skip to main content

A dozen breakout Irish sports stars of 2021

Updated / Saturday, 25 Dec 2021 09:02
From left: Paudie Clifford, Nicole Turner, Gavin Coombes and Emma Duggan
From left: Paudie Clifford, Nicole Turner, Gavin Coombes and Emma Duggan

Gavin Coombes (23)

The Skibbereen backrower made everyone stand up and take notice in 2021. Last season he rumbled over for 15 tries scored in 22 appearances, the most tries ever scored by a Munster player in a single season, and led the way for appearances having featured in 22 of Munster's 25 games, including 17 starts.

Aside from the headline scores, his all-round dynamic displays saw him become the youngest ever winner of the province's Men’s Player of the Year award.

A virtuoso season was capped in style, literally, against Japan during the summer.

Coombes began this season with two tries against Cell C Sharks. He did not feature against Japan and New Zealand in the autumn due to illness, Donal Lenihan and Bernard Jackman were among those clamouring for his inclusion in the final Test of the year against Argentina, but he didn’t make Andy Farrell’s match-day squad.

Finished the year with the Nevin Spence Young Player of the Year, fending off competition from Craig Casey, Hugo Keenan and Scott Penny.

Emma Duggan (19)

What a year for the Meath footballers, and especially Emma Duggan. The 19-year-old plundered 1-02 in the All-Ireland final against holders Dublin as the Royals claimed the Brendan Martin Cup for the very first time in a never to be forgotten day at Croke Park.

Her long-range goal proved crucial in the two-point win, while she also took the Cork defence for 1-05 in a dramatic semi-final comeback that was decided in extra-time.

The Dunboyne sharpshooter was a livewire in attack throughout the victorious campaign, always threatening the scoreboard but also a willing provider for others. Finished the championship with 3-19 to her name.

Gavin Bazunu (19)

Heading into last Christmas, Gavin Bazunu was part of a Rochdale team that would get relegated from League Two and had only a watching Irish brief as Darren Randolph held the number one jersey. For the opening World Cup qualifier, Stephen Kenny went with Mark Travers in the 3-2 away defeat in Serbia.

From that point on however, it has been all Bazunu. His debut came in the grim 1-0 home reversal against Luxembourg, but the on-loan Portsmouth keeper has exuded confidence in his 10 caps. Quick off his line, sharp reflexes, commanding in his area and more than comfortable with the ball at his feet, it's almost hard to believe he’s won’t celebrate his 20th birthday until next February.

OK pic.twitter.com/rRL397hAQX

— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) November 14, 2021

The confidence on the ball, espoused by Kenny, can raise the heart rate among supporters – see the error that led to the concession of a penalty away to Portugal – but his subsequent save, and superb overall performance, show what a talent he is.

In a year with many ups and downs for Stephen Kenny, Bazunu's composed form was a constant throughout.

Rhasidat Adeleke (19)

Not since 2011 had the 100/200m double been achieved at the U20 European Athletics Championships until Rhasidat Adeleke swept all before her in Estonia.

The Tallaght teenager broke her own 200m national record having powered to glory in the 100m the previous day.

The University of Texas student has already won gold at Youth Olympic and European U18 level and unfortunately was not part of the Irish Olympic team after falling just short of qualifying while focusing on the 100m and 200m in the lead-up.

An Irish sprinter with a bright future.

Andrew Coscoran (25)

Few Irish sportspeople captured the public imagination this year quite like Andrew Coscoran. The Balbriggan man was an outside bet to make the Olympic Games, but not only did he compete in Tokyo, he excelled.

Ranked 41st upon arrival for the 1500m, a memorable finish in the closing 100 metres of his heat ensured progress to the semi-final, where he finished 10th in a time of 3:35.84, less than half a second outside his personal best.

"I think the two best races I've ever ran were in the Olympics," he said.

Savannah McCarthy (24)

Given the 24-year-old made her international debut in 2016, it may seem a curious inclusion, but Savannah McCarthy has had to be patient in her soccer career. The Irish defender had to wait five years between her fourth and fifth caps, which came in September.

The Kerry woman has made up for lost time and Vera Pauw has had her faith repaid with some superb displays, as she put the shackles on Ballon D'Or candidates Sam Kerr (Australia) and Stina Blackstenius (Sweden), as well as Finland's record scorer Linda Sällström.

McCarthy has spoken of her busy schedule – she works full-time in a Listowel café, travel three times a week to play for Galway and sometimes trains locally with the men's team to keep her fitness up. And that is before international commitments.

Paudie Clifford (24)

Being the older brother of the most gifted footballer in the country didn't appear to weigh heavily on Paudie Clifford's shoulders in 2021. Despite outstanding form for Fossa and East Kerry, he struggled to get a look in at senior level, togging out for the juniors and being in and around the panel.

"I think he should be in there the last three years," Tomás Ó Sé said in July.

Peter Keane finally gave him a run of games and was more than repaid with some storming performances. Sean O'Shea provides the guile and David Clifford the x-factor, but Clifford senior was a key linkman. With an ability to win primary possession, take on defenders and find team-mates with probing passes, he was a huge asset for the Kingdom.

Tyrone recognised his danger in the All-Ireland semi-final, with Conor Meyler snuffing out the in-form attacker, a significant factor in their extra-time victory en route to All-Ireland success.

Sarah McAuley (19)

The teenager got her first call-up to the Ireland senior squad earlier this year before making her debut in last game of the European Championships, a 3-0 victory over Scotland. The Muckross defender was called into the Olympic panel with just one cap under her belt and helped the side qualify for next year's World Cup.

The 19-year-old Dubliner was due to be a key player with the Irish Under-21 side at the Junior World Cup this month in South Africa, too, but this was put on hold owing to the pandemic.

Jack O'Connor (23)

Having made his senior debut for the Rebels in 2018, this was the year the Sarsfields speed merchant with an eye for goal really made his claim for a starting berth. A brace against Limerick in the league was followed a month later with three points in defeat to the same opposition.

While the Rebels were second best to the champions, never more so than in the All-Ireland decider, the 23-year-old was always a threat whenever he received the ball and would end the championship campaign with 2-09 over four outings, with his performance against Kilkenny in a game decided in extra-time the pick of the bunch.

A deserved All-Star nominee.

Nicole Turner (19)

The swimmer's Paralympic Games began well – a PB swim in the final of the S6 50m freestyle – but finished with a real flourish in her favoured event, the S6 50m butterfly.

Fifth in Rio in that event was the motivating force behind her five years of training, and after qualifying for the final with the second fastest time, medal ambitions were justified.

"When I qualified second fastest, I had a hope. It was becoming more real that there was a big chance of me getting on the podium later that day."

Her body of work too suggested a top-three finish was on the cards. Gold at the Europeans in 2018 and bronze a year later at the World Championships was further evidence of her standing.

Amy Hunter (16)

Amy Hunter described becoming the youngest ever batter to score an international century as "more than she ever imagined" after achieving the feat on her 16th birthday.

Hunter struck an unbeaten 121 against Zimbabwe in Harare to become the youngest player, male or female, to score a one-day international century.

The teenager, who balances her school work with being an international cricketer, only made her Ireland debut in May and has now written her name into the record books.

Colm Whelan (21)

Watch out Premier Division defences next year, an in-form striker is on his way and keen to make his mark.

Colm Whelan has been the standout performer in UCD's campaign that ended in promotion and how he operates at a higher level could determine the Students’ fortunes in 2022.

The Kilkenny native made his early mark at Waterford, helping the Blues on their way to winning the U19 league title in 2019 before making the move to Dublin.

The Students missed out on promotion to the top flight in agonising fashion last year, with Whelan contributing 15 goals in 19 league appearances.

This season that upward trajectory continued. Whelan’s goal against Waterford secured their promotion in what was his 27th goal in all competitions.

The 21-year-old also bagged a goal minutes after his introduction for his Ireland Under-21 debut in September in a 1-1 draw with Luxembourg.

The striker completes his studies next summer and will be on the radar of clubs both home and abroad given his scoring exploits.

More stories on

Read Next