STEPHEN CLUXTON’S LATE winning point for Dublin in this year’s All-Ireland SFC final has been voted the most iconic sports moment of the year.
Over 20% of those surveyed in the 2011 Pembroke Communications Sports Sentiment Index chose the goalkeeper’s dramatic free-kick.
Darren Clarke’s putt to victory in the British Open at Royal St George came in second at 17.5%.
The survey found that soccer is the nation’s most popular sport – taking the top preference of 30.9% of repondents while Gaelic games (20.9%) and rugby (20.5%) trail.
Leinster and Irish rugby talisman Brian O’Driscoll is the nation’s ‘greatest current sports star’ at 16.7%, ahead of US Open champion Rory McIlory at 16.3%.
London 2012 gold medal hope Katie Taylor is a close third at 13.1%.
“Brian O’Driscoll, despite a year punctured by injury, remains hugely popular in this country while Rory McIlroy’s stellar performances sees him poll very highly after his Major winning exploits of 2011,” said Mick O’Keeffe, managing director of Pembroke Communications.
“Katie Taylor is now firmly a national superstar. It is interesting that some of Ireland’s most talented soccer players like Robbie Keane do not poll particularly well despite the on field successes of 2011 and the huge popularity of soccer. GAA stars like Henry Shefflin are recognised on the list but the very local nature of the GAA makes it difficult for these players to transcend county borders.”
“This is some of the most in depth research conducted into our sporting allegiances, preferences and habits and the research clearly proves that we are an island that loves our sport.
“2011 was a tremendous year in Irish sport at home and on the international stage. Our research clearly underlines the enormous popularity of rugby, Gaelic Games and soccer as they dominate the hearts and minds of the Irish public amongst both males and females and across all age groups.
“Soccer has an enormous fan base with relentless media exposure of the Premier League, Champions League and international football. Rugby is clearly established as a national sport of huge appeal after a decade of success while GAA remains as strong and vibrant as ever, which is an enormous achievement for our home grown indigenous games.”
