Rugby elation to rugby heartache, a footballing managerial merry-go-round, {golfing} greatness, boxing blockbusters and a lot extra. The 2023 Irish sporting panorama had a bit of little bit of every thing. Here, Sky Sports takes a glance again on the highs and lows of the 12 months.

Rugby: Huge success, unprecedented hope, large heartbreak

It was a 12 months in Irish rugby that noticed historic success, big expectation, unprecedented hope, and in the end, heartbreak maybe worse than ever earlier than.

Towards the beginning of the 12 months, Andy Farrell’s Ireland – ranked world No 1 since July 2022 – secured a sensational Six Nations Grand Slam.

Wales have been blown away 34-10 on the opening weekend in Cardiff to bitter Warren Gatland’s homecoming, whereas Round 2 noticed among the finest contests within the historical past of the championship as Ireland put in a near-perfect show to beat reigning champions France 32-19 in Dublin.

From then, Farrell’s prices have been favourites for the title, seeing off Italy in Rome, Scotland at Murrayfield regardless of a raft of accidents, and eventually, England in Dublin to elevate the Six Nations trophy and Triple Crown.

The heat glow continued throughout the pool levels of the Rugby World Cup as Ireland received all 4 matches, beating eventual champions South Africa in a Paris epic, and a ruthless dismantling of Scotland clinched high spot in Pool B and prolonged their successful streak to 17 matches.

Ireland’s quarter-final opponents have been New Zealand on account of a brutally lopsided draw, however the nation was now satisfied this was their biggest probability for World Cup glory and to interrupt their terrible document of by no means having received a quarter-final.

Although Ireland had overwhelmed the All Blacks in three of the earlier 4 conferences, they did not carry out to anyplace close to their peak ranges, whereas New Zealand produced their finest efficiency in years.

Ireland fought again from 13-0 right down to slim the half-time hole to a single level at 18-17, however as the sport ebbed and flowed on a knife’s edge, their incapability to strike within the 22 sufficient proved a significant factor because the All Blacks inflicted yet one more agonising last-eight exit.

Skipper Johnny Sexton and Keith Earls retired within the aftermath, bringing to an finish stellar careers, but in addition a way Ireland’s true time to change into world champions had been misplaced.

Farrell has dedicated to Ireland till after the 2027 World Cup and is odds-on to result in the British and Irish Lions in Australia in 2027. The rebuild begins now and the large query is who dons the No 10 shirt in Marseille on February 2.

Within provincial rugby, there have been contrasting fortunes for Leinster and Munster. The males in blue dominated the vast majority of the season, solely to lose late on to their arch-rivals in Dublin within the URC semi-finals, after which within the Champions Cup closing once more per week later to La Rochelle – this time after sprinting out to 17-0 and 23-7 leads on the Aviva Stadium. The loss was Leinster’s third in succession in European Cup finals.

Munster started the season terribly, shedding 5 from their first seven fixtures underneath new head coach Graham Rowntree, however although a lot of the marketing campaign was spent worrying about qualification for Europe, a outstanding closing season run away from house of 4 wins and a draw noticed all of them the way in which to the URC closing in opposition to the Stormers in Cape Town, and an excellent 19-14 success – the province’s first silverware since 2011.

Like earlier campaigns, Leinster have made a powerful begin to the season each on the home and European entrance, however it has been a combined bag thus far for the opposite three, with inconsistency a standard theme.

Women’s rugby at lowest ebb

While males’s rugby in Ireland is in a great place, the ladies’s sport endured one of many worst years in its historical past.

Ireland completed a grotesque 2023 Women’s Six Nations lifeless final with the Wooden Spoon after shedding all 5 matches by a mean margin of over 30 factors.

They have been then positioned into the third tier of the brand new WXV match throughout October, the results of which meant they performed Kazakhstan, Colombia and Spain – beating the latter solely on account of a attempt with 5 minutes to play.

The facet has gone from Six Nations champions in 2015 to backside of the pile in 2023, having didn’t qualify for the final World Cup in 2022 too.

Captain Nicola Fryday retired from worldwide rugby on the age of simply 28 – the second captain of the ladies’s facet to take action in two years after Claire Molly in late 2021, who nonetheless performs for Bristol in Premiership Women’s Rugby.

All the whereas, the IRFU has come underneath big scrutiny for his or her operating of the ladies’s sport. While France, England, Wales and Scotland have all professionalised their ladies’s groups, the identical can’t be mentioned of Ireland.

In April, an unnamed participant expressed considerations of sexism in a Telegraph report, with the IRFU likened to an “old boys club”, with allegations gamers have been denied protein dietary supplements as they ready for a summer season tour to Japan and that the swap from white to blue shorts over interval considerations was completed with out correct session with the squad.

The nameless participant additionally alleged squad members learnt they have been dropped through e-mail, with some omitted from mailing lists, whereas the IRFU are additionally mentioned to have refused to discover the choice of a “hybrid contracts” – a selected request from gamers – with the union as a substitute favouring a “full-time or nothing attitude.”

The IRFU disputed all of the claims in a press release, however as excessive efficiency director David Nucifora’s impending exit was confirmed – David Humphreys will change him in 2024 – it was noteworthy there was no response from anybody within the ladies’s sport.

Football: Republic of Ireland’s World Cup odyssey ends in administration change

It was, for causes good and dangerous, a landmark 12 months for the Republic of Ireland ladies’s group.

All roads led to Australia and New Zealand, the place Ireland made their maiden main match bow on the World Cup. In itself a historic achievement, however performances on the pitch struggled to catch fireplace whereas off-field points overshadowed the build-up and conclusion.

Just weeks earlier than the match started, allegations of physique shaming have been made in opposition to Ireland supervisor Vera Pauw, referring to her time in command of Houston Dash within the USA’s National Women’s Soccer League. Pauw strongly denied the allegations, however they undeniably solid a shadow over Ireland’s preparations.

Captain Katie McCabe’s surprise objective of their second sport in opposition to Canada was the spotlight of a match which ended for Ireland after the group stage, having misplaced to Australia and Canada earlier than drawing with Nigeria.

Pauw departed upon conclusion of the World Cup, with the FAI opting to not prolong her contract.

Eileen Gleeson, assistant underneath Pauw, was appointed interim supervisor and guided the group by way of an excellent Nations League marketing campaign. Ireland received all six of their video games, scoring 20 targets and conceding simply two – making certain they are going to be in League A for the Euro 2025 qualifiers.

That success little doubt knowledgeable the FAI’s resolution handy Gleeson the reins on a everlasting foundation on December 18, with the Dubliner now tasked with main their Euro 2025 qualifying marketing campaign.

It was additionally a 12 months of change for Northern Ireland, who themselves have been on a managerial hunt after Kenny Shiels departed in January following a four-year stint which noticed the group attain their first main match at Euro 2022.

Former Chelsea assistant coach Tanya Oxtoby took up the reins in August, and oversaw a Nations League marketing campaign during which Northern Ireland recorded two wins, a draw and three losses.

A 3rd-placed end of their group means they face a two-legged play-off with Montenegro in February, the place they need to win to keep away from dropping into League C for the upcoming Euro 2025 qualifiers.

Time runs out for Kenny and O’Neill’s return fails to spark NI response

Like their feminine counterparts, the Republic of Ireland males’s group opted for a change of supervisor.

After three and a half years in cost, Stephen Kenny left upon expiry of his contract after a disappointing Euro 2024 qualifying marketing campaign.

Drawn in a bunch with France and the Netherlands, a top-two end was all the time a tall order, however Ireland by no means gave themselves an opportunity of reaching subsequent summer season’s match. They received simply two of their eight video games, each in opposition to minnows Gibraltar, and there was little clamour for Kenny to be given one other chew on the cherry as Ireland search a recent begin.

As for Northern Ireland, hope abounded as Michael O’Neill – again for a second stint as supervisor having beforehand taken the facet to Euro 2016 – returned to information them by way of what seemed on paper to be a really beneficial Euro 2024 qualifying group.

However, disappointing early house losses to Finland and Kazakhstan, coupled by a defeat by Denmark in Copenhagen, realistically ended NI’s hopes of qualification after solely 4 video games.

A 2-0 win over Denmark of their closing qualifier in November did nevertheless see Northern Ireland bow out with a spring of their step.

Having struggled with accidents, O’Neill will hope to have some key faces again to pair along with his younger gamers in 2024.

Golf: McIlroy and Maguire carry it house for Europe

It was one other 12 months to recollect for Ireland’s golfers with Rory McIlroy as soon as once more main the cost.

A Scottish Open win took his tally of PGA Tour titles to 24, earlier than the world No 2 claimed the Race to Dubai title for the fifth time. However, McIlroy’s 2023 peaked within the early autumn warmth of Rome.

After a poor show at Whistling Straights in 2021 resulted in tears, McIlroy turned the web page on his personal Ryder Cup story to assert 4 factors from a attainable 5 at Marco Simone to complete as the best particular person scorer within the 2023 competitors. Leading the cost each on the course and off it, when he turned concerned in a heated car-park confrontation with Team USA caddy Joe LaCava, as Europe regained the trophy.

Despite the successes, the hunt for the elusive fifth main goes into one other 12 months after some extra near-misses on the flagship occasions.

McIlroy got here second on the US Open behind Wyndham Clark, whereas there have been top-10 finishes on the PGA Championship and The Open. He stays one of many sport’s main lights, and the Holywood man now enters 2024 hoping to assert a serious title for the primary time in a decade.

His compatriot Shane Lowry additionally performed his half in Europe’s Ryder Cup redemption, successful 1.5 factors from three matches whereas additionally claiming three top-20 finishes in 2023’s majors.

It was a breakthrough 12 months for 20-year-old Tom McKibbin, who turned Irish golf’s youngest tour winner since McIlroy (who hails from the identical city in County Down) when he received the DP World Tour’s European Open in June.

Meanwhile, Cavan’s Leona Maguire loved one other fruitful 12 months, the spotlight of which got here on the Solheim Cup.

Maguire shone, as she did on match debut in 2021, successful three factors together with an important 4&3 win over Rose Zhang as Europe retained the cup after a 14-14 draw.

Maguire additionally claimed her second LGPA Tour title as a spectacular closing spherical noticed her clinch a two-shot win on the Meijer LPGA Classic.

An excellent 12 months may have been a terrific one, with Maguire taking a one-shot lead into the ultimate spherical of the Women’s PGA Championship, earlier than taking pictures a disappointing 74 on the ultimate day with China’s Ruoning Yin successful the most important. Maguire’s compatriot Stephanie Meadow impressed on the match, ending tied for third.

Boxing: Revenge for Taylor after first professional defeat as 5 qualify for Olympics

The important headline from an Irish boxing perspective this 12 months noticed Olympic legend Katie Taylor endure the primary defeat of her skilled profession on the twenty third try, shedding to England’s Chantelle Cameron in Dublin by majority resolution in May.

Seeking revenge, Taylor fought Cameron once more on November 25 in Dublin, turning into a two-weight undisputed world champion when she confirmed her mettle to win by majority resolution. Taylor has since mentioned she would battle Cameron once more, and has made no secret of her want to take action at Croke Park.

Elsewhere within the Irish boxing world, Belfast’s Michael Conlan suffered two defeats in 2023, having solely beforehand misplaced as soon as in 19 skilled bouts. The 32-year-old misplaced to Mexico’s Luis Alberto Lopez by TKO within the fifth spherical of their battle in May for the IBF featherweight title, after which misplaced to Englishman Jordan Gill by TKO within the seventh spherical on December 2 for the vacant WBA International super-featherweight title.

Earlier this 12 months, Kellie Harrington, Ireland’s Tokyo Olympic gold medallist, and 4 different Irish boxers certified for the Paris Olympics: Aoife O’Rourke, Jack Marley, Michaela Walsh, Dean Clancy. Roscommon’s O’Rourke and Dublin’s Marley are thought-about thrilling medal prospects.

GAA: Dublin on the double as Limerick proceed dominance

Just whenever you thought the Dubs have been in a downturn.

After a three-year absence, the Sam Maguire and Brendan Martin Cups are again residing within the capital. Their earlier stays have been prolonged ones, six and 4 years respectively, however soccer is a way more aggressive atmosphere today.

The Dublin’s ladies’s group will attest to that, having watched neighbours Meath rise from the intermediate ranks and win back-to-back All-Irelands at senior degree. Plenty of motivation, then, and Dublin lay down a marker by twice beating the defending champions within the Leinster Championship.

A two-point house loss to Kerry within the All-Ireland group levels proved a momentary setback. Dublin’s successful margin throughout the subsequent three video games was over 15 factors as they booked a return date with a Kingdom facet chasing a league and championship double.

A primary closing within the ladies’s code between these two footballing heavyweights was all however over by the interval, Dublin main by seven after former Ireland rugby worldwide Hannah Tyrrell kicked eight first-half factors. With Mick Bohan on board for an eighth season as supervisor, they’ll once more be among the many frontrunners in 2024.

The Dublin males’s group timed their run to perfection as they turned the primary non-Division One group to win the All-Ireland since Armagh in 2002.

Dessie Farrell’s facet started the 12 months within the unfamiliar surrounds of the league’s second tier, which allowed them to remain underneath the radar and slowly construct up a head of steam.

After yet one more cakewalk in Leinster – it is now 13 provincial titles in a row and 18 in 19 seasons – a below-par draw with Roscommon within the All-Ireland group levels supplied Dublin with a well timed shot within the arm. They powered to a mouth-watering closing with defending champions Kerry, for whom David Clifford was taking pictures the lights out all summer season. However, the Kingdom talisman was unable to hit his regular excessive requirements within the decider, and a late scoring burst noticed Dublin house.

Captain James McCarthy has dedicated to a different season as he chases a record-equalling tenth All-Ireland medal, whereas Stephen Cluxton may observe swimsuit because the Boys in Blue look to retain their crown.

Derry, with Mickey Harte on the helm, can have one thing to say about that, as will the likes of Armagh, Galway and Kerry. However, Gaelic soccer stays a sport in disaster, blighted by packed defences and constant handpassing. Armagh and Crossmaglen nice Aaron Kernan described the game in its present guise as “boring” and “monotonous” and warned it may get even worse earlier than it will get higher, whereas the break up season continues to divide.

No such considerations in hurling, break up season apart, as Limerick head into 2024 bidding to change into the primary county to win 5 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championships in a row.

They recovered from a loss to Clare within the Munster Championship group levels, their first championship defeat since 2019, to e book a rematch with their neighbours within the closing, the place a one-point success secured a fifth consecutive provincial title.

Limerick bolstered their popularity as a second-half group with devastating performances at Croke Park, overturning half-time deficits in opposition to each Galway and Kilkenny within the semi-finals and closing respectively. John Kiely’s males saved their finest efficiency for the ultimate, outscoring the Cats by 0-19 to 0-5 in an impressive closing half-hour. Can anybody cease their drive for 5?

Speaking of majestic, Amy O’Connor was Cork’s hero as they ended their five-year await an All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship.

O’Connor produced one of many moments of the 12 months when she smashed a hat-trick in lower than two minutes throughout their dominant victory over a Waterford facet showing of their first All-Ireland closing since 1945.

Olympics: Record medal haul must be goal in Paris

Ireland document medal tally at an Olympics got here in 2012 after they received six in London, and hopes are excessive they will match or maybe even higher that in Paris this summer season.

Tallaght sensation Rhasidat Adeleke has loved a record-breaking 12 months and her upward curve will proceed after deciding to show skilled. Rhys McClenaghan (pommel horse) is a back-to-back world champion whereas freestyle swimmer Daniel Wiffen might be concentrating on a medal in Paris after smashing the 800m world document.

In Ciara Mageean and Sarah Healy Ireland possess two critical rivals within the 1500m. Mageean completed fourth in world-class firm on the World Championships final August, with Healy becoming a member of the Down athlete and Sonia O’Sullivan as the one Irishwomen to run the 1500m in underneath 4 minutes.

Throw in Ireland’s rowing stars – Olympic gold medallists Fintan McCarthy and Paul O’Donovan claimed their third World Championship in September – and the lengthy listing of boxing contenders headed by Kellie Harrington, and this has the potential to be a ground-breaking Games.