Colman Stanley

Author description

Colmán is the lead writer with SportsJOE, covering the GAA, football and golf, with a special interest in rugby. Whether it is an in-depth analysis of the best young Irish rugby talents, or a live blog covering all the big moments from some of sport's most iconic events, he has got you covered. Past experience includes working at the Irish Sun, Balls.ie and Extratime.ie. When he's not writing, you can find him watching the latest HBO mini-series, whipping up a spaghetti aglio e olio, or togging out for his beloved Stillorgan-Rathfarnham RFC.

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  • Surprise Evan Ferguson swap deal to iconic Italian side ‘on the cards’

    Surprise Evan Ferguson swap deal to iconic Italian side ‘on the cards’

    Another twist in the Evan Ferguson tale. Evan Ferguson has enjoyed a mini resurgence in his Roma career, with a Europa League brace against Celtic and an improved performance against Como. However, he failed to start against Juventus, and was questioned once again by manager Gian Piero Gasperini. The boss said: “If I have to […]

    4 months ago

  • Irish fans overjoyed as Ciarán Frawley move out of Leinster confirmed

    Irish fans overjoyed as Ciarán Frawley move out of Leinster confirmed

    This is a good move for both parties. It has been reported that Leinster and Ireland star Ciarán Frawley will be moving to Connacht next season. Bernard Jackman revealed the news on the42’s Rugby Weekly Extra podcast, and it is understood that Frawley will be looked at mainly as an out-half with his new side. […]

    4 months ago

  • Legendary Italian manager sticks up for Ferguson after criticism from Roma boss

    Legendary Italian manager sticks up for Ferguson after criticism from Roma boss

    He has his back. Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini was not particularly kind to Evan Ferguson in his post-match comments, following his side’s 2-1 loss to Juventus. Ferguson had to settle for a substitute appearance despite starting in the win over Como and scoring two goals in Roma’s 3-0 Europa League victory over Celtic. After […]

    4 months ago

  • Irish rugby’s highest ceiling XV

    Irish rugby’s highest ceiling XV

    We have some talent! With all the talent coming through in Irish rugby at the minute, we thought we’d celebrate it by putting together a XV of the players with the most potential. Loosehead prop – Paddy McCarthy From being one of the few unused players on this year’s summer tour to starring in the […]

    4 months ago

  • Quiz: Can you name the Spanish sides these Irish players played for?

    Quiz: Can you name the Spanish sides these Irish players played for?

    Another Irish-focused quiz. Over the years, not many Irishmen have taken the leap and gone to Spain to ply their trade. Of the ones that did, some had significant success, while others had more forgetful stints. A handful are iconic figures in Irish football, and the rest are more obscure names. Can you name the […]

    4 months ago

  • FIFA’s ‘cheap’ World Cup ticket announcement has not gone down well

    FIFA’s ‘cheap’ World Cup ticket announcement has not gone down well

    This has not gone down well. Following severe backlash, FIFA have announced new ‘Supporter Entry Tier’ World Cup tickets for qualified teams. These tickets will cost £45 ($60) and will be available for each of the 104 games at next summer’s tournament, including the final. They will be distributed to the football organisations for each […]

    4 months ago

  • Quiz: Top 20 Premier League players by all-time appearances

    Quiz: Top 20 Premier League players by all-time appearances

    A whopper teaser! This is a big one. The top 20 Premier League all-time appearances! So many legends, but not a huge amount of time, so you will have to be at your best for this one. You can also try our top 20 Irish Premier League players appearances quiz here. Good luck. Best Irish […]

    5 months ago

  • Quiz: Name the top 20 Irish Premier League players by appearances

    Quiz: Name the top 20 Irish Premier League players by appearances

    Get the thinking caps on! Over the years, there has been boat loads of great Irish players to grace the Premier League. But which ones make the top 20 by appearances? It’s a mix of legends and lesser known names, so you will have to be on top form to get over 15. Good luck! […]

    5 months ago

  • The SportsJOE Friday Pub Quiz: Week 121

    The SportsJOE Friday Pub Quiz: Week 121

    Another week, another bumper quiz! Welcome to another week of the SportsJOE Pub Quiz. If you missed last week’s or you want to try any other teasers from us just click here. This week is an action packed one, with rugby, football, GAA, and a bit of swimming covered as well after the Irish heroics […]

    5 months ago

  • David Clifford turns manager and guides team to Munster glory

    David Clifford turns manager and guides team to Munster glory

    He can do it all. St Brendan’s College, Killarney have won the Munster Post Primary Schools U17 ‘A’ Championship (the Frewen Cup) for the second year in a row. They beat out Clonakilty Community College by 3-7 to 0-15 in Banteer, with David Clifford as manager. The Kerry inter-county star is a PE teacher at […]

    5 months ago

  • The ultimate Champions Cup all-time XV

    The ultimate Champions Cup all-time XV

    An unreal team! With the 2025/2026 Champions Cup in full swing, we bring you the ultimate all-time XV for the competition once known as the Heineken Cup. Loosehead prop – Cian Healy (Leinster) Many of his performances from 2009 – 2013 were utterly devastating as he helped usher in a new age of lean and […]

    5 months ago

  • Eben Etzebeth reveals he was not gouged before red card against Wales

    Eben Etzebeth reveals he was not gouged before red card against Wales

    That clears things up. Eben Etzebeth has taken to social media to explain the incident at the end of South Africa’s 73-0 win over Wales which saw him red carded for an eye gouge on Alex Mann and subsequently banned for 12 weeks. There was speculation that the Springbok lock’s actions were a retaliation for […]

    5 months ago

  • 2026 World Darts Championship live hub: Follow all the action

    2026 World Darts Championship live hub: Follow all the action

    This is going to be epic! The 2026 World Darts Championship begins on December 11. Follow all the big stories right, for one of the year’s best and most entertaining sporting events. Best Irish betting offers – 18+, BeGambleAware

    5 months ago

  • Name these Premier League stars who played in the League of Ireland

    Name these Premier League stars who played in the League of Ireland

    A great one for Irish footy fans. For the fans of the Premier League and League of Ireland, this is the perfect quiz for you, and there’s also a few players from the old English First Division. Over the years many players have started their careers in the LOI, while others have gone to England […]

    5 months ago

  • Watch: Ireland hopeful Zac Ward rips up Racing 92 in Europe

    Watch: Ireland hopeful Zac Ward rips up Racing 92 in Europe

    What a performance! Ulster put Racing 92 to the sword on Friday with a 61-7 win in their Challenge Cup clash at Ravenhill. Starring once again was Zac Ward. He scored two tries, the second of which was a ridiculously good solo score, and we have put together a supercut of some of the winger’s […]

    5 months ago

  • Dingle win Munster SFC with last kick after hugely controversial call

    Dingle win Munster SFC with last kick after hugely controversial call

    Fans were not pleased. Dingle are the Munster SFC Club champions, after defeating St Finbarrs by 1-18 to 0-20 at Semple Stadium this afternoon, and will go on to face Ballyboden in the All-Ireland semi-finals. However, the game finished in controversial circumstances after a two-point free from Conor Geaney won the match with virtually the […]

    5 months ago

  • Big hooter change confirmed for 2026 Gaelic football season

    Big hooter change confirmed for 2026 Gaelic football season

    More rule amendments. Another big rule change is coming in for the 2026 GAA Gaelic football season. The Central Competitions Control Committee has approved the recommendation from the Football Review Committee to end Gaelic football games at the hooter. This had previously been the rule last season prior to the All-Ireland series, before the law […]

    5 months ago

  • Ronan O’Gara defends red-carded star after he himself was sent off

    Ronan O’Gara defends red-carded star after he himself was sent off

    An unusual situation. La Rochelle head coach Ronan O’Gara could be facing another suspension, after he was sent to the stands by referee Jeremy Rozier during La Rochelle’s 53-33 Top 14 loss to Pau yesterday. It was a crazy game from the get go, with Antoine Hastoy sent off after just 34 seconds when his […]

    5 months ago

  • James Ryan reveals reason he didn’t apologies to Marx for shocking clearout

    James Ryan reveals reason he didn’t apologies to Marx for shocking clearout

    Interesting. The transcripts from James Ryan’s disciplinary hearing have revealed some interesting details around the incident which saw him sent off in Ireland’s loss to South Africa two weeks ago. The Leinster lock was given his marching orders after dangerous clearout which saw him fly into a ruck with a tucked arm and make contact […]

    5 months ago

  • Alkmaar manager has stern response to Parrott after embarrassing paneka miss

    Alkmaar manager has stern response to Parrott after embarrassing paneka miss

    A tough outing. Troy Parrott was brought back down to earth on the weekend, after he missed a last-play penalty in AZ Alkmaar’s 1-0 loss to FC Twente. After a month where he wrote himself into Irish sport folklore with his five-goal heroics against Portugal and Hungary, it was a sobering moment for him, as […]

    5 months ago

  • The SportsJOE Friday Pub Quiz: Week 119

    The SportsJOE Friday Pub Quiz: Week 119

    Another week, another pub quiz! A very big welcome to another SportsJOE Friday Pub Quiz, with 15 questions on Irish and general sport from the past week and beyond. The Ireland rugby team’s loss to South Africa is a big topic, while the Premier League was back in action, with bad weeks for both Ruben […]

    5 months ago

  • Patrick Horgan debunks All-Ireland bust up myth with hilarious dig at teammate

    Patrick Horgan debunks All-Ireland bust up myth with hilarious dig at teammate

    Hoggy was in great form. As if giving up a six-point lead at the break to lose the All-Ireland final to Tipperary wasn’t enough, the Cork hurlers had to deal with sensational WhatsApp rumours of a half-time changing room fight. At the centre of the rumours was talisman and the now-retired Patrick Horgan, who was […]

    5 months ago

  • Can you name these obscure Ireland players from World Cup & Euros finals?

    Can you name these obscure Ireland players from World Cup & Euros finals?

    This is incredibly tough! In honour of Ireland qualifying for the play-offs for the 2026 World Cup, we have put together a seriously difficult quiz. This teaser takes lesser-known players from the squads who made the Euros in 1988, 2012, and 2016, and the World Cup in 1990, 1994, and 2002. Only true Ireland fans […]

    5 months ago

  • Just one Ireland player makes Opta’s team of the November Series

    Just one Ireland player makes Opta’s team of the November Series

    Well deserved. The well-renowned sports stats platform, Opta, have released their team of the Autumn Nations Series, based off of their Opta Index, which uses a number of key factors to objectively score a players’ performances in each game. The breakdown of the team is as follows: 4 England, 3 South Africa, 2 New Zealand, […]

    5 months ago

  • Ireland star get sent off for hugely dangerous neck throw in Cup win

    Ireland star get sent off for hugely dangerous neck throw in Cup win

    A clear red card. Crystal Palace’s Ruesha Littlejohn was sent off last night for a dangerous neck throw on an opponent during a 3-0 League Cup win over Leicester. The Ireland stalwart was involved in a scuffle between the sides before she suddenly grabbed hold of Hannah Cain’s neck and reefed her to the ground, […]

    5 months ago

  • Player ratings as Ireland go down fighting vs South Africa after five cards

    Player ratings as Ireland go down fighting vs South Africa after five cards

    The biggest game of the series. One of the maddest games that the Aviva will ever host, with South Africa eventually winning 24-13. Ireland fought well right to the end after getting four yellow cards and one red. Andrew Porter – 2 His scrum penalties first helped lead to a team yellow card, which sent […]

    5 months ago

  • Ireland vs South Africa: Live hub

    Ireland vs South Africa: Live hub

    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 […]

    5 months ago

  • Hallgrimsson calls for crucial Aviva change to give Ireland penalty advantage

    Hallgrimsson calls for crucial Aviva change to give Ireland penalty advantage

    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 […]

    5 months ago

  • The SportsJOE Friday Pub Quiz: Week 118

    The SportsJOE Friday Pub Quiz: Week 118

    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 […]

    5 months ago

  • Sam Prendergast gets the nod as Farrell names side to face Springboks

    Sam Prendergast gets the nod as Farrell names side to face Springboks

    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 […]

    5 months ago

  • Ireland discover World Cup play-off semi-final and potential final opponents

    Ireland discover World Cup play-off semi-final and potential final opponents

    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 […]

    5 months ago

  • Irish fans urge Parrott to join European team over PL as clubs line up for star

    Irish fans urge Parrott to join European team over PL as clubs line up for star

    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 […]

    5 months ago

  • The Ireland team we want to see take down South Africa on Saturday

    The Ireland team we want to see take down South Africa on Saturday

    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. […]

    5 months ago

  • Ireland player ratings after a dominant & much-improved display vs Australia

    Ireland player ratings after a dominant & much-improved display vs Australia

    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 […]

    6 months ago

  • Ireland vs Portugal: World Cup qualifier live hub

    Ireland vs Portugal: World Cup qualifier live hub

    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 […]

    6 months ago

  • The greatest Ireland rugby XV with just one player per county

    The greatest Ireland rugby XV with just one player per county

    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 […]

    6 months ago

  • We have made eight changes to the Ireland team we want to see vs Australia

    We have made eight changes to the Ireland team we want to see vs Australia

    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 […]

    6 months ago

  • Player ratings as Ireland manage to put Japan to the sword after poor first half

    Player ratings as Ireland manage to put Japan to the sword after poor first half

    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 – […]

    6 months ago

  • Ireland vs Japan live: Follow the Autumn Nations Series clash here

    Ireland vs Japan live: Follow the Autumn Nations Series clash here

    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 […]

    6 months ago

  • The five most emotional Ireland rugby anthems of all time

    The five most emotional Ireland rugby anthems of all time

    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 […]

    6 months ago

  • Mother of Late Late Toy Show hero who died of cancer slams DJ Carey

    Mother of Late Late Toy Show hero who died of cancer slams DJ Carey

    ‘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 […]

    6 months ago

  • Who is Kevin O’Toole – Ireland’s surprise New Jersey native

    Who is Kevin O’Toole – Ireland’s surprise New Jersey native

    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, […]

    6 months ago

  • Tom Farrell to make much anticipated Ireland debut against Japan

    Tom Farrell to make much anticipated Ireland debut against Japan

    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 […]

    6 months ago