Dublin’s Rising Sports Stars: Young Athletes to Watch in 2025


Posted 3 months ago in More

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In Dublin, the pipeline of talent continues to produce remarkable athletes who are stepping into senior competition with composure and flair. You may already have noticed their names appearing in headlines, or perhaps you’re about to discover them for the first time.

Either way, 2025 is unfolding as a year when several young Dubliners are pushing themselves to the forefront of their respective sports. Their performances offer equal promise for the future and excitement in the present, giving you plenty of reasons to pay attention, if you’re checking the latest fixtures, exploring insights on BetBrothers.ie or simply following the drama as it unfolds.

Mikayla Power – Field Hockey Forward Making Waves

Born in 2005, Mikayla Power has quickly risen through the ranks of Irish hockey. Representing University College Dublin in the Irish Hockey League, she has already shown an eye for goals at domestic level. Her senior international debut came at the 2024–25 FIH Nations Cup in Santiago, Chile, where she marked the occasion by scoring for Ireland, a sign of her ability to handle pressure.

Power was also named Young Player of the Tournament, recognition that reflects her impact against experienced opposition. She has previously represented Ireland at under-21 level, featuring in the Junior World Cup and the EuroHockey U21 Championship, demonstrating her consistency across age groups. Comfortable in both indoor and outdoor hockey, she brings versatility to a national side eager for attacking options. If you’re following Irish hockey in 2025, you’ll likely hear her name again.

Luke Breathnach – Gaelic Footballer Stepping into the Senior Ranks

Gaelic football has always thrived on fresh attacking talent, with Luke Breathnach part of the next wave for Dublin. A forward with Ballinteer St John’s, he first gained attention in 2023 with the county’s under-20 side, where his scoring instincts caught the eye of selectors. By 2024, he had broken into the Dublin senior panel, making his debut in league action and showing the sharp movement and accuracy that coaches value.

In one early outing, he struck four points from play, underlining his ability to make an impact when given a chance. For supporters, it will be fascinating to see whether Breathnach can build on those glimpses and establish himself as a regular contributor in a forward line that has been central to Dublin’s dominance in recent years.

Nicola Tuthill – Hammer Throwing Frontier

Dublin is also represented in athletics by hammer thrower Nicola Tuthill, who has already made history for Ireland. She competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics, an achievement that put her among the nation’s youngest Olympians, even if she did not reach the final. In March 2025, she won gold in the under-23 hammer at the European Throwing Cup in Cyprus, the first Irish athlete to claim top spot at that event.

With a personal best that has already passed the 70-metre mark, Tuthill is showing progress that suggests she could soon compete with the very best on the continent. Her recognition as UCD’s Sportsperson of the Year highlights both her technical improvement and her resilience. For anyone who enjoys athletics, she represents a story of steady gains that are now beginning to deliver international medals.

Cory O’Sullivan – Football’s Defensive Rising Star

Football in Ireland has often been judged on its ability to produce players ready for higher levels, with Cory O’Sullivan emerging as a standout defender. Born in Ballyfermot in 2006, he began at Lucan United before joining Shamrock Rovers’ academy, where he developed into a reliable left back. By 2022, he had broken into the senior squad, making appearances in the League of Ireland Premier Division.

In August 2024, he scored his first senior goal for Rovers. His progression was rewarded in 2025 with a call-up to the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad, underlining his growing reputation. O’Sullivan combines defensive discipline with the willingness to push forward, qualities that modern full-backs require. For you, as a follower of Irish football, he is one of the young players whose development may shape the national team’s prospects in the years ahead.

Looking Ahead: What You Should Expect

Each of these Dublin athletes embodies potential as well as achievement. Power is settling into international hockey with confidence, Breathnach is striving to carve out his place in a competitive Gaelic football panel, Tuthill is building momentum as a European medallist and O’Sullivan is gaining recognition at club and international under-age levels. For you, the chance to track their journeys in 2025 offers a glimpse into the making of future stars.

Dublin has long supplied Ireland with athletes capable of excelling across codes – this group demonstrates that the tradition is alive and well. The year ahead promises results on the scoreboard and the beginnings of careers you may look back on in years to come as defining moments in Irish sport.

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