It was bad! By the autumn of 2016, Rob Kearney was a bonafide great of Irish rugby; a shoo-in for our greatest XV, and one of the most decorated players in our history. However, there was a serious problem at hand. Despite only turning 30 in March, he was out of form, and his body […]

4 months ago

“Is it arrogance when the stats speak for themselves?” On the week a leading English writer berated Ireland’s arrogant cheerleaders, the Irish pundits were lining up to dismiss Scotland’s chances of a Six Nations shock. Peter O’Mahony had heard all he needed to hear before Ireland and Scotland faced off at the 2023 World Cup. […]

2 years ago

Live by the box-kick, die by the box-kick. Lindsay Peat was down in Ballincollig RFC clubhouse, down in Cork, watching the TV as Conor Murray lined up a clearing box-kick, with the clock winding down at Twickenham. “I’m not a back,” she reflected, “but why not put the ball up your jumper?” Peat, the former […]

2 years ago

While other big-names will grab headlines, this man was crucial to Ireland’s five-star start. Ireland kick-started their quest for Rugby World Cup glory in perfect fashion on Saturday afternoon, sealing a comprehensive 82-8 victory over Romania, in a result which former Ireland full-back Rob Kearney labelled as “the perfect day.” Johnny Sexton returned from his […]

2 years ago

“It will only become an issue if Hugo picks up a big injury.” Since taking over as Ireland head coach, after the 2019 World Cup, no player has started more for the world number one side than Hugo Keenan. The Kildare native made his Test debut in a November 2020 win over Italy, scoring two […]

3 years ago

The comments came off the back of England’s record-breaking defeat. Former Ireland and Ulster winger Andrew Trimble has lamented England’s terrible performance in their 53-10 loss at the hands of a scintillating French side, on Saturday. Speaking on Virgin Media in the aftermath of what was England’s heaviest ever Six Nations defeat, the 70-time-capped Irish […]

3 years ago