Conan Doherty

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  • James McClean lung-bursting recovery saves Ireland

    James McClean lung-bursting recovery saves Ireland

    I can already hear it. The cries saying, “he’s a f**king professional footballer, what do you expect?” But it’s not a coincidence that it’s always the same man. It’s not a coincidence that he always does it. James McClean’s fitness and application isn’t something that needs going over again but more than 8 years after […]

    5 years ago

  • James McClean starts ahead of Connolly as Ireland name team for Slovakia

    James McClean starts ahead of Connolly as Ireland name team for Slovakia

    Here we are now, in a European Championship playoff, with Stephen Kenny as manager. When Ireland were being hammered by Wales and failing to score against Denmark to qualify for this playoff via the trusty route of coming bottom of their Nations League group (don’t ask), you’d never thought we’d be here. Not with that […]

    5 years ago

  • Joe Brolly: “I fully support the GAA’s decision to pause”

    Joe Brolly: “I fully support the GAA’s decision to pause”

    Joe Brolly says it is time for GAA people to get their feet back on the ground. The Derry man has welcomed the suspension of all Gaelic Games activity in Ireland after the GAA’s statement called a halt to everything. A number of supporters and players – and mostly the GAA administrators – have been criticised […]

    5 years ago

  • “I take the blame for it, it was sloppy” – Shane Duffy

    “I take the blame for it, it was sloppy” – Shane Duffy

    At fault at one end, the reason Ireland came away with a point at the other end. It was a weird international match, a competitive one at that, with players in pre-season with their clubs and asked to dive into the thick of it on this stage. Shane Duffy didn’t have a great game overall. […]

    6 years ago

  • Mick McCarthy analyses Stephen Kenny’s first game in charge as Ireland manager

    Mick McCarthy analyses Stephen Kenny’s first game in charge as Ireland manager

    We waited 21 months for Stephen Kenny, and we were forced to listen to Mick McCarthy talk about crosses all night. We waited 21 months for Stephen Kenny, and Ireland conceded first before scoring a last minute equaliser through a Shane Duffy header. To draw 1-1. The new era is here and defenders are still […]

    6 years ago

  • Is there any way Jack Grealish can switch country back to Ireland?

    Is there any way Jack Grealish can switch country back to Ireland?

    Potentially impossible, but that could change in three weeks’ time. On September 18, FIFA will host its annual congress and it’s being reported that some rule changes are on the table which could affect international eligibility. One of them is said to be a rule that would allow players to switch allegiance more than once. […]

    6 years ago

  • Match restarts after waterbreak with one team as St. Gall’s are punished

    Match restarts after waterbreak with one team as St. Gall’s are punished

    It’s a one minute break for water, lads. Don’t take the biscuit. The temptation is always there when the team huddles up. One last chance for a team talk. A chance to coach. A chance to gee up everyone again because you won’t see them for another 14 minutes. The reality is that it’s just […]

    6 years ago

  • Perfect Thomas Muller first touch dismantles PSG defence

    Perfect Thomas Muller first touch dismantles PSG defence

    Pass appreciation. When the weight, direction, timing of the pass is designed it totality with the recipient in mind. The pass is made completely selflessly, with the only concern being how will this improve the life of the next player. You’ll see many people find a team mate in this game but when someone has […]

    6 years ago

  • Defence-splitting sideline routine creates goal chance in Wexford final

    Defence-splitting sideline routine creates goal chance in Wexford final

    Shelmaliers have doubled their Wexford senior hurling honours and now they boast a record that says every time they get to the final, they win. Two from two as the Castlebridge outfit won their first championship since their first championship, back in 2014, and they did it with the sort of swagger of a team […]

    6 years ago

  • Cat-like Katie Taylor pounces all over telegraphing Persoon

    Cat-like Katie Taylor pounces all over telegraphing Persoon

    “Box, Katie.” By the fifth round in Brentwood, Delfine Persoon was emboldened. She was still in the fight and her awkwardness and her relentless, kamikaze attrition was tiring Katie Taylor. Worse, Taylor was starting to play by the old Persoon rules that had gotten her into such trouble a year ago. Then a simple call […]

    6 years ago

  • Lewandowski moves two behind special Ronaldo record with frightening goal run

    Lewandowski moves two behind special Ronaldo record with frightening goal run

    Aaaaaahhh, NOW I get it. pic.twitter.com/QfpbE4s3UD — SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) August 19, 2020 Robert Lewandowski has scored in every Champions League game this season. He’s played 46 times for Bayern in this campaign in total. He’s scored 55 goals. Across nine Champions League games, he’s hit the net 15 times with the latest coming in the […]

    6 years ago

  • Dundalk exit Champions League with 3-0 defeat to Slovenians

    Dundalk exit Champions League with 3-0 defeat to Slovenians

    NK Celja 3-0 Dundalk Dundalk’s bid for Champions League qualification fell at the first hurdle in Hungary as three counter attacks sent them packing for the Europa League. Despite dominating most of the game and going close on one or two – or three or four or five occasions – Vinny Perth’s men failed to […]

    6 years ago

  • No fans rips the soul out of the GAA… for no good reason

    No fans rips the soul out of the GAA… for no good reason

    I got a tweet there. “Why are GAA people so in favour of having people at games? You don’t hear it from anywhere else in the world.” Why? I’ll tell you why. I remember intercepting a pass at Parnell Park during my first start in the Dublin championship a few years ago. I came in […]

    6 years ago

  • The SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz | Day 150

    The SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz | Day 150

    On this day in 1993, Roy Keane announced himself to Old Trafford. Football, as the Premier League knew it, changed forever as the Cork man left a mark through 12 years as a player, a shorter time as a manager and now what feels like a punditry career that will already stand the test of […]

    6 years ago

  • Dayot Upamecano and the Tom Brady principle

    Dayot Upamecano and the Tom Brady principle

    Google the name Dayot Upamecano this morning and look at the first suggestions. Manchester United. Arsenal. Odds. After watching the French man spend 90 minutes destroying any joy and interest Diego Costa and Llorente might’ve had for that Champions League quarter-final, everyone’s seen enough. The only thing anyone wants to know now is where he’s […]

    6 years ago

  • Can you place the biggest GAA grounds on a map of Ireland?

    Can you place the biggest GAA grounds on a map of Ireland?

    Come on, you’ve been to enough games, you must know by now. All those cold February treks, scaling the country to watch a second-string side represent you and your county in the national league were all for something. The miles, the hours, the car sickness were all building towards one thing and one thing only: […]

    6 years ago

  • Munster Academy player tests positive for Covid-19, six more players in self-isolation

    Munster Academy player tests positive for Covid-19, six more players in self-isolation

    Munster’s preparations for their return to action have been interrupted after an Academy player tested positive for Covid-19. The player was part of the wider training squad and the province have identified five further academy players and one senior player who have been deemed as potential close contacts. It means that seven players in total […]

    6 years ago

  • Three most common rules referees ignore

    Three most common rules referees ignore

    “I don’t want it to happen in the last minute of an All-Ireland final anyway, I can tell you that.” It’s tough being a referee but it’s tough being a player too, especially if you’re relying on rules being followed. There are that many grey areas, that many rules that, naturally, the book isn’t upheld […]

    6 years ago

  • Leeds United are back

    Leeds United are back

    16 years of hurt. In the 2000/2001 season, Leeds United won the hearts of every football fan. Young, exciting, vibrant. A team of gems knitted together in the romantic Yorkshire setting and David O’Leary guiding them all the way to the Champions League semi-final. Exactly three years to the very day that they took on […]

    6 years ago

  • The SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz | Day 111

    The SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz | Day 111

    Brought to you by Momenti Pizza from Dr. Oetker Day 1. 1. 1. If you can get through the TV round, you’re in good shape. There’s nothing left but to wish you the very, very best of luck. Brought to you by Momenti Pizza from Dr. Oetker Dr. Oetker’s new Momenti Pizza is a small, great-tasting frozen pizza. The two […]

    6 years ago

  • The SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz | Day 108

    The SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz | Day 108

    Brought to you by Momenti Pizza from Dr. Oetker We’re going again, baby. From Keane to Dunphy, from the Super Bowl to the O’Byrne Cup, from Brolly to Yakubu, it’s all here. Everything you asked for. Brought to you by Momenti Pizza from Dr. Oetker Dr. Oetker’s new Momenti Pizza is a small, great-tasting frozen pizza. The two flavours – […]

    6 years ago

  • The SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz | Day 104

    The SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz | Day 104

    Brought to you by Momenti Pizza from Dr. Oetker Now this… This is a quiz. You know, if I do say so myself. It’s not easy but you’ll enjoy the stroll through memory lane. Brought to you by Momenti Pizza from Dr. Oetker Dr. Oetker’s new Momenti Pizza is a small, great-tasting frozen pizza. The two flavours – Tomato, Mozzarella […]

    6 years ago

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