“We can’t any sport and you need a break from the news, so it has to be repeats of Emmerdale!” Gareth Thomas and his partner Ian Baum live in a remote part of the Welsh countryside so self-isolation won’t be too much of a stretch for them. When we catch up, over the phone, for […]

6 years ago

“The seriousness of the occasion probably hit me on that third try.” On March 19, back in 2000, Warren Gatland took his Ireland side to the Stade de France to take on a French side jammed with menacing forwards and exciting backs. Les Bleus had won the previous 13 meetings in Paris but Brian O’Driscoll […]

6 years ago

‘The road forward from this crisis is not a clear one.’ The Coronavirus pandemic is exacting a bigger toll from communities, the world over, with each passing day. With no return date in sight for the League of Ireland, and no regular money coming in, Sligo Rovers has taken a hard but necessary step to […]

6 years ago

Can you name every club side the Derry native has played for? James McClean has played for seven teams across his 16-year senior career. In 550+ club games, across championships in England and Ireland, the Ireland midfielder has scored 69 goals and has over 80 assists. He has 11 goals in 102 international appearances [but […]

6 years ago

A big victory in Wales one night, getting ready for lock-down in Italy the next. The Benetton Treviso players were just as shocked as millions more Italians when, on March 7, Prime Minster Giussepe Conte announced that new lock-down measures were to be put in place across the whole of the country. On the same day […]

6 years ago

No Baz this week, but the show goes on. This time last week, Barry Murphy and Andrew Trimble conceded it could be their last House of Rugby for a while. This morning, Trimble joined forces with Producer Pat and a dedicated crew to ensure there was another high-quality show to enjoy. With Murphy on his […]

6 years ago

A chilling insight to life in locked-down Italy from two Irish rugby stars. When the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak occurred in Wuhan, China, most of us looked on with a huge amount of sympathy while hoping against hope – and telling ourselves – that it would not cross our door-steps. Today, we are barely able to […]

6 years ago

Time to play your part. While many of the UK’s leading sportswriters headed off to watch Non-League football in order to file copy for the Sunday papers, the UFC was staging a professional contest in Brazil and Dana White was loving the engagement. At a time when every other major sport in America was grinding […]

6 years ago

“You can’t ever explain to them how much it meant to me at the time.” Rory Best, we think you just did. For Tadhg Furlong and Cian Healy, it was a gesture of respect. To their departing teammate, it meant the world. Ireland’s World Cup adventure in Japan was not supposed to go the way […]

6 years ago

Absolutely horrendous. On the same night that Jan Vertonghen and his Tottenham teammates were in Germany trying to salvage their one last hope of a cup win, his family were victims of a terrifying home invasion. Police in England have confirmed the Spurs and Belgium defender’s house was broken into on the same evening that […]

6 years ago

“Today’s overreaction could look like tomorrow’s underreaction.” Rory McIlroy rarely shies away from a question, but he has taken some more proactive steps in recent years. The Co. Down native, and current world number one, was the voice of reason when golf officials opted to cancel the Players Championship, at Sawgrass, and a number of […]

6 years ago

“Things change.” On four previous occasions, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson have been slated to face off in The Octagon only for the fight to get cancelled. We were trying not to get our hopes up for UFC 249 but, still… Last weekend, as a precursor for UFC 248 in Las Vegas, Nurmagomedov and Ferguson […]

6 years ago

“None of us know in this moment what the final outcome will be, but as a team we have to have belief that the authorities make decisions based on sound judgement and morality.” He may have been reluctant to add to the chatter but Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp understood that he could use his platform […]

6 years ago

This is set to be a classic. The UFC is set to return to Dublin in August of this year and the promotion is lining up one hell of a main event. It has been reported by ESPN that UFC Dublin will play host to what will surely be a No.1 title contender match-up. Former UFC […]

6 years ago

“At the moment, we are not thinking about changing plans or postponing the Games.” At the moment. Strong words and bold stances are shifting and receding on a daily basis. The ongoing turmoil caused by the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak was always going to hit sporting events hard and it looks as though that may affect […]

6 years ago

Ireland’s top players will have to be managed carefully. A lot of the talk about sporting fixtures and events affected by the Coronavirus outbreak include the term, ‘When this is all over’. We can only hope that the pandemic does not stretch on indefinitely and that the spread can be controlled while the search for […]

6 years ago

Stick the kettle on… Part of what made Paul O’Connell the very best rugby player he could be, and one of the world’s best locks, was his drive and attention to detail. British & Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland worked with O’Connell on the 2009 (South Africa) and 2013 (Australia) tours and rates a […]

6 years ago

Two red cards but we’re all talking about the one that got away. Only Joe Marler can truly tell you what was going on in his head when he decided to grab at Alun Wyn Jones genitals during England’s weekend win over Wales in the Guinness Six Nations. The England prop has since been cited […]

6 years ago

The championship has been blown wide open. If this one gets the midweek go-ahead, all eyes will be on Ireland France next Saturday night. Victory for Scotland over 14-man France has ended Les Bleus’ hopes of claiming their first Grand Slam since 2010. A late try by France captain Charles Ollivon may yet prove vital […]

6 years ago

SCOTLAND 28-17 FRANCE France gonna France. Les Bleus Grand Slam hopes are in tatters after defeat at Murrayfield. Their 2020 Guinness Six Nations chances have taken a hammer blow, too. All because of a moment of reckless stupidity. Scotland started off the championship with defeats against Ireland and England but they have now rebounded with […]

6 years ago

In the next few weeks, Conor McGregor’s next fight should become clearer. Fresh from his first round dismantling of Donald Cerrone, at UFC 246, ‘The Notorious’ is staying fight ready in case the UFC 249 main event falls through. Justin Gaethje is following events closely too. McGregor may have fought at welterweight in three of […]

6 years ago

“That was the greatest fight I have ever called in women’s MMA. An amazing, incredibly close fight.” Joe Rogan has been calling women’s bouts in the UFC since 2012 and has been cage-side for bouts featuring the likes of Ronda Rousey, Holy Holm, Valentins Shevchenko, Miesha Tate and many more. So his take on the […]

6 years ago

ENGLAND 33-30 WALES England are 2020 Triple Crown champions. For the first time since 2007, Wales have lost three Six Nations games on the spin. Those are two of the main takeaways from an absorbing, bruising encounter at Twickenham but a lot of talk, over the coming days, will be about citings and ill discipline. […]

6 years ago

“I go a little bit… a little bit crazy, yes.” Tony Ferguson will see this as a minor victory on his way to the main event at UFC 249. Khabib Nurmagomedov lost his composure after assuring us all, not so long ago, that those antagonistic days were behind him. For Nurmagomedov, he must pine for […]

6 years ago

A few years back, when he was coaching at Racing 92, Ronan O’Gara recalled some interactions with All Blacks legend Joe Rokocoko. “You get a guy like Joe in there and he’s so humble,” said Ronan O’Gara. “At times you talk to him and you feel like he’s in his first year of rugby, because […]

6 years ago

How have we got to the stage where Jose Mourinho is engaged in a one-way war of words with an 18-year-old? Troy Parrott got his fourth senior start for Tottenham, on Wednesday night, and he had a good clutch of minutes to make an impression. Having just turned 18 last month, this in itself is […]

6 years ago

There’s backing yourself, and then there’s backing yourself. Adam Idah was making just his fifth ever senior appearance for Norwich City and it happened to be in the heady atmosphere of an FA Cup fifth round clash with Tottenham, away from home. The 19-year-old from Cork was brought on by Canaries boss Daniel Farke as his […]

6 years ago

The teenage striker put his hand up and backed himself, but Tim Krul takes some beating. Troy Parrott will wear this one for a while but the save that denied him was highly dubious. Tottenham have been eliminated from the FA Cup at the fifth round stage after losing to Norwich 3-2 on penalties after […]

6 years ago

“He’s one of us.” In his early days at Leinster, and in his first few involvements with the Ireland team, Paul O’Connell was keeping a close eye on Sean O’Brien. He reckoned he would make a fine Munster player. During a House of Rugby show, down in Limerick, late last year, former Munster and Ireland […]

6 years ago

“He was so small and we were these fat rugby players. I thought he must be looking at us like we’re idiots.” During his recent appearance on The Late Late Show, former Manchester United and Ireland captain Roy Keane was introduced to avid United fan Daragh Curley. The 10-year-old from Donegal had been invited on […]

6 years ago

A portent of things to come between Saracens and England? Two statements made on the one player in the same day but both telling a different story. Saracens and England have failed to get their ducks in a row regarding Mako Vunipola and a Coronavirus “precaution”. Last week, both Mako and Billy Vunipola travelled to […]

6 years ago

“Getting him in for exposure, early on, would be good.” That was Andrew Trimble’s take on Ryan Baird, Leinster’s latest rising star, at around 10:21am on Monday. “Yeah,” Jerry Flannery agreed. “Play him as soon as possible.” Within 30 minutes on that exchange, Baird received his first ever full senior call-up. House of Rugby would […]

6 years ago

The 2020 Guinness Six Nations could yet be decided a couple of months before we all start gearing up for the 2021 edition. Ireland’s trio of home Six Nations ties against Italy (men’s, women’s and Under 20s) were all postponed last week but the future of the championships remains in doubt as governments across the […]

6 years ago

“He is not ready.” As if he had not fully made his point, Jose Mourinho repeated his stance on Troy Parrott. “He’s not ready.” Here in Ireland, we are excited by Troy Parrott’s potential and would love to see him getting more game time with Tottenham. The 18-year-old has already proven his worth for Ireland […]

6 years ago

Six clean sheets from the previous seven games but this error was bad enough to reignite a goalkeeping debate. Between David De Gea and Sergio Romero, Manchester United goalkeepers had conceded just one goal in seven games heading into their Premier League clash with Everton. Within minutes of the kick-off, at Goodison Park, De Gea […]

6 years ago

At two different grounds, 270 kilometres apart but within a minute of each other, Ireland’s right back “conundrum” could have been sorted. Matt Doherty is doing all he can to be Ireland’s starting right-back for their huge match at the end of this month. On March 26,  Ireland take on Slovakia in a Euro 2020 […]

6 years ago

Was it only nine days ago that Roy Keane almost had us convinced he was mellowing out? Sitting on the Late Late Show couch with an adorable labrador cradled on his lap and playfully advising young Manchester United and Irish rugby fan Darragh Curley to play for Munster, Roy Keane had us all fooled. Back […]

6 years ago

It was all going so well for Connacht, but they rallied superbly after the red card set-back. Andy Friend’s side raced into a 14-0 lead after 6 minutes against Southern Kings but were soon dragged into a dog-fight by some indiscipline and a tough call. Peter Robb came on as a 10th minute sub and […]

6 years ago

SHAMROCK ROVERS 3-2 DUNDALK Mick McCarthy and Terry Connors will have surely filled a notepad (or three) at Tallaght Stadium tonight. Shamrock Rovers are top of the SSE Airtricity League after coming from 2-1 down to beat the champions 3-2 in a thrilling encounter played out in steady rain in front of a rapt audience. […]

6 years ago

LEINSTER 55-19 GLASGOW Nineteen not out. “Ryan Baird, the star of the future!” declared Tommy Bowe at the end of Leinster’s latest whomping of an over-run Glasgow Warriors side. How about the star of right now? The 20-year-old Leinster academy lock was playing in only his sixth game of his professional career, on just his […]

6 years ago

Set the alarm and keep track of this one as nothing is certain yet. Mayo are set to face Kerry in an Allianz Leagues encounter, at MacHale Park in Castlebar, that will have a huge impact on their league fortunes. Victory for James Horan’s side will see them still in with a chance of reaching […]

6 years ago

The first episode of Trasna an Líne was thoroughly enjoyable and the second should not disappoint. TG4’s Trasna an Liné [Across the Line] is the sort of sporting documentary that we would love to see more of in this country. Great access, an interesting topic, engaging characters and some class story-telling and videography all combine […]

6 years ago

Spare us the excuses, and the pious hand-wringing. Just before Christmas, with my sister and brother-in-law back from England and my dad chuffed to catch up with us all and have a few drinks, we headed along to Leinster’s Guinness PRO14 match against Ulster. Usually seated in the press seats, or on a watching brief […]

6 years ago

“That’s on us… we have to control what’s in front of our faces.” James Ryan was spared the usual Monday morning match review, this week, and Tuesday too. It was only Wednesday and Thursday when the bulk of the Irish squad – although without Cian Healy (injured) and released Connacht players Dave Heffernan and Ultan […]

6 years ago

“Conor Murray is in a funk… He’s a great player but nothing is going right.” When Conor Murray leaves the Test match fray well before we get to 60 minutes, he is either injured of something has gone badly wrong. Mike Tindall believes the Munster scrumhalf could do with a spell on the sidelines, in […]

6 years ago

“I’m not going to say I’m the oracle to Irish rugby, but… “ On Sunday, at Twickenham, there were a lot of Irish rugby supporters hoping their side could prove Mike Tindall wrong. Come kick-off, many believed their side could hobble the World Cup finalists and win the Triple Crown. By 5pm another demoralising defeat […]

6 years ago

“It was men against boys. No, that’s too harsh. It was firemen against teachers.” For the third time in succession, England have handed out a royal beating to Ireland on the rugby field. Sunday saw Ireland’s Triple Crown and Grand Slam hopes dashed as England’s greater physicality, gamesmanship and tactics left Andy Farrell’s men reeling. […]

6 years ago

None of these player ratings make for pretty viewing. Following Ireland’s 24-12 defeat to England at Twickenham, on Sunday, Robbie Henshaw and Peter O’Mahony [both getting 7/10] topped our playings rating piece. On the flip side, Conor Murray [4] and Johnny Sexton [3] were judged to have been well under-par. Only a handful of Irish […]

6 years ago

“I need to look at myself for that.” It was a line that Andy Farrell pulled out more than once as he digested his first defeat as Ireland head coach. Farrell and his captain Johnny Sexton wanted to portray that this was a bad stumble, but a stumble nonetheless. After getting past Scotland and Wales, […]

6 years ago

Eight changes but more than enough quality to put a beating on the Italians. “Well Johnny,” Virgin Media’s Sinead Kissane asked, “was that one of the toughest days of your career out there?” “Not really,” replied Sexton. If 2019 never happened, we may well have struggled to believe the Ireland captain. 2019 did happen, though, […]

6 years ago