This small part of the planet has truly punched well above it’s weight in sporting terms – and not just in the boxing ring
07:08, 06 Apr 2026
Daniel Wiffen with his gold and bronze medals(Image: INPHO/James Crombie)
Today marks part one of a special feature this week, as we count down the 25 greatest Northern Ireland sport stars of all-time – in our estimation.
It’s a debate that will rage forever and a day, and never truly be settled. This small part of the planet has truly punched well above it’s weight in sporting terms – and not just in the boxing ring.
Many believe we have the best golfer in the world right now, in Rory McIlroy. Our very own football superstar George Best was peerless, winning the Ballon D’Or and stealing the hearts of millions.
We have Olympic and world champions in everything from Superbikes to snooker and swimming.
It’s subjective, and the only certainty is that nobody will agree entirely on our rankings.
Each day this week, we reveal five of the top 25, counting down to the top five on Friday, April 10th.
25. KATIE MULLAN
Katie Mullan during a Tokyo 2020 Ireland hockey team announcement(Image: Getty Images)
Coleraine woman Mullan is one of Ireland’s most influential and iconic hockey players ever. She was captain of the Ireland team that played in the 2018 Women’s Hockey World Cup final. She has also won Irish Senior Cup and Women’s Irish Hockey League titles with UCD.
Across 13 years in green, Mullan has been part of every major chapter in modern Irish women’s hockey. She captained the team in the historic run to the 2018 Women’s Hockey World Cup final in London, where Ireland claimed a silver medal and announced themselves on the global stage, and also led the squad to qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Ireland’s first appearance at the Olympics in women’s hockey.
Mullan continues to play her part as the Ireland Women’s Hockey Team continues to compete at the highest level, helping the side to back-to-back FIH Hockey Nations Cup silver medals
24. RHYS McCLENAGHAN
Olympian Rhys McClenaghan (Image: ©INPHO/James Crombie)
Newtownards man McClenaghan was the 2024 pommel horse Olympic champion – the first gymnast to win an Olympic medal for Ireland.
He is also a double world champion on the pommel horse, having won gold in 2022 and 2023 – the first Irish artistic gymnast to win world championship gold, having also been the first Irish gymnast to win a world medal with bronze in 2019.
McClenaghan is also a three-time European champion representing Ireland (2018, 2023, 2024), and a Commonwealth Games champion representing Northern Ireland
23. MIKE GIBSON
Ireland rugby great Mike Gibson(Image: INPHO/Presseye/Andrew Paton)
The Belfast man and Campbell College student is one of Ireland rugby’s all-time greats. Over a 15-year career (1964–1979), he earned 69 caps for Ireland and featured on a record-equalling five British & Irish Lions tours, playing in 12 Tests and winning the 1971 series against New Zealand.
Gibson made his debut for Ireland in 1964 against South Africa. He scored nine tries and captained the team on several occasions. He was known for his versatility, playing at both centre and fullback throughout his career.
Gibson was awarded an MBE for his services to rugby and was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 1997. Finally, he was then inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame in 2011.
22. KIERAN McGEENEY
Armagh captain Kieran McGeeney lifts the Sam Maguire Cup in 2002(Image: ©INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan)
Kieran ‘Geezer’ McGeeney is a towering figure in Gaelic football, celebrated as a legendary Armagh captain who led the county to their first All-Ireland SFC title in 2002.
A highly dedicated leader, he won three All-Stars and has been central to Armagh football for over two decades, both as a iconic player and a long-standing manager.
McGeeney was named 2002 Texaco Footballer of the Year and won six Ulster Senior Football Championship medals as a player.
At club level, he won an Ulster title with Mullaghbawn, as well as multiple honours with Na Fianna after his move to Dublin.
21. DANIEL WIFFEN
Daniel Wiffen won gold and bronze medals at the Paris Olympics(Image: INPHO/Ben Brady)
Force of nature Wiffen became the first Irishman ever to win an Olympic swimming medal when he claimed 800m Freestyle gold in a new Olympic record time at the Paris Games in 2024. Days later he added a 1,500m freestyle bronze medal to his tally.
As a two-time World Champion, three-time European Champion, and world record holder in the 800-metre freestyle short course (7:20.46), Magheralin man Wiffen has established himself as one of the elite competitors in swimming.
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Tomorrow we will reveal numbers 16-20 on our top 25 NI sport stars of all time.