“And just living that professional lifestyle was something like ‘ye this is for me now’.” Former Down keeper Charlie Smyth missed out on a place in the New Orleans Saints’ active roster for the current NFL season but has signed a new deal which means he will have another off-season on the practice squad, keeping […]

1 year ago

“You can see him in training, he’s been at that level.” Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke has reported that former Premier League striker Lys Mousset has agreed a deal to join Bohemians. The 28-year-old has represented France U21s, and he played for Bournemouth from 2016-2019, before signing for Sheffield United for a then club-record fee of […]

1 year ago

“I haven’t talked to any player who would not be a fan. All good so far.” In his 18th season with Galway, 35-year-old Paul Conroy is one of the most experienced inter-county players and has played through multiple eras. Few are better placed to provide an informed view on the GAA’s new football rules. Two […]

1 year ago

“There is only one John Cooney.” Galway boxer John Cooney remains in a “very, very critical condition” after his Celtic super-featherweight bout on Saturday, according to his manager, Mark Dunlop, The 28-year-old was taken to Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital following his loss to Welshman Nathan Howells at the Ulster Hall, and underwent surgery for a brain […]

1 year ago

“If you know people there, it’ll make it that bit easier.” Both Evan Ferguson and his new side West Ham have not had the finest of seasons so far. The 20-year-old Meath man has made just two Premier League starts this season for Brighton, scoring once, while the Hammers are languishing in 15th place in […]

1 year ago

Here is our combined XV. The 2025 Six Nations Championship kicks off tomorrow with France hosting Wales at the Stade France (8.15 pm), before Scotland welcome Italy at Murrayfield (2.15 pm) and England travel to meet Ireland at the Aviva Stadium (4.45 pm) on Saturday. The cream of Europe’s crop will be on show – […]

1 year ago

“Festy is not good news either.” Reports from Turkey have said that Istanbul Basaksehir and Udinese have reached an agreement over the transfer of Ireland’s Festy Ebsosele from the Serie A side, with the clubs awaiting the player’s decision. Sports Digitale’s Yağız Sabuncuoğlu wrote on X: “Başakşehir and Udinese reached an agreement for the transfer […]

1 year ago

“We sincerely apologies for any inconvenience.” Celtic travel to Aston Villa on Wednesday evening for their Champions League clash (kick-off, 8pm). The Hoops lie eighth in the table, while Villa sit in ninth place, with their spot for the knock-out play-offs already secured. Ahead of the game, a letter from Aston Villa has been distributed […]

1 year ago

“Now our focus turns to performance and the opening game against England.” Ireland Under-20s head coach Neil Doak has named his side to take on England Under-20s at Virgin Media Park this Thursday (kick-off, 7.45 pm), in their opening game of the Six Nations Championship. Connacht’s Éanna McCarthy starts at number eight and captains the […]

1 year ago

“But we’re still very conscious that developing front-row forwards is a huge priority for us.” IRFU performance director David Humphreys spoke to media yesterday at Ireland’s training camp in Portugal, ahead of their opening Six Nations game against England on Saturday. Naturally, much of the talk centred around the ever-increasing gap between Leinster and the […]

1 year ago

An unprecedented three-in-a-row is on the cards. Ireland begin their Six Nations defence this Saturday against England at the Aviva Stadium (kick-off, 16:45). The team will be named on Thursday, with a nearly-full squad available to stand-in head coach Simon Easterby, as Tadhg Furlong and Craig Casey are both unavailable. Much of the team picks […]

1 year ago

“It was John Patrick’s first start and he showed character.” Two Irishmen made their Ligue 1 debuts on Saturday. John Joe Patrick Finn lined out for Stade Reims, while Andrew Omobamidele togged out for Strasbourg. Finn – who has played for Ireland U19s – made the €1million move from Getafe, and his first game for […]

1 year ago

“Yeah I was blowing hard myself at the end of it.” Roscommon boss Davy Burke oversaw his side’s thrilling NFL Division 2 win over Down at Dr Hyde Park on Sunday. The Rossies won by a score of 3-20 to 1-21 to kick off their league campaign, and Burke was full of praise for the […]

1 year ago

“I invite you and your whole team and family to Dagestan.” Derry’s Paul Hughes suffered the second MMA defeat of his career in Dubai on Saturday. Usman Nurmagomedov’s Bellator Lightweight World Championship belt was on the line in what was the top-billed fight in the PFL Champions Series 1 event. Hughes was a big underdog […]

1 year ago

“Of course, the door is always open if there’s any change of hearts or change of minds.” Dublin kicked-off their NFL campaign with a thrilling 1-17 to 1-15 over Mayo at Croke Park. An impressive 0-7 from play from Seán Bugler and 1-2 from Kevin Lahiff helped guide the Sky Blues to victory, while 0-4 […]

1 year ago

Farrell will reunite with a familiar face British & Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell has appointed former Ireland high-performance director David Nucifora to his backroom team for the summer tour to Australia. Nucifora was in his role with Ireland from 2014 until 2024 – working with current Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt until 2019 […]

1 year ago

“The only one I remember was after a game.” Denis Irwin made his long-awaited debut on Sky Sports’ The Overlap, with the former Manchester United and Ireland fullback appearing on their Stick to Football podcast. Sky’s Roy Keane has made his fondness for his fellow Cork man, and former teammate, well-known throughout the years. The […]

1 year ago

“And I was like ‘Oh yeah my God, he said sorry’.” Since making his Ireland debut in 2011, Conor Murray, alongside Johnny Sexton, formed one of the most effective half-back partnership rugby has ever seen. And it culminated in three Six Nations titles and Ireland’s first wins over the All Blacks. While ex-Leinster out-half Sexton […]

1 year ago

“I think we’ve five from Munster, which is a number we’d like to get up.” The Ireland squad for the upcoming Six Nations Championship – including development players – breaks down as follows; 24 Leinster, 7 Connacht, 5 Munster, 4 Ulster. It is no surprise in 2025 that Leinster are the overwhelming majority, with eight […]

1 year ago

“It was a single-car accident with no other vehicles involved.” Republic of Ireland and Wrexham striker James McClean was involved in a single-vehicle car crash this morning, January 22, on his was to club training. Wrexham have said that he did not suffer significant injuries. According to the Daily Mail, the 35-year-old went off the […]

1 year ago

“Dupont was slagging me earlier.” Caelan Doris met up with his fellow Six Nations captains – Maro Itoje, Antoine Dupont, Jac Morgan, Rory Darge, and Michele Lamaro – at the tournament launch in Rome. The Colosseum was the setting for the photo shoot, and Ireland’s leader reiterated what most fans were saying online about the […]

1 year ago

“I wasn’t really into other sports growing up but I loved Gaelic.” The latest comments from Jack Grealish may help sooth any animosity towards the Manchester City winger from Irish football fans. After representing Ireland up until U21 level, the 29-year-old opted to play for England, with the decision fully justified after winning 39 caps […]

1 year ago

“Why you would make a comment like that?” On Sunday, Brighton inflicted a seventh loss in 15 games for Ruben Amorim as manager of Man United, with the Seagulls prevailing 3-1 at Old Trafford in their Premier League clash. Following the defeat, Amorim made headlines with a remarkable comment on the quality of his team. […]

1 year ago

It has set an Irish transfer record. Republic of Ireland forward Tom Cannon is set for a £10m (€12m) transfer to Championship promotion-chasing Sheffield United. The Ireland striker was recalled by Leicester City last week from his loan move at Stoke City. But rather than keep the 22-year-old to aid in their Premier League survival […]

1 year ago

“I would hate to see the reaction if we lost a game.” Leinster rugby turned off the comments under a post on X and Instagram following their Champions Cup win over Bath at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday. Marcus Ó Buachalla, Head of Communications & Media with Leinster Rugby and GAA, explained on X: “For […]

1 year ago

“He’ll be terrible at the speaking thing, you should just leave him run.” A second Dublin All-Ireland winner is due to join the ranks at Shelbourne, with striker Seán Boys revealing that Brian Fenton will be helping out the League of Ireland champions. Fenton is considered one of the greatest players of his generation, with […]

1 year ago

“The news came as a shock.” Former assistant coach of the Ireland women’s football team, Colin Healy, has blasted the FAI in a statement released today, January 16. Healy – who togged out for Ireland, Celtic, and Cork City during his playing career – was let go from his position along with manager Eileen Gleeson […]

1 year ago

“Rod Stewart slags everybody off, who does he think he is?” Never one to back down from a fight, Roy Keane had some strong words to say about English pop and rock legend Rod Stewart, on the latest episode of Stick to Football from the Overlap stable of podcasts. Stewart is well known for a […]

1 year ago

“His powerful and dynamic profile fits perfectly into our sporting project.” Since emerging on the scene as an Irish-qualified teenager, there has been constant talk around the Spanish-born John Joe Patrick Finn Benoa. It was not only his eye-catching name that made him stand out, but his skills on the football field as well, which […]

1 year ago

“We’ll try to make history.” Eddie Hearn has given fresh hope to a Croke Park bout for Katie Taylor. The success of Taylor vs Serrano II proved that there is still a huge appetite for that match-up. Taylor defeated Serrano for a second time in November, at the AT&T Stadium in Texas, in front of […]

1 year ago

“There is a good sense of continuity in selection.” Ireland head coach Simon Easterby has named his squad for the upcoming 2025 Six Nations Championship. The Men in Green are aiming for an unprecedented third title in a row, and begin their campaign against England on February 1 at the Aviva Stadium. Easterby, in charge […]

1 year ago

“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