Kellie Harrington won Ireland's 11th gold medal at Tokyo 2020 ©Getty Images

Olympic champions in women's boxing, Kellie Harrington and Katie Taylor, have been named as the most admired sports stars in Ireland according to a public vote.

The Teneo Sports and Sponsorship Index 2021 had the two Olympic gold medallists tied at the top with 16 per cent each, in front of jockey Rachael Blackmore on nine per cent.

Rugby union star Johnny Sexton was also on nine per cent, in front of rower Paul O'Donovan and Paralympic swimming champion Ellen Keane on four per cent.

Tadhg Furlong, another rugby union player, and women's footballer Katie McCabe also received four per cent of the vote.

Harrington joined an exclusive club of nine athletes who have won an Olympic gold medal for Ireland, when she defeated Brazilian Beatriz Ferreira in the under-60 kilogram category at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Taylor now holds a record of 20-0 as a professional, having won the same weight category of Harrington at London 2012.

Katie Taylor was named most admired sportsperson in Ireland alongside boxing successor Kellie Harrington ©Getty Images
Katie Taylor was named most admired sportsperson in Ireland alongside boxing successor Kellie Harrington ©Getty Images

Both were nominated for the RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year award, which was won by Blackmore.

Harrington's gold medal was voted the top Irish Sporting Achievement with 20 per cent of the vote from 1,000 people surveyed.

Football and Gaelic football were voted Ireland's favourite sport with 18 per cent each respectively, followed by rugby and tennis.

Team of the Year was given the Olympic team with 24 per cent of the vote, marginally in front of the men's rugby union squad, followed by the Paralympic team.