Sport Ireland welcomes 2025 as most successful year ever for Irish high-performance sport
Today Sport Ireland announces that 2025 has been the most successful year ever for Irish high-performance sport, with 127 major medals won.
Sport Ireland Chairperson John Foley said: “I would like to congratulate all the Irish sportswomen and men who have truly made this a year to remember. I would particularly like to thank the Government for its generous ongoing investment. Without this investment we could not have achieved the extraordinary results of 2025. The Government’s backing of Sport Ireland’s High Performance Strategy has empowered our high-performance athletes to hit these heights.
“These results are a great illustration of what our dedicated athletes and coaches can accomplish when they are supported through Sport Ireland’s High Performance Programme and our partners in the National Governing Bodies of sport.”
In 2025 the Government invested €27m in the High Performance programme to be distributed through Sport Ireland. This investment has been key in supporting high performance athletes and the National Sports Policy aim of increasing Ireland’s target medal haul. In 2026 funding for high-performance sport will be €28.5m.
Sport Ireland’s investment in high performance sport is directed by the High Performance Strategy 2021-2032, which targets the achievement of medals at major international events, including the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.
Sport Ireland CEO Dr Úna May said: “As the High Performance Strategy ends its fifth year of implementation, we in Sport Ireland will continue our focus on coaching, the athlete voice, and governance.
“Sport Ireland will continue to back our athletes, their support teams and National Governing Bodies as they strive for excellence. The record level of investment throughout the life cycle of the National Sports Policy demonstrates the Government’s sustained and shared commitment to achieving success.”
Sport Ireland Director of High Performance Paul McDermott said: “Sport Ireland welcomes this success as a sign that our governance, partnerships, and systems are working to deliver systemic, sustained success.
“While it has been great to see our high-performance athletes deliver a steady stream of wins and podium finishes across multiple sports it’s not just about the medals. Our focus remains firmly on athlete welfare, supporting them to compete globally while prioritising their well-being.
“Sport Ireland’s investment in high-performance sport now compares with our international competitors. Our priority is to collaborate with stakeholders across the high-performance system through strategic initiatives and programs that deliver measurable results and value for money.”
The 127 major medals won this year are an increase on the 112 total high-performance medals won in 2024, which was itself a record.
In 2025 there were 39 gold medals won, 33 silver, and 55 bronze.
There were 48 senior medals won (17 gold, 13 silver, and 18 bronze). There were also 69 non-senior medals won (22 gold, 20 silver, and 37 bronze).
The gender breakdown was 63 female, 55 male, and nine open/mixed.
A major medal is a medal won at senior or non-senior (e.g., youth, junior, under 21, etc.) level, at European Championships, World Championships, Olympic Games and Paralympics Games by Sport Ireland High Performance funded NGBs and athletes. It may also include a medal at World Cup finals that is the equivalent of a World Championships.
Ireland’s high-performance system is focused on consistently achieving medal success at major international competitions.
The vision that underpins the High Performance Strategy is of an Ireland that consistently achieves podium success on the world stage, inspiring the nation and future generations. Targets include 8-10 Olympic and 12-16 Paralympic medals by 2028, with ambitions to build on this success heading into 2032. Outside of Olympic and Paralympic cycles, Irish athletes are expected to perform strongly and medal regularly at European and World Championship level.
Sport Ireland’s International Carding Scheme provides direct financial support to Ireland’s top athletes, enabling them to train and compete at the highest levels of international sport. Carded athletes also benefit from individually-tailored performance services delivered by the world-class Sport Ireland Institute on the Sport Ireland Campus.
Among the successes during the year were Sarah Healy’s gold medal in the 3,000m in the European Indoor Championships, two gold medals at the World Para Athletic Championships for Orla Comerford, Daniel Wiffen’s gold medal in the 1500m Freestyle at the European Short Course Swimming Championships, Kate O’Connor’s four major medals in the pentathlon and heptathlon, Ben Healy’s bronze medal in the World Championship road race, and double gold at the World Rowing Championships for Fiona Murtagh in the women's singles and Fintan McCarthy and Mags Cremen in the mixed double sculls.