Get him back in that Ireland squad! Ireland may yet lose out of top goalscoring prospect Tom Cannon, after the English FA took a keen interest, but Robbie Keane is still banging them in. Keane was part of the World XI side, captained by Olympic legend Usain Bolt, that claimed the Soccer Aid honours, on […]

3 years ago

Seamus Coleman needs to have a word (or two). Ireland boss Stephen Kenny has confirmed he was told by the agent of Tom Cannon that the Everton forward had been approached by the English FA with an eye to him switching international allegiances. The 20-year-old, who is from Aintree in Liverpool, has represented Ireland at […]

3 years ago

Post-match footage showed the injured Leinster captain approaching the match officials to share some thoughts. Johnny Sexton could be facing the prospect of missing World Cup warm-up matches, and some games in the tournament, should the EPCR decide to slap him with a severe punishment relating to his actions during and after the Champions Cup […]

3 years ago

Living and breathing every moment. One French reporter got much more than he bargained for as he took his seat for Saturday’s Top 14 semi-final between the La Rochelle side of Ronan O’Gara and Union Bordeaux-Begles. The Top 14 semis were contested at Anoeta Stadium in San Sebastian, Spain, over the weekend. Toulouse doled out […]

3 years ago

The dozen players that missed out show the quality Andy Farrell has available to him. Andy Farrell and his 42-man Ireland training squad will assemble on June 19 ahead of the first full day of World Cup preparations. A host of the Ireland squad have been taking holidays with family members and attending weddings, of […]

3 years ago

Sound the bells and get the draw-bridge up! Tom Cannon enjoyed a fine 2022/23 as he made his senior Everton debut, had a successful loan spell with Preston, scored on his Ireland U21 debut and was called into Stephen Kenny’s Ireland training squad. The Aintree native has Irish parents and has been in this country’s […]

3 years ago

The 37-year-old equalled two Italian legends on Saturday night. Scott Carson has played four Champions League games in his footballing career and is now a two-time winner of the prestigious tournament. The veteran goalkeeper picked up his second Champions League winners’ medal, at Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul, for being part of a Manchester City squad […]

3 years ago

The move did not go down well after the live broadcast. ‘Everything is in safe hands,’ posted BT Sport presenter Des Kelly as he posted a pre-match picture alongside Peter Schmeichel on Saturday afternoon. Little did he know… It was the calm before the footballing storm that would rumble on that evening at Ataturk Stadium, […]

3 years ago

“Honestly, it is absolutely incredible.” Declan Rice and his West Ham teammates were in flying form as they enjoyed a raucous, sun-soaked home-coming in East London after their Europa Conference League triumph, on Wednesday, in Prague. The Londoners started the party late last night and kept it going as hordes of Hammers supporters welcomed back […]

3 years ago

“We have to find a way.” Back in October 2022, near the end of an hour-long chat with David Nucifora, the prospect of an IRFU stake in London Irish was put to the IRFU Performance Director. It was not a shot in the dark, rather a natural query after the Australian had openly mused how […]

3 years ago

Brought to you by William Hill. “We weren’t really looked upon necessarily with a great fondness or affection.” Keith Long is a long established League of Ireland legend, having played over a dozen years in the league before transitioning to management. He also had a stint at Stoke City as a promising teenager. Long, who […]

3 years ago

“Yeah, look, it was heated.” Rory McIlroy garnered plenty of headlines, and barbs from disgruntled players and reporters, when he skipped media duties and went to ground after missing the cut at The Masters. What made it such a story is that McIlroy rarely shirks the tough questions and is renowned for laying himself bare […]

3 years ago

Insult to injury. David De Gea had a rollercoaster end to the 2022/23 season and Zlatan Ibrahimovic just inadvertently provided him with one more queasy dip. The Swedish international brought down the curtain on his playing career, at the age of 41, last weekend and was given a rousing send-off by AC Milan fans. He […]

3 years ago

“Yeah it was a surprise but I knew there had been discussion going on. I knew lines of communications were open.” Rory McIlroy has addressed the media about the new deal between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund [PIF] that has created shockwaves in professional golf. The new agreement, which will […]

3 years ago

Another raft of rugby players and club staff will be desperately seeking employment over the coming weeks and months. In the end, for a club that celebrates a 125-year anniversary in October, the hammer dropped for London Irish staff and supporters in just 70 words on the club website. ‘The club can confirm that London […]

3 years ago

“I think we’ve been bullied!” Jill Scott and Micah Richards got some working over from Roy Keane and Gary Neville as the quartert considered and debated selections for a ‘Manchester Derby Combined XI’. The piece, which was recorded to coincide with the FA Cup final between the two clubs, followed on from a Manchester derby […]

3 years ago

“He has just been putting in serious performances.” The Top 14 title is yet to be decided but the rest of the big trophies in European rugby have been handed out. Munster climbed back from a disastrous United Rugby Championship opening stretch to end up as champions. As a result, that late Munster surge has […]

3 years ago

As callow and money-hungry as you can get. Golf’s uncivil war is over, less than two years after it started, as the PGA and DP World Tours have agreed to merge with breakaway entity, LIV Golf. A joint press release has, this afternoon, confirmed the PGA and DP World tours had reached ‘a landmark agreement […]

3 years ago

“It will only become an issue if Hugo picks up a big injury.” Since taking over as Ireland head coach, after the 2019 World Cup, no player has started more for the world number one side than Hugo Keenan. The Kildare native made his Test debut in a November 2020 win over Italy, scoring two […]

3 years ago

“Can we just mention one thing, actually.” It took 24 minutes and 33 seconds on the final House of Rugby episode of the season to get properly stuck into what a find Munster have in Jack Crowley. The 23-year-old had 13 appearances [five starts] last season but 2022/23 was the campaign that saw him snatch […]

3 years ago

“Pretty amazing.” Tom McKibbin was ear-marked as one to watch from the age of 10, up at Holywood Golf Club. At the age of 20, last Sunday, he repaid a large chunk of that belief by winning his first major professional golf tournament. The Belfast native shot a closing round of 70 to win the […]

3 years ago

Great to see the former Open winner in such great form. “I had to wear my pants today,” explained Shane Lowry as he prepared for another tilt at The Memorial Tournament. “It’s pretty warm, but it is okay.” Lowry caught up with Michael Collins, with Sirius XM PGA Tour Radio, during the Wednesday Pro-Am and […]

3 years ago

We’re sure Jürgen Klopp will be delighted with this. Stephen Kenny has, not for the first time, aired his opinion that Caoimhin Kelleher needs to move on from Liverpool and establish himself as a No.1 with another club. The Ireland manager was speaking at a press conference after his squad for games against Greece and […]

3 years ago

It’s not all good news for Erik ten Hag. Manchester United may still be in the process of a possible takeover, with the Glazer family either moving on or reducing their stake in the club, but some squad activity is underway. The club, it has been widely reported, has agreed personal terms with Chelsea midfielder […]

3 years ago

We have the Connacht winger and Johnny Sexton to thank for this! Mack Hansen told SportsJOE, a week after winning the 2023 Six Nations Grand Slam, that he would get a tattoo of Andy Farrell somewhere on his person. He has proved good on those words. The 25-year-old, who already has a tattoo of Connacht teammate […]

3 years ago

Brought to you by William Hill. “He’s somehow underrated and overrated at the same time… if that makes any sense?!” Many of European football’s top leagues are wrapping for the season, with some big cup competitions yet to be decided, including Saturday’s FA Cup final. It was a suitable time, then, to hand out some […]

3 years ago

The Derry native won 18 international caps for Northern Ireland. Paddy McCourt has been found guilty, after a two-day trial at Derry Magistrates’ Court, of sexual assault. The 39-year-old, of Wheatfield Court in Muff, County Donegal was accused of inappropriately touching a woman at a bar in Derry city centre, in January 2022. McCourt, who […]

3 years ago

“As the crow flies, Micah. He’s not flying down the M6!” The evolution of Roy Keane from surly, old-school, ‘just try harder’ pundit to comic gem continues at pace. As he gets further and further from his playing and managerial days, the former Manchester United and Ireland captain is easing off the throttle and enjoying […]

3 years ago

Andy Farrell has a lot of credit in the bank. A LOT. Ireland have named a 42-man training squad for the World Cup and will meet up in June to begin preparations for the big dance. When you step back and take a look at it, there are no ground-quaking shocks. Joey Carbery and Jordan […]

3 years ago

These are the men that will be gunning for the final 33-man squad, later this year. Andy Farrell has announced his 42-man Ireland squad that will meet and train together for the 2023 World Cup. There had been speculation that it could be 45 players in the first cut, but Farrell has a clear plan […]

3 years ago

‘One more year, one more year!’ There were some great scenes at Thomond Park, on Monday, as Munster fans turned out in their rapturous droves to welcome back the newly minted United Rugby Championship winners. Keith Earls and John Hodnett were the star turns. Munster supporters have been following their team all over Ireland, Europe […]

3 years ago

“It’s a great day, and I think we should start off with a sing-song!” Munster are the 2022/23 United Rugby Championship top dogs and both Greg O’Shea and Jason Hennessy were howling about it from the rooftops. Graham Rowntree’s champions arrived back in Limerick this morning and had a rousing reception from the Munster supporters […]

3 years ago

Even with these extra picks, there will be some real quality players left out. Picking an Ireland squad, even with a bunch of additional options, is harder than ever. On Tuesday, Andy Farrell will announce a 45-man training squad for the 2023 World Cup. Yes, Munster may have won the United Rugby Championship on Sunday […]

3 years ago

The Stormers were magnanimous in defeat to Munster, post-match, but two of their starting XV may regret some early celebrations. Stormers head coach John Dobson was full of praise for the Munster side that defeated his men 19-14 in a hard-fought United Rugby Championship Final, on Saturday. So, too, was his captain, Steven Kitshoff. Munster […]

3 years ago

This is the man that has forced these Munster players to dig deeper for victory. Munster’s players, staff, coaches and fans are living it up in Cape Town after ending a long wait for silverware. Graham Rowntree spoke superbly after the dramatic Munster win. Munster claimed their first title since 2011 after they defeated Stormers […]

3 years ago

“We stuck at it, and it means the world.” Munster are the 2022/23 United Rugby Championship winners and there is going to be one hell of a party in Cape Town, with Peter O’Mahony and Graham Rowntree both in the mix. Munster trailed Stormers 14-12 until the closing stages of the final, at DHL Stadium, […]

3 years ago

STORMERS 14-19 MUNSTER Munster have ended 12 years of trophy-less hurt with a stunning URC Final win in Cape Town, over Stormers. Our full Munster player ratings are littered with lads who left everything out there. Manie Libbok opened the scoring for Stormers after intercepting a rash Antoine Frisch offload attempt. He raced free and […]

3 years ago

“They careered through the doors as if they were raiding a Wild West saloon.” There was a moment, perfectly described by Gordon Strachan in ‘The United Way’, when Alex Ferguson came in for one of his first training sessions as Manchester United boss. From the laid-back, fun-loving Ron Atkinson, who delivered a couple of FA […]

3 years ago

“The smell of nostalgia off ya!” 2011 marks the last time Munster Rugby won some silverware, and only three of the match-day squad from that day are still active. Munster face Stormers in the 2022/23 United Rugby Championship Final, this weekend, and will be hoping to get the job done after three previous final defeats […]

3 years ago

“It doesn’t always work perfectly.” Andy Farrell has signed an Ireland contract extension until August 2025, yet recent rugby developments have led to speculation on his eventual successor. Brian O’Driscoll believes Paul O’Connell is next in line. Ronan O’Gara leading La Rochelle to their second Champions Cup trophy in the space of two seasons has […]

3 years ago

“There’s nothing bonus about this.” Munster are in Cape Town and preparing for this Saturday’s United Rugby Championship Final against Stormers [kick-off 5:30pm]. While not many outside the province expected Graham Rowntree’s side to make it this far, do not tell Jean Kleyn and his teammates this final is a free hit. It has been […]

3 years ago

“What’s this mad Irishman at?!” As he sat at the top table in the winners’ post-match briefing at Aviva Stadium, on Saturday evening, Ronan O’Gara extolled the virtues of his La Rochelle side. “It was easy to jump ship today, but they did the opposite,” O’Gara marvelled. As rugby reporters, most of us in the […]

3 years ago

“He was just thrown out, like a piece of rubbish.” Two Munster men sitting back and giving their red-tinted take on how Ronan O’Gara was mistreated by Ireland, the IRFU and the media. Ignoring the pedestrianisation of Grafton Street just for the sake of Johnny Sexton. How had it come to this? That last thought […]

3 years ago

“We knew exactly how they were going to play.” The word ‘bottling’ was mentioned, but only in the YouTube title for the clip uploaded from Sky New Zealand’s show, The Breakdown. Leinster deserve better than that. Last summer, Kiwi pundits held their arms aloft and declared that Andy Farrell’s Ireland had properly schooled their All […]

3 years ago

“We’re seen as the little team but that is about to change.” On this week’s House of Rugby, it was time to give La Rochelle their proper dues, ask tough questions about Leinster, revel in ROG leaning into the underdog role and to look ahead to Munster’s URC Final big day out, in Cape Town. […]

3 years ago

“It’s effectively the Ireland team.” Before Gregory Alldritt and his La Rochelle teammates left Leinster battered and beaten again – by the narrowest or margins, again – former England and Lions star Lawrence Dallaglio made an astute observation. Our Jason Hennessy caught up with Dallaglio pitch-side at Aviva Stadium, on Saturday, as he was preparing […]

3 years ago

“I mean, it was a lot worse than I let on to you guys; let on to everybody.” Brooks Koepka was laying it all out there after he captured the US PGA Championship at Oak Hill, on Sunday, to become a five-time major winner. The American, who jumped from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf […]

3 years ago

The beers are on Blocky! 46-year-old club professional Michael Block from southern California carded an incredible grand slam hole-in-one, playing alongside Rory McIlroy. Block, who had got into the US PGA Championship through the qualifiers, was in disbelief on Saturday evening when he learned he would be paired with McIlroy, a four-time major winner, for […]

3 years ago

“You have got to earn that right.” There is no real disputing it. Ronan O’Gara is going to coach Ireland some day [don’t be surprised if Johnny Sexton does, too]. Every Test nation in the world would be foolish if they were to consider their next head coach, when the time comes, and not seek […]

3 years ago

Keane was still sore after the pair had a pre-match debate. Ahead of Manchester City’s home game against Chelsea, Roy Keane and Micah Richards went for a stroll on the Eastlands pitch with Geoff Shreeves. With City having wrapped up step one of the treble quest, talk is already rife about this side being potentially […]

3 years ago