Boxer Katie Taylor has been named Ireland’s greatest ever sports star, in an exclusive Newstalk poll.

She was followed closely by Roy Keane on 21%, with sprinter Sonia O’Sullivan placing third with 11%.

Rugby players Jonathan Sexton (9%) and Brian O’Driscoll (8%) finished out the Top Five.

On The Pat Kenny Show, host of The Stand podcast Eamon Dunphy described Taylor as a “remarkable young woman”. 

“She won an Olympic gold medal in 2012 at the London Games and she’s had a stellar career,” he said. 

“Perhaps the depth of opposition in boxing wouldn’t be as strong as in other sports but she’s done it.” 

Katie Taylor celebrates after winning her Undisputed Super Lightweight Championship title fight against Chantelle Cameron at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland. Picture by: Alamy.com

With that in mind, he said he personally would not have chosen her as Ireland’s Greatest Sports Star. 

“She wouldn’t be my choice because of that lack of depth,” he said. 

“Roy Keane, he’s only a percentage point behind her and he certainly was a very great footballer. 

“There’s no question about that and he was up against the best, he was a leader as well.”

Mr Dunphy acknowledged that Keane has been known to ‘fall out with people’ but said he was a superb player. 

“I would say Keane is up there with the very best,” he said. 

“In terms of leading a team and a great team, the Manchester United of Alex Ferguson was a great team [and] they needed a leader. 

“Keane fell out with Alex Ferguson as well in the end but he’s up there with the greats. 

Former Manchester United Player Roy Keane. Picture by: Sipa USA/Alamy Live News

Mr Dunphy also commended Rachael Blackmore for becoming a “real serious figure” in the sporting world. 

“She’s won the Champion Hurdle, she’s won the Grand National - and they are immense feats,” he said. 

He noted that footballer George Best and golfer Rory McIlroy are also Irish sports stars who have achieved great things in their careers.

Golfer Pádraig Harrington took 6% and jockey Rachael Blackmore received 3% of the vote. 

Rower Paul O’Donovan also received 3% support, while jockey Ruby Walsh and hurler Henry Sheffin both won 2% each. 

Meanwhile, 13% of people thought someone else.  

Main image: Katie Taylor. Picture by: Alamy.com