Ballymoney motorcycling legend Joey Dunlop has claimed Sport NI’s top 10 sporting moment of the last 50 years with 57% of the vote.
In January, the sports organisation launched a public vote on the ten top sporting moments of the last five decades to celebrate it’s 50th anniversary from being established on 31 December 1973.
The public chose Joey’s first win of 26 Isle of Man TT races in the 1000cc Jubilee Classification at the 1977 Jubilee Classic as their top sporting moment.
It was the beginning of a legendary career which also saw the County Antrim man win 24 times at the Ulster Grand Prix, 13 times at the North West 200 and 5 Formula TT World Championships in a row between 1982-1986.
Coalisland man Dennis Taylor was voted as the second-best sporting moment in the last five decades with his victory at the 1985 World Snooker Championships.
Taylor lifted his first World Championship after beating Davis 18-17 in the final frame, whilst never leading in the match. The final frame lasted 68 minutes with both players missing chances to clinch the title, which is why the contest is known as the ‘black ball’ final.
In third place was one of Northern Ireland’s most famous moments on the football pitch, when Gerry Armstrong scored to beat host nation Spain at the 1982 FIFA World Cup.
The win saw Billy Bingham’s men finish top of their group and come within one win of reaching the semi-finals but a 4-1 defeat to France ended their tournament.
Commenting on the results of the top 10 sporting moments, Richard Archibald, Interim CEO at Sport NI, said: “This was a brilliant campaign to engage the public on the best sporting moments from Northern Ireland in the last 50 years. Our talented sports people have created some of the most amazing sporting memories which have been enjoyed by millions worldwide.
“To see Joey Dunlop crowned as the people’s choice and winning this vote is brilliant. I am delighted the public came on board and got involved, and with over 50% of the vote, Joey’s loyal fans were out in force. In his all too short career Joey epitomised the passion, commitment, focus and drive of our sports people, spending hours, days, weeks and years practising and finessing his skills to compete and win, on a global stage.
“Whilst all 10 finalists gave us exceptional memorable moments in the past five decades, this campaign was about celebrating our collective sporting achievements and professionalism as teams and individuals across Northern Ireland in the many sports we participate in every day.
“The last 50 years have been filled with winners from every county, at all levels, from grassroots upwards, so it is great to mark the sporting achievements of so many of our sportspeople.
“Sport NI has always focused on developing and supporting excellence across sport here. The 10 moments were just the tip of the sporting iceberg in terms of talent and achievement, and I congratulate all finalists again. I have no doubt the next five decades will be even more exciting.”
Since its creation as the Sports Council for Northern Ireland, Sport NI has worked with sports governing bodies, clubs, members, coaches and officials to develop sport from grass roots to elite level. Currently, through its £8.1m National Lottery funded Sports System Investment programme Sport NI is supporting over 400,000 people involved in sport here, developing the next generation of sporting participants, leaders and champions.
Picture Caption: Joey Dunlop races in the Isle of Man TT in 1983.