To mark International Women's Day here are the top five Tipperary female sporting icons in 2023

To mark International Women's Day we focused on the top five Tipperary female sporting icons in 2023 who culturally have made their chosen sport highly popular within the county. There are many playing at the top of their game currently in many different sports , here is the top five: 

Number 5 - Two time All Ireland winning Ladies Football captain Samantha Lambert:

The Ardfinnan native has worn the blue and gold jersey with distinction over the last decade and led Tipperary to two memorable victories at Croke Park in 2017 and 2019 to lift the Mary Quinn Memorial cup, making fantastic speeches on both occasions.

Samantha also won a third Intermediate All Ireland title in 2008 and has been a trailblazer for a generation of Ladies Footballers in the county that realised their dreams in Croke Park. 

Number 4 - Tipperary Camogie Captain Karen Kennedy:

The Thurles Sarsfields stalwart has become a key player over the last number of years. Karen missed last year's championship and the effects were felt by Tipperary in the latter stages of the senior championship making it back at the tail end of the season to star for her club in the county championship.

The 2020 Tipperary club championship player of the year will be a key member of Denis Kelly's county senior squad in 2023 as they prepare for a serious assault on getting to the latter stages of the championship and matching the exploits of the top three namely Cork, Galway and Kilkenny. 

Number 3 - Top athlete Sharlene Mawdsley:

The 200m and 400m Irish International athlete has been a rising star over the last number of years and has been making waves on the international stage. She has made the top 8 at the World Championships and European Championships.

The next Olympic Games should see the Newport Athletic Club star really shine on the International stage.

Number 2 - Multiple Sports star Orla O'Dwyer:

Orla has been performing at the top of her game for the last five years when she first arrived on centre stage by making the Tipperary Senior Camogie and Ladies Football team. The west Tipperary native lined out in the forwards for both teams and picked up an All Ireland Intermediate medal in Ladies Football with Tipperary at Croke Park before making the career swap to play Australian Rules in Brisbane, Australia.

She grew from strength to strength in the AFLW starring for the Brisbane Lions Australian Rules team. She won the prestigious All-Australian award for her fantastic performances at the sport and once more in 2023 is set to keep improving and performing to a high level once the season gets underway in earnest. 

Number 1 - Horse Racing superstar Rachael Blackmore: 

The Killenaule jockey has been making history over the last few years in the racing world. The National Hunt jockey became the first female to win the Grand National in the then 182 year history of the prestigious competition. She was also the first woman to be the leading jockey at the Cheltenham festival, riding six winners.

In 2022 she became the first female jockey to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup and with the festival on the horizon again this March she is set to break even more records.

Do you agree with our top 5? Are there any other stars worthy of the top five list that should be there?

Let us know!