The pressure was off Liverpool. A Champions League knockout tie at Anfield was a game for Liverpool to enjoy, that was the thinking anyway. Instead it passed without incident, in every sense. Jurgen Klopp’s makeshift defence got through the first 90 minutes of the tie with a scoreless draw. The game briefly threatened to be […]

7 years ago

Compiled by Jackie Cahill Meath 1-13 Sligo 1-3 Meath moved to the summit of Division 3 in the Lidl Ladies National Football League on Saturday following a comfortable victory over Sligo. The Royals, who were beaten Division 3 finalists in 2018, have their sights firmly set on promotion and they enjoyed a 1-13 to 1-3 […]

7 years ago

Camogie round-up by Daragh Ó Conchúir AILISH O’REILLY hit a goal and three points while Carrie Dolan slotted eight points from placed balls as Galway assured themselves of a place in the Littlewoods Ireland Camogie League Division 1 Semi-Finals when getting the better of Waterford by 1-14 to 1-6 at Carriganore. All that is to […]

7 years ago

Diarmuid Connolly hasn’t gone away. At 31 years of age, he’s still in peak condition and he’s still as skilful and as accurate as you’d expect Diarmuid Connolly to be. The man who hasn’t played for Dublin in almost a full year – when they beat Mayo in Castlebar – started for St. Vincent’s on […]

7 years ago

A milestone just over four years in the making. Togoville, owned by Patrick McCann, made a little bit of history on Friday night when he became the first horse in history to win ten races on the all-weather track at Dundalk. With AJ Slattery on board at scarcely-believable odds of 33/1, the nine-year old was […]

7 years ago

By Jackie Cahill THERE are three re-arranged round 1 fixtures in the 2019 Lidl Ladies National Football League down for decision over the coming weekend. Fixtures On Saturday, in Division 3, Sligo welcome Meath to Cloonacool Community Park while in Division 4, Antrim host Leitrim at The Dub. On Sunday, Division 4 takes centre stage […]

7 years ago

By DARAGH SMALL Sisters Niamh and Grace Kelly have scored 2-3 between them in Mayo’s opening two Lidl National Football League ties, but as the year progresses the potential is there for their influence to be even stronger. The younger sibling, Niamh, has been entrusted with the captain’s armband in a season of further transition […]

7 years ago

Things are looking up for Irish athletics. Women’s 1500 mts The Irish were in flying form in Athlone IT on Wednesday night, smashing several national and stadium records to the delight of a sold-out crowd. The atmosphere was electric as stand-out star Ciara Mageean outkicked Romanian rival Claudia Boboca in the TG4 Women’s 1500m with […]

7 years ago

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s permanent appointment had seemed inevitable. After a series of impressive performances and the return to form of key players, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looked certain to become the permanent Manchester United manager in the summer. The return of the Champions League heralds the coming of spring and for Manchester United fans it was […]

7 years ago

In partnership NiQuitin They’re already winners, because they’re quitters. Not so long ago, we put out the call for people who want to give up smoking. In association with NiQuitin, the idea was that we would give them a series of challenges over the course of 10 weeks with the light of a €2,000 holiday […]

7 years ago

The Scholes, Lampard, Gerrard debate returns with a managerial flavour

7 years ago

What was Maurizio Sarri thinking? Maurizio Sarri is admired by many for his footballing philosophy but how much longer will he be allowed implement it at Chelsea? Sarri’s methods require time but after another capitulation, this time at the Etihad, why would Chelsea stick with him when they have their own philosophy? That philosophy involves […]

7 years ago

Know football? Know it well? That’ll go a long way. Football Index is getting bigger and bigger and it’s allowing fans of the beautiful game to put their knowledge and their insight to the test, in a bid to make money on what they know. Just like the stock markets, this is now a tradable […]

7 years ago

By DARAGH SMALL Monaghan captain Cora Courtney skippered her club team to an Ulster title at the end of 2018 – and she dreams of doing likewise with her county this year. That club success seems a lifetime ago now, however, after Monaghan slumped to a disappointing Lidl NFL Division 1 Round 1 loss to […]

7 years ago

By Daragh Ó Conchúir MALLOW GAA Complex is the venue for the 104th Ashbourne Cup Festival, the culmination of an intense programme of games that has left us with the cream of the third level crop vying for the Ashbourne, Purcell, Fr Meachair and Ó Maolagáin Cups. The Semi-Finals will take place on Saturday, along […]

7 years ago

How far will people go to stop Liverpool winning the league? After – no, before – Man City’s win at Everton on Wednesday night, Liverpool fans were already alarmed at the weakened team Marco Silva’s side sent out. As Liverpool’s own anxieties temporarily overwhelm them, are they just transmitting their nerves elsewhere. Is there even […]

7 years ago

You couldn’t have picked a better match-up. For history, for form, for the collection of individual talent from all over Ireland, UCD v DCU in the Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup Quarter-final is going to have it all. On Wednesday night, the last eight of one of the best competitions in the GAA gets under way. […]

7 years ago

Fiona Coghlan has done a hell of a lot for her country. For nearly 12 years, she served Ireland. Three World Cup campaigns, beating New Zealand in one en route to the semi-finals, and the nation’s first ever Grand Slam as captain tops a CV littered with team success, individual honours and a downright devotion […]

7 years ago

On Monday, we put the question out on Instagram. Who should Ireland play at full back next? There’s not exactly a lack of options but there’s not one standout right now either. https://www.instagram.com/p/BtdxW4KBBxf/ Still, despite the six candidates, the same word kept firing through. “Zebo.” “Zebo.” “Where the f**k’s Zebo?” Although he might be in […]

7 years ago

No Irish player has made the RugbyJOE team for round 1 of the Six Nations. Ireland were comprehensively beaten by England in Dublin, Wales went to Paris and got their campaign off to a great start while Scotland cruised to a comfortable win over Italy before Conor O’Shea’s side ran in a couple of late […]

7 years ago

Compiled by Daragh Ó Conchúir Cork 3-08 Waterford 0-10 FIRST-HALF goals from Amy O’Connor (two) and Saoirse McCarthy were vital as All-Ireland champions Cork were able to see off a doughty Déise challenge to prevail by 3-8 to 0-10 at Cork Camogie Grounds. Paudie Murray’s outfit remain on top of Group 2 with three wins […]

7 years ago

Compiled by Declan Rooney Mayo 2-11 Tipperary 0-12 Mayo launched their Lidl NFL Division 1 drive with victory as a 1-6 haul from full-forward Rachel Kearns saw them past Tipperary at Swinford Amenity Park, while Westmeath claimed the spoils against Monaghan in Mullingar. Kearns was inspirational for the westerners, while Grace Kelly also hit the […]

7 years ago

“All the hurdles on the potentially rocky road to Dublin had been cleared with impressive ease.” England came to Dublin on Saturday afternoon and emerged with a convincing victory over Ireland. Eddie Jones’ team won 32-20 at the Aviva Stadium, ending Joe Schmidt’s chances of winning back-to-back Grand Slams in his final Six Nations campaign. […]

7 years ago

England centre Manu Tuilagi smashed Ireland winger Jacob Stockdale with a no arms clean out during his side’s 32-20 win over Ireland at Lansdowne Road on Saturday. Tuilagi formed an effective partnership with Henry Slade in the English midfield as the visitors steamrolled their way past Joe Schmidt’s side but the Leicester Tigers inside back […]

7 years ago

Matt Williams wasn’t in the mood for pulling punches on Saturday night. In a sobering night for Irish Rugby, anyone getting carried away about World Cup talk had their coughs softened as England showed up in Dublin and delivered a masterclass. Physically and tactically, Ireland were dominated as the Grand Slam champions got their Six […]

7 years ago

DONEGAL 1-11 DUBLIN 1-7 By Daire Walsh CAPTAIN Karen Guthrie produced an outstanding performance at Croke Park on Saturday night to give Donegal an opening round triumph over defending champions Dublin in Division One of the Lidl National Football League. The Glenfin ace (who finished with 1-4) was a deserved recipient of the Player of […]

7 years ago

A belter of an opening day to the Dublin Racing Festival. Here is your report to each Saturday’s three big races from Daragh Ó Conchúir as well as a summary of the rest of them. Apple’s Jade routs rivals in the big one Apple’s Jade has routed a high-class field to become the first mare […]

7 years ago

“Enjoy your future now before it’s too late.” Those are the powerfully poignant words of Doddie Weir, a rugby giant, a Scottish icon, a great man. At the age of just 48, Weir is living with the adverse reality of his motor neurone disease diagnosis but, still, he is an inspiration. Despite the horror of […]

7 years ago

And there it goes, another transfer window. No Harry Redknapp, no flight trackers, no 1am surprises and not even a purple dildo in sight on Sky Sports News. Deadline day came and deadline day went and, when all is said and done, only three of the Premier League’s top six got involved in any bit […]

7 years ago

By Daragh Small Almost two decades on from her inter-county debut, Sligo defender Jacqui Mulligan is back hoping to make the difference in 2019. Last year she took a year out to explore the world, and after she watched her team-mates exit the TG4 Intermediate championship to Tyrone once again, the St Farnan’s clubwoman thinks it’s […]

7 years ago

By Daragh Small Donegal senior manager Maxi Curran is hoping that 2019 is the year that his squad can bridge the gap to Cork and Dublin and claim some national silverware. Donegal can be immediately benchmarked when they travel to Croke Park this Saturday evening (5pm) to face the Lidl Ladies National League Division 1 […]

7 years ago

Wednesday night lights. It’s come to this, do or die. Only one will advance and who worse to deny you than one of your fiercest rivals? DIT and UCD put their dreams on the line on Wednesday night in Belfield with the prize of The Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup quarter-final awaiting the victor. After stumbling […]

7 years ago

By Daragh Small She’s just buzzing to get back into it again. CORK defender Eimear Meaney says she is thrilled with Ladies Football’s progress and that Cork’s aim is to get back to Croke Park in 2019 in order to bury the memories of the disappointing TG4 All-Ireland Senior Final defeat to Dublin last September. […]

7 years ago

Sock game is strong. Don’t for a second tell us it’s a coincidence. Don’t even try and claim that you just pick up a pair of socks willy nilly and let them sit on you whatever way they want. We’re above that at this stage and we can see right through those lies anyway. Some […]

7 years ago

This year marks the 10 year anniversary of Ireland’s 2009 Grand Slam. Tommy Bowe collecting Ronan O’Gara’s crosskick and sprinting clear of the Welsh defence to score in the Millenium Stadium is one of the most iconic moments in Irish Rugby history. Nine years later and Ireland repeated the feat by running the table in […]

7 years ago

Anything over 16/20 is a good score

7 years ago

Camoige round-up by Daragh Ó Conchúir St Martin’s 0-11 Inniscarra 0-5 NINE points from Chloe Foxe propelled St Martin’s to the final of the AIB All-Ireland Senior Club Camogie Championship as a result of a 0-11 to 0-5 win over Inniscarra at WIT Carriganore. They will face the considerable task of attempting to dethrone an […]

7 years ago

The big guns are taking care of business. Camogie Division One League round-up by Daragh Ó Conchúir Galway 1-14 Tipperary 1-6 CARRIE DOLAN shot 10 points as Galway got their Littlewoods Ireland Camogie League Division 1 campaign off to a flying start with a 1-14 to 1-6 win over Tipperary at The Ragg. Defending champions […]

7 years ago

Another important weekend for Rafa Benitez. Or is it? Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle United have a home tie against Watford in the FA Cup and they may be one club who would cherish a victory in the competition. But is it in Newcastle’s best interests to do well. Conventional wisdom says they would be better off […]

7 years ago

Now it’s just going too far. Come and have a look if you like, sample some of the products even, but just don’t take Mata away. Whilst Thursday’s rumour mill brought good news for the Old Trafford faithful with the talk that they were beating Spurs to one of Holland’s most promising attackers, there’s inevitably […]

7 years ago

Brought to you by NiQuitin Not a bad way to motivate yourself to quit smoking. Giving up smoking is no mean feat. As big a mountain it might seem at the start, having the right people around you is half the battle. In association with NiQuitin, we want to get people to team up and quit […]

7 years ago

Over half of the nominees are Irish. Eight Irish players have been nominated for the EPCR European Player of the Year award. Leinster trio Sean Cronin, Tadhg Furlong and Garry Ringrose, who helped the province win the Champions Cup in 2018, are nominated. As are Munster and Ireland stars Tadhg Beirne, Joey Carbery and Peter O’Mahony. Ulster’s Jacob […]

7 years ago

Anything over 15 is a great score here…

7 years ago

Every media outlet should have a daily Sam Allardyce slot. It’s nothing to do with any activity in the transfer market but he felt the need to point out on talkSPORT that he wanted to sign Pierre Emerick Aubameyang when he was manager at Everton. I saw him first, sort of thing. Allardyce provided typically […]

7 years ago

Is there anything better than the transfer window? Gossip, rumours, hearsay. The same thing over and over again, just worded differently. Tell-tales, tittle-tattles, Chinese whispers. If a month that does its very best to suck the life out of football fans by the shameless shoehorning of the FA Cup ever needed another dimension of talking […]

7 years ago

By Jackie Cahill Brilliant stuff. THE Ladies Gaelic Football Association is pleased to confirm the full list of 13 confirmed ‘double-header’ fixtures during the 2019 Lidl National League campaign. The Lidl National Football League Fixtures will provide curtain raisers to men’s Allianz Football League games involving the host counties. The LGFA has managed to secure […]

7 years ago

Marcus Rashford is back. But whoever doubted him? After another great weekend for Manchester United, the return of Rashford to the form that first suggested he could be one of the most exciting players in English football has Manchester United fans excited. Is this resurgence simply down to the exit of Jose Mourinho or should […]

7 years ago

Harry Kane injured. Lucas Moura injured. Son at the Asian Games. Dele Alli a concern. Llorente, beta. Who you gonna call? Andy Carroll is the only number Tottenham Hotspur can think of dialling. Despite playing just 25 league games in the last two seasons and managing to hit the net just three times in that period, Spurs are said […]

7 years ago

N’Koudou’s pinpoint cross provided a stoppage time assist for Harry Winks on Sunday. It’s fair to say that Georges-Kévin N’Koudou has become something of a forgotten man at Tottenham – as his tweet on Sunday night suggested. The 23-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Burnley but has found first team […]

7 years ago

By Daragh Ó Conchúir The camogie is back. Cork 0-10 Tipperary 0-7 ALL-IRELAND champions Cork survived an extremely stern examination from Tipperary to get their Littlewoods Ireland Camogie League Division 1 campaign off to a winning start, 0-10 to 0-7 at The Ragg. Tipp are looking to build on a progressive 2018 under Bill Mullaney, […]

7 years ago