1. UFC
Conor McGregor after a relatively short career in the UFC appears set for the biggest payday of his life, should he manage to take out the lowly ranked Russian Dennis Siver in January. The smart money is suggesting McGregor will be given the opportunity to fight Jose Aldo for a world title in May. McGregor the most effective self publicist that sport has ever seen has consistently mentioned a stadium fight in Dublin, and despite concerns regarding pay per view ratings for GMT events both the Aviva and Croke Park appear to be real contenders. Last Julys event in the O2 showed Ireland to have a serious under card of fighters and all of those Dublin trained fighters would be likely to enjoy a slice of the pie.
Elite Sport $ Effect vs Normal : 5/5
Economy $ Effect vs Normal : 5/5
2. Professional Boxing
Eddie Hearns initial proposal to host 2 big Sky boxing nights in the Republic of Ireland in 2015 received a massive fillip in December with Andy Lee's stunning knockout of Matt Korobov for the WBO title. With a first title defence now touted for Thomond Park on St. Patricks Day both Lee who is likely to quadruple his largest pay check thus far and the local economy are likely to benefit significantly. All going to plan another home defence in October would be Lee & his manager Adam Booths plan for the year. Up North Carl Frampton has established a consistently large and vocal following in the Oddyssey arena. He defends his IBF world title against Chris Avalos in February and all going to plan will bring a much bigger fight to Belfasts Oddyssey Arena later in the Summer.
Young Irish fighters such as John Joe Nevin & Jason Quigley should benefit uniquely from the undercards, while also increasing the interest in the fight nights themselves. Both Nevin and Quigley are hoping to fight for world belts in 2016, so the undercards to Frampton and Lee have the potential be very entertaining.
Elite Sport $ Effect vs Normal : 4/5
Economy $ Effect vs Normal : 5/5
3. Football
Football largely due to a fortuitous run of fixtures for the senior men's team means John Delaney can afford to forecast some reasonable numbers for the first time since an ultimately mixed 2012. The potentially profitable qualifiers are home games against Celtic rival Scotland, large migrant population nation Poland & should Ireland remain competitive to the end a September home fixture against world champions Germany. Aside from this, there is a juicy friendly (the first in almost 20 years) against England and the possibility of a playoff in November should they finish 3rd, something they'd probably rather avoid. The probable prize for qualifying should everything go to plan may actually be the same as the €8 million received for 2012 despite the increase in the number of teams participating. This figure is based on the 50% increase in sponsorship revenue which has already been announced by UEFA. Away from the senior side Stephanie Roche's superb goal for Peamount United will hopefully offer some sort of a fillip to the crowds attending the senior womens teams home European Championship qualifiers next September.
North of the border things are also looking pretty rosy in the new year having taken 9 points from 12 in their qualifying campaign. While there isn't the same scope in an increase in revenue through attendances or glamour friendlies, qualifying for Euro 2016 would certainly provide a huge bounce for the association.
Aside from International football, Shamrock Rovers return to European competition since their successful Europa League campaign coincides with a lucrative friendly against LA Galaxy in February & a pair of Irish internationals, Keith Fahey and Stephen McPhail marshaling the centre of the park. They along with Cork City and Dundalk look best equipped to earn some revenue from a positive run.
Elite Sport $ Effect vs Normal : 4/5
Economy $ Effect vs Normal : 3/5
4. Cricket
After one of the quietest years at home, Cricket Ireland will consider 2015 to be a genuine opportunity to secure record revenue while also proving to the ICC that they deserve their place at the top table.
Taking first of all the World Cup in February the bounty of $45000 per group match won combined with the $300,000 available for reaching the group stages are both considerable improvements on previous world cups. Ireland will target fellow associate (I despise this word) UAE as well as Zimbabwe and at least one of the West Indies & Pakistan to make the last 8. Beyond the World Cup there certainly appears to considerable value for season ticket holders in Ireland. One Day International fixtures against both England and Australia have already been confirmed (Normally Ireland would expect one of the 2 to visit). The country will also jointly host a T20 qualification tournament for the 2016 T20 world cup. In addition to this 1 round of the World Cricket League and Intercontinental cup is likely to be scheduled for Ireland in August. This is more significant news than usual given that it will be the teams first opportunity to fight for a place in the Test Challenge in 2018. History has thought me not to be optimistic about fixtures but there are rumour's of New Zealand visiting this Summer also. Given this activity the announcement of a new sponsor combined with their academy sponsor Shapoorji Pallonji should also provide a boost to the coffers.
Away from the national team Irish players have continued to earn their corn in County Cricket including two captains. Kevin O'Brien will be hoping to finally secure an opportunity in the lucrative Indian Premier League. His form in T20 leagues in the Caribbean, England and New Zealand in 2014 will hopefully present O'Brien with the opportunity to debut in April.
Elite Sport $ Effect vs Normal : 3/5
Economy $ Effect vs Normal : 3/5
5. Rugby Union
While the provinces haven't had the best of seasons in the Champions Cup their league positions 3rd to 6th offer a unique opportunity for all four to qualify for next season tournament. Something entirely unexpected when qualification for the new tournament was declared.
The other potential gain concerns the national side and the combination of their current form and a Six Nations Campaign which includes home fixtures against France and England and a Northern Hemisphere World Cup. A successful year, a Six Nations title (something which can never be underestimated) and a world cup semi final would have a much needed ripple effect across the provinces budgets.
Away from 15 aside rugby, a close eye will be paid to the success of the World Club 7's Series in Thomond Park in August and the form of the Irish men's 7's side on their reintroduction to international 7's in the European Championships in June. Many in Irish rugby circles will be hoping this return can evolve into the hosting of an international 7's event over the next few years,
Elite Sport $ Effect vs Normal : 3/5
Economy $ Effect vs Normal : 2/5
The major bounce for elite golf in Ireland in 2015 will come from the Irish Open being held in Royal County Down, and effectively hosted by Rory McIlroy. The major benefit of this will be a much improved field, Rickie Fowler being the first unexpected star to declare his intentions. Ultimately this will positively affect the crowd which attends the event, the TV interest across the Atlantic and the purse available to those players competing. This lift will hopefully bring the recently stagnant Irish Open back into focus internationally.
Away from the Irish Open Rory McIlroy being the World number 1 and chasing a career grand slam in April suggests at least one Irish golfer will have a good financial year. Shane Lowry joining the worlds top 50 will naturally improve his financial potential as he finds himself playing a similar tournament schedule to McIlroy and McDowell.
Elite Sport $ Effect vs Normal : 2/5
Economy $ Effect vs Normal : 1/5
7. Athletics
Athletics Ireland buoyed by an excellent sponsorship fit in Glohealth and a talented group of young athletes will look forward to a lucrative 2015. The key 2 events are the AIT International Arena Grand Prix in February and the National Championships in Morton Stadium in August. That the Championships will act as a qualifier for the world championships should mean a bumper gate in Morton while Asafa Powell's presence in Athlone is a genuine wildcard which will hopefully attract an enthusiastic crowd.
Individually Mark English looks to be the pick of the Irish athletes and the most likely to make hay in this Summers Diamond League.
Elite Sport $ Effect vs Normal : 1/5
Economy $ Effect vs Normal : 1/5
8. GAA
Typically suggesting an above average year for GAA finances is extremely difficult given the effect replays can have on the final figures. That said there are a number of reason to suggest a good year awaits. Firstly the Australian victory in the 2014 International Rules series has ensured a 2015 2 game series will take place while a strong Australian team and closer contest is more likely due to the 2014 game.
Secondly the emergence of a Kerry as a rival to Dublins previously assumed dominance should mean negative thoughts about the football championship will not be as present in the media in the early stages of this years championship to the same extent as they were last year. Finally Sky Sports 2nd year in GAA will hopefully result in an increase in viewership outside of Ireland following last years very positive sample.
Elite Sport $ Effect vs Normal : 0/5
Economy $ Effect vs Normal : 1/5
9. Snooker
Snooker features on this years list due to the four Irish players in the top 50 of world snooker. Mark Allen especially, but also Fergal O'Brien, Ken Doherty and recently David Morris have shown the possibility of winning a ranking event in 2015. Young Celbridge cuer Josh Boileau should also be closely followed in 2015 with qualification for the main tour very much on the horizon for last years World Under 21 finalist.
Unfortunately a ranking event in Ireland does not appear to be on the horizon with World Snooker focusing on newer markets in 2015.
Elite Sport $ Effect vs Normal : 1/5
Economy $ Effect vs Normal : 0/5
The principle reason showjumping features on this list is the 2014 form of Wexford competitor Bertram Allen who at 18 years of age has reached 15 in the world rankings. Germany based Allen has continued to improve in 2014 and with an impressive schedule in 2015 the world seems like his oyster.
Elite Sport $ Effect vs Normal : 1/5
Economy $ Effect vs Normal : 0/5
11. Hockey
Both the Irish men and women will look to use 2015's FIH world leagues as spring board towards Olympic qualification. The womens 2nd round group is scheduled to be held in UCD offering an income opportunity to the Irish federation.
Away from the national teams Davy Harte's $51,000 purchase by Dabang Mumbai of the Indian Hockey League represents a significant amount of money in hockey terms. His brother Conor has also been picked up for $10,000 and will join him in India in January.
Elite Sport $ Effect vs Normal : 1/5
Economy $ Effect vs Normal : 0/5
12. Tennis
Tennis' presence on this years list is based on the current rankings of Ireland's male tennis players as well as the home Davis cup draw against Belarus in March. A positive and likely year might see James McGee firmly establish himself inside the worlds top 150 through a grand slam victory and Sam Barry to permanently break into the top 300 in the world. The genuine hope for the Davis cup team would be to achieve 2 victories and play a second home tie in September. Should all of the above occur increased sponsorship for the Irish Tennis Open currently a Futures event will become more likely.
Elite Sport $ Effect vs Normal : 1/5
Economy $ Effect vs Normal : 1/5
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