“I have known Tom since he was 10 years old, 11 years old, and as soon as he got the offer, he rang me.” County Down man Tom McKibbin looks to be on his way to LIV Golf. It was revealed last week that the 22-year-old is set to join the Saudi-backed golf league, and […]

1 year ago

“With managers of Pat’s before, I’d talk to them maybe in the early stage.” Die-hard St Patrick’s Athletic fan and club legend Brian Kerr is still a mainstay at Richmond Park in 2025. Indeed, it is a good time to be a Pat’s supporter given their form towards the end of last season, both in Europe and […]

1 year ago

The Men in Green will be aiming for yet another title Ireland head coach Neil Doak has selected his squad for the upcoming U20s Six Nations Championship. Irish fans have become accustomed to high standards in the tournament; winning back-to-back Grand Slams in 2022 and 2023, before losing out by a point to England in […]

1 year ago

Can Ireland make history? Ireland’s Six Nations squad is due to be named on Wednesday, as they aim to become the first side to win three Six Nations titles in a row, and the first to win the tournament outright three times in a row since its inception in 1910. Simon Easterby takes charge of […]

1 year ago

“Thank you Jordie Barrett.” There has been plenty of niggle between La Rochelle head coach Ronan O’Gara and Leinster over the past few years, with the sides meeting each other six times since 2021, including two finals won by the French side. Sunday’s 16-14 result made it three wins in a row for the Irish […]

1 year ago

“You look at the final in Dublin and not many Test teams can do what they did in 11 minutes.” Leinster and La Rochelle dished up another Champions Cup classic yesterday at the Stade Marcel Deflandre. A all-time defensive effort in the final few minutes from the visiting side gave them a 16-14 win in […]

1 year ago

“I want to also pay tribute to Declan Hannon’s term as captain.” Ahead of their 2025 National League campaign, 29-year-old Cian Lynch has been named as the new captain of the Limerick hurling team, with William O’Donoghue as vice-captain. The 2021 Hurler of the Year replaces Declan Hannon, who has captained Limerick to five All-Ireland […]

1 year ago

“Maybe that is because of the contract situation.” Arne Slot and Liverpool are riding high at the moment; leading the Premier League by six points with a game in hand, 18 from 18 in the Champions League, and coming off the back of a 4-0 FA Cup win. However, it is looking increasingly likely that […]

1 year ago

“I’ve already started studying English.” Man United are set to confirm their first signing under Ruben Amorim. The Red Devils are under the cosh at the moment, languishing in 13th place in the Premier League. And the latest transfer news is further proof that the Portuguese manger’s project is certainly a long-term one. The club […]

1 year ago

With Jordie Barrett in town and playing out of his skin, how can Leinster keep all their stars happy? Rival fans were rightfully pissed off when Leinster announced the signing of Jordie Barrett back in April, months after their theft of RG Snyman from Munster. Given Leinster’s inherent advantages of population and private schools, along […]

1 year ago

“It seems clear that the President has now opted to take matters into his own hands.” Following an email sent to Naas GAA over the potential appointment of former Derry boss Rory Gallagher, the latter has reportedly threatened to sue GAA President Jarlath Burnsthe if he does not retract the correspondence with the club. Multiple […]

1 year ago

“It’s really f*****g starting to get to us as a team.” A report from The 42 has stated that Irish referee Chris Busby is set to retire. Busby was the referee for Leinster vs Connacht on December 21, after which Connacht winger Mack Hansen went on extraordinary rant about decisions in the game and calls […]

1 year ago

“Only played three Six Nations but left his mark.” Rugby’s top magazine, Rugby World, has named their ‘Ultimate Men’s Six Nations XV’ as part of their 25-year celebrations of the tournament (it’s actually in its 26th year). The breakdown of nationalities in the team is as follows: 5 Wales, 4 France, 3 Ireland, 2 England, […]

1 year ago

“We never get any calls, ever. I’ve been feeling this for years now.” Connacht and Ireland winger Mack Hansen has been suspended for three games after comments made following his side’s URC loss to Leinster last month. Hansen went on a sensational tirade, blasting refereeing decisions against his side both in the Leinster game and […]

1 year ago

“International football helps any player so if you get the opportunity to play it, you should take it.” Ross County and Republic of Ireland man Ronan Hale will be switching to Northern Ireland in the coming weeks. The Belfast Telegraph reported FIFA will ratify the 26-year-old’s switch in the coming weeks, following a lengthy process, […]

1 year ago

“I definitely want to do something other than athletics” Over the past year, Sharlene Mawdsley has made a name for herself as one of the finest anchor leg runners in the world, as Ireland enjoyed unprecedented relay success in 2024. Alongside Chris O’Donnell, Thomas Barr, and Rhasidat Adeleke, Mawdsley and Ireland brought home mixed 4×400 […]

1 year ago

“I just feel like sometimes in the GAA, we’re very uptight at times.” It’s been a big week for former Down goalkeeper Charlie Smyth. The 23-year-old has signed a new two-year deal with the New Orleans Saints, which will keep him with the team if he makes their 53-man roster next August. Despite missing out […]

1 year ago

Young star set for move to controversial tour. Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin looks set to forgo his PGA Tour card and join LIV Golf instead. Reports from Spanish website Ten Golf state that the 22-year-old is in ‘pole position’ to join Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII team on the Saudi-backed breakaway tour, as a replacement for […]

1 year ago

Sadly, my football playing career has come to an end. Former Tottenham Hotspur and Ireland U19s player Jamie Bowden has been forced to retire at the age of 23, following a serious ankle injury suffered in 2022. Bowden spent 15 years at Spurs after arriving as a six-year-old, and was released in 2023. He had […]

1 year ago

The top man in the GAA intervened, according to reports. Former Derry boss Rory Gallagher will not be linking up with the Naas footballers as part of Joe Murphy’s backroom team. It has now been reported that the President of the GAA, Jarlath Burns, intervened with the proposed appointment. The Leinster Leader said that an […]

1 year ago

Rory Gallagher’s move looks like it is off the cards. Naas GAA are doing a U-turn on their decision to appoint former Derry boss Rory Gallagher into a coaching role. The Leinster Leader have reported that Kildare’s four-in-a-row senior football champions will not be hiring Gallagher as part of Joe Murphy’s management team. According to […]

1 year ago

“We announce the successor to Dutchman Pascal Jansen to lead our 35-time champion and 24-time cup winner team” Hungarian champions Ferencvaros have announced that Robbie Keane has taken over as head coach of the Budapest club, who are the biggest and most successful team in the country with 35 top-flight titles. Ireland’s top goalscorer replaces […]

1 year ago

“It is not an illegal act at the start, where he starts.” It has been confirmed that Ulster and Ireland prop Tom O’Toole will receive a six-week ban for a red card offence during Ulster’s loss to Munster last month. He will miss two of Ireland’s upcoming Six Nations games. The tight head tackled the […]

1 year ago

“I don’t want to make or say any clear predictions because I don’t know.” Another day, another report on the future of Evan Ferguson. The latest news is that a struggling West Ham United are keen on the 20-year-old Meath man, with Julen Lopetegui’s side languishing in 14th spot in the Premier League. While the […]

1 year ago

“Trent to Tranmere Roy? Nah, we’re alright thanks.” Roy Keane issued a withering takedown of Trent Alexander-Arnold after his poor performance against Manchester United. One of the subplots heading into Sunday’s thrilling 2-2 draw between Liverpool and Man United was the situation regarding Alexander-Arnold. The England defender has recently been heavily linked with a move […]

1 year ago

“Signing somebody is not enough, that is for sure.” It seems at this stage of the season that Evan Ferguson has been linked to half the clubs in the Premier League. Reports over the last few months have detailed interest from the likes of Fulham, West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Leicester City, and even Juventus. The […]

1 year ago

The competition for places is heating up. With under seven months to go until the 2025 Lions Tour commences, the team predictions are coming in hot and fast from all corners of the media. Here at SportsJOE, we had a go at picking our own after the Autumn Nations Series finished in November. Opta Sports […]

1 year ago

“I know we’re just kind of copying soccer with this, but I like the idea of that.” Earlier in the week, Leinster announced that out-half Harry Byrne will be joining the Premiership’s Bristol Bears on a three-month loan deal. The 25-year-old has struggled for game time at his province this season, and finds himself fourth […]

1 year ago

“What games have you watched? Are you serious? Are you serious?!” Sky Sports duo Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville gave their Premier League Teams of the Season (so far) with a particular selection from the latter stunning Carragher and fans on social media. Given the awful form of Man City this season, it comes as […]

1 year ago

“I was really disappointed with him.” The big story in Irish rugby over the last week has been Mack Hansen’s sensational press conference following Connacht’s loss to Leinster at the Aviva Stadium last Saturday. The winger labelled the refereeing that his side get as ‘bullshit’ and that it was starting the ‘piss’ him and his […]

1 year ago

“We have to admit, he deserves that one. We want to win with humility and dignity.” Ireland’s Rocco Vata gave Tom Cleverley’s Watford a huge 2-1 Championship win over Portsmouth, with a 95th minute winner. Not to be undone, however, his teammate Kwadwo Baah was sent off after the full-time whistle for goading the away […]

1 year ago

Ireland’s greatest ever player had some eye for the try line Brian O’Driscoll racked up and impressive 47 tries for Ireland and the Lions in 141 appearances, with a few drop goals to boot. He remains in the top ten for most international tries of all time, and is comfortably ahead of the next best […]

1 year ago

We gear up again for what will hopefully be another special game between Leinster and Munster Leinster travel to Thomond Park tomorrow, December 27, for another Christmas-time hullabaloo with their Irish rivals. The southern province are in the midst of another mid-season crisis, while the Blues are still stuck in their regular, pre-knockout third gear, […]

1 year ago

“Coming just before Christmas, this was the GAA acting the Grinch.” The GAA have come in for some stinging criticism, following the release of ticket prices for the upcoming Allianz Leagues, with Pat Spillane the latest to put the organisation on blast. Adults will be charged €20 for the top-two divisions in both codes, with […]

1 year ago

“Fair play to Mack Hansen for putting his hand up to make this point! Have a listen. He’s right too.” He is known for speaking his mind more so than most of the robot-like, media-trained professional rugby players we are used to. Still, however, most were quite shocked at Mack Hansen’s outburst following Connacht’s loss […]

1 year ago

“We are proud to represent the whole province of Connacht” Connacht Rugby have released a statement confirming that their March clash with Munster will take place at Mayo GAA’s MacHale Park. The two provinces will meet on Saturday the 29th of March, with crowd of up to 15,000 expected, providing significant funds for Mayo GAA, […]

1 year ago

“We’re hitting off real grass, we’re hitting real golf shots.” We are nearing the beginning of the new TGL golf league, headed by Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods. The venture takes place indoors, and will feature six teams made up of four PGA Tour players. McIlroy is with Boston Common Golf, alongside Keegan Bradley, Hideki […]

1 year ago

“That’s the same thing I demand from the other players, so accept your role, don’t complain.” More Evan Ferguson transfer news has dropped. The Independent’s Miguel Delaney has reported that Fulham view the 20-year-old Brighton striker as a serious option to bolster their squad in January. After a breakout season in 2022/23, the Meath man […]

1 year ago

Some players just don’t get the recognition they deserve. The Caelan Doris’, Tadhg Beirnes, and Josh van der Fliers of this world consistently grab the headlines – and rightly so. But there is a plethora of quality operators playing serious minutes in the URC, Premiership, and Champions Cup, who need to be heralded. And that […]

1 year ago

“He wants a harmonious environment. A proper culture of respect.” Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho were controversially left out of Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United squad for last Sunday’s 2-1 over Man City. Rumours have flown around as to why these two key attackers were made absent, with some speculating that they had been out at […]

1 year ago

“Thankfully, he is back home now and doing fine.” Two-time Grand National winner Leighton Aspell suffered serious injuries after an accident during Storm Darragh. Last Saturday, a falling tree smashed into his car, leaving the Irishman with a broken arm and internal bleeding. While there were other nasty injuries, it was a lucky escape, and […]

1 year ago

“We’re trying to bring these players together, and the more opportunities we can get to do that, the better.” Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler face off against Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka this evening (11pm Irish time), in the battle between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. The match takes place at Shadow Creek Golf […]

1 year ago

“While no players asked to be compensated” The PGA of America have confirmed that the US Ryder Cup players will be payed for their participation in the event in 2025. There has been controversy surrounding the topic of players receiving compensation, given the money generated by the sport’s flagship tournament, but also the feeling that […]

1 year ago

“Today’s announcement underpins the IRFU’s commitment to ensuring the best Irish players play at home.” Leinster and Ireland props Tadhg Furlong and Andrew Porter have both signed new two-year deals, contracting them to their country and province until the end of the 2026/2027 season. Under the IRFU’s new rules brought in by Director of Rugby […]

1 year ago

“When the players step out of line, they’re heavily punished by me.” Wolves players were booed off the pitch by their home fans after a 2-1 loss to Ipswich, and one had to be carried off after a full-time scuffle. A furious Rayan Ait-Nouri, who received a second yellow card for his actions, was taken […]

1 year ago

“To suffer that goal so late, the nature of the goal is crazy, which we have said already.” At 8/11 with the bookies, Wolves boss Gary O’Neil is the clear favourite to be the next Premier League gaffer to get the sack, with his side sitting second from bottom in the table. And his departure […]

1 year ago

“That’s a very private question.” Leo Cullen was not willing to divulge too much information on the rules of RG Snyman’s playing conditions for Leinster this season. The Springbok lock arrived in the summer from Munster after Jean Kleyn went back to play for his home country of South Africa, meaning the southern province could […]

1 year ago

“Caelan Doris has stepped up to every challenge thrown his way since first breaking into the Leinster and then Ireland set-ups.” RugbyPass have named four Irish players in the top 20 of their ‘Top 100 Rugby Players’ list, and two in the top 10. In total, there are 14 Ireland players on the list: It’s […]

1 year ago

“I didn’t see what the Leinster fuss was.” Sam Prendergast had a breakthrough European performance last Sunday, in what was his first Champions Cup start. After a stuttering first-half from the province, they let loose in the second 40, with Prendergast scoring tries with fine finishes, as the cavalry off the bench helped beat Bristol […]

1 year ago

“Don’t be stupid, don’t be shy. It’s not a shy thing – look after your body, guys.” Eddie Jordan, the F1 legend and businessman, has revealed he is battling prostate and bladder cancer that spread to his spine and pelvis, but also that he is “coming out the other side.” The Dubliner raced in F2 […]

1 year ago