John McGuirk

There are enough media outlets and blogs elsewhere to honour the more recognised sportspeople, artists, writers, politicians and businesspeople who have had a good 2009. So I’m going to use this post to highlight an Irish person who conquered the world this year, and who has been shamefully ignored by the Irish media.

Here he is:

Stephen Farrelly is from Cabra. He comes from a working class family. In November, he defeated John Cena to win the WWE Championship, the biggest professional wrestling prize in the World.

Stephen started his career right here in Dublin, where he wrestled in IWW (Irish Whip Wrestling) for years, before making the big time in the US. His rise to World Champion has been unusually swift, suggesting that the company believe that he will be a big name draw for them for years to come.

There is a snobbishness that surrounds attitudes to Pro Wrestling. Yes, it’s scripted. Yes, it’s cheesy. But it’s a multi-million dollar business. The athleticism required is incredible. The work rate is excrutiating. And the rewards for success are massive.

Stephen is now an international superstar. His character “Sheamas” is known and respected by millions of fans around the globe. He is an ambassador for our country, and his career should serve as a lesson to any young Irish person that almost anything is possible in this world. That his achievements have not been recognised is a travesty.