What an incredible feat. As an Australia, New Zealander or South African, to even play two Test Series against the British & Irish Lions, 12 years apart, is a huge achievement. To kick the winning penalty to clinch a series, though, only Morné Steyn could tell you about that. The 37-year-old, who plunged the dagger […]

5 years ago

Marty Morrissey and parties. Hand in hand. With Kellie Harrington fighting for Olympic gold at 6am on a Sunday morning [Irish time], RTÉ cracked the emergency case and roused Morrissey out of bed. He was off to Portland Row. There was a big screen set up, TV cameras and crews on the scene, a festooned […]

5 years ago

“It was a masterclass!” Eric O’Donovan had it spot on. Kellie Harrington needed to deliver on the biggest stage, and she sure did. The Dubliner was facing reigning world champion Beatriz Ferreira in the women’s lightweight final at Tokyo 2020. The Brazilian had won her last 16 fights and had not lost a round at […]

5 years ago

“I don’t think anyone had as near a colossal mess up that I had.” Ronan O’Gara will know how Liam Williams and his Lions teammates will be feeling tonight. Back in 2009, O’Gara gave away the late penalty that Morné Steyn pumped over from long-range to give the Springboks a series win against the British […]

5 years ago

“It’s just done now, so… “ Alun Wyn Jones is not renowned as a guy that wastes too many unnecessary words when dealing with the media, but he was genuinely choked up here. The Wales captain recovered from a dislocated shoulder, which he picked up against in a June 26 win over Japan, to get […]

5 years ago

The French referee was not having it from Murray. Conor Murray was on as scrumhalf for the final 20 minutes, and British & Irish Lions captain, after Alun Wyn Jones was subbed off. At the end of the 2017 Lions Tour, the tourists got the rub of the green when Romain Poite failed to award […]

5 years ago

SPRINGBOKS 19-16 LIONS Once again, just like the last Lions Tour to South Africa, Morné Steyn was the Springboks hero with a clutch kick. Our Lions player ratings are littered with guys that left it all out there. The Lions were the dominant team in the first half and the only wonder was that they […]

5 years ago

“I sacrificed 10 years of my life to go on that tour. Sam Warburton was 24 when he made his first British & Irish Lions squad. The fact that he made it as captain, and led a team that included legends like Paul O’Connell, Adam Jones and Brian O’Driscoll tells you all you need to […]

5 years ago

“Oh, it’d be amazing. I’d absolutely love it.” We were nearing the end of a 45-minute chat with Sam Warburton, earlier this year, when the prospect of a women’s Lions team was raised. The former Wales and Lions captain’s eyes lit up. “Obviously, right now, it would be dominated by England players,” he says, “but […]

5 years ago

“Tony Finau’s my cousin, you know? Tongan cousins!” Mako Vunipola may be connected to the PGA Tour star through ‘my uncle’s dog-walker’s mate’, but he has not picked up much of his golfing skills. The Saracens and England prop has enjoyed getting out for some golf a couple of times of the British & Irish […]

5 years ago

Getting full marks is a distinct possibility today. The SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz is going easy on you today. If you can negotiate the first round in good nick, you’ll score highly. The very best of luck!

5 years ago

Paul O’Connell knew the score. There is a famous clip from the 2013 British & Irish Lions documentary from their tour to Australia. During a warm-up game against the Barbarians, O’Connell looked at Owen Farrell and said: “I think it’s funny that one of the youngest guys on the team, Owen Farrell, is the one […]

5 years ago

“I am vocal on the field and I’m the same off the field.” As the First Test against South Africa approached, Bundee Aki would have been hoping that he had done enough to earn a starting spot in the British & Irish Lions midfield. Instead, the Lions coaches went with Elliot Daly. They would win […]

5 years ago

Twist in the tale. Joe Schmidt phone calls with an unhappy Lions coach, just days before a massive Test Series. No-one saw this one coming. Warren Gatland is pissed off that it has been reported how “furious” he was over the appointment of South African Marius Jonker as Television Match Official for the 2021 Lions […]

5 years ago

“Bundee and Robbie have a pretty familiar combination.” British & Irish Lions supporters will hope that the decision has not been made a week too late, but Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw are starting a Test match against the Springboks. Warren Gatland has paired Henshaw with Elliot Daly and Chris Harris for the first two […]

5 years ago

Changes have been made after the Second Test loss to the Springboks. Head coach Warren Gatland has made six changes to his British & Irish Lions team ahead of the deciding Third Test against South Africa, this Saturday. There are a further raft of changes on the bench as Gatland and the Lions look to […]

5 years ago

“Take your best shot. I believe in you, Charlie. Win or lose.” The SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz is still charged up after another jam-packed bank holiday weekend of sport. A nice mix of questions for you all today, with a couple that may catch you out. Tread carefully.

5 years ago

Another Leinster Senior Football Championship to forget. Dublin are the champions of Leinster for the 60th time. Even when they led by 0-9 to 0-5 at half-time, you knew the race was already run. Dublin had been awful in the first half while Daniel Flynn and Jimmy Hyland had impressed for the Lilywhites. You just […]

5 years ago

The former Lions head coach is not slamming on the ‘PANIC’ button. Following the British & Irish Lions’ 27-9 defeat to South Africa, on Saturday, Ian McGeechan stressed that the Third Test decider would be ’50/50′. Ronan O’Gara was not so sure – suggesting the Springboks were now favourites – but the Scot believes Warren […]

5 years ago

“By midweek these boys will be absolutely ready to go, with the biggest carrot of their careers in front of them.” Ronan O’Gara wants the Lions coaching staff to look hard at their backline and their attacking game-plan, and to come back with a plan the entire squad can row in behind. The British & […]

5 years ago

It is hard to keep the Connacht centre quiet, even when he is not playing. Many British & Irish Lions supporters expected Bundee Aki to be drafted in to the starting XV for the Second Test after Elliot Daly’s struggles in the opening game of the series. Instead, Warren Gatland opted for Chris Harris in […]

5 years ago

“There were a couple of opportunities where we probably should have put the ball through the hands.” Lions coach Warren Gatland was open to acknowledging the stark failings of his side, after their Second Test loss to South Africa, but he has a lot to answer for himself, in that regard. The British & Irish […]

5 years ago

The Scotland fullback says he is ‘annoyed and upset’ by the allegations. Stuart Hogg has released a statement through the British & Irish Lions in response to widespread social media claims that he bit Willie Le Roux. The Lions star clashed with Le Roux during his side’s 27-9 loss to the Springboks in Cape Town, […]

5 years ago

“We’ve got that chance next week to hopefully tie the series up.” Warren Gatland was trying his best to keep his thoughts to himself, regarding referees and Television Match Officials, after the British & Irish Lions’ punishing 27-9 loss to South Africa. The Lions head coach has been seriously put out by the South Africans […]

5 years ago

“What I do know is Gats will make changes. No doubt about that” The British & Irish Lions are smarting, but the series is still tied at 1-1. It is not all that usual for the captain of a side – winning or losing – to suggest, just after full-time, that changes were coming. Alun […]

5 years ago

SOUTH AFRICA 27-9 LIONS The British & Irish Lions were battered, bruised a ground to dust as the Springboks levelled the Test Series at 1-1. Our player ratings have only a few Lions stand-outs. The first half took over 53 minutes to complete the 40, after numerous stoppages for foul play, reviews, mini brawls and […]

5 years ago

“He’s landed on his back.” Cheslin Kolbe got away with one. Television Match Official Marius Jonker had a shocker, this evening as he ruled that Conor Murray had landed on his back, when all the video replays suggested otherwise. Murray landed face-first after he was skittled in mid-air by Kolbe. The Springboks winger was chasing […]

5 years ago

“It was no holds barred. We just went at one another.” When you ask both men about that Second Test between the British & Irish Lions and South Africa, in June 2009, Brian O’Driscoll and Victor Matfield both grin. It is a game neither will forget. Today, in Cape Town, the Lions and South Africa […]

5 years ago

“I don’t think Damo is top of the list anymore!” Back in 2019, Jack Conan dropped into the House of Rugby studio for a chat on World Cups, playing tighthead prop, escaped zoo animals and GAA. During the interview, Conan recalled that step up from top schools prospect and Leinster Academy hopeful to a fully-fledged […]

5 years ago

“Take that scooter down here, Conor!” Joe Rogan has often let beaten fighters be after brutal finishes or injuries, but he insists Conor McGregor wanted to talk after his latest defeat to Dustin Poirier. The veteran UFC commentator was in The Octagon, earlier this month, and waiting to speak with the victorious Poirier. McGregor had […]

5 years ago

“Well done guys!” Fintan McCarthy and Paul O’Donovan may have urged the nation to stay in bed and catch the re-cap in the morning, but thousands upon thousands of us will blithely ignore that advice. The Cork duo are into the final of the Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls after finishing first in their semi-final, earlier […]

5 years ago

“I’m back in college on the twenty… something of August” Mona McSharry smashed almost a whole second off the Irish record in the heats of the 200-metre Women’s Breast-stroke, and still wanted more at the end. The Sligo native, who reached the 100-metre Women’s Breast-stroke Final and finished 8th, was not expecting to compete in […]

5 years ago

In the end, it all finished up at Semple Stadium in Thurles. The sun shone for the Déise, but it was going down for a modern-day legend. Joe Canning sank to his haunches as Galway’s defeat to Waterford truly sank in. This was the end of the Tribesmen’s quest for Liam MacCarthy glory, for another […]

5 years ago

‘The world is made for people who aren’t cursed with self-awareness’ The SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz is still buzzing after a great day at the Olympics for Team Ireland. Needless to say, there may be a few Olympics questions in here. Good luck!

5 years ago

“My confidence is through the roof.” Kurt Walker was up against No.1 seed and reigning world champion Mirazizbek Mirzakhalilov in the Last 16 of the featherweight contest at Tokyo 2020. Not a bother to him. The Lisburn native delivered the boost to Team Ireland’s boxers after a tough couple of days, and results, in the […]

5 years ago

What a thrilling finish that was! Ireland is celebrating its’ first medal of these Olympic Games after a hugely encouraging and inspiring day at the Sea Forest Waterway in Tokyo. Not only did Team Ireland see Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy blast into the Lightweight Men’s Double Scull Final, they also had a bronze medal […]

5 years ago

“We never gave up.” Aifric Keogh, Eimear Lambe, Fiona Murtagh and Emily Hegarty are Olympic bronze medalists and the first ever Irish women to claim a rowing medal at the games. The Irish quartet pulled off a blitzing finish to climb from fifth to third and take home the bronze, pipping Great Britain in the […]

5 years ago

“The tour is not over for those guys.” With Chris Harris and Toby Faletau coming into the British & Irish Lions’ match-day squad, there will be 25 of Warren Gatland’s expanded 40-man squad that have had Test Series involvement. Gatland, of course, cannot accommodate everyone. However, when you make up a XV selection from the […]

5 years ago

“They were very direct. We’re expecting more of the same.” Warren Gatland was up on press duty, this afternoon, and the Twitter activity of Rassie Erasmus was always going to come up. The Springbok’s director of rugby has been making the most of his Twitter account, in recent weeks, but really ramped up his game […]

5 years ago

The match-day squad has been named, but it is not yet etched in stone. Dan Biggar went off for a Head Injury Assessment, near the end of the First Test win over South Africa, and did not return to the field after failing it. “I feel fine and am already buzzing for next week,” Biggar […]

5 years ago

12 questions at 12. The SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz is back, with a streamlined version that we’d love to get your thoughts on. We are going for a dozen questions at midday for you. Same four topics but slightly more bite-size so you still have an appetite for the day ahead! Let you know how […]

5 years ago

The Lions are not resting on their laurels. Warren Gatland has named his British & Irish Lions team for the Second Test against South Africa, and changes are afoot. The Lions are 1-0 up in the series after defeating the Springboks 22-17 in the First Test, last Saturday. All three games in the Test Series […]

5 years ago

“He’s a real high-energy senior citizen.” Maro Itoje was not letting Alun Wyn Jones have all the laurels without at least one jab to the ribs. Few Lions or Springbok supporters would have expected Jones to play the full 80 in the First Test, last Saturday. Four weeks after dislocating his shoulder against Japan, had […]

5 years ago

“They’ll be going, ‘Let’s play here. When we actually keep the ball, we look very dangerous’.” The British & Irish Lions are 1-0 up in their best-of-three Test Series with the Springboks, and have a chance to put the contest to bed this weekend. Bundee Aki could help tuck this one in. The Lions looked […]

5 years ago

‘I am trying to get everyone refunded as soon as possible.’ Emmet Brennan’s emotional post-fight interview, at Tokyo 2020, sparked an out-pouring of support and good-will, but the boxer has assured everyone he is doing fine. Brennan battled to make it to the Olympics despite shoulder, rib and elbow issues that meant he was far […]

5 years ago

IRELAND 17-19 USA Battling defeats to the USA and South Africa have left the Olympic medal dreams of the Ireland Sevens team on the ropes. Having lost their Olympics opener 33-14 to a strong South African side, Ireland needed to beat the Americans to stay in medal contention. It was all USA in the opening […]

5 years ago

It’s all getting very unseemly. Following the British & Irish Lions’ 22-17 win over South Africa, on Saturday, Springboks Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus took to Twitter to congratulate the victors. ‘No excuses this side,’ he wrote. ‘You are far away from home, families and going through same tough covid protocols like we do. Congrats […]

5 years ago

“It’s hard to change a winning team.” So mused former Ulster and Ireland star Stephen Ferris after the British & Irish Lions put themselves in the box-seat by beating South Africa in the First Test. Sam Warburton wants the dice rolled. The manner of the Lions’ victory – a poor first half and excellent second […]

5 years ago

Business up top, yacht-club party down below. It is a scorcher all over most of Ireland today, and Dessie Dolan is not going for the full-on suit rig-out for his punditry brief on The Sunday Game. The former Westmeath star was down at Fitzgerald Stadium for the Munster Senior Football Championship Final between Kerry and […]

5 years ago

After battling injury for the guts of six months, it was not to be. Emmet Brennan was always going to be up against it in his Round of 32 bout against Dilshod Ruzmetov. The boxer from Uzbekistan was one of the top-rated medal prospect in the 81-kg men’s division, at these Olympics, and he certainly […]

5 years ago