Mixed news. Ireland must do without one of their best midfielders for this evening’s World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan, in Baku. Stephen Kenny’s match-day 23 for the game has been confirmed to Uefa, this morning, and it is a 50/50 split for good and bad news. Starting with the positive, Adam Idah is included in […]

4 years ago

“I’m not above criticism.” Stephen Kenny must have wished he could ride the feeling of positivity that reverberated around the Aviva Stadium, last month, after Ireland battled to a draw with Serbia. While it was not the victory this Ireland team has so desperately sought, there was a sense that some vital building blocks were […]

4 years ago

We could yet have the likes of Saracens playing the Waratahs and Leinster facing Crusaders. Talks and plans are well underway for a Club World Cup that will feature rugby’s best sides from both hemispheres going head-to-head. The news was confirmed by outgoing EPCR chairman Simon Halliday, who suggested the competition – like the Rugby […]

4 years ago

“Just go and say that, and get on with your life. Because it wasn’t worth the hassle.” Darren Cave once wondered ‘does the face not fit’ when it came to him and Ireland. The comments were made almost eight years ago, but it is still a go-to question when he does interviews. Cave retired from […]

4 years ago

“I most definitely have a new favourite second team.” Connacht will have been kicking themselves after their opening day defeat of the United Rugby Championship season to Cardiff Blues. They bounced back in complete style, though, by shredding the Bulls on Friday night. Having essentially been described as ‘Leinster B’ by Bulls coach Jake White, […]

4 years ago

“I like Gavin Coombes. He’s class.” Simon Zebo may have returned to Munster to stave off Keith Earls’ attempts to usurp his try-scoring record, but Gavin Coombes may yet blow them both out of the water. While Zebo extended his Munster record to 62 with a double on the opening day of the season, Coombes […]

4 years ago

Best player in the world… RIGHT NOW. Such was the reaction to Mohamed Salah and his latest attacking masterclass, against Manchester City, that the superlatives were being tossed about left, right and centre. The Egyptian may have been kept relatively quiet in the first half against the league champions, but he came to the fore […]

4 years ago

“He’s not a machine! He’s a man!!” The SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz is coming out swinging from the first bell, and fancies our chances today. Ain’t no way most of ye are getting full marks!

4 years ago

“The more you watch it, the less convinced you are it’s a try.” Munster looked toast. With one drop of his shoulder and lunge for the line, Manie Libbok did for three of Peter O’Mahony’s teammates. Stormers were 12-0 ahead and pounding on the Munster tryline. A third try looked inevitable when, on 24 minutes, […]

4 years ago

He did not go as far as his comments from last November. Near the end of last year, after Manchester City drew 1-1 with Liverpool, Roy Keane branded Kyle Walker “an idiot”. The City and England defender gave away a penalty and Keane likened his performance to ‘a car crash’. Walker has since won another […]

4 years ago

MUNSTER 34-18 STORMERS Munster rode one hell of a storm from their South African visitors, but they answered back with one of their own. Johann van Graan’s side were caught on the hop by a fired-up, accurate Stormers side in the first half, at Thomond Park. They trailed 15-0 and were left indebted to a […]

4 years ago

You come to Connacht and you take them for granted, you’ll eventually get got. The United Rugby Championship is throwing up some great storylines after only two weeks of action. Surly Jake White getting his comeuppance after some dismissive comments? Yup, that box has been ticked. The former Springboks head coach is now with the […]

4 years ago

The two Irishmen are poised heading into the final round. Shane Lowry and John Murphy both recorded excellent third rounds of 67 to move into joint second at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, at St Andrew’s. The Irish golfers have both performed extremely well over the first three days of the €4.2 million championship [the […]

4 years ago

LEICESTER 13-12 SARACENS “It’s going to be a penalty try… ” It felt like it had been coming, and it made the Leicester eruption all the sweeter. There were a few eyebrows raised when Leicester Tigers appointed Ellis Genge as their captain for 2021/22. ‘The Baby Rhino’ can be outspoken at times, and has past […]

4 years ago

“I must break you.” We will start with this – if Rocky IV is not in your Top 2 of Rocky movies, we may fall out. The 1985 film was the fourth in the Rocky Balboa series and pitted the eponymous hero from Philadelphia (played by Sylvester Stallone) against Russian destroyer Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren). […]

4 years ago

The years have been ticking by and many of us have been waiting, somewhat impatiently. The manner in which Rory McIlroy won his first four Majors, between 2011 and 2014, brought around the inevitable Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus comparisons. Seven years on from McIlroy hoisting the Wannamaker trophy, as PGA champion, for the second […]

4 years ago

“That’s me. I’ll never box for AIBA again. They’re cheating bastards!” Michael Conlan stood ring-side in Rio, back in 2016, and let rip. The Belfast boxer had arrived in Brazil tipped to bring home another Olympic medal for Ireland. He had won silver at London 2012 and was looking to go one better in Rio. […]

4 years ago

“That’s the way the game should be played.” Back in March 2018, a couple of hours after Munster had beaten Toulon thanks to an Andrew Conway stunner, Simon Zebo and his young son were out on the flood-lit Thomond Park pitch. Most of the Munster team were back in the post-match function, re-living the match […]

4 years ago

Team USA is set for the next decade and beyond. Europe? Well, it’s complicated. Not long after US captain Steve Stricker had raised The Ryder Cup aloft, the European players filed into the media tent to reflect on their loss. Team Europe arrived at Whistling Straits as champions. They left with a 19-9 defeat seared […]

4 years ago

It was February 2016 when Joe Schmidt brought in a 21-year-old uncapped prospect to train with Ireland’s senior stars. Garry Ringrose was already known to most of the squad when he pitched up at training ahead of the 2016 Six Nations. The Leinster lads had got the word out. A Schools Cup star for Blackrock […]

4 years ago

Sometimes you just know. Joey Carbery had played just once for the Leinster senior side – getting four minutes against Glasgow – before he made his first start for the province. It was against Benetton at The RDS in the 2016/17 season opener. Carbery was only 20 and was handed the No.10 jersey for the […]

4 years ago

“I said to Beau, ‘I’m made for this!’” Shane Lowry did not just rise to the Ryder Cup pressure, on Saturday. He soared. He was put in an awfully tough spot against an in-form American team and he pulled out a big winning putt. The Offaly native played in Friday and Saturday four-balls, on his […]

4 years ago

“They had a mission this week.” Team USA captain Steve Stricker cut an emotional figure in the joyous home-town aftermath of his side’s record-breaking Ryder Cup victory. It was a golfing massacre at Whistling Straits, and the final player ratings for Team Europe reflect that. The Americans won four of five sessions, over three days, […]

4 years ago

Even with big support teams behind the best players, golf can feel painfully solitary at times. When Rory McIlroy was at the peak of his Major-winning fame, he would often fly back to Northern Ireland and hang out with several of the Ulster rugby players. He loved their team environment and that sense of togetherness […]

4 years ago

You could tell Harrington was in the pits here. With three of his golfers still out on the course, and battling to avoid a record (new format) Ryder Cup defeat, NBC caught up with Padraig Harrington for a quick interview. Team Europe’s captain was clearly gutted, and still looked shell-shocked after the Sunday singles also […]

4 years ago

You can see how much it means to the guy. Rory McIlroy was called everything under the sun in the past few days at Whistling Straits. Those words, commentary from outside the ropes and his own performances cut him deep. The former world number one’s poor form in foursomes and four-ball matches, on Friday and […]

4 years ago

“Obviously it’s not the week he was hoping for.” Given how stacked with world-class talent Team USA’s Ryder Cup selection is, the Europeans were hoping Rory McIlroy could find his ‘A’ game, or something close. At Whistling Straits, it has been tough going for the four-time Major winner. McIlroy has struggled to get going and […]

4 years ago

“COME ON! ****ING COME ON!!!” Shane Lowry delivered big time for Ireland as he and Tyrrell Hatton teamed up to take down Harris English and the red-hot Tony Finau. Selected as a Team Europe Captain’s Pick by Padraig Harrington, Lowry was then left out of the foursomes on Friday and Saturday. He showed serious mettle, […]

4 years ago

MUNSTER 42-17 SHARKS 5 minutes, 44 seconds. That is all it took for Simon Zebo to announce him on his second coming at Munster. Having returned from three seasons in France with Racing 92, the Cork native raced in a try from well inside his own half after Munster pressure had forced a turnover. He […]

4 years ago

With an historic six-point lead, the lads felt they could blow off some steam. Another morning foursomes massacre for Team Europe, and the Americans were feeling confident of winning The Ryder Cup. Justin Thomas and Daniel Berger got the celebrations started a bit early. Berger may have lost his match, along with a petulant Brooks […]

4 years ago

ULSTER 35-29 GLASGOW Given the rejigged nature of the new United Rugby Championship format, this may be the only time we see Ulster vs. Glasgow this season. That, in itself, is a shame. Stuart McCloskey finally got a decent look at that Ireland jersey, during the summer, and he sent an early signal to Andy […]

4 years ago

Some days you just have to admit you were licked. Team USA got off to a flyer after the morning foursomes at The Ryder Cup. Padraig Harrington’s reaction to one Xander Schauffele shot, on the 12th, summed up Team Europe’s morning. Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia got Europe off to a great start after they […]

4 years ago

No chance Lowry will be shrinking into the background. Shane Lowry will not be sitting back at Whistling Straits. He will not be staying out of the way. The Offaly native was up for media duties at the Wisconsin course, earlier today, and a couple of American reporters got it twisted that he might be […]

4 years ago

“You’re allowed have an opinion. That’s okay… You’re allowed say ‘this is shit’.” Damien Delaney doesn’t go in for having a social media presence and, in many ways, he is saving himself a lot of hassle. He is definitely saving endless pings from Manchester United supporters. It is a sunny September day in Dublin and […]

4 years ago

‘Right, first game back. I’m gonna score a goal. What a comeback!’ Seated behind a back-drop for Premier Sports, with whom he will be working with all season as a United Rugby Championship pundit, Rob Kearney is being taken on a journey through his other sporting passions, before we finally land on rugby. The former […]

4 years ago

In fairness to ‘The Notorious’, the fact that he’s up and moving about so soon after his leg break is an achievement in itself. Conor McGregor is continuing his rehab after a horrendous leg break that he suffered in a doctor’s stoppage loss to Dustin Poirier, back in June. Still, this McGregor pitch at Wrigley […]

4 years ago

Welcome into the media tent. “I’m used to you guys being a lot closer,” Rob Kearney remarks as he is encircled by reporters for the umpteenth time in his rugby career. Only this time, it’s different and it’s not all down to social distancing. The former Leinster, Ireland and Lions fullback is back home after […]

4 years ago

“This is what your really dreamed of, since you were a wee girl.” Maeve Kelly has been obsessed with camogie, and Antrim camogie, for as long as she can remember. It was always her goal to help her county to major honours and trips to Croke Park. Even still, she got a chance to make […]

4 years ago

Some… interesting choices in there. We start with a rapid-fire question for you: What is your favourite rugby stadium in the world? Good. Now picture that and think of all the elements that make it stand out for you – atmosphere, mingling with rival fans, good pubs nearby, no massive queues for beers, easy access, […]

4 years ago

“I enjoy my own company at the best of times so I will enjoy some quiet time later in the week and then let it all sink in.” Conor Meyler told himself to let it all sink in, and he’s doing his best to stick to that vow. The Omagh St Enda’s clubman is still […]

4 years ago

“I don’t think I’ve been in the house long enough to even sit and reflect.” Today is the ninth day that Conor Meyler has been a reigning All-Ireland champion and it is still sinking in. The celebrations have been flat-out in Tyrone and will carry on a while yet. “It’s been a bit of a […]

4 years ago

“You’re welcome!” They don’t call Nick Cummins ‘The Honey Badger’ for nothing. The former Wallabies star needed all his strength and energy to come to the rescue of a stricken sheep in his native Australia. Cummins, who played for Western Force and Australia before finishing his playing career out with stints in Japan and Norway, […]

4 years ago

How closely have you been paying attention over the last week? The SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz is here to help ease you into the week, and catch you up on all the latest goings on in the sports world. If you reach double figures here, you’ve done well. Good luck!

4 years ago

“I’m pretty angry watching Spurs’ performance today.” New season, zero emissions, same Roy Keane frustration and Tottenham Hotspur falling short against one of the Premier League’s top sides. Spurs went out and gave Chelsea a good scare for the first 30 minutes, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, today but could not break the deadlock and ended […]

4 years ago

ITALY 7-15 IRELAND Another grind, another imperfect performance and another Beibhinn Parsons masterclass that keeps Ireland in the hunt for a World Cup spot. Ireland went into the 2021 RWC Qualifiers, in Italy, as favourites to join the other top sides at next year’s tournament in New Zealand. By losing 8-7 to Spain, on Monday, […]

4 years ago

It doesn’t get much better than this. Manchester United supporters watching Nemanja Matic and Fred trying to hold down that defensive midfielder role, in recent seasons, will be asking why the club did not go all-out to sign Declan Rice. While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer seemed intent on getting in a raft of attacking talent, and […]

4 years ago

“In the back of my head I am thinking, ‘This is the pearl of English rugby and you don’t want to make him angry!’” Rohan Janse van Rensburg picked an odd time to tell his teammate, Manu Tuilagi that he was carrying too much weight, but the feedback was coming from the right place. Sale […]

4 years ago

“I’d much rather have my pair than their pair.” Back in 1988, Jack Charlton took his Ireland team to their first ever European Championships. Injury meant Liam Brady did not make the cut, but he jumped at the chance to travel to West Germany with the squad. For Ireland’s opener, as fate and the Euro […]

4 years ago

Wise words from ‘The Postman’. In recent Ryder Cup history, Ian Poulter has been the one to deliver some of the biggest blows to Team USA. The English golfer may not have a Major title on his CV but if there was an individual trophy for sticking it to some of America’s finest, he would […]

4 years ago

Talked himself into an early bath. Back at Euro 2020, a couple of months ago, Roy Keane declared that Joao Felix and Bruno Fernandes had ‘annoyed the hell’ out of him. The Portugal pair both missed decent chances and flattered to deceive as they were eliminated by Belgium in the second round of the tournament. […]

4 years ago