
11. Jason Quigley
Why he's on the list: Won a silver medal at the World Championships and secured an incredible 32-0 unbeaten record in the process.
12. Leeanne Royle
13. Dan Martin
Why he's on the list: Martin became the first Irishman to win a stage at the Tour de France since Stephen Roche in 1992.
14. Michael McKillop
Why he's on the list: Claimed gold at the World Paralympic Championships in Lyon.
15. Cora Staunton
Why she's on the list: The Mayo star earned an incredible ninth All-Star award for her performances this year.
16. Joe Brolly
Why he's on the list: Showed remarkable courage by donating a kidney to Shane Finnegan, a Belfast-based father of three.
17. Conor Cusack
18. Tony McCoy
Why he's on the list: Put the icing on the cake amid a memorable career by riding his 4,000th winner.
19. Peter O'Mahony
Why he's on the list: Captained both Munster and his country with distinction and played an important role in Ireland's brave loss to New Zealand.
20. Robbie Keane
Why he's on the list: He made it 62 goals for his country in 2013 despite being part of an Ireland team that has flattered to deceive for a while now, while he was also named on the MLS Team of the Year for his exploits with LA Galaxy.
21. Nicolas Roche
Why he's on the list: Won a stage at the Vuelta and ultimately finished in a highly respectable fifth place.
22. Jason Smyth
Why he's on the list: Won his first world championship title and equalled his world record in Lyon.
23. Gary O'Neill
Why he's on the list: Fought bravely against cancer after being diagnosed with the illness and inspired countless tributes as a result.
24. Kate Kelly
Why she's on the list: Secured a record seventh All-Star award thanks to her typically excellent displays for Wexford.
25. Joseph O’Brien
Why he's on the list: Created history by riding 128 winners on the flat.
26. Conor McGregor
Why he's on the list: McGregor enjoyed a very successful start to his UFC career before injury cruelly curtailed his progress.
27. Stephanie Roche
28. Barry Murphy
Why he's on the list: Became the fourth Irish athlete in four years to win a medal at the European Swimming Championships, claiming bronze in the 50m breaststroke.
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2013 Cora Staunton glad to be Irish Jonny Sexton Rob Heffernan Robbie Keane sports personalites Stars