Boxer Kellie Harrington, who claimed her second Olympic gold medal at the Paris Olympics last August, has been crowned The Irish Times Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year 2024 …
The Dubliner’s victory over China’s Wenlu Yang in the 60kg final on a never to be forgotten night at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, made Harrington the first Irish boxer to win two gold Olympic medals.
Harrington, who just celebrated her 35th birthday, also joins a select group of only four athletes who have successfully defended an Olympic title – the others being double sculls rowers Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy and hammer thrower Dr Pat O’Callaghan.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Awards, and it is the second time Harrington has claimed the overall Sportswoman of the Year title. The first one came back in 2018 after she claimed the lightweight title at the World Boxing Championships in New Delhi.
Now three years later, she has won gold again. After she was announced the winner at Roland Garros, an emotional Harrington described what the win meant to her: “To get to the Olympics is a mountain in itself, and then when you get there to set foot on to a podium is a massive, massive mountain … To see your nation’s flag at the top of the podium, that’s just special, because there’s not many people in the world who get to do it and I know I’m doing it twice now.”
Team of the Year Award
Katie-George Dunlevy, Ireland’s most decorated Irish paralympic athlete, and her pilots Linda Kelly and Eve McCrystal claimed the ‘Team of the Year Award’ for their outstanding achievements at the Paralympics and World Championships.
In an amazing year, Dunlevy amassed 5 Paralympic and World Championship medals. In Paris, she won a gold and silver with new pilot Kelly, as well as a silver with long-time partner McCrystal before going on to win two gold at the World Championships in Zurich with Kelly.
Other recipients of the 12 monthly awards include:
Sprinter Rhasidat Adeleke, for her brilliant performances at the World Relay Championships in the Bahamas; Katie Taylor, who defeated Amanda Serrano in a fight for the ages in Arlington Texas in November; Ciara Mageean, who won the 1500m final at the European Athletics Championships; swimmers Róisín Ní Riain and Mona McSharry for their exploits in the pool and Lousie Ní Mhuircheartaigh who captained Kerry to All-Ireland glory.
Noel O’Reilly and Dr U?na May
The Sports Editor of The Irish Times Noel O’Reilly paid tribute to all the 2024 winners. “It’s been a thrill and a pleasure for us to report on their feats. A scroll through our list of overall winners is a reminder of just how many magical days they have given us, and a memorable 2024 has proved to be an exceptional year on so many fronts. A huge congratulations to all the sportswomen whose stories continue to show the next generation that nothing is impossible. Here’s to another 20 years of excellence, and many more magical moments.”
Sport Ireland CEO, Dr Úna May said 2024 had been a year of fantastic accomplishment for our sportswomen. “Our female athletes continue to demonstrate that with dedication, ambition, and determination, the extraordinary is possible. The diversity of sports being celebrated at these Awards highlights the incredible breadth of talent right across the nation. To all who stand behind these athletes – coaches, families, volunteers, clubs, and communities – your unwavering support is instrumental in these achievements, and we extend our gratitude to you all.”
Click into the gallery to see the guests who attended.
Photographer: Kieran Harnett
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