AS we leave 2021 and head into 2022, I don't know if the 2020 vision for women's sport has been achieved - but we're definitely heading in the right direction.
The 20x20 vision, to be precise. That brilliant campaign, with the slogan 'If she can't see it, she can't be it', aimed for a 20 per cent increase over that year of 2020 in three areas: coverage of female sports, participation by females, and attendances at women's games/ events.
The last category took a hit from Covid-19, but this year there's been a clear upturn in physical support: in just one sport, soccer, there have been sell-out crowds for Northern Ireland women's international at Seaview - and an appearance at Windsor Park too - while their Republic of Ireland counterparts have also attracted record crowds.
The northern 'girls' - that's what they call themselves - are heading to the Euros in England next summer, and both teams have serious shots at qualifying for the next Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023.
In terms of coverage and recognition of females in so many sports, not just 'the beautiful game', we've travelled a long way in a fairly short time, from the embarrassing days of 'Dominant Puspure'…
Just over three years ago, Sanita Puspure bossed her way to gold in the single sculls rowing world championships, prompting a congratulatory press release from the Irish Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport hailing the achievement of 'Dominant Puspure' - and a quote attributed to Minister Shane Ross calling her that, Dominant Puspure, rather than using her actual first name of Sanita.
Now, there are a host of Irish (female) sports stars who'd be widely known simply by their first name, like the likes of Oisin and Peter were in GAA, in Ulster, Ireland, and across the world.
In alphabetical order there's Aimee, Amy, Anna, Beibhinn, Bethany, Caroline, Ciara, Denise, Ellen, Emma, Gina, Katie, Kellie, Leona, Mona, Rachael, Rhasidat, Stephanie, Vicki - et al. Dunno who 'Al' is, admittedly.
Sure, that could indicate that there aren't enough female sports stars around yet; but it's also down to them being, well, dominant in their particular spheres, not just in an Irish context.
A first ever female rider to win the Grand National; also the first ever female leading jockey at the Cheltenham Festival. A first female golfing rookie to go unbeaten in five Solheim Cup matches - and to shoot a 61 in a major.
That list of names above is a great start to an ABC (or an ABCDE) of Irish women sports stars, impressing in ladies football, cricket, hockey, rugby, Paralympics swimming, netball, athletics, soccer, gymnastics, boxing, golf, swimming, and horse racing…
Factor in more from soccer and you're starting to weaken the first name recognisability argument a little, admittedly - there's another Katie (McCabe), a slightly differently spelt Rachel (Furness), and another Stephanie (Roche).
It would be good to have at least one for each letter of the alphabet, and we certainly shouldn't forget those who have tramped the grass down to make the path easier for others to follow, the likes of Aileen, Angela, Anna, Briege, Catherina, Cora, Derval, Maeve, Mary, Nina, Rena, Sonia, (let's not mention Michelle…), adding in achievements in triathlon and camogie to the aforementioned sports.
Yet we may then have to go back to calling them by their first name, given that in 2018 Kellie Harrington succeeded her namesake Jessica as The Irish Times Sportswoman of the Year.
Obviously it helps to have top-notch broadcasters promoting women's sports, either presenting or commentating on them, among them such talents as Orla Bannon, Joanne Cantwell, Orla Chennaoui, Evanne Ni Chuilinn, Marie Crowe, Anna Geary, Ruth Gorman, Jacqui Hurley, Sinead Kissane, Nicola McCarthy, Grainne McElwain, Sarah Mulkerrins, and Cora Staunton.
The last-named was excellent in speaking about the men's All-Ireland senior football final - why wouldn't she be?! - and all those others know their stuff, no matter what the gender of the participants.
She's not Irish, but Emma Hayes was the most knowledgeable, insightful pundit on any British coverage of Euro 2020, although Ally McCoist was the most entertaining. At the risk of being vulgar, what's between their legs doesn't matter - it's what's between their ears that counts.
The same goes for performers on tracks and fields, on courts and in pools or on rivers, wherever and whenever sport takes place.
The appropriately-named Jacqui Hurley has published two books entitled 'Girls Play Too', highlighting the achievements of Irish female sports stars, and the way performances have been going over recent years that will turn into a multi-volume series.
The great thing about all those Irish sporting ladies is that praise for them is fully merited, not patronising.
Equally, I'll still pay plenty of attention to men's sports - as long as they keep their standards up to scratch.
A reminder to those odd chaps who seem to get offended by praise for females - admiring, liking, loving women doesn't mean one can't admire, like, and love some men too. Please don't email.
It may take until the children of those inspired by the current crop grow up before we get to ask 'Beibhinn who?' - but in a few short years we should be posing similar questions about more sporting Amys, Annas, Carolines, Ciaras, Emmas - and, without doubt, quite a number of Katies.
As we end 2021 and again hope for a happier new year, let's end it on a positive note, and let's keep hearing it for 'the girls' - stars in their own right.
* Wishing everyone a healthy, happy, and safe 2022 - even the Manchester United supporters.
