I can already hear it. The cries saying, “he’s a f**king professional footballer, what do you expect?” But it’s not a coincidence that it’s always the same man. It’s not a coincidence that he always does it. James McClean’s fitness and application isn’t something that needs going over again but more than 8 years after […]

5 years ago

Here we are now, in a European Championship playoff, with Stephen Kenny as manager. When Ireland were being hammered by Wales and failing to score against Denmark to qualify for this playoff via the trusty route of coming bottom of their Nations League group (don’t ask), you’d never thought we’d be here. Not with that […]

5 years ago

This is the one. Of all the chances you’ve had for 20/20, this is the greatest of them. Don’t blow it.

5 years ago

Joe Brolly says it is time for GAA people to get their feet back on the ground. The Derry man has welcomed the suspension of all Gaelic Games activity in Ireland after the GAA’s statement called a halt to everything. A number of supporters and players – and mostly the GAA administrators – have been criticised […]

5 years ago

Let’s play. Right now.

5 years ago

Do you know what they say about Day 192? Because I don’t.

5 years ago

Get some of this into your Saturday soul. Predicting an average of 13 out of 20 today.

5 years ago

Let’s do it. Right here, right now.

5 years ago

16 dual players. One club. Two codes. Two finals. Two days. That’s what Cahir are being asked to do this weekend ahead of two championship finals in Tipperary, one in the camogie and one in the football. The town is coloured in green, the bunting is flying but the players are asking how it has […]

5 years ago

Ready? Go.

5 years ago

Massive, massive opportunity for 20/20 today. Don’t get sloppy. Don’t get tricked.

5 years ago

In the words of Westlife, nobody said it was easy. That was Coldplay. Come on! Sharpen up if you’re going to be ready for this battle.

5 years ago

Beware. Some tricky ones today. Be careful and the very best of luck to you.

5 years ago

Ready? Set? Hurry up, to f-

5 years ago

We’re about to spread your backside on toast. Be careful.

5 years ago

The minute you don’t respect the quiz, the quiz will destroy you. Respect the quiz.

5 years ago

At fault at one end, the reason Ireland came away with a point at the other end. It was a weird international match, a competitive one at that, with players in pre-season with their clubs and asked to dive into the thick of it on this stage. Shane Duffy didn’t have a great game overall. […]

5 years ago

We waited 21 months for Stephen Kenny, and we were forced to listen to Mick McCarthy talk about crosses all night. We waited 21 months for Stephen Kenny, and Ireland conceded first before scoring a last minute equaliser through a Shane Duffy header. To draw 1-1. The new era is here and defenders are still […]

5 years ago

All or nothing today. Prepare to use Jose Mourinho’s favourite saying a lot: Fucking hell.

5 years ago

Potentially impossible, but that could change in three weeks’ time. On September 18, FIFA will host its annual congress and it’s being reported that some rule changes are on the table which could affect international eligibility. One of them is said to be a rule that would allow players to switch allegiance more than once. […]

5 years ago

Usual? Coming up.

5 years ago

It’s a one minute break for water, lads. Don’t take the biscuit. The temptation is always there when the team huddles up. One last chance for a team talk. A chance to coach. A chance to gee up everyone again because you won’t see them for another 14 minutes. The reality is that it’s just […]

5 years ago

We’re in showbiz, baby. So let’s get down to brass tacks.

5 years ago

Pass appreciation. When the weight, direction, timing of the pass is designed it totality with the recipient in mind. The pass is made completely selflessly, with the only concern being how will this improve the life of the next player. You’ll see many people find a team mate in this game but when someone has […]

5 years ago

Shelmaliers have doubled their Wexford senior hurling honours and now they boast a record that says every time they get to the final, they win. Two from two as the Castlebridge outfit won their first championship since their first championship, back in 2014, and they did it with the sort of swagger of a team […]

5 years ago

We’re going again. Big chance today – don’t blow it.

5 years ago

“Box, Katie.” By the fifth round in Brentwood, Delfine Persoon was emboldened. She was still in the fight and her awkwardness and her relentless, kamikaze attrition was tiring Katie Taylor. Worse, Taylor was starting to play by the old Persoon rules that had gotten her into such trouble a year ago. Then a simple call […]

5 years ago

Only easy if you know the answer. Let’s do it.

5 years ago

Aaaaaahhh, NOW I get it. pic.twitter.com/QfpbE4s3UD — SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) August 19, 2020 Robert Lewandowski has scored in every Champions League game this season. He’s played 46 times for Bayern in this campaign in total. He’s scored 55 goals. Across nine Champions League games, he’s hit the net 15 times with the latest coming in the […]

5 years ago

NK Celja 3-0 Dundalk Dundalk’s bid for Champions League qualification fell at the first hurdle in Hungary as three counter attacks sent them packing for the Europa League. Despite dominating most of the game and going close on one or two – or three or four or five occasions – Vinny Perth’s men failed to […]

5 years ago

I got a tweet there. “Why are GAA people so in favour of having people at games? You don’t hear it from anywhere else in the world.” Why? I’ll tell you why. I remember intercepting a pass at Parnell Park during my first start in the Dublin championship a few years ago. I came in […]

5 years ago

On this day in 1993, Roy Keane announced himself to Old Trafford. Football, as the Premier League knew it, changed forever as the Cork man left a mark through 12 years as a player, a shorter time as a manager and now what feels like a punditry career that will already stand the test of […]

5 years ago

I was too busy winning. Take your time today. Think about each. You’ll do well if you don’t panic.

5 years ago

Tough one today. Get over it. Think of this more as a learning exercise.

5 years ago

Google the name Dayot Upamecano this morning and look at the first suggestions. Manchester United. Arsenal. Odds. After watching the French man spend 90 minutes destroying any joy and interest Diego Costa and Llorente might’ve had for that Champions League quarter-final, everyone’s seen enough. The only thing anyone wants to know now is where he’s […]

5 years ago

Come on, you’ve been to enough games, you must know by now. All those cold February treks, scaling the country to watch a second-string side represent you and your county in the national league were all for something. The miles, the hours, the car sickness were all building towards one thing and one thing only: […]

5 years ago

Munster’s preparations for their return to action have been interrupted after an Academy player tested positive for Covid-19. The player was part of the wider training squad and the province have identified five further academy players and one senior player who have been deemed as potential close contacts. It means that seven players in total […]

5 years ago

It’s full marks time, baby. 20 questions – each one is within your grasp. Go get it.

5 years ago

Get 13 in the bag and see how you go from there. Today is going to test you.

5 years ago

You have a chance today. Don’t blow it.

5 years ago

Here we go. Straight in.

5 years ago

“I don’t want it to happen in the last minute of an All-Ireland final anyway, I can tell you that.” It’s tough being a referee but it’s tough being a player too, especially if you’re relying on rules being followed. There are that many grey areas, that many rules that, naturally, the book isn’t upheld […]

5 years ago

I know why you’re here. You know why you’re here. Enough of the small talk. Let’s go.

5 years ago

Cards on the table? You’ll struggle today. Watch out for the traps and aim for 15 out of 20. Go well.

5 years ago

16 years of hurt. In the 2000/2001 season, Leeds United won the hearts of every football fan. Young, exciting, vibrant. A team of gems knitted together in the romantic Yorkshire setting and David O’Leary guiding them all the way to the Champions League semi-final. Exactly three years to the very day that they took on […]

5 years ago

118! 118! Remember those ads? Anyway, go on.

5 years ago

Think you have what it takes? You don’t.

5 years ago

Brought to you by Momenti Pizza from Dr. Oetker Day 1. 1. 1. If you can get through the TV round, you’re in good shape. There’s nothing left but to wish you the very, very best of luck. Brought to you by Momenti Pizza from Dr. Oetker Dr. Oetker’s new Momenti Pizza is a small, great-tasting frozen pizza. The two […]

5 years ago

Brought to you by Momenti Pizza from Dr. Oetker We’re going again, baby. From Keane to Dunphy, from the Super Bowl to the O’Byrne Cup, from Brolly to Yakubu, it’s all here. Everything you asked for. Brought to you by Momenti Pizza from Dr. Oetker Dr. Oetker’s new Momenti Pizza is a small, great-tasting frozen pizza. The two flavours – […]

5 years ago

Brought to you by Momenti Pizza from Dr. Oetker Now this… This is a quiz. You know, if I do say so myself. It’s not easy but you’ll enjoy the stroll through memory lane. Brought to you by Momenti Pizza from Dr. Oetker Dr. Oetker’s new Momenti Pizza is a small, great-tasting frozen pizza. The two flavours – Tomato, Mozzarella […]

6 years ago