Easy weight. There’s an old philosophical debate which ponders which is most accurate: The stronger the body, the stronger the mind. The stronger the mind, the stronger the body. It probably works both ways. Some people feel better because of the shape they’re in. Others get into that sort of shape in the first place […]

8 years ago

The Autumn Internationals in 2018 are going to be blockbuster. After a clean sweep this November, brushing aside South Africa, Fiji and Argentina, Joe Schmidt confirmed Ireland’s Tier 1 opponents for the same set of fixtures next year. Argentina New Zealand They will also play against a Tier 2 country but that nation is still […]

8 years ago

They’re one of us now. Barcelona have always been a bit of a higher being when it comes to football. They see things differently. They win differently. Pep Guardiola and that golden generation of Barca stars reinvented the game. Their shape was fluid, positions were interchangeable and they didn’t even need a striker at times […]

8 years ago

Corofin brought on seven substitutes in normal time during their win over Castlebar. Six of them were normal substitutions. One of them was a blood sub. The blood sub was for Kieran Fitzgerald – the first man to come off the field – in the 21st minute. It was only a temporary change which could’ve […]

8 years ago

As cold as it is, as muddy as it is, there’s something special about playing ball in the winter. You know you’re doing something big when the crisp air is back and you can see your breath at training. You know you’re really on the cusp of something when the seasons have come full circle, […]

8 years ago

Please remain standing for Amhrán na bhFiann. Sometimes you can do nothing but love Ireland and all its mishaps. You only think something like Father Ted is far-fetched and unrealistic and then thousands are forced to stand in silence for over a minute waiting for audio of the national anthem to play – but it […]

8 years ago

Romelu Lukaku was silly. Mark Clattenburg was said to have advised NBC that the incident where the Belgian seemed to kick out Gaetan Bong should’ve been a Brighton free kick and a yellow card for the striker. What you would write down in your book as the yellow card offence, God only knows. It’s clear […]

8 years ago

England is a strange sort of place – when it comes to football at least. It’s the kind of country where a player looks to have had a good game two weeks in a row on the four-minute Match of the Day packages and he’s automatically talked back into the international reckoning. All of Ben […]

8 years ago

Football’s not important. It’s not. This isn’t even about perspective or some things being more important, it’s about realising the real place football has in our lives. It’s there as an escape. It’s good craic getting wrapped up in the direction of a leather ball and theorising and eulogising about who can kick something better than […]

8 years ago

“Mental is a huge part of sport now” – Chloe Magee. As a three-time Olympian at just 28, it’s fair to say that Chloe Magee knows what it takes to be a competitor. In 2008, in 2012 and in 2016, the Donegal native represented Ireland every time at the Olympic Games. She excelled – before […]

8 years ago

Just when you thought jersey season was over, Sigerson Cup teams get back into training. Dundalk IT have returned to the big time after an eight-year absence and, by Jesus, they’re heading there in some style. Literally. The Trench Cup champions will be competing in the 2017/18 Sigerson Cup under the steady hands of Oisin […]

8 years ago

Everyone knows Colm Cooper, the genius. They’ve all seen Colm Cooper in his Sunday best. They’ve all been lucky enough to say that they lived in the era of Colm Cooper, one of the all-time greats. In the last two generations, there probably hasn’t been a more beautiful footballer. The cheeky audacity that the Gooch […]

8 years ago

When your team collapses and loses 5-1 in one of the most important games in history against a nation you already drew with away from home, questions are going to be asked. If there’s a bottom line, this one is below it. Let’s get a few things straight: Ireland are missing a prolific striker. Ireland are missing their only […]

8 years ago

It’s funny how the world of motorsport seemingly operates in another sphere. That’s through no fault of their own by the way – it’s just ignorance in the mainstream media. All over the planet, even dotted right across this little island of ours are these great men performing great feats but, for whatever reason, their […]

8 years ago

Daryl Gurney didn’t pour Phil Taylor a glass of water. What else do you want to know? There’s nothing more. The Derry darts star took on The Power in the quarter-finals of the 2017 Grand Slam but, according to the 16-time world champion, the worst thing he did was that he poured himself a glass of […]

8 years ago

They do it right in Westmeath. From 42-point drubbings to the club’s first county title in 61 years. From that to provincial glory. 2017 will never be forgotten in Multyfarnham. The junior football champions of Westmeath are 60 minutes from Croke Park but, whatever will be, they’ll look back on this year and this special […]

8 years ago

What Conor McManus can do with a football should never be taken for granted. In an era of athleticism and defence, he has consistently and beautifully managed to elevate himself above the trenches that players have been trying to drag him into his whole life. Even with a naturally light make-up, McManus has railed against […]

8 years ago

There’s only one Carl Frampton. 24-1. The Jackal is back with a unanimous decision points victory over Horacio Garcia that really had to be dug out because this was a serious test. But, by hook or by crook, he got his way back – whatever it took. It was nearly three years since Carl Frampton […]

8 years ago

The Late Late Show took Ireland on a journey on Friday night. From Ryan Tubridy trying to sing along to Christy Moore whilst sitting three inches from the great man and tentatively tapping his feet to the rhythm – or there or thereabouts – to Mel Gibson, Mark Wahlberg, Will Ferrell and John Lithgow all […]

8 years ago

There won’t be any problems getting the Irish up to watch the second test on Saturday. Aidan O’Shea is predicting that there will be more ex-Pats in Perth roaring them on during the second test of the International Rules than there will be Aussies but, even back home, the country’s interest is now peaked. How […]

8 years ago

We need the best players who are the best players right now. Not the best players of the future. If you constantly look to the future, you ignore the reason why you were developing youngsters in the first place. With that in mind, the Ireland team that should lead the country through the next qualification […]

8 years ago

There’s going for it and then there’s going for it. Everyone knows and everyone knew the situation. 2-1 down at half time, the Republic needed two second half goals to rescue their World Cup dreams and, whilst O’Neill was asked afterwards if he rolled the dice with his changes, the odds of return there were […]

8 years ago

Martin O’Neill hasn’t gone anywhere, he might not go anywhere, but why would that stop you? The odds for the next permanent manager of the Republic of Ireland have the current national team assistant manager Roy Keane out in front in the race to replace O’Neill, whenever he does leave. If ever he does leave. […]

8 years ago

It was between Ireland, France and South Africa. In the end, it was between France and South Africa but little did we know that we weren’t even being looked at in round two. In total, 39 votes were accumulated based on the breakdown of different countries’ weights to determine who would host the Rugby World […]

8 years ago

It’s such a kick in the teeth, not getting the World Cup after not qualifying for the World Cup. Perhaps rugby and soccer’s most aggressive fans don’t relate those things but it’s been a bad week for Ireland, whatever shape of your balls. France will host Rugby World Cup 2023 after the announcement was made […]

8 years ago

James McClean could not have done much more to get Ireland to a World Cup. He scored goals – the most goals. He made tackles – the biggest tackles. He ran miles – by far the most miles. He played with his heart on his sleeve but he also played with pure footballing effect too. […]

8 years ago

Åge Hareide took a bit of a beating from the Danish public after the draw in Copenhagen and he reacted aggressively. He talked about Denmark’s superior footballing ability, Ireland’s desire to not play football, and his confidence that his team would get the job done. Granted, in hindsight, his thoughts were well-placed but they were […]

8 years ago

Wes Hoolahan will be 36 by the time the next competitive international fixture rolls around and it doesn’t even matter. He could be 38 or 18 and it shouldn’t really come into it because, regardless, he still shows time and again that he’s the best footballer in the country. Once more on Tuesday night, he […]

8 years ago

Panic. It’s a little hard not to sympathise with Martin O’Neill in some sense. The diamond formation he deployed worked. McClean and Murphy were hounding the Danish backline, there was a high press all over the field and the ball was being worked through the lines better than Ireland have done in some time. We […]

8 years ago

Where did we get to on that 33rd team campaign? The World Cup dream is over. Denmark are through to Russia with four goals to spare. 5-1 was the final score in Dublin – the Irish have their tails between their legs. Darren Randolph 6 Randolph the Great produced some vital stops early on and […]

8 years ago

The stage is set. Win, and this group of Republic of Ireland football players will join the immortals. Lose, and the wait for a fourth ever World Cup appearance will continue. Not since 2002 have Ireland made it to that far. Three chances have come and gone but Martin O’Neill has his side tantalising close […]

8 years ago

Martin O’Neill always has a surprise in store. His team sheets get hard to predict because he always throws a spanner into the works and catches everyone off guard. On Tuesday night, in Ireland’s do-or-die clash for a place in the World Cup, he could do a number of things. 1. Shane Long for Murphy […]

8 years ago

Nowhere in the world are expectations so small but support so big. Nowhere else on this planet would a team who’ve drawn their first leg away still come in as underdogs with 90 minutes at home standing between them and the World Cup. Nowhere else would that pressure be taken completely off of their shoulders […]

8 years ago

When the nation starts rowing in behind Martin O’Neill’s team selections, you know he’s gotten it right. When Wes Hoolahan was dropped at the Euros, nobody outside of the RTÉ studio were really up in arms. We needed pace and aggression and direct play and the manager had the team to do that. Hoolahan? Well, […]

8 years ago

There’s your modern day goalkeeper now. Niall Morgan is the only number one to have travelled with the Irish squad for the International Rules series but he could provide cover out the field as well. The Tyrone man who seemingly just gets better and better with each passing year is so much more than just […]

8 years ago

We were supposed to be the ones who were the masters of the football. Remember? That was the deal. We play with the round ball, we play with goals and goalkeepers and three points for a point and we’d pit our mastery and skill and accuracy against their physicality. Well, whilst the Irish might feel […]

8 years ago

Christian Eriksen thought he knew what to expect from Ireland. They all do. The Danish playmaker was asked about getting around the Irish, dividing them and conquering them, and he almost shrugged his shoulders as if it wouldn’t be anything he hadn’t come across before. “They will play the way they have in previous games, […]

8 years ago

It was a weird atmosphere around the place on Saturday. Every local you talked to were confident. They not only thought they’d get through the two legs but they thought it would start tonight with a win. 2-0 would be ideal. Then you spoke to the Irish and they had the confidence about them too […]

8 years ago

180 minutes from immortality. Only three times in Ireland’s history have they managed a place in the World Cup and, now, the task could not be simpler. Beat Denmark over two legs and this group of players who have been so heavily criticised at times will join the list of Irish legends. They’ll be up […]

8 years ago

I never particularly liked the criticism of Ireland fans. Sure, some of them play up to the fame now. You see lads showing up in different countries with this brash assuredness that they’ll not only be the life and soul of the town for a night, but they’ll take home whoever they please because… the […]

8 years ago

Take a look at this. Darren Randolph Cyrus Christie Shane Duffy Ciaran Clark Stephen Ward Glenn Whelan Harry Arter Aiden McGeady James McClean Daryl Murphy Come Tuesday, every one of them could be suspended. Why? Because they have a yellow card already in this campaign. Ireland head into a World Cup playoff clash already shorn […]

8 years ago

Brought to you by Science Week.  It’s a tough one to get right. You’re afraid to eat too much, you’re afraid to eat too little and you’re constantly paranoid wondering if you’re going to get the most from your diet. Sleeping’s worse. You don’t want to feel lazy, you don’t want to feel jaded. It’s […]

8 years ago

Whatever this magic is around Martin O’Neill that all his past and current players allude to but fail to explain, his ability to properly sniff out the atmosphere probably best sums up that effect. Never has a man been able to gauge the temperature of a room quite like Martin O’Neill can and perhaps no-one […]

8 years ago

Christian Eriksen and Kasper Schmeichel sat next to their Norwegian manager Åge Hareide on Friday afternoon at Telia Parken and they presented a steel front. As eery darkness fell prematurely over mid-afternoon in Copenhagen, the Danish internationals were almost at one with their surroundings. Calm. Cold. There was just an aura of business about them, as […]

8 years ago

“He’ll never forget his roots. Never, ever.” James McClean, the son of Derry, the leader of Ireland. The Republic of Ireland’s top goalscorer in this World Cup campaign was once just an average footballer with a bit of steel and a bit of toughness and a bit of bloody manic desire to make it. The […]

8 years ago

Eoin Cadogan might be a good full back and a recognised one at that which will be music to the Mayo lads’ ears but, Christ, he’s in some nick too. The Irish International Rules squad are readying for their first test in Australia (throw-in 5am on Sunday, Irish time) and they’re not coasting anyway. Ahead […]

8 years ago

Nine years is a long time to wait for a club like Scotstown. The ladies of the proud Monaghan outfit almost went a decade without a title but it was put right on Saturday with a league victory that was literally celebrated like no other. Scotstown clinched the ladies league with a 4-9 to 2-7 […]

8 years ago

There’s a team that we should play and there’s a team that we’re going to play. As with most cases around the Ireland XI, the difference is usually Glenn Whelan. A lot of Aston Villa fans were excited at the Dubliner’s signature… at first. Shrewd, they said. Experience. He’ll do a job. The job he […]

8 years ago

Quick roll call ahead of Saturday. Richard Keogh: absent. Sean Maguire: absent. James McCarthy: absent. Three injuries to three men who would’ve otherwise made the final cut in Denmark makes the Irish squad look ever thinner ahead of the crucial World Cup qualifier in Copenhagen. Add to that David McGoldrick, Alan Browne, Daryl Horgan and Jonny […]

8 years ago

It’s a real golden era in Meath… jersey-wise. Year after year, they keep coming back and they keep producing. When they’re written off, when they’re willed against by the rest of the country, the Royal county step up time and time again and, in the face of constant adversity, naysayers and begrudgers, they deliver. One […]

8 years ago