Irish golfer Padraig Harrington has been named the greatest Irish sportsman of all time.

He defeated rugby legend Brian O'Driscoll for the honor in a poll carried out by the national Irish TV station RTE.

Harrington is a three-time major winner who is still at the pinnacle of his career.

He won the British Open twice and the PGA championship in America,

Among other legends he beat were soccer player Roy Keane, female athlete Sonia Sullivan, cyclist Sean Kelly, and hurler Christy Ring.

Harrington now bases himself on the U.S.tour and will be a favorite to add to his major victories, especially if Tiger Woods continues his absence from the tour past the 2010 majors.