The countdown continues today with a number of iconic sport stars of the past featuring
The countdown continues as Belfast Live brings you the top 25 Northern Ireland sport stars ever.
On day one, we had international hockey star Katie Mullan, gymnast trailblazer Rhys McClenaghan, rugby legend Mike Gibson, GAA colossus Kieran McGeeney and Olympic gold medal winning swimmer Dan Wiffen, in that descending order.
The stakes are higher today and the arguments sure to strengthen..
20. PAT JENNINGS
It’s often a struggle for goalkeepers to get themselves into ‘greatest ever’ lists, given the constraints of their position, but when it comes to Pat Jennings, it’s hard to ignore his impact on the game.
So much so that the Football Writers’ Association named him their Player of the Year in 1973, and the PFA gave him their award three years later. He remains one of only two keepers to win the PFA prize.
One of the few to cross the North London divide and remain popular at both clubs, he was outstanding for Tottenham and Arsenal.
His 1982 World Cup displays are still fondly remembered.
19. RICHARD DUNWOODY
Former three-time Champion Jockey, Richard Dunwoody became the only jockey of his generation to win the Big Three National Hunt races following wins on West Tip, Charter Party and Kribensis.
He also partnered the great Desert Orchid to seven victories. He won the Grand National again on Miinnehoma in 1994 and was Champion Jockey three times (1993-95). He was awarded the MBE for services to his sport in 1993.
The Belfast native won a then record 1,874 races. In 1993 he was awarded an MBE for his services to sport. Since retiring as a jockey in 1999 he has travelled extensively and undertaken expeditions to both the Arctic and Antarctic.
18. NORMAN WHITESIDE
Two World Cup appearances, in 1982 and 1986, two FA Cups with Manchester United, and a host of individual honours give Norman Whiteside a spot on our list.
Similar to Best, he was a joy to watch in possession, as he slalomed past challenges from defenders who weren’t as constrained as their modern day counterparts.
The Shankhill Road man notched almost 70 goals for United before moving on to Everton.
A knee injury cut his career short in his prime, but by then he had broken Pele’s record by becoming the youngest ever player to feature at a World Cup, and he was the youngest player to score a first-team goal for Manchester United.
17. SEAN CAVANAGH
The Moy man was one of the players of his generation, winning three All-Ireland medals, six Ulster crowns and five All-Star awards with Tyrone.
He was Footballer of the Year in 2008 and represented Ireland on the International Rules Series, after resisting offers to go and play professionally in Aussie Rules.
He was a standout player at youth level, leading his school St Pat’s Armagh to the MacRory Cup and his county to an All-Ireland minor title.
Cavanagh and those Red Hand minor stars backboned Tyrone’s breakthrough Sam Maguire wins in 2003, 2005, and 2008. He was named man of the match in that ‘08 defining clash with big rivals Kerry.
16. WAYNE McCULLOUGH
The Olympic silver medallist from Barcelona in 1992 – who beat future world champions Arturo Gatti, Tim Austin and Willie Jorrin in the amateur ranks. In 1995, he travelled to Japan to challenge WBC champion Yasuei Yakushiji in his home town – and came away with a split decision win and the world title.
Two successful defences, against Johnny Bredahl in Belfast and Jose Luis Bueno in Dublin, followed before he relinquished the title to move up to super-bantamweight
He would go on to have five more world title chances – against Naseem Hamed, Erik Morales, Scott Harrison and two against Oscar Larios – but lost them all.
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Tomorrow, the numbers 11-15 of our top 25 Northern Ireland sport stars of all time will be revealed.
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