“I’m very happy, and I want to start with this club as soon as possible.” Ryan Lowe is assembling a decent-looking side as he gears up Preston North End for a Premier League promotion push. PNE’s latest acquisition is Alvaro Fernandez, on loan from Manchester United. Preston have brought in Robbie Brady on a free […]

3 years ago

“If I need to help someone I’ll help someone, by being a team player.” On the day Cristiano Ronaldo, Erik ten Hag, Jorge Mendes and Alex Ferguson were all at Manchester United’s training facilities at Carrington, the club released a tranche of Christian Eriksen interviews, pictures and videos. Ronaldo and his agent could yet be […]

3 years ago

Number two and number nine took us somewhat by surprise. We have a tricky Man United quiz for you all that focuses on their best goalscorers from the Premier League era. In the past 30 years, United have had such renowned strikers as Edinson Cavani, Radamel Falcao, Mark Hughes and Zlatan Ibrahimović. None of them […]

3 years ago

The Dublin boss is yet to sit down with the county board for a full review. On Sunday, after two years of Covid delays, the GAA invited three jubilee teams along to Croke Park on All-Ireland football final day. The 1995 Dublin team were there, but Dessie Farrell was not. A good few of the […]

3 years ago

“A couple of strange calls, in that regard.” Much of the talk, heading into the All-Ireland, was about David Clifford and Shane Walsh, but they were sharing column inches and headlines with Sean O’Shea and Damien Comer. O’Shea and Comer had been the men to grab their respective semi-finals by the scruff and get their […]

3 years ago

“I nearly jumped out of the stands!” With four minutes to go in Sunday’s tightly contested All-Ireland Football Final, referee Sean Hurson made a call that surprised many, given how common an occurrence the coming together was. He awarded a Kerry free that signalled the beginning of Galway’s demise. As Galway’s John Daly fetched the […]

3 years ago

“Going back to Kerry… “ You could easily forgive Darran O’Sullivan for wanting to pore over every detail of Kerry’s 38th All-Ireland success, and the impact made by his old boss, Jack O’Connor. Eight years is a GAA life-time in The Kingdom but, inspired by David Clifford, Kerry are kings of Ireland again. O’Sullivan won […]

3 years ago

The fact that he performed so well despite his card being so heavily marked is saying something. There was a moment in the opening 20 minutes of the All-Ireland Final, on Sunday, when Cillian McDaid came into possession of the ball and was swarmed by Jack Barry, Brian Ó Beaglaíoch, and Paul Geaney. The Kerry […]

3 years ago

“Now is when the real controversy starts… “ Some big calls in The Sunday Game Team of the Year, after a championship that ended with Kerry lifting Sam Maguire after a strong second half showing. Colm O’Rourke said it best (above) when he had to deliver the full-back line. Éamonn Fitzmaurice said likewise when he […]

3 years ago

“David Clifford and Shane Walsh, just clear the pitch for them!” Kevin McStay spoke for so many of us as two GAA artisans put in All-Ireland final displays to behold. For their final SFC live coverage of the year, all at The Sunday Game and watching in Ireland and abroad, were treated to one hell […]

3 years ago

“It’s a lovely way to finish.” Pat Spillane spoke of his late father and his family’s achievements for Kerry GAA after a gripping All-Ireland final. Sunday was All-Ireland Final day but Kerry legend Pat Spillane had another request for host Joanne Cantwell and fellow pundits Ciaran Whelan and Sean Cavanagh, on his final appearance on […]

3 years ago

KERRY 0-20, GALWAY 0-16 David Clifford and Shane Walsh did their respective counties proud, but Kerry had the scoring nous when it counted. Those two men top our All-Ireland player ratings. Galway hit the front through a Shane Walsh free and a Johnny Heaney score, that was deflected over by a diving Stephen O’Brien. The […]

3 years ago

“I’d rather my mate cry on my shoulder than go to his funeral next week.” Paddy Pimblett had the O2 Arena rocking, heaving and then welling up after another impressive victory, followed by an emotional and powerful interview with Michael Bisping. ‘The Baddy’ [18-3] made good on his pre-fight predictions to see off American fighter […]

3 years ago

Respect for the Cats’ top dog. Henry Shefflin and Brian Cody, two absolute legends of Kilkenny hurling and two men who’s names will long be revered in their county, and across the island. As manager and star player, they won 10 All-Irelands, 13 Leinster SHC titles and six National Leagues, during their time together. Through […]

3 years ago

KILKENNY 1-13, GALWAY 0-12 Kilkenny ended up as comfortable, four-point victors over Galway to end the reign of the 2021 champions and tee up a final tilt against Cork. Michelle Teehan was named play of the match, but she was fortunate that camogie’s current rules deem just a yellow card for her deliberate foul on […]

3 years ago

“I’m not going to lie, it was extremely stressful.” Cork are headed to the All-Ireland Camogie Final, early next month, after eventually outgunning Munster rivals, Waterford at Croke Park. Ashling Thompson was a late addition to the Cork panel, and she had a massive impact on the result. Thompson was only cleared to play the […]

3 years ago

No-nonsense from Cody, as you’d expect! Brian Cody has stepped down as Kilkenny hurling manager and, 24 years on, a new era will begin with a new man at the tiller. The Cody accolades have, rightly, been flowing since the announcement was made, early on Saturday afternoon. Of all the playing and managerial glory he […]

3 years ago

Back for our end-of-season round-up, and there are a few changes. These are the best players and most influential men in Irish rugby, right now. Following the 2021 Six Nations, we sat down to compile our Top 20 rugby players in Ireland. The full, original list is here, but our top three was: Tadhg Furlong, […]

3 years ago

‘This was another really close call… ‘ When you are compiling a World XV of the best players operating on the globe, every position will require some serious mulling. Leading Welsh rugby writer Simon Thomas tackled the massive undertaking, this week, after the summer series of Test matches between the leading rugby nations. When all […]

3 years ago

“They have turned their backs on what has allowed them to get in this position.” Ahead of what could be his final competitive Open appearance at St Andrew’s Old Course, Tiger Woods firmly laid down his position on LIV Golf, LIV golfers, and players turning their backs on the PGA and DP World Tours. LIV […]

3 years ago

“It’s very Irish to think, ‘Oh, we have to take it easy now until the World Cup’.” Johnny Sexton [quoted above] and Andy Farrell are both determined to build on Ireland’s fantastic Test Series win over the All Blacks. The spin to New Zealand did wonders for the Ireland squad. While the four provinces are […]

3 years ago

“I decided not to demand that All Blacks head coach Ian Foster front late on Sunday morning. Not him.” It was hard not to feel for All Blacks head coach Ian Foster, on Saturday, after he had to bat away questions on his future in the role, after the Test Series loss to Ireland. The […]

3 years ago

“I know I have not always got it right.” Warren Gatland has now been British & Irish Lions head coach on three occasions, and assistant on the 2009 tour, and is the frontrunner to lead the Lions again in 2025 [feels ages away, right?]. Being tasked as the head coach to pick a squad of […]

3 years ago

We’d like to see the dossier, too. If anyone can help him, out there, Johnny Sexton would be interested in reading all the articles, opinion pieces and (if you have time) social media takes about himself and Ireland. Back in late 2020 and early in the 2021 Six Nations, Ireland were taking some heat for […]

3 years ago

Hands down, Peter O’Mahony is the winner in this one. “I used to get up early to watch the All Blacks play,” Peter O’Mahony said of his younger self after another historic night in New Zealand. Following Ireland’s 32-22 victory over the All Blacks, O’Mahony was openly weeping along the sideline as the final minutes […]

3 years ago

“Everyone in that dressing room knew there were moments.” There was a juddering sense of foreboding as Ireland’s players walked off the pitch, at Eden Park, on July 2. As they headed towards the tunnel and off toward the dressing room, not many were giving Andy Farrell’s men a chance. One more All Blacks notch […]

3 years ago

“A quick shout-out to our new Irish listeners – thanks for the feedback.” The reaction of New Zealand’s top rugby pundits to Ireland’s historic series win really does make it taste so much sweeter. Folks like John Kirwan, Liam Napier, Isa Nacewa, Liam Napier, Elliott Smith, Justin Marshall, Jeff Wilson, and more, are passionate Kiwis […]

3 years ago

As consistent and class as you can get. To beat the All Blacks in a Test Series in New Zealand, you need men to step up. Josh van der Flier did just that, but he was certainly not the only one. History has been made by this excellent set of Ireland players, and all that […]

3 years ago

We hope there was a happy ending to the ‘Lucy’s chicken’ saga, too! Bundee Aki may have only started one Test for Ireland on this end-of-season tour to New Zealand, but his reputation as one of the best centres in world rugby has only grown. Aki had the honour of captaining Ireland’s midweek team in […]

3 years ago

The scar tissue is considerable, at this stage. Being around this Ireland squad, and their back-room team, must be an uplifting experience. Tadhg Beirne outlined, on Saturday night in Wellington, how the players had sat together after they had conceded six tries in losing 42-19 to the All Blacks and confidently told each other, we’ve […]

3 years ago

A work of rugby jersey art. When Leinster and adidas reunited, a few seasons back, you knew they would one day produce a classic. They had some close calls, but the new Leinster jersey for 2022/23 is a sight to behold. The makers have conceived and produced a lovely piece of kit that should look […]

3 years ago

The raw honesty of the man, allied to his undoubted talent, is what makes so many people root for him. Rory McIlroy had his Open challenge thrumming away in fourth gear, heading into the back nine. He was two shots clear and had the par 5s at 12 and 14 to come. He was not […]

3 years ago

“I got beaten by the better player, this week.” Rory McIlroy was reflective and dignified in the aftermath of another close call at the majors. He will rue letting the 150th Open Championship slip through his fingers and Paul McGinley said the door was left open for Cameron Smith to burst through. The Northern Irishman […]

3 years ago

“Now you can hug me!” Cameron Smith shot a scarcely believable final round of 64 to win The Open Championship, and beat Cam Young and overnight co-leader Rory McIlroy in the process. The Northern Irishman was playing within himself and it looked to be working well. He started off level with Viktor Hovland, both men […]

3 years ago

“We’re building something special here.” Teamed up with Garry Ringrose or Bundee Aki, it mattered not to Robbie Henshaw. Facing Quinn Tupaea, David Havili, Rieko Ioane or whoever else the All Blacks fancied, it was all the same. Henshaw was going to get after it. The Leinster centre had another impactful performance in the Third […]

3 years ago

“What did you say? What did you say?” Eddie Jones achieved a great deal in his time as head coach with Australia, but some misguided souls must reckon he should have steered clear of Test rugby after that. After a successful Super Rugby stint with the Brumbies, Jones was coach of Australia from 2001 to […]

3 years ago

“It’s through the trenches that you grow and you become better.” Of all the New Zealand players that did not deserve to be on the losing side of the Third Test, let alone the series, Ardie Savea stands out like a beacon. The All Blacks No.8 was a sensation against Ireland and looked, for a […]

3 years ago

“This game is hard sometimes.” Shane Lowry rarely looked close enough at this Open Championship. He game was good, but it was far from where he wanted it to be. On Friday night, at St Andrew’s, Shane Lowry and Justin Thomas were on the 18th tee and both men seemed accepting of where they were […]

3 years ago

“It hasn’t quite sunk in.” James Lowe returned to New Zealand with a clear agenda – beat the side that he once dreamed of playing for. The Leinster winger pulls no punches about his long-held desire to represent the All Blacks at Test rugby. He clung to that hope until his mid 20s when it […]

3 years ago

The reactions of the Dustin Johnson, Scottie Scheffler and the whole 11th tee gallery said it all. Viktor Hovland may be doing all he can to spoil the major dreams of his Ryder Cup ‘Team Europe’ buddy, but he had to pay dues to Rory McIlroy here. Heading into the third round of The Open […]

3 years ago

“They’ve come and achieved something pretty special here and I think they deserve a bit of time in the sun for that.” New Zealand head coach Ian Foster was asked, on three separate occasions, if he was considering his position. His All Blacks side had just lost 32-22 to Ireland. New Zealand won the First […]

3 years ago

“What a game from the big man.” The pre-match tears from the likes of Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett and Dane Coles told you how much doing their country, and the All Blacks name, proud meant. New Zealand were not going to lose without one hell of a fight. Neither was Tadhg Beirne. Irish supporters used […]

3 years ago

“That was Cheese.” For the local media present, at Sky Stadium in Wellington, they may have needed a minute before realising Johnny Sexton was talking about James Ryan. The Ireland captain was referring to a moment in the game, 65 minutes in, when his side were awarded a penalty by Wayne Barnes that could put […]

3 years ago

“Olé, Olé, Olééééé!” As Sky Sport NZ showed floods of black-clad New Zealand fans heading back towards Wellington downtown, Johnny Sexton and his Irish teammates did a lap of honour around ‘The Cake Tin’. A decade ago, Ireland came to New Zealand and pushed the All Blacks close, in Christchurch. They got thumped in the […]

3 years ago

Top of the world, for the second time since the ratings began. For the past three decades, the World Rugby [formerly International Rugby Board] rankings have tallied the best runs for the best sides on the planet. The latest Ireland rankings boost will be confirmed on Monday. Ireland defeated New Zealand 32-22 in Wellington to […]

3 years ago

AUSTRALIA 17-21 ENGLAND In the final ever Test rugby game at the Sydney Cricket Ground, England were able to stave off an Australian comeback. Dylan Hartley feels they are building nicely to the 2023 World Cup. England went 3-0 ahead through Owen Farrell but Australia looked dangerous with ball-in-hand. After one close call, the Wallabies […]

3 years ago

The Munster man couldn’t contain himself. Ireland beat New Zealand 32-22 at Sky Stadium, in Wellington, and claimed a first ever series win over their hosts in the process. For the second weekend running, Ireland were able to back up their flying start to lead at half-time. However, whereas Ireland only led 10-7 in Dunedin, […]

3 years ago

If you can see it, you can be it. For long the motto for the brilliant 20×20 campaign, around women’s sports, Peter O’Mahony co-opted it when describing just what Ireland’s Test Series win will mean to the next generation, back home. O’Mahony wrung the last effort of his season out on the Sky Stadium pitch […]

3 years ago

NEW ZEALAND 22-32 IRELAND Wellington was the setting Andy Farrell’s Irish side created history against the All Blacks. Here are our full Ireland player ratings after another night to remember. Ireland started superbly in the opening stages, for the third Test running, and were rewarded with a rolling maul try for Josh van der Flier. […]

3 years ago

It was a simple, lovely show of respect. As Tiger Woods walked to the 18th tee at the St Andrew’s Old Course, possibly for the final time as a professional golfer, he had only one thought on his mind. Woods was +9 and knew he would not be sticking around for the weekend, at The […]

3 years ago