Vote for Dundalk's Kate and Michael O'Connor at the Olympic Sport Awards

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Team Ireland Female Athlete of the Year sponsored by Allianz

Dundalk heptathlete Kate O’Connor has been nominated for Team Ireland Female Athlete of the Year following her historic achievement at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, where she won silver in the heptathlon.

She became the first Irish athlete ever to medal in a combined event at World level, as well as securing Ireland’s first World Championships medal in athletics since 2013 and the first by an Irish female track athlete since 2009.

The World Championship result finished a season where she broke her national record four times, as well as winning medals at the European and World Indoor Championships, and the World Student Games.

Competing against the world’s best, Kate showed exceptional skill, consistency and determination. Beyond her results, she is admired for her professionalism, humility and positive influence as a role model for young athletes.

Her breakthrough season marks a defining moment for Irish athletics and underlines her place among Ireland’s most accomplished athletes.

2025 Results: Four national records, consistently ranked top five in world rankings; Silver medal, World Athletics Championships in Tokyo (heptathlon); Bronze medal, European Indoor Championships (pentathlon); Silver medal, World Indoor Championships (pentathlon); and Gold medal, FISU World University Games (heptathlon).

VOTE HERE: https://olympicsportawards.com/vote/

Olympic Sporting Moment of the Year sponsored by Fiat

This award celebrates the defining moment of 2025 that moved, united, and inspired Ireland; a singular expression of Olympic spirit at its most powerful.

Kate made history at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, winning silver in the heptathlon and becoming the first Irish athlete ever to medal in a combined event at World or Olympic level.

Her performance, delivered against the very best in the world, was a breakthrough moment for Irish athletics, marking the nation’s first World Championships medal in over a decade and the first by an Irish female track athlete since 2009.

Beyond the result, Kate’s achievement has given great belief to athletes across Ireland that they can compete and succeed on the world stage, while giving Irish sport a genuine lift.

Her performance embodied composure, resilience, and excellence, qualities that have made her one of Ireland’s most inspirational sporting figures.

VOTE HERE: https://olympicsportawards.com/vote/

Coach of the Year sponsored by Key Patent Innovations

This award honours a coach whose passion, innovation, and leadership have led to remarkable success in 2025 – elevating an athlete, multiple athletes or a team to new heights.

A key force behind the individuals that make up Team Ireland, this coach’s impact reaches beyond results, shaping the future of sport in Ireland and making waves internationally.

Kate's Dad, Michael O’Connor, has had a transformative impact on Irish athletics through his innovative and athlete-centred coaching.

In 2025, he guided Kate to a historic season marked by multiple international medals, including silver at both the World Championships (heptathlon) and World Indoors (pentathlon), and bronze at the European Indoors, along with four new national records.

His meticulous planning, technical expertise and advanced periodisation strategies enabled her to peak consistently across seasons, all while training entirely in Ireland, a rare achievement in combined events.

Beyond medals, Michael’s leadership and innovative methods have raised the standard of coaching in Ireland, inspired a new generation and shown that world-class success can be achieved through belief, precision and collaboration.

Results: Kate O’Connor – Silver medal World Athletics Championships in Tokyo (heptathlon); Kate O’Connor – Bronze medal European Indoor Championships (pentathlon); Kate O’Connor – Silver medal World Indoor Championships (pentathlon); and Kate O’Connor – Four national records, consistently ranked top five in world rankings.

VOTE HERE: https://olympicsportawards.com/vote/

Voting

Members of the public can now cast their vote that goes into the mix with the judging panel decision when deciding who is announced as the winner at the Awards night on Saturday, 6th December 2025. Simply click on the button below to cast your vote.

VOTE HERE: https://olympicsportawards.com/vote/