A year in review - 25 pictures from 2025

It's been a memorable year in Northern Irish and Irish sport.

From Rory McIlroy's Career Grand Slam to Kate O'Connor's breakout year, there has been reason after reason to celebrate both on the local stage and some of sport's biggest arenas.

Before the calendars change to 2026, BBC Sport NI looks at 25 photos from a 2025 to remember.

Rory McIlroy made history as he became the sixth player to complete golf's Grand Slam when he won the Masters at Augusta in a nail-biting play-off with Justin Rose.

In one of the most iconic sporting photos of the year, Caoimhin Kelleher saved Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty in a World Cup qualifier. While the Brentford stopper got the better of the global superstar from 12 yards, Portugal would still go on to win the match.

After a two-season hiatus, Michael Murphy made a triumphant return to inter-county Gaelic football as he helped Donegal win the Ulster Championship.

Kate O'Connor had a historic year as she won a silver medal in the heptathlon at the World Championships, and she celebrated with a photo on the streets of Tokyo.

Conor Bradley had a season to remember as he helped Liverpool win the Premier League, and in November he came out on top against Vinicius Jr as Arne Slot's side defeated Real Madrid in the Champions League at Anfield.

Katie Taylor is one of the most famous boxers in the world and all eyes were on her as she completed a famous trilogy win over Amanda Serrano in New York in July.

Shane Lowry let all the emotions out as he sunk the winning put for Europe at a highly-fraught Ryder Cup in the USA in September.

Paralympic champion Bethany Firth made her return to the pool at the World Para Swimming Championships in Singapore in September, when she won silver in the S14 100m backstroke.

Damien Duff did not see out the season as Shelbourne manager, but did provide one of the most memorable moments of the League of Ireland as he watched his side from a grass bank when he was suspended against Bohemians.

It was a year to remember for St Erngat's, Moneyglass, as they added a first Ulster Senior Football title to their fifth Antrim Ladies' Championship. They went on to face all-conquering Kilkerrin-Clonberne at Croke Park but fell short in their historic All-Ireland bid.

Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney made history as they won an epic final for Northern Ireland at the World Cup of Darts by beating Wales duo Gerwyn Price and Johnny Clayton.

The feel-good factor has returned around Northern Ireland, and they head into 2026 with a World Cup play-off in sight. This picture came after Isaac Price's equaliser in Germany, which sparked wild celebrations in Cologne before the four-time World Cup winners came back to win 3-1.

Linda Djougang has become one of Ireland's most important players and the prop celebrated her 50th cap against Spain at the Rugby World Cup.

The legendary David Clifford showed all his class as Kerry defeated Donegal in the All-Ireland final at Croke Park.

Lewis Crocker fulfilled his dream of becoming a world champion as he defeated Paddy Donovan at Windsor Park to win the IBF welterweight title in September.

Charlie Smyth has been one of the stories of the American football season, but there was history at Croke Park in September as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings played the first regular-season NFL game in Ireland.

After Cliftonville's historic 2024, Glentoran hit back this year to win the Women's Premiership on the final day of the season by beating the Reds.

The Belfast Giants had a 2024-25 season to remember as Adam Keefe's side won an Elite League and Challenge Cup double.

Six-time World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea announced his retirement at the end of the 2025 season and was greeted by his fellow riders at his final press conference at Jerez.

The Open returned to Royal Portrush and world number one Scottie Scheffler won the famous Claret Jug for the first time, after which he celebrated on the 18th green with his son, Bennett.

Michael Dunlop won another four races at the Isle of Man TT to extend his record to 33, and here is pictured here going past the tram that takes the public to the top of the Snaefell Mountain.

Northern Ireland's women team had a mixed year, but the highlight came when captain Simone Magill scored two late goals to give Tanya Oxtoby's side a dramatic 3-2 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

It was a historic European Short Course Championships for swimmers from Northern Ireland, as Jack McMillan and Daniel Wiffen won gold medals in Poland. Wiffen finished third as McMillan won 400m gold.

Hugo Keenan was the hero for the British and Irish Lions as the Ireland full-back scored a last-gasp try in the second Test with Australia, to give Andy Farrell's side the series win over the Wallabies.

Josh McErlean made his debut in the top tier of the World Rally Championship in 2025 and equalled his best result of the season at the spectacular Rally Finland, when he finished in seventh.