Donegal’s Mark English and the golfing duo of Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, are in contention for Male of The Year at the Olympic Sports Awards.
English won European 800m gold in Birmingham becoming the first Irish man to do so while his highly successful season also included six of the seven fastest European times, setting new Irish records outdoor and indoor, a new pb in the 800 and a Diamond League victory in Shanghai.
European heptathlon champion Kate O’Connor and two-time European gold medalists Ellen Walshe, are among the nominees for Female of the Year at the Olympic Sport Awards.
A public vote is open until November 15th.
OLYMPIC SPORT AWARDS 2026 SHORTLIST
Olympic Sport Awards 2026 Shortlist
Female Athlete of the Year, sponsored by Allianz
Lara Gillespie
Kate O’Connor
Ellen Walshe
Fiona Murtagh
Male Athlete of the Year, sponsored by Allianz
Mark English
Rory McIlroy
Shane Lowry
Team of the Year, sponsored by Flogas
Mags Cremen & Zoe Hyde
Irish Senior Eventing Team
Irish Men’s Hockey Team
Coach of the Year, sponsored by Key Patent Innovations
Brian Sweeney
Michael O’Connor
Denise Walsh
Rising Star of the Year, sponsored by Sport Ireland
John Shortt
Ben Lynch
Sean Butterly
Sophia Young
Emer Heverin
High Performance Programme of the Year, sponsored by Deloitte
Athletics Ireland
Boxing Ireland
Swim Ireland
Golf Ireland
Event of the Year, sponsored by McKvr
Sailing World Championships, Dún Laoghaire
Rás na mBan
Dublin Horse Show and Aga Khan Trophy Centenary
Community Impact Award, sponsored by SPAR/EUROSPAR
Ballymun Athletics Club
Monkstown Boxing Club, Belfast
James Gray, Jobstown Boxing Club
Image of the Year, sponsored by Fiat
Sam Barnes: Kate O’Connor, high jump
Bryan Keane (Inpho): Mona McSharry, Irish Open Swimming Championships
Tyler Miller: Kristian Jubani, Crumlin Boxing Club
Lorraine O’Sullivan: Dublin Horse Show, RDS
Andrew Conan: Sean Waddilove and Robert Dickson, 49er
