The Republic of Ireland men’s football team has been named Team of the Year for the first time since the Teneo Sport and Sponsorship Index (TSSI) began, after a year in which late drama, belief and momentum reignited the country’s World Cup ambitions.

The recognition is one of the headline findings from the 2025 Teneo Sport and Sponsorship Index, a nationally representative survey of 1,000 people conducted by Teneo’s Sports Advisory team in partnership with iReach Insights. Now in its 16th year, the research captures mainstream public sentiment towards Irish sport, extending beyond committed fans to reflect the wider national mood.

Football dominates this year’s results. The Republic of Ireland men’s team secured 25 per cent of the vote to top the Team of the Year category, following a series of results that lifted the nation and secured a place in the World Cup play-offs, including memorable wins against Portugal and Hungary.

That sense of drama was encapsulated in the vote for Most Memorable Sporting Moment of 2025, with Troy Parrott’s 95th-minute winner in Budapest claiming a commanding 37 per cent of the vote. The goal completed a remarkable 3–2 victory over Hungary and resonated more strongly with the public than iconic moments from boxing, golf or athletics.

“What a year it’s been for Irish sport. Drama, excitement, last-minute magic – Irish athletes delivered it all,” said Kelli O’Keeffe, Managing Director of Teneo Sports Advisory, who noted that moments such as Parrott’s winner and Rory McIlroy’s Grand Slam putt at Augusta demonstrated how sport continues to cut through at a national level. “From 95th-minute winners to birdie putts to a wave of new PBs, Ireland once again made its mark on the global stage, and our research shows just how much these performances resonated with the Irish public.”

Parrott’s impact extended beyond a single moment. He placed second in the Most Admired Athlete category on 10 per cent, making his debut near the top of the rankings after a year in which his goals against Hungary and Portugal defined Ireland’s qualification campaign.

At the top of that list once again was Katie Taylor, who retained her position as Ireland’s Most Admired Athlete for a ninth consecutive year, polling 14 per cent. O’Keeffe said Taylor’s continued popularity reflected the value of sustained excellence and credibility, with the boxer holding off a new generation of sporting heroes despite competing only once in 2025.

Behind Taylor and Parrott, Rory McIlroy finished third on 7 per cent following his career Grand Slam victory at Augusta, while Shane Lowry placed fourth on 6 per cent after his Ryder Cup heroics. A group including Bundee Aki, Kellie Harrington, Rachael Blackmore, Caoimhín Kelleher and Séamus Coleman shared fifth place, highlighting the breadth of elite performance across Irish sport.

Beyond football, the Ireland men’s rugby team finished second in the Team of the Year rankings on 14 per cent, with the Republic of Ireland women’s football team third on 12 per cent after promotion in the Nations League. GAA champions Kerry and Tipperary completed the top five.

Among the emerging names highlighted in the research, O’Keeffe pointed to Kate O’Connor, whose silver medal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo featured prominently in the most memorable moments list. “Kate’s world-class performances in 2025 really made an impact on the Irish public,” she said.

 

Sport for Business Perspective

The findings reinforce the commercial value of emotion, authenticity and national moments. As O’Keeffe observed, Irish sport continues to deliver stories that resonate far beyond the field of play—and when it does, the public responds.

 

Image Credit: Teneo

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