Patrick McCarry

Author description

Pat McCarry has been working in journalism since 2003 and, before coming to JOE, has written for outlets such as The Guardian, Sunday Tribune, Press Association, Irish Independent, The42 and more. He has been covering sport extensively since 2009, with particular focus on rugby, football and golf.

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  • You’ll need to be at your best to get full marks in our tricky football quiz

    You’ll need to be at your best to get full marks in our tricky football quiz

    Sponsored by Tonybet Test your footballing knowledge, and don’t be afraid to spread the word if you score well. Our latest, testing football quiz has a lovely mix of questions sprinkled across time, space, trophy cabinets, record books and pitches. All the very best with the quiz. Remember to let us know how you fared. Try […]

    1 year ago

  • Jamison Gibson-Park on the Croke Park classic that sparked his interest in GAA

    Jamison Gibson-Park on the Croke Park classic that sparked his interest in GAA

    “It’s pretty funny. Bit of craic out of the lads, Mack and Jacob, about it.” Over the past four years, Jamison Gibson-Park has ascended and ascended, yet he remains the same, laid-back guy that arrived in Dublin, in 2016. He is arguably second to only Antoine Dupont when it comes to ranking the world’s best […]

    1 year ago

  • Graham Rowntree clears up story on Jean Kleyn’s future after bad injury

    Graham Rowntree clears up story on Jean Kleyn’s future after bad injury

    “We were a bit thin on the deck, there, with injuries.” For the second season running, Munster have been given a shot in the arm by getting well clear of Ireland and enjoying some time together in the South African sun. There are outstanding issues, such as a long-term Jean Kleyn injury, but business is […]

    1 year ago

  • Hayley Nolan eager for more glory days in green after impressive English football feat

    Hayley Nolan eager for more glory days in green after impressive English football feat

    Eileen Gleeson will be delighted to have more players mixing it in the English top flight. This Sunday, Crystal Palace face Sunderland in the Women’s Championship (WSL 2) having all but clinched promotion to the Women’s Super League with a game to spare. Three Ireland internationals have helped Palace on their way, with Hayley Nolan […]

    1 year ago

  • Mack Hansen comments on All Blacks ramp up rivalry to next level

    Mack Hansen comments on All Blacks ramp up rivalry to next level

    “Fair play – letting their girlfriends do the fighting for them!” You can see with Mack Hansen that he sometimes pauses a slight beat before deciding, ‘F**k it, I’ll say what I’m thinking’. For rugby reporters, and for many Irish fans served up with ‘Ah, sure, look’ and ‘next game focus’ fare, over the years, […]

    1 year ago

  • David Clifford shows off impressive American Football skills in unique challenge

    David Clifford shows off impressive American Football skills in unique challenge

    The Clifford brothers may be following Down’s Charlie Smyth to the NFL, if they’re not careful! The fear regarding David Clifford, whenever he burst onto the wider GAA scene as a star of the Kerry minors, was that an Aussie Rules side might come to lure him Down Under. Judging by a latest skills challenge […]

    1 year ago

  • The SportsJOE Friday Pub Quiz: Week 69

    The SportsJOE Friday Pub Quiz: Week 69

    16 is the score to beat in this week’s Friday sports pub quiz. Welcome to the SportsJOE Friday Pub Quiz. There are 20 questions and four different categories. This week there is a round looking back on the past week in sport, a round on FA Cup records, one on famous semi-finals, a rugby round and a general knowledge round, […]

    1 year ago

  • Bryan Habana on the Sevens boom and four of rugby’s most underrated players

    Bryan Habana on the Sevens boom and four of rugby’s most underrated players

    “We’ve got the likes of Dan Carter here, this weekend, which is raising the stakes of beauty a little bit higher!” It is dreary in Ireland as we connect for a Friday Zoom with Springboks legend Bryan Habana, but he brings the Hong Kong sun, and a heap of good vibes with him. The last […]

    1 year ago

  • La Rochelle enjoy classic Irish tune on team bus as they roll through Cork

    La Rochelle enjoy classic Irish tune on team bus as they roll through Cork

    “The Irish bloody love it!” Ronan O’Gara has flown in with his entire La Rochelle playing squad and backroom staff for a week of preparations on Irish soil, ahead of this Saturday’s Champions Cup quarter final against Leinster. O’Gara and La Rochelle hold a 3-1 advantage over Leinster, in their meetings over the past four […]

    1 year ago

  • The worrying Craig Casey moment that Munster insisted wasn’t why they lost

    The worrying Craig Casey moment that Munster insisted wasn’t why they lost

    “Look, people get sick. That’s part of life.” Munster captain Tadhg Beirne was not in great shape as he coughed and wheezed through a post-match press briefing, underneath the stand at Franklin’s Gardens. He was certainly under the weather, but not keen to use illness as an excuse on a disappointing day for the province. […]

    1 year ago

  • Everton back in big relegation trouble as Premier League confirms extra points deduction

    Everton back in big relegation trouble as Premier League confirms extra points deduction

    It’s their second points deduction this season Everton have been handed a second points deduction by the Premier League for breaching profit and sustainability rules. The Athletic reports that an independent commission have been docked the Toffees another two points for breaches relating to the three-year accounting period ending in the 2022-23 season. The second penalty drops […]

    1 year ago

  • End of the road for Munster, as some of their men play final Champions Cup game

    End of the road for Munster, as some of their men play final Champions Cup game

    NORTHAMPTON 24-14 MUNSTER Peter O’Mahony may have played his last European Cup game for Munster as his side were knocked out of the Champions Cup at the Last 16 stage. The Ireland captain is mulling over his playing future and has still not signed a new contract for next season. He left the pitch midway […]

    1 year ago

  • Jamison Gibson-Park backs up Six Nations accolade with rapid hat-trick

    Jamison Gibson-Park backs up Six Nations accolade with rapid hat-trick

    “We’re not going to let you do the great teammates thing!” Craig Doyle was wide to Jamison Gibson-Park as he sought to play down a 17-minute hat-trick against Leicester Tigers by name-checking the lads that teed him up for each of his scores. The Leinster scrumhalf was key for his side’s 36-22 victory against a […]

    1 year ago

  • Joe McCarthy leaves fans stunned with incredible piece of play as Leinster march on

    Joe McCarthy leaves fans stunned with incredible piece of play as Leinster march on

    LEINSTER 36-22 LEICESTER Leicester Tigers came flying out of the gates, at Aviva Stadium, but Jamison Gibson-Park, Dan Sheehan and Joe McCarthy had some swift, painful responses for them. Handré Pollard crashed over for a try after only five minutes of play, in Dublin. Ross Byrne responded with a penalty but Leinster were far from […]

    1 year ago

  • Ronan O’Gara and La Rochelle march on after incredible finish in Cape Town

    Ronan O’Gara and La Rochelle march on after incredible finish in Cape Town

    STORMERS 21-22 LA ROCHELLE Ronan O’Gara made a point of seeking out Springbok star Mannie Libbok after his La Rochelle side survived a wild finish in Cape Town. Stormers, the 2022 URC champions, went into a 16-0 lead against the reigning, back-to-back Champions Cup title-holders. Injuries plagued them throughout, however, and the French side rallied […]

    1 year ago

  • Munster hit with late, triple blow ahead of crucial Northampton game

    Munster hit with late, triple blow ahead of crucial Northampton game

    Some serious rejigging to be done. Munster have been pressed into three late changes ahead of their Last 16 clash against Northampton Saints, in the Champions Cup. Graham Rowntree was already processing the fact that prop John Ryan would miss out on Sunday’s game away to Northampton Saints (12.30pm, live on TNT Sports & ITV). […]

    1 year ago

  • You’ll need to bring your ‘A’ game to get full marks in this football quiz

    You’ll need to bring your ‘A’ game to get full marks in this football quiz

    Sponsored by Tonybet Test your footballing knowledge ahead of another huge week of action and undoubted drama. Our latest, tricky football quiz will leave you with a sense of achievement and with something to boast about… if you hold your nerve! All the very best with the quiz. Do remember to let us know how […]

    1 year ago

  • Stung by Ireland rejection, Gavin Coombes driven to even greater deeds

    Stung by Ireland rejection, Gavin Coombes driven to even greater deeds

    A Munster and Ireland legend is not letting him lose sight of his Test dreams. Gavin Coombes missed out on the 2024 Six Nations, and the title-winning celebrations that ensued, but is hoping another strong finish to a Munster season can give him a chance of touring South Africa. The 26-year-old made his two Test […]

    1 year ago

  • Manchester United linked with surprise move for £30 million Wolves star

    Manchester United linked with surprise move for £30 million Wolves star

    The summer shopping lists are being put together. In the past few days, Manchester United have been linked with Jarrad Branthwaite, Baylee Dipepa, Aaron Anselmino and Mikayil Faye. All decent prospects but no house-hold names. You can now add Wolves defender Max Kilman to the list. It has been reported by The Times that United […]

    1 year ago

  • Former NFL and two-time Pro Bowl star, Vontae Davis dead at 35

    Former NFL and two-time Pro Bowl star, Vontae Davis dead at 35

    The Washington native played 10 seasons in the NFL. Vontae Davis, a former NFL star and two-time Pro Bowl player, has died in Florida, aged just 35. The former Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills cornerback was found unresponsive by his personal assistant in his Florida home. No cause of death has yet been announced. […]

    1 year ago

  • Conor Murray signs new Munster deal as province confirms three nice bits of business

    Conor Murray signs new Munster deal as province confirms three nice bits of business

    The show goes on for Conor Murray. Munster has announced a one-year contract extension for scrumhalf Conor Murray, keeping him with the province until the end of the 2024/25 season, at least. The reigning United Rugby Championship title-holders confirmed contract extensions for three squad players, this afternoon (April 3). A statement from Munster reads: ‘Munster […]

    1 year ago

  • Manchester United hit with double injury blow for season run-in

    Manchester United hit with double injury blow for season run-in

    This is now crisis mode for Manchester United and their patched-together defence. United have conceded the most amount of shots, from all Premier League clubs, since the turn of the year. Defensive matters are set to continue on shaky ground, though, as Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelöf have both been ruled out of action ‘for […]

    1 year ago

  • Pep Guardiola lights into Roy Keane over his Erling Haaland comments

    Pep Guardiola lights into Roy Keane over his Erling Haaland comments

    “Their memory disappears quickly.” Pep Guardiola has launched a passionate defence of Erling Haaland, and fired a broadside at former players like Roy Keane making disparaging remarks about current stars. Keane has professed, on numerous occasions in the past, to be a big fan of Haaland, saying he loves watching him play. The former Manchester […]

    1 year ago

  • Man United star ‘taken off transfer list’ and is set to double wages

    Man United star ‘taken off transfer list’ and is set to double wages

    The INEOS era starting to take effect at Old Trafford. Man United have already brought in Omar Berrada from Manchester City, have Dan Ashworth (former Newcastle United) lined up for a big role and have irked Southampton by circling around director of football Jason Wilcox. Jim Ratcliffe, David Brailsford and the INEOS group are making […]

    1 year ago

  • James Lowe on “nasty” injury he carried through the World Cup

    James Lowe on “nasty” injury he carried through the World Cup

    “I got a little bit of a nasty one.” James Lowe has spoken about a foot injury he played on with during the 2023 World Cup, and which saw him miss three months of action, following the tournament. The Leinster winger only featured in one of Ireland’s World Cup warm-ups, last summer, but did enough […]

    1 year ago

  • Premier League Live: All the biggest moments, talking points and reactions

    Premier League Live: All the biggest moments, talking points and reactions

    Some huge matches on the weekend slate. After the latest international break wrapped – with Conor Bradley scoring his first goal for Northern Ireland, Jude Bellingham coming to England’s rescue, Ireland looked after by interim boss John O’Shea, Scotland stuttering and Wales missing out on Euro 2024 – the Premier League is back. Here are […]

    1 year ago

  • ‘Nothing stupid early on, lads’ – Sean O’Brien recalls Pascal Papé incident

    ‘Nothing stupid early on, lads’ – Sean O’Brien recalls Pascal Papé incident

    “I said, ‘Nothing stupid early on, lads’… and then, 90 seconds later, I’d a fella punched in the stomach, myself!” Although it came at a price, Sean O’Brien was fortunate that this was missed by the match officials at the time. Ireland’s 2015 World Cup campaign ranks up there with 2011 as the most frustrating […]

    1 year ago

  • Bundee Aki pipped by England star in huge Six Nations public vote

    Bundee Aki pipped by England star in huge Six Nations public vote

    The international audience sided with the England star. Bundee Aki and Ben Earl are the frontrunners for 2024 Men’s Six Nations Player of the Tournament, with the winner due to be announced in the middle of next week. Aki and Earl are nominated for the accolade, along with Scotland winger Duhan van der Merwe and […]

    1 year ago

  • In any World’s Best XV, these two need be in the back row

    In any World’s Best XV, these two need be in the back row

    The bigger debates would be what flanker to select with them, or who gets the 8 jersey. In researching a recent article on the most effective back row combinations in world rugby, over the past two years, I pored over some Opta stats and two names kept cropping up – Ardie Savea and Caelan Doris. […]

    1 year ago

  • Ireland’s leading LGBT+ rugby club launch drag fundraiser ahead of World Cup

    Ireland’s leading LGBT+ rugby club launch drag fundraiser ahead of World Cup

    “We have nine fierce drag queens taking to the stage to take home the crown.” In May, the Emerald Warriors will send four teams to Rome, Italy to take part in The Bingham Cup – an international gay rugby union tournament that has been taking place since 2001. To raise funds for the bi-annual event, […]

    1 year ago

  • FAI address Roberto Di Matteo appearance at Aviva Stadium as manager odds slashed

    FAI address Roberto Di Matteo appearance at Aviva Stadium as manager odds slashed

    Took a fair bit of attention away from John O’Shea, and another match in which Ireland struggled in front of goal. On the night John O’Shea hoped to get a win over Switzerland to further press his claims to stay involved with the Ireland team, FAI chief executive Jonathan Hill and board member Packie Bonner […]

    1 year ago

  • Ireland vs. Switzerland: All the biggest moments, talking points and player ratings

    Ireland vs. Switzerland: All the biggest moments, talking points and player ratings

    IRELAND 0-1 SWITZERLAND After a weekend draw with Belgium, the world No.19 side came to town. Our live hub of the Ireland vs. Switzerland match (above) had all the biggest moments, talking points, best scores and full Ireland player ratings. Xherdan Shaqiri was the match-winner with a first-half free that left Gavin Bazunu flummoxed. Mikey […]

    1 year ago

  • Brian O’Driscoll on player who hit him with the hardest tackle of his entire career

    Brian O’Driscoll on player who hit him with the hardest tackle of his entire career

    You could see O’Driscoll wince as he recalled who hit him the hardest. Brian O’Driscoll name-checked a former Saracens and England forward, but picked an outhalf as the player that truly rattled his cage. O’Driscoll played 133 times for Ireland, eight times for the British & Irish Lions and 186 times for Leinster. It is […]

    1 year ago

  • Family hit with second tragedy as talented GAA player, 26, dies in Australia

    Family hit with second tragedy as talented GAA player, 26, dies in Australia

    ‘Our family feels a sense of comfort to know you are both united again.’ The Branagan family from County Down has been left reeling after the death of a talented, young GAA player in Australia. The body of Lorcán Branagan was recovered in New South Wales on Monday (March 25). He was reported to police […]

    1 year ago

  • “Oh, that was horrific” – Mack Hansen on the toughest tackle he’s ever taken

    “Oh, that was horrific” – Mack Hansen on the toughest tackle he’s ever taken

    “I was proper f**ked!” Mack Hansen is still on the road to recovery and will hope Connacht are still dicing for silverware, as they were last season, by the time he returns from his shoulder injury. Hansen missed out on this year’s Six Nations after dislocating his shoulder while on Connacht duty, in the United […]

    1 year ago

  • Premier League announces latest player inducted into the Hall of Fame

    Premier League announces latest player inducted into the Hall of Fame

    Can be very few complaints with this – he was a quality operator. Ashley Cole has become the first 2024 inductee to the Premier League Hall of Fame, and the 20th overall since it was launched in 2021. The former Arsenal and Chelsea stars becomes only the fourth defender to make it to the league’s […]

    1 year ago

  • Croke Park in line for massive Leinster games after crucial GAA vote

    Croke Park in line for massive Leinster games after crucial GAA vote

    GAA headquarters could host the United Rugby Championship Final, and a Champions Cup semi-final. Croke Park is in line to host some potentially huge Leinster games before the end of this 2023/24 season. The Aviva Stadium is to undergo upgrade works, over the coming months, meaning Leinster must make contingency plans as they pursue trophies […]

    1 year ago

  • Abbie Larkin and Izzy Atkinson, living their dream and chasing down new ones

    Abbie Larkin and Izzy Atkinson, living their dream and chasing down new ones

    “She’s laughing at me, and I’m being nice!” Abbie Larkin and Izzy Atkinson are not long in from the training field and have each other for back-up in our midweek chat, over Zoom. The Ireland internationals are relatively new recruits at Crystal Palace and are already eyeing a leap to the Women’s Super League. Palace […]

    1 year ago

  • Roy Keane on the England players ‘punching each other’ on international break

    Roy Keane on the England players ‘punching each other’ on international break

    “It’s good to have a fight with some people.” Roy Keane mocked his former Manchester United teammate, Gary Neville for falling back on a much-used phrase when discussing the current England squad under Gareth Southgate. Keane and Neville were discussing Kobbie Mainoo’s England call-up with Ian Wright and Jill Scott, on Stick to Football, when […]

    1 year ago

  • Ireland team Andy Farrell should start to take on the world champion Springboks

    Ireland team Andy Farrell should start to take on the world champion Springboks

    Four changes from the XV that started the Six Nations finale. Andy Farrell is taking his Ireland team to take on the world champion Springboks in a two-Test series, this summer, and it will have the rugby world rapt. Before they came a cropper against England, many pundits and current players – such as Sam […]

    1 year ago

  • Conor McGregor confirms next UFC bout, ahead of official announcement

    Conor McGregor confirms next UFC bout, ahead of official announcement

    “The Mac is back.” Conor McGregor has confirmed an agreement has been made with the Ultimate Fighting Championship for his next bout. The full details, he said, will soon be announced by the promotion but Michael Chandler, the former Bellator lightweight champion, is the confirmed opponent. It is likely that the fight would headline UFC […]

    1 year ago

  • Bundee Aki was Ireland’s best Six Nations player, but two teammates pushed him close

    Bundee Aki was Ireland’s best Six Nations player, but two teammates pushed him close

    Looking back on the championship, the final tally shows a clear winner. Bundee Aki is one of four players included on the 2024 shortlist for Six Nations Player of the Tournament. There were certainly a few Irish contenders, but Aki’s high performance levels see him a deserving nominee. Andy Farrell’s side got their Six Nations defence off […]

    1 year ago