Christmas, as we all know, is a time for peace, love and terrible knitwear.
Which is just as well, because 2015 has been quite an acrimonious year in the world of sport – particularly in the arena of unrestrained rage that is Twitter.
We’ve had angry fathers defending their sons, footballers coveting each other’s wives and rugby players being accused of homophobia.
In no particular order, here are the 15 greatest sporting Twitter spats of 2015. Do let us know if we’ve missed any doozies though, because we’ve had enough peace and love, plus this jumper is beginning to itch.
Mo Farah versus Andy Vernon
Long distance runners quote Taylor Swift in a race to the bottom
Another stellar field against @Mo_Farah on home turf this weekend at Birmingham. #joke
— Andy Vernon (@AndyVernonGB) February 17, 2015
Another stellar field against @Mo_Farah on home turf this weekend at Birmingham. #joke
— Andy Vernon (@AndyVernonGB) February 17, 2015
@AndyVernonGB Shame you didn't make the line up….again #ComeBackWhenYouWinSomethingDecent
— Sir Mo Farah (@Mo_Farah) February 17, 2015
Lol @Mo_Farah I think even you can work out that I can make the cut to the Indoor Grand Prix. Lets hope no one loses their shoe…
— Andy Vernon (@AndyVernonGB) February 17, 2015
@Mo_Farah. 1) stop quoting Taylor Swift. 2) I don't hate you Mo. I would just rather watch a race than the the Mo Show. #playersgonnaplay
— Andy Vernon (@AndyVernonGB) February 17, 2015
Don't know how this got so blown up.Its no secret that Mo gets weaker fields put together for home races. Ian Stewart would tell you himself
— Andy Vernon (@AndyVernonGB) February 17, 2015
Cian Healy versus Brian Kennedy
Rugby star offends singer with off-key Tweet
So I'm going to a kesha gig at pride in Hollywood tonight… Should be interesting! #BacksToTheWall 😂
— Cian Healy (@ProperChurch) June 14, 2015
@ProperChurch " backstothewall"?? I didn't think anyone talked like that anymore. How deeply disappointing in one so young.
— Dr BRIAN KENNEDY (@KennedySinger) June 14, 2015
@ProperChurch " sorry if it was taken wrong" ? You clearly don't get it. At least you had the good grace to reply. #FoodForThought
— Dr BRIAN KENNEDY (@KennedySinger) June 14, 2015
Stan Collymore versus Ian Wright
Striker and counter-striker
That's interesting @IanWright0 ,last time I saw you you were fine with me. And your company wanted me to work for them,so rather odd change.
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) May 23, 2015
I take it you mean criticism of your son @IanWright0 ?
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) May 23, 2015
https://twitter.com/IanWright0/status/602043296005881856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/IanWright0/status/602045797992128512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/IanWright0/status/602046085121646592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/IanWright0/status/602052620254105600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Cathal Pendred versus CM Punk
Welterweight scrap (*had to be edited due to length)
CM Punk on the pads making me look like Muhammad Ali 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/o6HQ1PNkJA
— Cathal Pendred (@Pendred) August 11, 2015
Ali wasn't a boring twat. Sweet emojis. Focus more on you, maybe you'll win a fight without a gift from the judges. https://t.co/kP7QgPHK0n
— player/coach (@CMPunk) August 11, 2015
@CMPunk I've actually won 17 professional fights, how many have you won?
— Cathal Pendred (@Pendred) August 11, 2015
They got mirrors in Ireland? What sort of glass is your house made out of? https://t.co/vpo7qcuLuj
— player/coach (@CMPunk) August 11, 2015
https://twitter.com/Pendred/status/631224582301700096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Everybody watch out for the "Ali like" movement. http://t.co/c8tNPq9lY3
— player/coach (@CMPunk) August 11, 2015
Usain Bolt versus P**** Morgan
Fastest man puts biggest bore back in his box
'Will Manchester United ever play entertaining football again?' > RT @usainbolt: Caption this look my tweeps pic.twitter.com/RAmHUy5GNn
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) November 5, 2015
Or did @piersmorgan sleep any at all last night after that Arsenal lost
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) November 5, 2015
I finally got to sleep by counting all the goals Arsenal scored against United last month, @usainbolt.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) November 5, 2015
Next time count all the titles @ManUtd has @piersmorgan
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) November 5, 2015
Gary Lineker versus P**** Morgan
Broadcasters’ feud is always primetime
For the second time in just over a week @aaronramsey proves his worth. A goal tonight and the refusal to shake the hand of @piersmorgan
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) May 4, 2015
Arsenal are top of the @premierleague . #Wengerout @piersmorgan ?
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) October 24, 2015
You don't win the League in Oct, Jugs. Or in your case, ever > RT @ @GaryLineker: Arsenal top of @premierleague . #Wengerout @piersmorgan ?
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) October 24, 2015
How's your golden boot collection? https://t.co/ueb6Kmvh7l
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) October 24, 2015
Tommy Quinn versus Artem Lobov
MMA fighters get their degrees out for the lads
Show your support for #IrishMMA http://t.co/AWLOMGkasD
— Tommy Quinn (@TheRolyPolyKid) January 9, 2015
@tommyq89 Tommy promote yourself by fighting rather than talking, 2-1 in three years?…you can barely be called a fighter as you dont fight
— Artem Lobov (@RusHammerMMA) January 9, 2015
@prospectkiller injuries, degree and setting myself up for after fighting has gotten in the way, just because we have a future old man 😊
— Tommy Quinn (@TheRolyPolyKid) January 9, 2015
@tommyq89 Bachelors degree,masters,3 jobs, multiple injuries and 22 fights…you look like a little biatch compare to me kiddo
— Artem Lobov (@RusHammerMMA) January 9, 2015
@prospectkiller @prospectkiller alright there butch, what ways that record looking though…it's called a career, I'm in it for the long run
— Tommy Quinn (@TheRolyPolyKid) January 9, 2015
@tommyq89 Tommy the Drama Quinn!
— Artem Lobov (@RusHammerMMA) January 9, 2015
@tommyq89 For the long run of not fighting but tweeting from your couch
— Artem Lobov (@RusHammerMMA) January 9, 2015
@prospectkiller @FergOFMMA @MMAFERGUSON1 I bet you have a bigger dick too lobov…damn you the man
— Tommy Quinn (@TheRolyPolyKid) January 9, 2015
Aidan O’Shea versus Mayo County Board
Cryptic but impactful (One to mull over)
Logic & @MayoGAA rarely go together.
— Aidan O'Shea (@AIDOXI) September 16, 2015
Was he referring to one of these county board decisions???
There are 3 nominations submitted for the vacant Mayo U-21 Football Manager Position: Michael Solan, Anthony McGarry & John Maughan #mayogaa
— Mayo GAA (@MayoGAA) September 16, 2015
Following a vote by Delgates, it has been voted that Enda Gilvarry will continue in the role of Mayo Minor Football Team Manager for 2016
— Mayo GAA (@MayoGAA) September 16, 2015
Paul Galvin versus Irish Rail
We’ve all been here
@IrishRail Hi guys. I need to change my Heuston/Kerry train ticket from today at 1 to Thursday at 1 please. What do I need to do? Thanks.
— paul galvin (@pgal10) April 28, 2015
@IrishRail For real? @AerLingus transferred a flight for free 2 weeks ago w/a simple call to a helpdesk. Meanwhile.. pic.twitter.com/5Hket86eRa
— paul galvin (@pgal10) April 28, 2015
Colby Covington versus Cathal Pendred
Fair to say “Chaos” won’t be headlining an Irish event any time soon
Let's see who is the tougher Irish American @PendredMMA no judges will be needed I promise @ufc @danawhite @FakeJoeSilva @SuckerPunchEnt
— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) January 19, 2015
Lmao @PendredMMA saying "had no doubt I controlled the fight". You won't say that against me because I won't let it go to judges @ufc
— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) January 19, 2015
@Dunnie88x @AGBLKHPPY @ufc @TheNotoriousMMA @PendredMMA @PaddyHolohanMMA these guys are one dimensional. I am a complete fighter.
— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) January 20, 2015
Why you favoriting all my posts @PendredMMA ? You acting like a girl. Respond like a man or stay scared and in hiding @ufc
— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) January 23, 2015
@PendredMMA Well, what are you in this business for??? To get horrendous gift decisions??? I'm here to fight! Not ride someone's coattail.
— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) January 24, 2015
@PendredMMA @ufc Cathy you are barely talented enough to even step in the octagon. The judges had to bail out your pathetic career.
— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) January 24, 2015
@baltim0re28 @GamebredFighter @PendredMMA @ufc Nope, the inbred is scared.
— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) January 24, 2015
@PendredMMA @ufc @danawhite @SuckerPunchEnt pic.twitter.com/nM6nOOQp6e
— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) January 24, 2015
@TheUFCDay It's funny these potato farmers can talk shit but can't take it back. I have Irish in my blood so them calling me racist is funny
— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) January 24, 2015
Paddy O’Rourke versus Everybody
Meath goalkeeper retweets abuse and receives support
Dessie Dolan on the abuse of Meath's @PaORourke89 – "It's not on that players have to deal with these issues. It's dangerous." #SundayGame
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 28, 2015
Arsenal fan versus Arsenal fan
Mathematically speaking
Los Angeles Clippers versus Dallas Mavericks
Free-agent DeAndre Johnson fought for…with emojis
✈️
— Chandler Parsons (@ChandlerParsons) July 8, 2015
https://twitter.com/JJRedick/status/618844949413433344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
✈️🚁🚙
— Blake Griffin (@blakegriffin23) July 8, 2015
🏊
— Mike Woodson (@MikeWoodsonNBA) July 8, 2015
🍌🚤
— Chris Paul (@CP3) July 8, 2015
🚀🚖🚎🚂🚁🚚🚙🍗
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) July 8, 2015
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) July 8, 2015
But MJ wins it
🐐
— Jordan (@Jumpman23) July 8, 2015
Sean O’Brien versus Brian O’Driscoll
This pair are like an Irish Gary and P****, but without the utter hatred
So this looks normal! Geoff Capes wants his chest back. #nextsizeupmaybe?! @SeanOBrien1987 pic.twitter.com/FC7x65cYSZ
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) July 15, 2015
Thanks for your concern @BrianODriscoll but don't be worrying about it, your retired Remember! #imhappywiththefit 😀
— Sean O'Brien (@SeanOBrien1987) July 15, 2015
Adam Goodes versus booing crowds
Indigenous Aussie Rules star had enough of racist abuse, sparking Twitter storm
"Goodesy has been a superstar for us + I wanted to support him" http://t.co/LRkNusDww3 Jetta on that goal celebration pic.twitter.com/zj7wQYAGM1
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) July 26, 2015
https://twitter.com/luke_parker26/status/626013307455975424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Dinner tonight with Uncle @adamroy37 ! Nothing will break us !!! #standingstrong pic.twitter.com/gfZJQZcJI3
— Mick O'Loughlin (@MickOLoughlin) July 28, 2015
Shane Warne took a different view…
This whole Adam Goodes drama is ridiculous. The public can boo or chant whoever's name they want ! It's nothing to do with being racist….
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) July 30, 2015
If the public don't like a sportsman because of the way they play the game, they boo, if they like them they cheer, nothing to do re racism
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) July 30, 2015
