Rory McIlroy to be brightest of Emerald Isle sports stars in 2015

Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy has two reasons to celebrate this week after being tipped for glory by the latest Ladbrokes poll.

With today being St Patrick’s Day we asked you which of the Emerald Isle’s sporting stars will achieve the most in 2015 and shortly after replacing Tiger Woods as the face of EA’s video game series McIlroy took the votes in a landslide win.

While surpassing last year’s haul of two majors, a Ryder Cup and a return to the world number one spot will be a huge task, the 25-year-old is firing on all cylinders and has already picked up a title in 2015.

This solid start to the year translated into votes, with McIroy taking 41 per cent in our poll.

Second was Robbie Keane with 29 per cent and while the former Tottenham striker may be something of a forgotten man in England he is tearing it up stateside and still a vital part of Ireland’s hopes.

Next was a two-way tie for third with rugby union captain Paul O’Connell and champion jockey Richard Hughes taking 12 per cent of the votes each.

O’Connell could make voters eat their words sooner rather than later though if he can pick Ireland up after their recent Six Nations loss to Wales to guide his country to the title.

Last in the voting with a lowly six per cent was UFC star Conor McGregor. The MMA man fights for the Featherweight title in July this year and has won 17 of his 19 bouts since joining the pro ranks.

This wasn’t enough to endear him to voters though but we’re not going to tell him – not to his face anyway!