A serious team! The first game of the 2025 Lions tour is around the corner, with the representative side taking on Argentina at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin next week. With a significant chunk of players taking part in the URC and Premiership finals this weekend, for Leinster, Bath, and Leicester, and Blair Kinghorn still […]

1 year ago

Terrible news for Drogs. League of Ireland side Drogheda United are set to be expelled from the UEFA Conference League. Drogs qualified for the third-tier of Europe after winning the FAI Cup last season. However, under UEFA’s ownership rules, two clubs with the same owner are not allowed compete in the same competition. Both Drogheda […]

1 year ago

They are not happy. The seeding structure in the Munster SFC is set for change, according to reports. The Examiner’s Eoghan Cormican has written that the Munster council are in favour of seeding the higher-ranked side in the National Football League, rather than the two Munster SFC finalists, and that a vote on the matter […]

1 year ago

This makes sense. It looked certain that Victor Osimhen would be heading to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal this summer, but the move fell through at the last minute. The 26-year-old is one of the most in demand strikers in the world, and rightly so, given his 37 goals in 41 games for Galatasaray this […]

1 year ago

This is fantastic news! Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan T.D., and Minister for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue T.D., have announced investment of €4 million under the Women in Sport (WIS) Programme for 2025. The WIS was established 20 years ago, to assist projects for a wide range of different sports […]

1 year ago

What a performance. Kerry got their All-Ireland group stage off to a flyer at Austin Stack Park in Tralee on Saturday. They took down their Group 2 rivals Mayo, by 0-13 to 1-4. Key to victory was the performance of Danielle O’Leary, who scored four points off the bench, but it was Aishling O’Connell who […]

1 year ago

A smart move. English Premiership giants, Gloucester, have announced the signing of Leinster winger Rob Russell, with the length of contract currently undisclosed. The 26-year-old flyer will join Leinster teammate Ross Byrne at Kingsholm Stadium next year. While he has had an injury ravaged season, with just two appearances for his province, the previous two […]

1 year ago

This could make or break him! Nathan Collins has enjoyed an exceptional season with Brentford, playing every minute in the Premier League, as the Bees finished in a respectable 10th place. The Ireland centre-back looks settled after only playing a season each for both Burnley and Wolves. However, if reports are to be believed, it […]

1 year ago

It’s all business. Shane Lowry has been paired alongside Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose for the first two rounds of the US Open at Oakmont, starting on Thursday. The Offaly man has been in superb form this season, and is currently ranked 12th in the world. Lowry and McIlroy have one of the most celebrated […]

1 year ago

A bit harsh. Finlay Bealham was the first late call-up to the Lions squad, after Zander Fagerson was forced to withdraw through injury. While it is cruel luck for the Scot, most fans were delighted for the popular Connacht man, who many felt should have been named in the original squad. Sale Sharks tighthead Asher […]

1 year ago

He’s not wrong. Leinster looked back to somewhere near their best in Saturday’s URC semi-final win over Glasgow. It was a performance that was tinged with anger and frustration at their failure in this year’s Champions Cup, and indeed in Europe and the league over the past four seasons, where they have failed to win […]

1 year ago

He did not hold back. How successful Tyrone’s season so far has been is up for debate. While they were relegated to Division 2 of the NFL, they did push All-Ireland champions Armagh extremely close in the Ulster SFC, losing by just a point in the semi-final. And in the opening game of the All-Ireland […]

1 year ago

It’s never too late! Zander Fagerson has become the first injury-victim of the 2025 Lions squad. Ireland captain Caelan Doris was nailed on to travel, but was ruled out before the squad was named. Scotland prop Fagerson has enjoyed the best season of his career, with his eye-catching work rate for a tight head, and […]

1 year ago

A well though out explanation. Limerick boss John Kiely was not too pleased at one aspect of the refereeing in Saturday’s epic Munster SHC final against Cork. He felt that referee John Owens gave too much added time in the second-half of extra-time. Owens had decided on an extra minute, but ended the play after […]

1 year ago

They are certainly enjoying the win. Saturday’s Munster SHC final between Cork and Limerick will take some beating in this year’s All-Ireland. The Rebels were victorious, winning 3-2 on penalties, after they could not be separated from the Treaty after extra-time. It put an end to the latter’s hopes of seven Munster titles in a […]

1 year ago

Not good enough. Kilkenny swept aside Galway in the Leinster SHC final at Croke Park this afternoon, winning 3-22 to 1-20. The Cats built up what was an unassailable lead, on top by 13 points after 57 minutes, before Galway produced a mini fightback, scoring 1-6 without reply in seven minutes. One of the most […]

1 year ago

What a game! Cork were the victors in their epic Munster SHC final against Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds yesterday afternoon. The Rebels were tied at 2-27 to 1-30 with the Treaty at the end of extra-time, before winning 3-2 on penalties. The unanimous view was it that it was a classic that will go […]

1 year ago

What a piece of play. It’s a ding-dong battle at Gaelic Grounds this evening, with Limerick and Cork level, 2-16 to 1-19, at the time of writing, in the Munster SHC final. The last meeting between the two sides, a few weeks ago, resulted in a big Limerick win. One of the goals scored that […]

1 year ago

It’s the Munster final for sure. Cork lead Limerick by 1-14 to 1-10 at the Gaelic Grounds in the Munster SHC final. The Rebels performance is a far cry from the one that saw them put to the sword a few weeks back against the same side at the same venue. However, they have been […]

1 year ago

Something has to give. Kerry were victorious in their All-Ireland MFC quarter-final against Cavan at Portlaoise this afternoon, winning 0-14 to 1-9. They will now face the winner of tomorrow’s clash between Offaly and Mayo. One incident during the game added further fuel to the argument against the most unpopular of the new Gaelic football […]

1 year ago

What could have been…. One of the most exciting talents in the English Premiership is Bath out-half Ciaran Donoghue. It goes without saying that he is dual-qualified for both England and Ireland. In his own words: “My mum’s Irish, but that’s a long time away, before I have got to think about anything like that.” […]

1 year ago

This could be a great steal. Ulster have finalised their academy for next season, with six new players joining up. Connor Magee, Tom McAllister, Flynn Longstaff, Daniel Green, and Josh Gibson are all 20 or younger, but the province have made a wily choice to bring in the services of the slightly older Aitzol Arenzana-King […]

1 year ago

This would be a huge signing. Liverpool are making serious waves this transfer window. They have already signed Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen for €35m, while they are closing in on the €140m-rated Florian Wirtz, also from Leverkusen, and Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez, who will cost around €40m. Now it seems they have one of the […]

1 year ago

A team bursting with potential! Lions fever has gripped the country, but Ireland are back in action this Saturday, facing off against Georgia in Tbilisi (kick-off, 6pm), with Paul O’Connell in charge. Fans have been crying out for more new caps and their wish will be granted, with so many off in Australia. Front row […]

1 year ago

An exciting group of players. Head coach Paul O’Connell has named his squad for Ireland’s summer tour of Georgia and Portugal next month. As expected, with 15 players away with the Lions, it is a young squad, bursting with potential. It is a 32-man squad, with three training panellists, with 14 uncapped players in total. […]

1 year ago

An inspirational figure. Over the weekend, Armagh footballer Mark Shields spoke in front of an audience for the first time about being an openly gay player. The All-Ireland winner came out to his teammates a decade ago, but regrets not doing it sooner. Speaking at the GPA Pride Brunch over the weekend, he said: “I […]

1 year ago

He received a lot of heat a few years ago. Munster scuppered Leinster’s URC hopes back in 2023, when Jack Crowley came into their back yard and stole the semi-final with his iconic 78th-minute drop goal. They would go on to defeat the Stormers in the final, and it meant everything for a side who […]

1 year ago

An interesting take. The main takeaway, from a Dublin point of view, following their 0-19 to 0-24 loss to Armagh at the weekend, was the 17 wides hit by the Sky Blues. After a great win against Galway the previous week, it was a humbling experience for Dessie Farrell’s men. It now leaves them in […]

1 year ago

What a signing. Connacht have announced Stuart Lancaster as their new head coach for next season. The Englishman left Racing 92 in February, following a poor run with the French side, but his reputation on these shores is still intact, after his many successful years a senior coach with Leinster, during which they lifted the […]

1 year ago

He wasn’t buying some of the outrage. Leinster now fly solo with the Irish flag in the URC play-offs, as they brushed aside the Scarlets at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, while Munster were cruelly knocked out in a goal-kicking shoot-out against the Sharks. The end of the latter was marred in controversy as designated […]

1 year ago

He was not too pleased… After last week’s heroics against Galway, Dublin whimpered to a 0-19 to 0-24 loss to Armagh this evening at Croke Park, in their All-Ireland round-robin clash. They only scored from 37% of their shots, hitting 17 wides, as the Orchard County took full advantage of the game’s new rules, scoring […]

1 year ago

What a move for Kelleher. Brentford have agreed a deal with Liverpool to sign Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. The transfer fee is initially £12.5m with add-ons bringing it up to £18m. A move away from Liverpool, where Kelleher is behind first-choice Allison, has long been mooted for the 26-year-old, and this transfer to Brentford seems […]

1 year ago

A cheeky dig… Jim McGuinness and Donegal were the victors today in their All-Ireland round-robin game against Cavan, winning 3-26 to 1-13 away from home, and making up for last week’s loss to Tyrone. It also puts them top of Group 1 with each team on two points. Elsewhere, Down beat Louth 0-25 to 0-24, […]

1 year ago

The controversial boss is back in the news. Although Antrim’s Leinster SHC ended last weekend with defeat to Offaly, and relegation to the Joe McDonagh Cup for next season, controversial boss Davy Fitzgerald is back in the news. After Antrim’s 6-27 to 1-14 hammering by Galway two weeks ago, Fitzgerald went on an extraordinary rant […]

1 year ago

Fair enough. Man United star Amad Diallo has come under fire for giving the middle finger to fans. The Ivory Coast man was walking with his teammates outside their hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, during their post-season tour. Naturally, he was criticised for the obscene gesture, but, according to BBC Sport, he had been on […]

1 year ago

A unique tour. Andrew Porter has got to know a few new faces over the last couple of weeks. Having been selected for a second Lions squad, after missing the 2021 tour through injury, Ireland and Leinster’s premier loosehead got to meet his teammates two weeks ago. The best of the best from Ireland, England, […]

1 year ago

This would be a great move. Sky Sports are reporting that Liverpool have been approached over signing Ireland keeper Caoimhin Kelleher. The Corkman is highly rated despite being behind arguably the world’s best in Allison at the Reds. It comes with the news that the Bees’ first-choice keeper, Mark Flekken, looks to be heading to […]

1 year ago

His team were disappointing. Opta Sports have released their stats-based, Premier League team of the season. In goals there is no surprise with the inclusion of Nottingham Forest’s Matz Selz. The Belgian stopper shared the Golden Glove award with Arsenal’s David Raya, and had the second-best save percentage, behind Everton’s Jordan Pickford. Although he has […]

1 year ago

Fascinating… The most successful Lions tour, results wise, since the series win against South Africa in 1997, was undoubtedly the drawn tour against New Zealand in 2017. The All Blacks won the first game, 30-15, the visitors claimed the second match, 24-21, and the third test was a 15-15 draw. Despite the achievement of going […]

1 year ago

This would be a great signing. Liverpool are reportedly closing in on one of the best young talents in the Premier League according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano. He says that they have agreed personal terms with Bournemouth left-back, Milos Kerkez. The 21-year-old Serbian started all 38 league games for the Cherries this season, helping […]

1 year ago

He had a top season. Ireland striker Troy Parrott is coming off the back of the best season of his career so far. The 23-year-old has 20 goals in 47 games this season for AZ Alkmaar, and has been rewarded internationally with a more prominent role under Heimir Hallgrimsson. With increased hype comes increased interest […]

1 year ago

They deserve their flowers. Outside of Ireland’s main crop of players, the ones who take the major share of the headlines, and the young stars and next-big-things, there are those who go about their business a bit more quietly and do not get the plaudits that their performances deserve. Here is our 2024/2025 team of […]

1 year ago

Interesting. A major talking point from the weekend’s championship hurling was the lack of black cards in the game in general. One obvious example occurred early on in Cork’s Munster SHC showdown against Waterford. The Déise’s Stephen Bennett was charging through on goal before being pulled down by Cork’s Mark Coleman. Fans and pundits alike […]

1 year ago

The Glensmen boss has responded. With yesterday’s Leinster SHC loss to Offaly, the Antrim hurlers were relegated to the Joe McDonagh Cup for next season. It marked another disappointing inter-county campaign for boss Davy Fitzgerald, after a sub-par two seasons with Waterford. Last week, Antrim great, Terence ‘Sambo’ McNaughton, hit out at Fitzgerald for his […]

1 year ago

He was certain. Waterford were very unlucky during their first half against Cork in the Munster SHC at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. And the pundits at RTÉ agreed, with Galway legend Joe Canning convinced they should have had a penalty and that Cork should have been shown a black card when Stephen Bennett was pulled down […]

1 year ago

Nasty. Antrim face Offaly this afternoon in the Leinster SHC at Glenisk O’Connor Park in Tullamore. At the time of writing, the Saffrons are trailing the Faithful and look to be heading for relegation to the Joe McDonagh for next season, with the winner staying up in what is effectively a knockout game. And Davy […]

1 year ago

He has a point. After their shock win over Leinster in the semi-finals of the Champions Cup, Northampton fell just short in final against Bordeaux, losing 28-20. Nonetheless, it was further proof of the ability and potential of what is a side packed full of young English talent, some of whom are going on the […]

1 year ago

Positive news for the Connacht county. Mayo GAA are in the midst of crisis, with their financial situation being scrutinised. It came to light in December during a county convention that they had voluntary told revenue that they may owe €120,000 in tax, in relation to their Cúl Camps programme in 2018 and 2019. As […]

1 year ago

This is a big call. The Cork hurler’s season was going swimmingly until it wasn’t. Their draw with All-Ireland champions Clare in their Munster SHC first-round clash was seen as a good wake up call for the Rebels, before they returned to normality in round two with a 2-27 to 0-24 win over Tipperary. But […]

1 year ago

An exciting summer ahead. Ireland take on Georgia on July 5, and Portugal a week later. It will be a depleted squad in terms of both players and coaches, with many off in Australia with the Lions. As such, it provides the best opportunity to blood the next generation since Andy Farrell became head coach. […]

1 year ago