Our Holywood idol delivered the ultimate year of redemption in 2025. His career has been one long roller coaster – frequently across the same back nine – and never was this more evident than in the final round of the Masters.
At the second time of asking on that fateful April Sunday, the 18th green at Augusta had witnessed his finest hour, this time in a play-off with Justin Rose.
With a brilliant approach and short putt, McIlroy had captured the one Major to elude him in 16 previous attempts. His first Major since 2014 also meant he became only the sixth golfer to complete the career Grand Slam of The Open, US Open, US PGA and the Masters.
For rolling with the punches on the most nerve-shredding day of all, McIlroy is a worthy winner of our massive online vote for overall Sportstar of the Year.
Troy Parrott’s mother Jennifer proudly holds his Magic Moment of the Year award
But whereas Augusta crowned McIlroy’s year/career, that one victory didn’t entirely define his 2025 either. He also won in Pebble Beach, at The Players Championship and then, come autumn, at the Irish Open after a K Club play-off and more final-hole melodrama. He then helped Team Europe to Ryder Cup victory in New York against a backdrop of unspeakable sledging by USA ‘fans’.
His year was capped by a seventh Race to Dubai title. Little wonder that McIlroy received Sportstar of the Week nominations in February, March, April, September and finally October (alongside fellow European hero Shane Lowry).
For raw emotion, it would be difficult to match McIlroy’s putt to win the Masters – or the moment Lowry drained the half-point putt in Bethpage to retain the Ryder Cup and kick-start an Offaly war dance that drew instant viral comparison with Séamus Darby back in 1982.
Yet even these iconic images were eclipsed by the Irish Independent Magic Moment of the Year: Troy Parrott’s remarkable hat-trick sealed with virtually the last kick against Hungary to keep our World Cup dream alive.
.jpg)
Tipperary hurling supremo Liam Cahill with his Manager of the Year award
What had promised to be a disastrous campaign finished with Parrott scoring five goals in four days against Portugal and Hungary. For ‘fox in a box’ cunning and exquisite timing, that third goal in Budapest will never be beaten.
The public’s diverse palate when recognising the greats of Irish sport is reflected in our other award winners.
Our Young Sportstar is Galway swimmer John Shortt (19). The backstroke specialist won double gold (100m and 200m) at the world junior championships in August; then followed up with senior gold (200m) at the European short course championships in December.
Our Manager of the Year is Liam Cahill, architect of an incredible 12-month transformation by steering his Tipperary hurlers from near-ignominy in 2024 to the All-Ireland SHC summit in ’25.
Young Sportstar of the Year, swimming sensation John Shortt
And our Team of the Year goes to ‘Team Willie Mullins’ on the back of another stellar campaign. The Carlow-based trainer dominated Cheltenham (again); saddled five of the first seven home in the Aintree Grand National, led by his son, Patrick, on board Nick Rockett; defended his British National Hunt trainers’ title; and then won the Breeders’ Cup Turf in California. Beat that.
Willie and Patrick Mullins accept the Team of the Year prize on behalf of the all-conquering Closutton yard. Also included are, from left: Gráinne Whelan, John Dunne, David Casey and Niamh Walsh