Stephen Cluxton’s winning free kick against Kerry in the All Ireland Football final was selected in a survey by Pembroke Communications as the most iconic moment in Irish sport during 2011 while qualification for the European Football Championship finals was deemed the sporting achievement of the year.
Soccer came out as the nations’ favourite sport with 30.9% of the vote, followed by Gaelic Games at 20.9% and Rugby at 20.5%.  Amongst women, the GAA did best with 27.5% of the vote.
At an individual level Brian O’Driscoll emerged as Ireland’s best loved sporting star with 16.7%, just ahead of Rory McIlroy on 16.3% and Katie Taylor on 13.1%.  Ronan O’Gara and Robbie Keane made up the top five.