For all its drawbacks Twitter can be a superb platform, particularly for a sports fan.
2017 provided ample content for Twitter to carry and today it has been revealed what was the most tweeted about sporting events, star handles and team handles by Irish twitter users.
The Women's World Cup triumphed over Mayweather v McGregor, presumably benefitting from the fact it was extended over a month compared to that infamous Las Vegas fight, which was just a night.
Unsurprisingly, Conor McGregor was the most tweeted handle by Irish users. Rooney's departure from Manchester United and subsequent transfer to Everton ensuring he took the second spot.
There was a slight difference in the most tweeted about team, with the variable being whether it was the handle or the hash-tag:
As for tweets, this touching moment after Galway's long-awaited quest for the Liam McCarthy was ended proved popular.
Witness to a special moment between Galway manager Micheál Donoghue and his father Miko as he shows him the Liam McCarthy for the first time pic.twitter.com/fHppFCgGtb
— Morgan Treacy (@MorganTreacy) September 4, 2017
There was also a standard piece of Irish wit.
We're getting reports of an RTC on Landsdowne Road involving a Chariot. Expect celebrations in the area. 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪#StPatricksDay #IrevEng pic.twitter.com/fIPaxxuVhZ
— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) March 18, 2017
One of the most re-tweeted tweets globally was McGregor's announcement that a deal for the fight had been agreed:
THE FIGHT IS ON. pic.twitter.com/KhW0u3jRft
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) June 14, 2017
The domination by one Irish individual across it all is as clear an indicator as is possible about the year Conor McGregor has had. For better or for worse that phenomenon cannot escape the limelight. McGregor's reliance on the Twitter to stoke that fire demonstrates the power of the medium.
Beyond that, it is clear the nation's fixation with soccer is alive and well. 2017 has been a disappointing year in that code but the sheer power of the sport to exhilarate a nation is illustrated by these graphics.
Last year it was reported approximately 26% of Irish adults are on Twitter, with 36% of that figure using it daily. Thus, these figures are not the overwhelming snapshot of what captured the nation this year, but they are a good reminder as to what 2017 entailed and who we focused on.
