MAGIC MOMENT OF THE YEAR
Conor Sweeney’s equalising free from the sideline in Tipperary’s Munster SFC quarter-final win over Limerick.
Jordan Flores’ wonder goal for Dundalk against Shamrock Rovers last February.
Katie Taylor’s 10-round victory over teak-tough Delphine Persoon at the Matchroom Headquarters in August.
It looked like more Tipperary SHC final heartbreak for Kiladangan when they trailed Loughmore-Castleiney in the dying seconds of extra-time only for Bryan McLoughney to fire a last-gasp goal to claim their first Premier crown in a Hollywood finale.
The final stage of the Tour de France in Paris was a day of double celebration for Sam Bennett. The Irish fastman sealed his green jersey victory over Peter Sagan while still some distance from the finish line on the Champs-Élysées, where he crowned an exceptional three weeks with a blistering finish to win the most illustrious sprint stage of them all.
Away wins at the Stade Marcel Michelin are rare and, when Munster found themselves 19 points down to
Clermont Auvergne in December, it was bleak but Johann van Graan’s men rolled up their sleeves and produced a performance that will stand the test of time alongside any of the province’s legendary feats in Europe.
Princess Zoe arrived in Tony Mullins’ yard from Germany with crooked legs, but the loveable grey had a fairytale season highlighted by her dramatic Group One success in the Prix du Cadran at Longchamp in October.
Raymond Galligan had just watched his opposite number, Monaghan’s Rory Beggan, convert a free that was surely sending the first game in the new, condensed championship to penalties when Cavan themselves won a free from his kick-out to present a similar opportunity to avoid a shoot-out. The wind was in his favour but still, under extreme pressure, Galligan held his nerve to land a Cavan winner from around 60 metres against their great rivals.
Kilkenny were in trouble before the introduction of Richie Hogan in the Leinster final against Galway, but the Danesfort dynamo produced a piece of wizardry with a goal dripping in genius, helping to turn the tide for the Cats.