The Republic of Ireland men’s football team has been named Team of the Year for 2025, according to the latest Teneo Sport and Sponsorship Index, after a dramatic campaign that kept the nation’s World Cup hopes alive.
The annual survey, now in its 16th year, also confirmed that Katie Taylor remains Ireland’s most admired athlete, while Troy Parrott’s last-gasp winner against Hungary was voted the most memorable sporting moment of the year.
The Teneo Sport and Sponsorship Index is based on a nationally representative survey of 1,000 people, conducted between December 3 and 11. It captures public attitudes to sport across gender, age, region and social class, reflecting the views of the wider population rather than sports fans alone.
Parrott’s 95th-minute goal in Budapest, completing a dramatic 3–2 victory over Hungary and keeping Ireland’s World Cup dreams alive, topped the list of sporting moments for 2025 with 37 per cent of the vote. Katie Taylor’s win over Amanda Serrano in their trilogy bout at Madison Square Garden finished second, while memorable golfing moments from Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry jointly took third place.
Taylor was once again voted Ireland’s most admired athlete, securing the title for a ninth consecutive year with 14 per cent of the vote. Parrott made his debut in second place following a standout year for club and country, ahead of McIlroy and Lowry. A group including Bundee Aki, Kellie Harrington, Rachael Blackmore, Caoimhín Kelleher and Séamus Coleman shared fifth place.
In the Team of the Year category, the Republic of Ireland men’s football team topped the poll for the first time since the research began, earning 25 per cent of the vote. The men’s rugby team finished second after their Triple Crown success, while the Republic of Ireland women’s football team placed third following promotion in the Nations League. Kerry’s All-Ireland senior football champions and the Tipperary senior hurlers completed the top five.
Looking ahead, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is the sporting event Irish people are most looking forward to, followed by the Six Nations Championship and Ireland’s World Cup play-off campaign.
Gaelic games remain Ireland’s favourite sport overall, with soccer close behind, followed by rugby, athletics, tennis and golf.
| 1 | Republic of Ireland Men’s National Football Team | 25% |
| 2 | Ireland Men’s Rugby Team | 14% |
| 3 | Republic of Ireland Women’s National Football Team | 12% |
| 4 | Kerry Senior Men’s Football Team | 10% |
| 5 | Tipperary Senior Hurling Team | 8% |
