“He could have bottled it, but he did everything right.” Michael Owen could not get over the performance of 17-year-old Aston Villa star Louie Barry after he scored a cracker in his side’s FA Cup defeat to Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp put out big-hitters like Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Gini Wijnaldum, Sadio Mané, Mo Salah and James […]

5 years ago

LEINSTER 24-12 ULSTER Leinster overcame a stiff first-half performance to remind Ulster, and the rest of the Guinness PRO14, what they are all about. Ulster went into the league contest at a freezing RDS 10 points clear of their inter-pro rivals and they came out with a point to prove. They had the better of […]

5 years ago

MAN UTD 0-2 MAN CITY Manchester City were deserving winners over their rivals but it took a grim defensive lapse from Harry Maguire to book their passage to the Carabao Cup Final. Maguire was caught napping at the back post after both Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford failed to get a head on an in-swinging […]

5 years ago

“If you’re not getting your value as a player, you need to find it somewhere else.” Former Leinster and Ireland flanker Sean O’Brien told House of Rugby that he can see a few of Ireland’s top stars moving abroad next season. While there may not be an exodus, he believes big clubs abroad will be […]

5 years ago

“This is your shot at glory. Go take it!” We are kicking off today’s edition of the SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz with a cult football movie that starred two big Hollywood actors but was stolen by a former Rangers striker. After that, we have a nice mix of GAA, rugby, American sports and footy.

5 years ago

Don’t muck it up!

5 years ago

“We’ve got to break this cycle.” For a stretch of days and nights, last autumn, Brian O’Driscoll pored through a book about female sports stars from Ireland, with his children Sadie and Billy. His son followed the stories closely, but Sadie was rapt. She must have been too young to remember stepping out onto the […]

5 years ago

“They’d rather have it go ahead than have it cancelled.” The British & Irish Lions may still be going on tour, this summer, and they may still be playing the Springboks, but it may not be in South Africa. Covid-19 cases are climbing steadily in Ireland, across the UK and in South Africa, plunging the […]

5 years ago

French footballers turned actors. You want ’em? We got ’em! The SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz is settling back into the new year nicely and has your back with another testing set of questions. The more you get right, the more fun it will be!

5 years ago

SOUTHAMPTON 1-0 LIVERPOOL A 50th Premier League goal from Danny Ings saw Liverpool lose for the second time this season and cede the advantage to Manchester United. The Saints were fully deserving of their first-half lead but the league champions threw the kitchen sink thereafter and were left fuming after two good penalty calls were […]

5 years ago

“He’ll be pushing hard to get into the Ireland team, no doubt.” Ryan Baird has already given us a taste of how impactful he can be in Leinster’s second row. Against Leinster, he showed the sort of damage he can do if given some open field to gallop into. The Monday afternoon fitness updates from […]

5 years ago

The UFC’s lightweight division – post Khabib Nurmagomedov – is taking shape. We all know that UFC 257 will be headlined by Conor McGregor’s latest MMA comeback, against Dustin Poirier, but that main card has been given some extra star power. The next big bout on the card was, and had been for a number […]

5 years ago

“Ethan McIlroy was phenomenal, and deservedly won Player of the Match.” Such was the spectre of Leinster, and their long winning streak, that the initial take from many rugby fans was that Ulster might live to regret just getting four points against Munster. Beating an ever-improving Munster side at home was no longer enough any […]

5 years ago

“Oh yeah, of course. I bawled my eyes out!” Ciara Griffin is the sort of player that leads by example when she is on the pitch. She will never ask a teammate to do something she would not do herself. She will go through the wringer for her team. When it comes to making speeches, […]

5 years ago

“Thank you, Kate!” Ryan Garcia survived a second round knock-down to defeat Luke Campbell by TKO, in Dallas on Saturday, thanks to a punishing body blow in the seventh round. Kate Abdo, who was covering the fight for DAZN, had predicted a Garcia win beforehand and he did not disappoint. Campbell started brightly at the […]

5 years ago

“We will meet with Dana soon, we will discuss.” The current UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov insists he is not coming back and that McGregor vs. Poirier is for his belt. January 23 will see Conor McGregor make his latest MMA comeback at UFC 257 on Yas Island (a.k.a Fight Island) in Abu Dhabi. He […]

5 years ago

Getting in before the 2021 deadline with another crushing blow. Stephen O’Keeffe – one of the country’s leading goalkeepers – is opting out of the Waterford senior hurling panel for 2021, it was confirmed by the county today. The Ballygunner clubman, who pulled off a stunning double save (see below) in this year’s All-Ireland Senior […]

5 years ago

“You could see it – he was enjoying his rugby again.” Whether it was in underage, ‘A’, Test rugby or in big Munster, Connacht or Treviso games, Ian Keatley will have a few treasured jersey swaps. However, it is a commemorative Munster jersey that he held onto that means the most. Keatley spent three seasons […]

5 years ago

“It’s a new dynamic that none of us ever got taught at coaching college!” As ever, Leinster head coach Leo Cullen can locate a wry remark to sum up a crazy situation. It has been a topsy-turvy year for Leinster Rugby – like most of us – but Cullen’s side have managed to claim a […]

5 years ago

“It was a measure of the man that he is and the respect that he had within the group.” In the end, the whispers and murmurings were confirmed. The Bulls did not help the cause by waving a giant Marcell Coetzee-sized flag, over on Twitter, but it only quickened the pace of proceedings. The big […]

5 years ago

Back once again. After two months away – searching our footballing soul, and the internet for questions – The SportsJOE 2000s Football Quiz returns for Round 19. We start off with teenage sensations, take in some big money transfers, blasts from the past and the classic ‘Who Scored More?’ round. Enjoy!

5 years ago

It’s almost time!! Jolly old St. Nick is packing up his bag and readying for the off. It is time, first, for our final SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz before Christmas. Thanks to everyone who has played the quiz over the year, and happy holidays!

5 years ago

“I’m feeling very Olympic today!” Following our recent quizzes for The Karate Kid, Dodgeball and The Simpsons’ cracking softball episode, we have a fantastic Cool Runnings quiz for you all to enjoy. How much do you know about the movie? Take our quiz, and let us know how you get on.

5 years ago

“A once-in-a-generation, watershed moment for South African rugby.” The book will close on the Guinness PRO14, next March, as the league wraps up with a winners-takes-all finalé before welcoming four South African sides to the party. The existing PRO14 season will wrap up after 16 rounds and there will be a March 27 final between […]

5 years ago

“I’m just sitting here watching the final of the Cup of Champions or… what is it? Champions League!” The SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz is counting down the hours to Christmas by coming up with another top-drawer teaser for you all today. Soak it in!

5 years ago

“It just shows that you don’t judge a book by its’ cover.” Back in November 2012, Declan Kidney gave an Ireland debut to Iain Henderson that was overshadowed by Michael Bent arriving off the plane from his native New Zealand to line out in the green jersey too. Back then, Bent making his Ireland debut […]

5 years ago

Fight fans are in for a real treat, next month. The un-retired Conor McGregor is coming back for a cracking UFC fight in January 2021 as part of a triple-header on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. McGregor and Dustin Poirier both signed bout agreements, last month, to run back their 2014 clash, which McGregor won […]

5 years ago

“This friggin’ game is ruining my life!” The SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz is kicking off, today, with a 1980s classic about the Allies taking on the Nazis in a contentious WWII game of footy. We also have your favourites, in geography, records and general knowledge. Give it socks!

5 years ago

Philly McMahon getting under the skin of his opponents and sparking a reaction. We have all been here before. The reaction of Mayo star Keith Higgins, however, to McMahon comments directed at Cillian O’Connor seemed to light a fuse that threatened to derail the 2020 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final. Ultimately, though, the match officials […]

5 years ago

“He’d love to hear we called him a maverick!” remarked Ian Madigan. “Well, he might start calling me Goose!” Marcell Coetzee quickly replied. John Cooney’s ears must have been burning, on Sunday evening, as two of his Ulster teammates talked him up to the high heavens. The northern province had lost, in heartbreaking fashion, at […]

5 years ago

“We’re through the looking glass here, people.” The SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz is ready to kick off another bumper sporting weekend by getting your brain in gear and throwing you a few curveballs along the way. We genuinely feel that you will do well to get anything over 17 here. Good luck!

5 years ago

20 names to get, and a couple of lads that they should have held onto. We have a great Arsenal quiz for you, and one that will require you to be on top of your Gunners game. We are looking for you to correctly guess the names of these 20 players that lined out for the […]

5 years ago

“I can’t say enough about the guy.” It was typical of Dan Leavy to announce his return to European rugby, last weekend, with a try only minutes after entering the fray against Montpellier. He has made a habit of stamping himself all over games. Leavy was named on the Leinster bench in the No.23 jersey […]

5 years ago

“I’ve heard they’re all complaining about late hits.” Munster head coach Johann Van Graan feels his young outhalf was targeted by Harlequins players. Quins scrumhalf Danny Care has told Munster to get over it and says he is looking forward to the rematch, next month. Munster eventually pulled away at Thomond Park, on Sunday, and […]

5 years ago

“He’s got one foot in the frying pan and one in the pressure cooker.” The SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz is rolling deep and picking up spares today. If you can ace the movie round, there could be a perfect score there for the taking.

5 years ago

The UFC will kick-start 2021 with a massive pay-per-view at ‘Fight Island’. Conor McGregor was hoping for 2020 to be a “season” with three or four fights and a shot at either the light- or welter-weight titles. The Covid-19 pandemic knocked those plans for six. McGregor defeated Donald Cerrone in 40 devastating seconds, in January […]

5 years ago

“I wouldn’t be a hot-head, by any means, but I’d always poke and prod and see if you can get a reaction.” Liam Williams likes to make his presence, and voice, known on the rugby field. James Lowe is no different. It was no surprise, then, to see the pair clashing on a couple of […]

5 years ago

“The physique on them is unbelievable. They all nearly look like Dolph Lundgren in Rocky IV.” 10 wins from 10 and champions of the league, Munster and Ireland. Limerick served up another masterclass, against Waterford, on Sunday to win their second Liam MacCarthy in three years. One Kilkenny legend believes John Kiely’s side could bag […]

5 years ago

“The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows!” The SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz is coming out of its corner today with menacing intent and no time for excuses. Let’s do this!

5 years ago

“I don’t know… it’s a bit much.” We often hear current rugby players criticised for being too bland during their media interviews and spots of punditry. Chris Ashton could never be accused of that. The Harlequins and England winger is doing some work, of late, and he has not been short of opinions. Following England’s […]

5 years ago

Those Rassie Erasmus comments about Ireland being “softies” will, no doubt, resurface in time for the tournament. For the first time ever, Ireland will face South Africa at a Rugby World Cup. Brian O’Driscoll got a nice bit of trolling in early. Ireland were drawn in Pool B to face South Africa, Scotland and two […]

5 years ago

Now we know. The draw for the pool stages of the 2023 Rugby World Cup was held in host country France, this afternoon, and there were tricky draws for Ireland, Wales and Scotland. England, meanwhile, will be fancying their chances. The headline news is that hosts France have been drawn in Pool A with New […]

5 years ago

“Ireland’s rise over the last 10 years has had a lot to do with him.” A strong defence of Conor Murray from players that have done battle with him over the past decade. Earlier in the week, World Rugby announced their Team of the Decade (below) and named former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw as […]

5 years ago

A humdinger for you today. The SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz is primed and ready to push your sporting knowledge to the very limit today. Good luck… cos’ you’ll need it!

5 years ago

“If I had it to do all over again, I’d still hit that shot.” The SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz is tearing through Day 263 with no regrets, but you may have a few if you don’t hold your quizzing nerve.

5 years ago

“That’s the nature of sport – you have to go for it.” Dublin racking up another gargantuan win on their way to a sixth successive All-Ireland final may have drained the sense of anticipation for that December 19 event, but Mayo lifted many hopes less than 24 hours later. In scoring 2-15, 1-16 and 0-14 […]

5 years ago

“In all seriousness, you know, I mean stupid. You get things wrong.” For Schalk Burger, it was a case of getting too fired up by the occasion and losing the run of himself. For the British & Irish Lions, it was a travesty of justice. Back in June 2009, the Lions and the world champion […]

5 years ago

“I never really shirked away from the physical stuff.” When it comes to Schalk Burger, that is an under-statement. The South African blindside made his Test debut aged just 20, in 2003, won World Player of the Year when he was 21 and finished his career up as a European champion with Saracens in May […]

5 years ago

“An average return.” Those three words from IRFU performance director David Nucifora, uttered last week, will have stung Andy Farrell, his coaching staff, players and all involved with the Ireland team. Farrell inherited a team short on confidence after they signed off the six-year Joe Schmidt era by being ejected with force from the World […]

5 years ago

It is looking close to an English white-wash when it comes to the Lions’ strongest Test XV. The sight of fans returning to stadiums in the UK, over the weekend, will have heartened many, including those pining for the 2021 British & Irish Lions Tour to South Africa. And, right now, it is looking as […]

5 years ago