That Ireland U18 team had some top prospects. Back in April 2011, Chris Farrell (inside centre) and Robbie Henshaw (outside) were the midfield pairing as Ireland took out France and England to win the European Under-18 championships. Captained by Luke McGrath, who was starting scrum-half and primary goal-kicker, Ireland were too good for France in […]

5 years ago

For McGregor, the symmetry is almost too good to deny. December 12th 2015 saw Conor McGregor spark out Jose Aldo at UFC 194 to become featherweight champion and realise his fighting dreams. After a severely disrupted 2019 and 2020, some of it at his own doing, ‘The Notorious’ is back in good shape and focused […]

5 years ago

Blended meals, soups and smoothies. A liquid diet, and not the sort that would give you much joy. All for the cause, says Garry Ringrose as he speaks with us from his home with his Aviva hoodie on, air-buds in and a healing jaw that still has some swelling on one side. The Leinster centre […]

5 years ago

34 players are currently in the Ireland squad and all are set to get some game-time in the Autumn Nations Cup. It would be far too easy to look at Ireland’s failings in France and the matchday 23 Andy Farrell has named to face Wales, this coming Friday, and do some simple math. Rob Herring, […]

5 years ago

Better the devil you know. James Lowe loves playing Munster. He lives for games against Leinster’s old rivals. As soon as he landed in Ireland, he was up to speed. He was well aware of the rivalry before he touched down in Dublin but Isa Nacewa was quick to fill in the blanks. The Leinster […]

5 years ago

A whole new ball-game. With the 2020 Guinness Six Nations now in the rearview mirror, Andy Farrell is looking forward to a second bite at the silverware cherry. Farrell has, today, named a strong Ireland team to face Wales in the tournament opener on Friday evening. Ireland kick off against Wayne Pivac’s Wales in the […]

5 years ago

“We just need to stick together.” Asked at today’s press briefing, at the IRFU High Performance Centre, where Ireland can improve from their last game out [a 35-27 loss to France], captain Johnny Sexton remarks, “Where do we start? Everything really.” We are nine days removed from that Irish defeat and Sexton is still fielding […]

5 years ago

Take it to the limit, one more time. The SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz is looking back on a wild weekend of knock-out GAA action, Premier League movers and shakers and looking ahead to the Masters. There are 18s and 19s out there today, but who can get all 20 right? Let us know, either way! […]

5 years ago

“When you get shot down so many times, you reach rock bottom.” Given his current trajectory, and importance to both Munster and Ireland, CJ Stander will soon reach 200 games (combined) for his province and his adopted country. While that landmark achievement would not have surprised most Irish rugby fans that witnessed him in action […]

5 years ago

“We were like the walking wounded, going through that airport.” First with Sevens and then with the senior women’s team, Eimear Considine has combined the honour of lining out for Ireland with her teaching duties. That, along with juggling punditry work and personal commitments, can make for a hectic life, but she wouldn’t have it […]

5 years ago

“You could get the spaces will open up a bit more. There’ll be a bit more gaps for people to get through.” Nigel Owens describes his decision to get into refereeing as one that was made for him when he missed a last-minute kick to win his beleaguered team a rare schools cup game. His […]

5 years ago

“For me it is anywhere on the pitch. If a coach says, ‘Jacob we need you play 12 this week’, I’ll give it a go.” For Jacob Stockdale, he gets to live out his insecurities and confidence issues in front of us all. That is his lot as a leading player with this Ireland team. […]

5 years ago

“We’ll be keeping an eye on a number of players.” Warren Gatland will go down as one of the legendary British & Irish Lions figures, but he has the chance of doing something incredibly special in South Africa, next summer. Having been assistant coach to Ian McGeechan on the 2009 tour to South Africa, the […]

5 years ago

The England No.1 responded rashly after dropping a ball into the box. Jordan Pickford was extremely fortunate not to concede a penalty and receive a caution after another rash, feet-first challenge in his box. Just three weeks after the Everton goalkeeper injured Virgil van Dijk with a knee-high challenge (pictured below), during a drawn encounter […]

5 years ago

“And that’s why when people tell me, ‘Oh, you can’t be yourself in rugby’, I say, ‘Well yes you can’.” Back in 1997, Nigel Owens was struggling to come to terms with his sexuality and attempted suicide by filling up on whiskey and over-dosing on paracetamol. He was discovered on a mountainside, brought by helicopter […]

5 years ago

“Whatcha gonna do, brother, when Hulkamania runs wild on YOU?!” The SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz is kicking off with sporting cameos in the WWE (and old-school WWE) before cracking into your classic geography, records and general knowledge rounds. Let’s get it on!

5 years ago

Not many people would have seen this retirement coming. New Ireland boss Stephen Kenny will have to do without the services of David McGoldrick. A statement on the Sheffield United star reads: ‘The 32-year old striker has made 14 appearances for the Republic of Ireland, having made his debut in November 2014 in a 4-1 […]

5 years ago

“Sometimes the ball can take a real awkward bounce all of a sudden and sometimes it feels a bit unfair.” When Jacob Stockdale slotted the November 4 date in his diary – to help launch Maxol’s annual charity Christmas fundraiser for Aware – he was doing so as a player full of optimism about winning […]

5 years ago

Most of us suspected there would be disruptions to this year’s championship, but this is a big one. Galway look set to advance to the Connacht Senior Football Championship final after the Covid-affected Sligo panel withdrew from their semi-final. A statement from Sligo GAA reads: ‘Sligo GAA have taken the tough decision to withdraw from […]

5 years ago

“I’ve been trying to get on your show for a while!” CJ Stander meets House of Rugby Ireland and, for 20 minutes at least, all is right with the world again. Ever since the show started, getting CJ Stander on for a chat has been high on the list of goals. We’ve had Tana Umaga, Victor […]

5 years ago

The end of a long and painful road, and tangible hope of brighter days ahead. Monday night at Scotstoun and a picture of sheer happiness. Dan Leavy two games into his comeback and David Hawkshaw fresh from his senior Leinster debut. In February then March 2019, Leinster lost an up-and-coming backline talent and their starting […]

5 years ago

The Autumn Nations Cup could see the talented young forward make his Ireland debut. Earlier this year, when the country was in Lockdown No.1, Ryan Baird spoke with House of Rugby Ireland about the improvements he was trying to make – physically, mentally and with his game – during the break in play. He also spoke […]

5 years ago

“People get a bit giddy.” It is a tackle that people still talk about, 11 years on, and Brian O’Driscoll is gearing up to re-live it all over again. Earlier this year, during Lockdown No.1, Victor Matfield spoke with us on House of Rugby Ireland about the epic Lions versus South Africa series from 2009. […]

5 years ago

Some exciting and experienced names are back in the picture. Andrew Conway tried his best to park the disappointment of a missed Guinness Six Nations title, on Sunday morning, as he looked ahead to the Autumn Nations Cup campaign. “There’s going to be a different feel to it,” he said. “It’s new format, a couple […]

5 years ago

“His body language today was shocking. Really shocking.” The SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz is coming in hard and fast like a Roy Keane post-match reaction when Manchester United tank at home. Hold onto your hats!

5 years ago

Few would have seen this coming. Not many of us would have foreseen a Keane Rashford feud exploding to life after Manchester United’s wretched home defeat to Arsenal. Roy Keane was more resigned and frustrated than the fire and brimstone reactions he has given about his former club, at times, in the past 18 months. […]

5 years ago

MAN UTD 0-1 ARSENAL Roy Keane had plenty to say about Manchester United’s insipid performance in their home defeat to Arsenal. United are in 15th in the Premier League after their latest defeat and it is hard to argue that they deserve to be any higher. Arsenal were vastly better, in all departments, and were […]

5 years ago

“I thought tonight was there for the taking, we’ll look back on that with a lot of regrets.” Johnny Sexton called many of the decisions made by himself and the Irish leadership corps “brave”, but you would have to wonder if England’s failure to throttle Italy scrambled their thinking. Whenever France play like they did […]

5 years ago

“It’s easy for me to say.” You had to feel for Andrew Conway and Rob Herring. With the rest of the defeated Ireland team packing up and boarding buses to head to the airport, they had to sit, this morning, and pick back over the scabs of last night’s loss to France. Herring and Conway […]

5 years ago

“What’s your prediction for the fight?” …. “Prediction? PAIN!” The SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz is ready to lift your sporting spirits with a quiz that’ll test and entertain in equal measures. Got get some!

5 years ago

“By the time Warren Gatland is making his selection, I want to be in a position where it’s a no-brainer that he has to have me.” A month before rugby returned, Jacob Stockdale had looked back on all his Ulster and Ireland games, and even a few U20 matches, and was itching to get back […]

5 years ago

“At half-time the chat was about belief, it was a little bit off.” In Six Nations terms, Andy Farrell has had his fair share of disappointment but he went into the final day of this prolonged campaign believing his side could get the job done. Ireland had been humbled by England, back in February, but put […]

5 years ago

“I back the players to judge the feel and flow of the game.” Following Ireland’s 35-27 defeat to France, in Paris, Andy Farrell said he had no issues with Johnny Sexton and his players going for tries over penalties, but he was critical of their execution in the opposition 22. Ireland captain Sexton defended Ireland’s […]

5 years ago

The Leinster lock raged against the dying of Ireland’s Six Nations chances. James Ryan has been a constant and dogged performer for his country since his Test debut, three years ago. Steady as she goes, but with much more menacing intent and brute force than that. Ireland have finished third in the 2020 Guinness Six […]

5 years ago

FRANCE 35-27 IRELAND The Ireland ratings are led by two players that never – not even for a moment – quit the fight. England are your 2020 Guinness Six Nations champions after France defeated Ireland in Paris, but not by enough points to pip Eddie Jones’ men to the title. Ireland responded superbly to conceding […]

5 years ago

“That’s the right call. You can’t give a penalty try.” Wayne Barnes with a huge call, early on, and though Alan Quinlan (over on Virgin Media) agreed with him, few other Irish supporters did. Ireland went into the Guinness 2020 Six Nations finalé knowing that a six-point win with at least one try scored on […]

5 years ago

“Joe gave me a big hug and said, ‘You’re a very, very lucky boy!’” Back in March 2015, Ireland were involved in another memorable Six Nations final day nail-biter, and Ian Madigan was as nervous as any Irish fan out there. Madigan played in all five games during that championship and came off the bench […]

5 years ago

“Oh no, no, I’d probably be on TV over there, so hopefully they are doing well and I don’t have to give out about them!” For Paul O’Connell, it was like a reunion with some faces he had not seen in years. The faces he was so used to seeing before and after big matches […]

5 years ago

“He’s got 180, 190 Ulster caps at the age of twenty… jeez, he might be annoyed at me but I’m gonna say 28, 29.” Jacob Stockdale sits down for his press briefing just an hour after he was named fullback in Test rugby for just the second time in his career. He is in good […]

5 years ago

“I got a load of criticism about leaving Brian O’Driscoll out, at that stage, and that I was anti-Irish.” Ah, that 2013 tour to Australia. Good times. Warren Gatland joins us from his pad in New Zealand with a nifty, and very official, Lions back-drop in his living room. All the sponsors are happy, and […]

5 years ago

“We’re not just doing it for the individual, we’re doing it for the group and for what’s going on in the country at this moment in time.” Andy Farrell and his Ireland team will head out to Paris, on Thursday, ahead of their Guinness Six Nations finalé against France. Assistant coach for a decade in […]

5 years ago

Where would rugby be without a little strife over releasing players for Test matches and tours? Warren Gatland believes his British & Irish Lions squad to tour South Africa, next summer, could be made up with between 30 and 50% of England internationals. However, a fixture clash with the Lions’ first game could scupper the […]

5 years ago

These are the men tasked with bringing home the bacon. With the 2020 Guinness Six Nations title up for grabs, head coach Andy Farrell has named a strong Ireland team to take on the French in Paris. On Tuesday, Leinster prop Cian Healy spoke about Farrell and his coaches not naming the starting team to […]

5 years ago

“If he dies, he dies.” East meets West, and everyone else is invited to the party, in the latest edition of the SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz. Go hard from the first bell ’til the last! If you enjoyed that, remember you can play all our other quizzes right here.

5 years ago

“I was young and cocky, and confident in myself… I got a bit of slagging for it. But some of that confidence goes a long way.” The word went around about Cian Healy, back in 2007, that there was a young lad in the Leinster set-up that had pretty much lifted ALL the weights. He […]

5 years ago

“A lot has happened since. Yeah, it does feel like a long, long time ago.” The last time Johnny Sexton played at Stade de France, there were 74,478 souls packed inside and Ireland needed a Hail Mary play to end all Hail Mary plays just to keep their championship hopes from flatlining. Sexton, in his […]

5 years ago

Four tries against France, in Paris, with the championship on the line? Sign us up. Ireland defeated Italy 50-17 at Lansdowne Road, on Saturday, to tee up a enticing finalé to the 2020 Guinness Six Nations. The bonus point victory put Ireland on 14 points, one clear of England and France and with a superior […]

5 years ago

“You heard me, hippie!” You may have to draft in a few ringers to help you with this Simpsons quiz. Back in 1992, The Simpsons released ‘Homer at Bat’ and it quickly went into folklore as one of the show’s finest offerings. Almost three decades on, it is still a much-loved episode. We are paying […]

5 years ago

“I was just finishing them off.” Hugo Keenan is now a Test rugby player. He has also scored more tries for Ireland than Leinster. There were six changes in Ireland’s starting XV, against Italy on Saturday, from the side that were beaten in the last Guinness Six Nations outing against England. Of all the changes […]

5 years ago

“Barney, you’ve been riding my back all night!” Today’s edition of the SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz is a real treat for Simpsons fans. If you know and love the show, you’ll be well on course for 20/20.

5 years ago