This is the big one. Ireland take on South Africa this evening at the Aviva Stadium (kick-off, 5.40pm), in their fourth game of the Autumn Nations Series. After an undercooked performance in their loss to the All Blacks, Andy Farrell’s men were looked better against Japan, before putting Australia to the sword with a 46-19 […]

2 months ago

This should have happened before. The main complaint about the Aviva Stadium over the years has always been its size, with the tiny north stand a reminder of of the 70,000-seater we could have had if planning permission had been granted. However, it does make for a cracking away stand, with the visiting supporters segregated […]

2 months ago

An absolutely whopper week for Irish sport! A very big welcome to another SportsJOE Friday Pub Quiz, with 15 teasers based on Irish and general sport from the past week. Between Ireland’s heroics in Hungary, the rugby side getting back on track after beating Australia, and the U17s going well at the World Cup, it […]

2 months ago

One of the best rivalries in the world. Ireland take on South Africa this Saturday (kick-off, 5.40pm) at the Aviva Stadium, in their fourth game of the Autumn Nations Series. After an impressive 46-19 win over Australia last weekend, Ireland will fancy their chances against the world’s top side, especially having won four of the […]

2 months ago

We cannot wait! Ireland’s route to the 2026 World Cup in North America has been confirmed this afternoon. The European leg play-offs will be held in late March next year, with the semi-final on March 26 and final on March 31. Ireland will take on Czechia away from home in their single-leg semi, with the […]

2 months ago

He’s a wanted man. Troy Parrott has been linked with a number of teams following his World Cup qualifying heroics against Hungary last weekend. However, it is also his club form over the last two seasons, which has seen him score 33 goals in 60 games for AZ Alkmaar, that has sides sniffing around. We […]

2 months ago

Should be another cracker! Ireland have been somewhat of a bogey team for the Springboks in recent years, who head to Aviva as the best team in the world with a point to prove. Here is the green team we reckon can back up last weekend’s 46-19 win over Australia and topple the world champions. […]

2 months ago

A massive improvement! Ireland were 46-19 winners against Australia this evening, in their third game of the Autumn Nations Series. Many of the issues from their first two games were addressed, as Mack Hansen scored a hat-trick on his return to the side. Paddy McCarthy – 7 Gave away one of the silliest penalties ever […]

2 months ago

This is a big one! Ireland take on Portugal this evening at the Aviva Stadium (kick-off, 7.45pm), in their hugely important World Cup qualifier. Heimir Hallgrimsson’s men are currently third in Group F, and a point behind Hungary who face Armenia this evening. If the Armenians can do the Boys in Green a favour and […]

2 months ago

This is some team! The rules are simple – the best Ireland XV, with no two players from the same county. Loosehead prop – Reggie Corrigan (Wicklow) A proud Presentation College Bray and Greystones RFC man; Corrigan made his Ireland debut against Canada in 1997. He also captained his country twice and led Leinster to […]

2 months ago

Another big one in store. Ireland take on Australia this Saturday at the Aviva Stadium (kick-off, 8.10pm), in the third game of their Autumn Nations Series. Andy Farrell will be picking a match-day 23 that is a lot closer to first choice than the one we saw against Japan, but hopefully a few faces looking […]

3 months ago

A big one in Dublin. Despite a 41-10 scoreline, the Aussies will not be coming to Dublin with too much fear next week. It was another stuttery performance littered with errors, but in the last 20 minutes, Ireland did look like the team we saw in 2023 and 2024. Player ratings below. Andrew Porter – […]

3 months ago

Ireland look to get back on track Ireland face Eddie Jones’ Japan today at the Aviva Stadium in the second of their Autumn Nations Series matches, with kick off at 12.40pm. Ireland were beaten by New Zealand in Chicago last Saturday night, going down 13-26 in a disappointing second-half showing having battled well with 14 […]

3 months ago

Get the hankies out! With trophies at stake, players in the final throws of their careers, and passionate fans, we have seen our fair share of epic anthems at Irish rugby games. Whether it is Amhrán na bhFiann or Ireland’s Call, Lansdowne Road or Croke Park, emotions have run high. Here are our top-five most […]

3 months ago

‘How low do you stoop?’ Saoirse Ruane’s mum, Roseanna, condemned DJ Carey’s action in a recent interview with RTE Radio One. The Kilkenny hurler received a five-and-a-half-year jail sentence for 10 counts of fraud after he pretended to have cancer, defrauding friends and fans of over €440,000. After an image of DJ Carey wearing a […]

3 months ago

The new kid on the block. Normally, the main story from the latest Ireland squad, for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Portugal and Hungary, would have been Evan Ferguson making the cut after being a serious doubt. But it is MLS man Kevin O’Toole who has dominated the headlines with his rather shocking inclusion, […]

3 months ago

A lot of changes! Andy Farrell has named his Ireland squad to take on Japan this Saturday at the Aviva Stadium (kick-off, 12.40pm). As expected, there are a number of changes to the 23 that lost to the All Blacks in Chicago last weekend. There will be much delight among fans as Munster star, Tom […]

3 months ago

Some new faces. Heimir Hallgrimsson has named his squad for their last two World Cup qualifiers. Ireland host Portugal on Thursday, November 13 (kick-off, 7.45pm) and are away to Hungary on Sunday, November 16 (kick-off, 2pm). The Boys in Green need Hungary to drop points against Armenia, before beating them at the Puskas Arena to […]

3 months ago

A grim assessment. It was only a matter of time before Joe Brolly weighed in on the DJ Carey story, with the Kilkenny hurling icon sentenced to five-and-a-half-years in jail for defrauding 22 people out of over €400,000 after lying about having cancer. The outspoken Brolly acknowledged the ‘outrageous’ crimes committed by Carey, but offered […]

3 months ago

A much changed side. Ireland face Japan this Saturday at the Aviva Stadium (kick-off, 12.40pm). They will hope, and need, to get back to winning ways, with World Cup seeding on the line, after a dud outing against the All Blacks. Expect a handful of changes from Andy Farrell, with fringe players given a rare […]

3 months ago

The GAA are facing a huge problem. While the headlines over the past week have been dominated by Kobe McDonald’s deal with AFL side St Kilda, Austin Stacks and Kerry U20s star, Ben Murphy, has signed with the Brisbane Lions. The issue of losing players to Australia has now come to a head, with clubs […]

3 months ago

He did not hold back! The vast majority of rugby Twitter, Andy Farrell, and even Beauden Barrett have expressed their unhappiness over Tadhg Beirne’s controversial red card against the All Blacks, for his hit on the aforementioned out-half. When all was said and done, it proved to be extremely costly for Ireland, not just because […]

3 months ago

A frustrating watch…. The All Blacks have beaten Ireland by 26-13 at Soldier Field in Chicago. Andy Farrell’s men had plenty of opportunities to put day light between the teams, but New Zealand stayed in the game and pulled away in the last quarter. Player ratings below. Andrew Porter – 6 Not one of his […]

3 months ago

This is going to be epic! Ireland face the All Blacks this evening in Soldier Park, Chicago, in their Autumn Nations Series clash (kick-off, 8.10pm). New Zealand are 2/5 favourites, and are coming match-ready after the Rugby Championship. However, a relatively undercooked Ireland will have the crowd on their side, and can lean on the […]

3 months ago

It was bad! By the autumn of 2016, Rob Kearney was a bonafide great of Irish rugby; a shoo-in for our greatest XV, and one of the most decorated players in our history. However, there was a serious problem at hand. Despite only turning 30 in March, he was out of form, and his body […]

3 months ago

A scintillating lineup! This Ireland XV goes out to those who may not have received the same fanfare or recognition as others as the years went on. To those who have watched other, less talented players go and reach 50 Ireland caps or win leagues and cups. While their primes of the players may have […]

3 months ago

How well have you been paying attention? Welcome to another SportsJOE Friday Pub Quiz, with 15 questions to test your sporting knowledge. Rugby, GAA, F1, football, golf, and athletics are all covered, so you will have to be a jack of all trades to do well. If you want try previous versions of the quiz […]

3 months ago

A big loss. Although the laws now mean an NIQ player must be playing in a country for five years to become IQ, Ireland made hay when the rule was three years, and have probably gained the most out of any of the Six Nations sides. James Lowe, CJ Stander, Jared Payne, and Jamison Gibson-Park […]

3 months ago

What a header! Southampton U21s came away with a 1-1 draw against Real Madrid Castilla in their Premier League International Cup clash last night. Gavin Bazunu was in goal for the Saints and made a series of crucial saves before Thiago gave the lead to the Spanish visitors in the 75th minute. However, in the […]

3 months ago

Some team in fairness! Naturally, after Andy Farrell announced his Autumn Nations Series squad, there was uproar from some quarters, with fans enraged that their favourite players from their province were not picked. Well, we have put their fantasies to paper, with our selection of the best XV of players who missed out on the […]

3 months ago

He has not been granted a visa. Dutch volleyball player, Steven van de Velde, 31, has been denied a visa by the Australian authorities, ahead of the Beach Volleyball World Championships in Adelaide, South Australia, next month. The then 21-year-old was convicted in 2016 on three counts of raping a 12-year-old girl in the UK. […]

3 months ago

Big changes put forward! Irish dodgy box users should be worried, after a report from the Irish Independent revealed that TV companies such as Sky are planning more intense crackdowns in Ireland. It is understood that they are looking into copying their strategy used in Italy, which involves issuing direct fines to dodgy box users. […]

3 months ago

What a finish! In recent years, James Lowe and Mack Hansen have established themselves as Ireland’s first-choice wingers, with significant distance between them and the chasing pack. Names like Jacob Stockdale, Tommy O’Brien, Shayne Bolton, Calvin Nash, and Zac Ward pop up in discussions over who is next in line. One man who has been […]

3 months ago

Exciting times! If you find yourself thirsty for some more Irish rugby following the Japan showdown on November 8, fear not as Ireland XV will be facing Spain in Leganés later that day (kick-off, 4pm). Head coach Cullie Tucker – backed up by Mossy Lawler (backs/attack), Jimmy Duffy (forwards) and Sean O’Brien (defence) – has named an encouragingly positive squad, […]

3 months ago

An iconic side. One of the most memorable months for Irish rugby during the 2000s came in November ’06. The side produced some of the most eye-catching and complete play we have ever seen from an Irish team as they went unbeaten during their Autumn foray. Wins against South Africa, Australia, and the Pacific Islanders […]

3 months ago

A defining performance. Jack Crowley produced an emphatic performance on Saturday, comfortably winning the much-publicised battle between himself and Sam Prendergast, his rival for the Ireland 10 jersey. A couple of wayward cross-field kicks to start the game did not put him off in the slightest, as he stuck with the game plan, producing a […]

3 months ago

He didn’t hold back…. Shane Duffy and Norwich are in a spot of bother at the moment, sitting in 22nd place in the Championship. Yesterday’s 1-0 defeat to Derby was their fourth league loss in a row, and leaves them two points from the bottom of the table. Duffy has fallen out of favour with […]

3 months ago

Can’t stop the ses! St John’s defender, Peter McCallin, helped his Belfast club to their first Antrim hurling crown since 1973, with a 2-16 to 1-18 win over Loughgiel on Sunday. His side will now face Donegal’s Setanta on the weekend of November 15/16. McCallin is currently living in Australia, and was due to fly […]

3 months ago

Not a great look. James McClean has given a revealing interview to the BBC, with the Wrexham and former Ireland winger detailing life growing up in the Creggan estate in Derry, and the abuse he has received over the years for not wearing a poppy. He told host Lucy Kennedy: “I was getting death threats, […]

3 months ago

What an iconic game! Once again, on November 1, Ireland will travel to Solider Field in Chicago, the site of their famous first victory over the All Blacks, back in 2016. The score that day was 40-29, as Ireland utterly dominated New Zealand. But can you name the starting XV from that day? It’s harder […]

3 months ago

A bit harsh. Sunday was a day to forget for Derry man Jude McAtamney, as the Denver Broncos scored 33 4th-quarter points, to defeat his New York Giants side by 33-32. The 2020 Ulster U20s winner came in for severe criticism after missing two Point after Touchdown attempts; one in the second quarter to put […]

3 months ago

Some guys just didn’t get a fair chance. Darren Cave once famously questioned whether his “face didn’t fit”, following his omission from Joe Schmidt’s Ireland squad in November 2013. The Ulster centre struggled for Ireland caps throughout his career, despite consistently great form domestically and in Europe. Many a player can relate to Cave’s woes, […]

3 months ago

Was it a dig? Bryson DeChambeau has won over many fans with his YouTube content. Some of his most popular videos come from his ‘Break 50’ series, where the two-time major champion teams up with a fellow golfer or athlete, and they play a scramble off the front tees and try to finish 18 holes […]

3 months ago

We learnt a lot over the weekend. In just under two weeks, Ireland will kick off their Autumn Nations Series against the All Blacks at Solider Field in Chicago, the site of their first win over New Zealand back in 2016. After a relatively disappointing season, there should be an improvement based off factors such […]

3 months ago

This would be huge. The proposed R360 league has caused waves in rugby union, with fears that it may attract some of the biggest names in the game. Similar to the LIV Golf Tour, it is a breakaway league that will use a condensed format, and play games around the world. Headed by former England […]

3 months ago

A big November ahead. Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has named his squad for Ireland’s Autumn Nations Series games against New Zealand, Japan, Australia, and South Africa. Farrell is back in charge after taking a sabbatical to focus on the Lions, following last year’s November games, with Simon Easterby stepping up for the Six Nations […]

3 months ago

A massive game. Ireland have a chance to finish the day in a play-off spot in their World Cup qualifying group, as long as they beat Armenia and other results go their way. But anything less than a victory this evening at the Aviva Stadium will likely signal the end of their campaign. After the […]

3 months ago

This is ridiculous. Seamus Coleman was back with a bang for Ireland yesterday, proving that it was probably a mistake to leave him out for the last set of qualifiers. However, the 37-year-old was not handed back his captain’s armband, with Nathan Collins staying in the role. Coleman alluded to this fact when discussing the […]

4 months ago

Ireland fans were not happy. Caomhin Kelleher gave Irish supporters their best moment so far under Heimir Hallgrimsson, with his heroic save for Ronaldo’s penalty during Ireland’s 1-0 loss to Portugal yesterday. However, whether it should have been a penalty or not is up for debate, with a lot of fans arguing that the decision […]

4 months ago

It’s an issue… Another stellar performance against a top nation, without actually yielding a positive result, seems an all too familiar trend with Ireland over the past few years. We saw it during the last World Cup qualifying group stage, when Ireland only lost to Portugal 2-1 after two late Ronaldo goals, while the side […]

4 months ago