The RTE Sports Person of the Year shortlist has been released with the women dominating this year's nominees.
Horse Racing, Boxing, Swimming, GAA, Golf, and Athletics are the sports represented in the eight-person list.
Rachel Blackmore is named for her heroics in the saddle this year. The Killenaule native became the first woman to win the Aintree Grand National aboard the Henry De Bromhead trained Minella Indo, having already earned the "Top Jockey" prize at the Cheltenham festival.
Tokyo hero Kellie Harrington became Ireland's 11th Olympic gold medalist when she beat Beatriz Ferreira at lightweight. The Portland Row native captured the heart of the nation for her efforts in the ring.
Paralympian Ellen Keane had Ireland's first medal of the Tokyo games hung around her neck when she finished first in the SB8 100m breaststroke. The 26-year old from Clontarf has now competed at four Paralympics for Team Ireland.
While Limerick are dominating the All-Stars with a record 12 nominees this year, it's hurler of the year contender Cian Lynch who is the lone hurler on the sportsperson list. The Patrickswell club man hit six points in a record-breaking All-Ireland final display against Cork which saw John Kiely's side topple the Rebels 3.32 - 1.22.
Leona Maguire made her debut at the Solheim Cup this year for Team Europe taking 4.5 points of the 5 on offer. As well as battering Team USA, the Cavan native represented Ireland at the Tokyo games. She began her year ranked 177th in the world, and comes to the end of 2021 at 43.
Jason Smyth earned his sixth Paralympic gold in Toyko after a nail-biting finish to the T13 100m final. The Derry sprinter pipped Algerian Skander Djamil Athmani by a hair to claim his top spot on the podium at his fourth consecutive games.
Katie Taylor is nominated for the eight-time. The Bray pugilist has claimed the award twice (2020 & 2012) and remains as the undisputed lightweight champion of the world. Taylor defended her titles on two occasions this year and resoundingly won her rematch with Natasha Jonas in Manchester while also dispatching the American Jennifer Hahn.
The only other Gaelic Games player to feature is Meath footballer Vicki Wall. The PWC Player of the Month for September was instrumental in the Royal County's All-Ireland success over Dublin. The Dunboyne local kicked 1.06 for her side and won the "Player of the match" for her efforts.
The awards ceremony will be on RTE One next Saturday (18th December).
