Scott, Callaghan and Taggart recognised in New Year Honours

Hannah Scott, Marissa Callaghan and Claire Taggart have all been awarded MBEs for their services to sport

Olympic gold medallist Hannah Scott, former Northern Ireland captain Marissa Callaghan and two-time Paralympian Claire Taggart have all been named in the New Year Honours.

All three were recognised with MBEs for their services to sport.

Scott, 25, was part of the Great Britain team that won gold in the quadruple sculls in this year's Paris Olympics.

Callaghan, who skippered Northern Ireland in their first major tournament as they reached the Euros in 2022, stepped down as captain in May after eight years.

Taggart became the first athlete from Northern Ireland to compete at boccia in the Paralympics.

'It's not something we'd ever have thought would come through my letterbox'

Scott (second from right) was made MBE alongside her crewmates Lauren Henry, Lola Anderson and Georgie Brayshaw

Rower Scott was made MBE alongside her crewmates Lauren Henry, Lola Anderson and Georgie Brayshaw after they clinched a gold medal in a dramatic final race in Paris.

She told BBC NI that receiving the honour was "a nice way to finish out the year".

"I wasn't expecting to be recognised but the fact I have been is a great way to close out 2024," she said.

"I don't have a lot in terms of adjectives I can add to the year, but it is another great surprise and another memorable thing for me to take on."

The Coleraine rower explained that it was her father who found out about the honour before she did.

"I wasn't actually at home [when the letter arrived]. My dad opened it and then put it away again because he thought 'I shouldn't have opened that'," Scott continued.

"I got home two days later and realised. It's not something we'd ever have thought would come through my letterbox but it's very special.

"I hope the recognition for myself validates the recognition for my family and the people around me and my coach Geoff Bones from Bann Rowing Club growing up."

'This means the world to me and my family'

Callaghan captained Northern Ireland at their first major tournament in 2022

Callaghan, 39, won the treble with her club Cliftonville this season and admitted she was "shocked and delighted" to get an MBE.

"Being honoured for my passion and love for football is truly amazing. I feel incredibly lucky for the opportunities, experiences, and lessons the game has given me," she told BBC Sport NI.

"I am especially grateful to able to use this platform to have a positive impact on so many young people's lives in Northern Ireland.

"Thank you to the person who took the time to nominate me, this means the world to me and my family."

Sport NI's chairman George Lucas also got an MBE for services to tennis and sports management and administration in Northern Ireland.

"I am delighted to receive this MBE for services to tennis and to sports management and administration in Northern Ireland, he said

"This award is also an acknowledgement of all the people I have worked with on boards and committees over many years."