Murray, Murray, Murray, Reddan, Murray, Murray, Murray, Murray, Murray, Murray, Murray, Murray, Murray, Murray, Murray, Murray, Murray, Marmion, Murray, Murray, Murray, Murray, Murray, Murray, Marmion, Murray, Murray, Murray, Murray, Murray, Murray, Murray, Murray, Murray. For the last 34 Test matches that he has been available for selection, Joe Schmidt has started Conor Murray 31 times. Last summer saw the likes of […]

8 years ago

This is hugely encouraging. Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov are on a collision course and only something untoward will stop them from fighting for the UFC’s lightweight belt. The only issue is, when you look at the pair over the past few years, you would rule nothing in nor out. ‘The Eagle’ has had injury […]

8 years ago

Lee Keegan is back in the green and red. While many eyes will be on Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Saturday evening, as Kerry and Cork duke it out for the Munster title, Mayo will be in action in the All-Ireland Football Qualifiers. Having seen off Limerick in Round 1 of the qualifiers, Mayo take on […]

8 years ago

Cork will have their work cut out for them against these Kerry forward lines. Ahead of the Saturday evening Munster Football Final, Kerry boss Eamonn Fitzmaurice has named a very strong side. The Kingdom will take on old rivals Cork at Páirc Uí Chaoimh and there is only one change from the side named for their […]

8 years ago

Neymar most definitely lost his cool today, but he ended up on the winning side. In two World Cup games, Neymar has been subjected to heavy treatment from Switzerland and Costa Rica. The Brazilian talisman has called for more protection after claiming he is being cynically and deliberately targeted by opposition players. That looked hard […]

8 years ago

Reporters have not hesitated to publish any apparent leaks

8 years ago

The lads had a difference of opinions… Brazil took their sweet time but they eventually beat Costa Rica 2-0 after injury time goals from Philippe Coutinho and Neymar. It looked as though the central Americans were going to spoil Brazil’s party as the game edged towards a stalemate. The biggest talking point was destined to […]

8 years ago

BRAZIL 2-0 COSTA RICA Neymar is trying his damnedest to get Brazil firing in Russia. Only Pelé and Ronaldo (Luís Nazário de Lima) have scored more goals for their country than Neymar and the PSG star has several goal-scoring years ahead of him. Having just about regained fitness for the World Cup, the 26-year-old came […]

8 years ago

He got there eventually. Slaven Bilic looked to be missing his old mucker Roy Keane as Ireland manager Martin O’Neill took him, and ITV viewers, on a rambling anecdote. Bilic has been a main-stay on the ITV panel and he was drafted in for the broadcaster’s coverage of France’s World Cup group game against Peru. […]

8 years ago

Joe Schmidt has been in charge of Ireland for just under five years and no-one can deny that massive progress has been made. Since taking over as Ireland head coach, Schmidt has led Ireland to three Six Nations titles, a historic victory over New Zealand, an away win over South Africa and a series triumph […]

8 years ago

He was livid. Spain collected three points by defeating Iran 1-0 in their group game, on Wednesday night, but it was a close-run thing. Fernando Hierro’s team bossed the first half against Iran but they did not have it all their own way after the break. Having sat back and invited Spain on, Iran were […]

8 years ago

The Wexford prop is changing the way we look at tight-head props. Ireland kept their chances of a brilliant series win alive with a well-deserved victory over Australia, in Melbourne. Joining The Hard Yards to look back on that game, and preview the Third Test, are Kevin McLaughlin, James Downey and Paul Warwick. Possible starting XV […]

8 years ago

Portugal are ticking along nicely at the World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo is doing Cristiano Ronaldo things and Pepe is being Pepe. All is good in the world. Portugal defeated Morocco 1-0 on Wednesday, with Ronaldo stooping to head home the winner. Just about everyone watching the clash was in stitches at the defender’s antics when […]

8 years ago

Argentina and France both in action today. The score currently reads – Cristiano Ronald 4, Lionel Messi 0. There is no way in hell the Argentine great will allow those figures to stand untouched for long and he has another chance to get both himself and his country going this evening. Argentina vs. Croatia is […]

8 years ago

It was only inevitable that Joe Schmidt would be forced to shuffle his deck at the end of such a long season. Ireland have named their starting XV, and replacements, for the Third Test against Australia and some trends have now been established. Rob Kearney, Keith Earls, Robbie Henshaw, Conor Murray, James Ryan, Peter O’Mahony and […]

8 years ago

Great to see Ross Byrne named to the bench, but that means Joey Carbery’s tour is over. Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has made five changes to his starting XV for the Test Series decider against Australia on Saturday. Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale, Jack Conan, Jack McGrath and Sean Cronin all get starts in a […]

8 years ago

“I’m not saying we have to do it, but I do know we play Conor Murray too much.” Ireland won their first Test match in Australia for 39 years, last weekend. They can win their first Test series in 39 years, this weekend, if they can repeat the dose in Sydney. Joe Schmidt’s side may […]

8 years ago

Will Genia has been replaced in the Australia squad by Waratahs scrum-half Jake Gordon. Ireland’s players will be enjoying a couple of days ‘off feet’ [away from the training pitches] as they rest up their bodies for the final push against the Wallabies in Sydney. Cian Healy sustained an AC [shoulder] knock in Ireland’s 26-21 […]

8 years ago

“I was proud of Pocock playing on after that.” Tadhg Furlong has given David Pocock something to think about the next time he approaches an Irish ruck. The Wallabies’ turnover machine was into double figures for poach attempts for the second week running, in Melbourne, but he did not do as much damage as he […]

8 years ago

Following his side’s Second Test victory over Australia, Joe Schmidt was asked if getting a first international win Down Under in 39 years was a big achievement. Schmidt looked non-plussed. This is not about winning a Test. This, for Ireland, is about winning a series. Ireland left a series win in South Africa, two summers […]

8 years ago

Ireland went into the First Test in Brisbane hoping that David Pocock would take some time to get back to his best, at Test level. He did not. He was immense for 74 minutes. The flanker ravaged Ireland at the breakdown, secured four turnovers, slowed down ball and scored a crucial try in the closing […]

8 years ago

There was another Irish outhalf playing a starring role in a Test match win this weekend. Johnny Sexton returned to Ireland’s starting XV to help them to a 26-21 victory over Australia. 13 hours later, fellow Dubliner AJ MacGinty was the star man in his team’s stunning win over Scotland. The US Eagles beat Scotland […]

8 years ago

Cian Healy was naughty here. Will Genia is out of the final Test of an enthralling series between Ireland and Australia, and the hosts are pissed. The scrum-half suffered a fracture to his arm in the first half of the Second Test, in Melbourne, and had to leave the field after 27 minutes. Following his […]

8 years ago

The Ireland outhalf had the Wallabies well scouted on this one. Sexton definitely had his homework done. One of the stand-outs from Australia’s First Test victory – aside from David Pocock’s breakdown masterclass – was their pressing aggression in defence. The Aussies constantly bit in to cramp Ireland as they tried to go wide. By […]

8 years ago

This was reprehensible stuff but Ian Poulter did not rise to the bait…. out on the course, at least. The world’s best golfers are up against one hell of a tough course in this year’s US Open and it has made so many of them look ordinary. The US Open is notorious for being tough […]

8 years ago

The boys are back in (a Russian) town! As soon as ITV announced their stellar list of World Cup 2018 pundits, we were wondering when they would pair up some of the former Manchester United stars. The broadcaster has Roy Keane, Gary Neville, Henrik Larsson and Ryan Giggs on retainer and, by God, they are […]

8 years ago

Three nice matches lined up on day four of the World Cup. We are picking up a nice World Cup 2018 pace now and there are a few intriguing games on Sunday to keep us all ticking over. Serbia vs. Costa Rica (1pm) Germany vs. Mexico (4pm) Brazil vs. Switzerland (7pm) We kicked off our […]

8 years ago

Only three matches? What happened to four matches in one day?! After being spoiled rotten by Fifa on Saturday, the Swiss tax haven residents have only deemed Father’s Day fit for three World Cup group games. Perhaps it is so European fathers can spend some quality time with their offspring before stepping into the front […]

8 years ago

Well, now. Rob Kearney went into the Second Test against Australia under pressure. A solid, successful season for Leinster and a key role in Ireland’s Grand Slam victory [his second] was not enough to quell the calls for him to be either dropped or ‘rested’ for Melbourne. The fullback had been outshone by Israel Folau […]

8 years ago

The news is a lot, lot worse. On June 9, England head coach Eddie Jones was asked how his team would respond to losing five games in a row. Jones was not happy with the question and argued that he did not consider the non-Test match loss to the Barbarians as an actual defeat. There […]

8 years ago

“Your pride does get dented, and we knew we had to man up, physically, today.” Tadhg Furlong played 25 minutes of the First Test and delivered some pop off the bench but even he was left chastened by that defeat. Ireland’s scrum was rumbled, late in that game, to give Australia a handy chance to […]

8 years ago

Lots of cramping and sore bodies but three players will be hoping they are still able to play the Test Series decider Sydney A few more Irish players are more serious concerns heading into the final Test next weekend. Ireland were outgunned in Brisbane but starved Australia of possession and won the breakdown battle in […]

8 years ago

The Ireland captain had his place in the team openly questioned after the First Test defeat. It was only natural that some Ireland fans would put Peter O’Mahony under intense scrutiny after the breakdown master-class from David Pocock and Michael Hooper in Brisbane, last week. Many pundits and fans suggested the Munster flanker would be […]

8 years ago

Frantic stuff in the closing stages. Joey Carbery has been signed by Munster to get more game-time at No.10 but some are suggesting he would fit nicely into the fullback role vacated by Simon Zebo. On Saturday, in Melbourne, the 22-year-old made his first Test appearance [in the record books at least] as an Irish […]

8 years ago

“Thanks Jack!” Jesus, after the performance Tadhg Furlong put in against Australia, you’d think Jack McGrath would have been showering him in petals. Furlong was absolutely immense in Ireland’s 26-21 victory over the Wallabies, at AAMI Park, and scored a crucial try in the second half. The Leinster prop made 12 carries, four tackles, cleared […]

8 years ago

AUSTRALIA 21-26 IRELAND Ireland secured their first Test match win Down Under since 1979 after beating Australia in Melbourne and setting up a series decider in Sydney next weekend. Andrew Conway and Tadhg Furlong grabbed the Irish tries and Johnny Sexton kicked 16 points in a much-deserved victory. Ireland were stunned in the opening exchanges […]

8 years ago

The man is a class apart. Ireland were rocked on their heels by an early Australian try, in Melbourne, but they responded superbly. Conor Murray was in the mix, of course. Not long after Kurtley Beale had stunned the visitors with a great running line for his try, Ireland gathered themselves and made hay when […]

8 years ago

Amid the revelry on a freezing day at Twickenham, on March 17, Tadhg Furlong located his parents in the stands and made his way straight to them. Margaret and James Furlong were absolutely beaming and there were some tears shed, with their son happy to let his emotions show. A Grand Slam winner had emerged […]

8 years ago

It’s now or never. Ireland have been waiting 39 years to win a Test match in Australia. After losing the First Test to Australia in Brisbane, Joe Schmidt’s side now need to win two matches Down Under in the next seven days. Schmidt has made eight changes to the side that fell 18-9 to the […]

8 years ago

It was out of character from the Munster and Ireland scrum-half. Conor Murray definitely did not have it all his own way during Ireland’s 18-9 loss in the First Test against Australia. Murray conceded three turnovers, a penalty and was subject of a few crunching tackles from a wired Wallabies side. Class player that he […]

8 years ago

Michael Cheika knows all about Johnny Sexton, his strengths and his weaknesses. The pair worked together for four seasons when the Australian was Leinster head coach and they have come across each other several times in the years since. Having effectively got after Conor Murray and Joey Carbery in their First Test victory, in Brisbane, […]

8 years ago

‘They’d better have a red button for Dan Leavy versus David Pocock!’ That was the take of The Hard Yards team as they anticipated Ireland pitching Leinster flanker Dan Leavy into a fearsome breakdown battle with Australian poacher-supreme David Pocock. The Wallabies flanker made light work of Ireland at the breakdown in the First Test and […]

8 years ago

Well said by the Ireland captain. Michael Cheika knows all about Neil Francis. He knew all about him when he was Leinster coach and the distance of time [he left the province in 2010] have not dulled his recollections of the former Ireland lock. Francis is outspoken on many rugby matters – Wales Online are […]

8 years ago

The days of the beep test are over, but that doesn’t mean the current crop of rugby stars are getting off lightly. Getting back and forth between the lines as that dreaded ‘BEEP’ got closer and closer was the drill that often made or broke many an Irish rugby player. Jerry Flannery and Rory Best […]

8 years ago

The Wallabies climbed into Conor Murray and Joey Carbery five times in the opening 15 minutes. All hits were legal but all left significant marks. Ireland have made hay, under Joe Schmidt, by going after opposition half backs and either sending their big ball-carriers at them or shifting them on their heels. Australia turned the […]

8 years ago

An implosion on the front nine, but after the turn. Rory McIlroy has one US Open to his name but he does not look to be adding to that in 2018. Ahead of teeing off in his first round, McIlroy told reporters: “So would love to do that again this week. It feels like it’s […]

8 years ago

The matter rumbles on into late July. Conor McGregor’s legal and UFC future remains up in the air following his brief appearance at the Brooklyn Criminal Court on Thursday morning (local time). The Dubliner appeared in court following on from charges laid down in relation to the attack on a bus carrying UFC fighters and […]

8 years ago

First things, first. Conor McGregor made an appearance in front of the Brooklyn Criminal Court, today, following his part in an incident involving a bus carrying UFC fighters and employees at the Barclays Center back in early April. McGregor and Straight Blast Gym teammate Cian Cowley appeared in front of a judge, leading on from […]

8 years ago

Must have been an incredibly tough watch. Dan Leavy must have been seething as he sat in the stands, at Suncorp Stadium, and watched the likes of Michael Hooper and David Pocock lay waste to Ireland at the breakdown. Between them, the Australian flankers turned Ireland over six times and slowed down an awful lot […]

8 years ago

Unai Emery will have one hell of a tough start as Arsenal manager. The Premier League has announced its fixtures and provisional dates for the 2018/19 season. The opening day of the season has the whopper clash between Arsenal and their tormentors from last season, the champions Manchester City. As if that is not enough, the […]

8 years ago