The biggest moments in Irish sport in 2024

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The Biggest Moments In Irish Sport In 2024
Kellie Harrington celebrates winning gold once again at the Olympics. Photo: Getty Images
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Michael Bolton

From GAA. to rugby, to success at the Olympics, it has been a remarkable year for Irish sports.

Across the past 12 months, there has been success across the board for Irish athletes, in moments that will never be forgotten.

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From Armagh ending a 22-year wait for an All-Ireland, to Kellie Harrington once again winning gold in the Olympics, 2024 is a year to remember.

Here is a rundown of the biggest sporting moments in 2024:

January

2024 started with the All-Ireland club finals, as Galway's St Thomas were the senior hurling club All-Ireland winners.

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AIB GAA All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship Final, Croke Park, Dublin 21/1/2024

After losing the 2023 final in controversial circumstances, Glen of Derry defeated St Brigids of Roscommon to win the All-Ireland club football final, with Conor Glass' goal helping them to victory.

In women's rugby, the Ireland sevens side won their first World Series in Perth, in a year which also saw them compete at the Olympics.

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February

Ireland got their Six Nations campaign underway with a statement 38-17 win away in France.

Andy Farrell's side would win three games in February, with Caelan Doris captaining the side in the 36-0 win over Italy.

In swimming, Daniel Wiffen won two gold medals at the World Swimming Championships, in what started a hugely successful year for the Armagh man.

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2024 World Aquatics Championships, Hamad Aquatic Center, Doha, Qatar 18/2/2024. Ireland’s Daniel Wiffen celebrates winning a gold medal at the Men’s 1500m Freestyle Final. Photo: Inpho.

 

 

March

In rugby, Ireland retained their Six Nations title with victory over Scotland in the Aviva Stadium on St Patrick's weekend.

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2024 Guinness Six Nations Championship Round 5, Aviva Stadium, Dublin 16/3/2024. Ireland’s Peter O’Mahony lifts the trophy
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan.

On Easter weekend, Dublin and Derry played out a classic in the Division One football final, as Derry were winners after a penalty shoot-out at Croke Park.

April

April saw the return of Jim McGuinness to championship football with Donegal, as they defeated Derry in a game that made GAA fans across the country take notice of Donegal.

In the Women's Six Nations, Ireland secured qualification for the 2025 World Cup with a third placed finish.

2024 Guinness Women's Six Nations Championship Round 5, Kingspan Stadium, Belfast 27/4/2024. Photo: Inpho.

May

Leinster were once again in the Champions Cup final, but it was not to be as they came up short to Toulouse after extra-time in London.

In GAA, Donegal were Ulster champions after they defeated Aramgh on penalties in the provincial final. In Connacht, Galway came from behind to defeat Mayo in dramatic fashion.

Ulster GAA Senior Football Championship Final, St Tiernach's Park, Clones, Monaghan 12/5/2024. Photo: Inpho.
In boxing, Belfast boxer Anthony Cacace became world champion after he won the IBF Super-featherweight title.

June

June was a month to remember for Irish athletics as Ireland had a hugely successful european championships.

Rhasidat Adeleke, Sharlene Mawdsley, Sophie Becker and Phil Healy won silver in the 4x400 women's relay.

The mixed 4x400m relay team of Adeleke, Mawdsley, Christopher O’Donnell and Thomas Barr won gold in Rome.

It was also gold for Ciara Mageean, as she won the women's 1500m final.

2024 European Athletics Championships, Stadio Olympico, Rome 9/6/2024. Ireland’s Ciara Mageean celebrates winning Women’s 1500m Final.

This month also saw a huge shock in the All-Ireland football championship, as defending champions Dublin were defeated by Galway.

July

All eyes were on Paris as the Olympics got underway, in what was one of the most successful Olympics in history for Team Ireland.

Three medals came from the pool, as Mona McSherry won bronze in the Women's 100m breaststroke.

Daniel Wiffen won the first gold for Ireland in Paris, as he claimed gold in the Men's 800m freestyle.

Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Paris La Defense Arena, Paris, France 30/7/2024
Swimming - Men’s 800m Freestyle Final

In GAA, it was a month to remember for Clare as they won their first All-Ireland hurling title since 2013 with victory over Cork after extra-time.

In football, Armagh won their first All-Ireland football title in over 20 years when they defeated Galway in Croke Park.

Armagh's Aidan Forker lifts the Sam Maguire. Photo: Inpho.

August

Ireland's success in the Olympic continued, as August started with gold for Fintan McCarthy and Paul O'Donovan in the Men's lightweight double sculls in rowing.

 

 

 

 

 

Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, Paris, France 2/8/2024. Ireland’s Fintan McCarthy and Paul O’Donovan celebrate with their gold medals in the lightweight Men's Double Sculls Final A. Photo: Inpho. Team Ireland's success in rowing continued as Daire Lynch and Philip Doyle claimed bronze in the Men's double sculls.

In gymnastics, Rhys McClenaghan won gold in the Men's pommel horse, as he bounced back from heartbreak in Tokyo.

Daniel Wiffen continued his success in the swimming pool as he won bronze in the men's 1500m freestyle.

In boxing, Kellie Harrington won gold once again in the women's lightweight division to round off a hugely successful Olympics for Ireland.

Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Roland-Garros Stadium, France 6/8/2024. Ireland’s Kellie Harrington celebrates with her gold medal on the podium. Photo: Inpho.
In ladies football, Kerry ended a wait of over 30 years for an All-Ireland, as they defeated Galway in Croke Park =.

In Camogie, it was Cork who became two in-a-row champions, as they defeated Galway to retain their title.

The Paraolympics also got underway in Paris, with Róisín Ní Ríain winning silver for Ireland in the Women's 100 metre backstroke S13.

September

Ireland's success in the Paraolympics continued, as September started with Katie-George Dunlevy and Eve McCrystal winning silver in the Women's individual pursuit B.

The duo would go on to win silver in the Women's Road Race B, before winning gold in the Women's road time trial B.

There was further success for Ireland in the swiming pool, with Róisín Ní Ríain winning bronze in the Women's 200 metre individual medley SM13.

On the running track, Orla Comerford won bronze in the Women's 100 metre T13.

In boxing, Anthony Cacace defended his world title against Josh Warrington in London.

In football, a new era for Irish football began as Heimir Hallgrímsson took charge of Ireland for the first time against England in Wembley.

October

There was success for Ireland on the cycling track as Lara Gillespie won bronze at the World Cycling Championships.

In the Women's FAI Cup final, it was Shelbourne who were winners, after an emphatic 6-1 win over Athlone Town.

Shelbourne’s Kate Mooney celebrates after scoring a goal with teammatesin the Sports Direct Women's FAI Cup Final, Tallaght Stadium, Dublin 20/10/2024.

November

Shelbourne ended their 20 year wait for a title, as they shocked everyone under Damien Duff to win the League of Ireland.

In rugby, Cian Healy became the most capped player in history for Ireland, as he made his 134th appearance in the win over Australia.

IRFU 150 Test Match, Aviva Stadium, Dublin 30/11/2024. Ireland's Cian Healy after the game. Photo: Inpho.

In boxing, Katie Taylor defended in super-lightweight belts as she defeated Amanda Serrano in their highly anticipated rematch.

Netflix & Most Valuable Promotions Boxing Event Fight Night, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, United States 15/11/2024. Katie Taylor announced as the winner against Amanda Serrano. Photo: Inpho.

December

On the other side of the world, Vikki Wall, Erika O'shea and Niamh Martin helped North Melbourne to the AFLW title, with Wall scoring two goals in the Grand Final.

At home, Kilkerrin-Clonberne continued their dominance with a fourth seniuor All-Ireland ladies club title in-a-row.

In senior club camogie, it was a similar story for Galway's Sarsfields, who once again were All-Ireland winners.

In soccer, Shamrock Rovers ensured their European journey would continue in 2025, as they qualified for the knockout stages of the Europa Conference League.

UEFA Europa Conference League - League Phase, Tallaght Stadium. Shamrock Rovers' Neil Farrugia celebrates scoring a goal with teammates vs FK Borac. Photo: Inpho. 

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