Robbie Keane: Quickly dispelled the millstone of a £6 million price tag from his move to Coventry with a barrage of goals. Equally effective for the Republic of Ireland.
Brian O'Driscoll: Wonderful summer tour to Australia and confirmed his potential with several good performances in the World Cup and subsequently for Leinster.
Sergio Garcia: Played the shot of the season in the USPGA Championship when finishing second to Tiger Woods, won on his debut season on the US Tour and also claimed the Murphy's Irish Open. Great Ryder Cup.
Andre Agassi: After plummeting down the world rankings he surprised everyone by winning two Grand Slam titles, the French and US Opens, and reaching the Wimbledon final.
Serena Williams: Beat Martina Hingis in the US Open final and her older sister Venus in the race to win a Grand Slam.
Lance Armstrong: The American cyclist beat cancer to win the Tour de France this season.
Paul Carberry (right): ensured a remarkable day for the family when guiding Bobbyjo, trained by his father Tommy, to the Aintree Grand National.
Ollie Murphy: Meath corner forward who made an enormous contribution to the county's All-Ireland football championship success.
Timmy McCarthy: Young Cork half forward who scored heavily when it mattered in the All-Ireland hurling final, finishing joint top scorer.
Heinz-Harald Frentzen: The self-effacing German blossomed by winning the French Grand Prix at Magny Cours and for a brief period contended for the F1 drivers' championship. Took the Jordan car to a new level of competitiveness.
