Conor McGregor tops surprising list of highest-earning Irish athletes on Instagram per sponsored post

A NEW study has revealed the top ten highest-earning Irish athletes on Instagram.

Unsurprisingly, topping the list is Conor McGregor but there is a few surprises further down.

McGregor is by far the most influential Irish athlete on Instagram.

He has average earnings of €111,495 per sponsored post on Instagram.

The mixed martial artist has amassed a following of a whopping 46.2 million fans with the account handle @thenotoriousmma.

He treats his followers to scenes of his fights and day-to-day engagements, spanning luxury outings to preparing a hotdog sandwich. 

In second place is Becky Lynch, who can rake in €13,726 on average per sponsored Instagram post.

The most followed Irish wrestler boasts 5.6 million followers with the account handle @beckylynchwwe.

She shares her wrestling victories and philanthropic activities to the admiration of her fans on the social media platform. 

Boxer Katie Taylor is in third place, earning, on average €1,931 per sponsored Instagram post.

Her account @katie_t86 has garnered 538,000 followers who are entertained by her punching rendezvous and training content. 

Swinging into fourth place is golfer, Shane Lowry, with an average Instagram earning of €986 per sponsored post.

His account @shanelowrygolf has amassed 271,000 followers who get treated to his tournament and training activities as well as family portraits. 

Rounding out the top five is Conor Murray, who is projected to earn €903 on average, per sponsored Instagram post, with his account @conormurray.

Boasting 248,000 followers, he is the highest followed active Irish rugby player on Instagram. 

In sixth place is footballer Matt Doherty earning €762 per sponsored Instagram post with his 207,000 followers.

Gymnast Rhys McClenghan is seventh, earning €348 per sponsored post on Instagram.

Hurling star TJ Reid follows in eighth and is projected to earn €259 per sponsored post to his 52,000 followers, and Brian Fenton could snap €222 per sponsored post on Instagram.