“Probably one of the worse scores I could have shot.” Following his opening round of 72 [+2] at the US Open, Shane Lowry was tough on himself. He was -1 at the turn but bogeyed three holes on the way home to sit six shots behind leader Adam Hadwin. You had to feel for the […]

3 years ago

The four-time major winner would have been targeting birdie on his 14th hole. He ended up needing a big putt to get par. Rory McIlroy had a great opening round to the recent US PGA, but his record in first rounds of majors, this past eight years, shows it is usually his majors weak spot. […]

3 years ago

“Playing against him, for Ulster, you knew what kind of man he is.” Marcell Coetzee took the tough decision, back in late 2020, to leave Ulster Rugby after repaying the faith they showed in him, on a couple of occasions. The South African was a marquee signing for Ulster, in 2016, but injuries meant he […]

3 years ago

“It’s about us growing as a group, and dealing with the pressure that’s going to come our way.” For Joe McCarthy and Ireland’s four other uncapped players, this summer’s tour to New Zealand is a step into the unknown. However, given the Covid lockdowns and restrictions of late, the newbies are not alone. During his […]

3 years ago

“I’ve had plenty of stick from Munster fans, over the years!” Having played more than 400 games for club(s) and country, Charlie Hodgson says he heard it all, over the course of his career. For good reason, though, trips to Thomond Park always stood out. The former England and Lions outhalf shared his club career […]

3 years ago

The move would also see Tiger Woods credited with two extra majors. The first LIV Golf Invitational, held over three days in Northumberland, last week, was a bombastic shot across the bows for the PGA Tour, and all that sail with it. The Saudi-backed golf series held its’ first of eight planned ‘invitational’ tournaments, played […]

3 years ago

“We’re Ireland.” Heading into a five-game tour to New Zealand, a side with revenge on their mind, Andy Farrell must jolt his players back to the positive mind-set in which they finished the Six Nations. The past three weeks have been liberally sprinkled with chastening experiences for supporters of the Irish provinces. Connacht were well […]

3 years ago

Kenny Cunningham likened it to John Barnes’ goal against Brazil at the Maracanã. Irish football fans debating whether Troy Parrott or Michael Obafemi scored the best international goal in years have a new contender to consider. Step forward Nathan Collins. The Burnley man, who can play midfield and in defence, has impressed on Nations League […]

3 years ago

“I think Greg said it was the worst decision that anyone has ever made!” It was not that Mack Hansen was seeking out comments doubting his ability. It was just that others felt he should see what was being said about him. Back in late January, ahead of the 2022 Six Nations, Greg O’Shea was […]

3 years ago

“Gutted for him, absolutely.” Robert Baloucoune could have really announced himself to world rugby like Simon Zebo did, in New Zealand, a decade ago. Even with a 40-man squad, there were always going to be Irish players left disappointed by missing out on the summer tour to New Zealand. At first glance, most of the […]

3 years ago

“This is the start of our Rugby World Cup campaign.” Andy Farrell knows full well that Ireland’s tour to New Zealand will play a big role in steeling, and developing, his players for next year’s World Cup in France. Despite a couple of tough injuries, he can still field a mighty strong team to face […]

3 years ago

Some fresh faces sprinkled in with proven performers and veterans making their final tour to ‘The Land of the Long White Cloud’. Andy Farrell has announced his Ireland squad for the five-match summer tour to New Zealand. The Ireland coach has named a 40-man squad to face New Zealand in three Tests, with two midweek […]

3 years ago

“It was a business decision.” He may be down at 29th in the current golf world rankings and winless since May 2021, but Bryson DeChambeau is one of the biggest names in the golfing landscape. The 28-year-old strung together seven PGA Tour wins from July 2017 to September 2020, including his first major success – […]

3 years ago

“The squad is going to be big, isn’t it?” We are not far off learning the make-up of Andy Farrell’s engorged squad for a five-game tour to New Zealand. Brian O’Driscoll expects a couple of fresh faces, and one 28-year-old that’s not so much ‘fresh’ as a late bloomer. While he had a tough outing, […]

3 years ago

“I would love to see him get on the plane to New Zealand. He deserves it.” On Tuesday, Andy Farrell will name this Ireland squad for this summer’s five-game tour. The players all know by now, but the wider public will discover the full squad, shortly before Farrell sits down for a virtual press briefing. […]

3 years ago

“Once the opportunity came, it was too good to turn down.” Mack Hansen is set to travel with Ireland to New Zealand, in the coming weeks, and get the opportunity to really cap off what has been a mightily impressive first season in this country. Having arrived in Ireland for the first time, last summer, […]

3 years ago

“Would that have been me?” In his post-tournament press briefing, at St George Golf and Country Club, Rory McIlroy was asked if he knew who the last golfer was to claim a PGA Tour win and follow it up, the next week, with a major. The Holywood native took an educated guess, and he was […]

3 years ago

Sharp as a tack. Rory McIlroy captured his 21st PGA Tour victory after a sensational round of 62, at the St George Golf and Country Club in Toronto, that somehow included to par misses from three feet. The four-time major winner has been close but not close enough in 2022, at at both the Masters […]

3 years ago

“I saw him in an Emirates commercial and I said, ‘That’s our ref!’” Nigel Owens making a cameo appearance, along with some other Welsh sporting legends, in a feel-good Bollywood movie about a young rugby team that succeeded against the odds? Sign us up! This line of work often brings us into wild, weird and […]

3 years ago

“It would be good to get in someone with a different perspective.” It is all go in Irish rugby coaching circles, today. Denis Leamy is leaving Leinster for Munster but, in Sean O’Brien, his replacement has already been found. Minutes after Leinster announced Leamy (contact skills coach) would be leaving their coaching set-up, Munster swooped […]

3 years ago

“Free agency has finally come to golf.” So crowed Greg Norman after 42 golfers were confirmed for the opening tournament on the Saudi-funded LIV Golf series. The breakaway golf league, which will compete with more established tours, such as PGA, European and Asian, is putting up serious prize-funds to lure top golfers away, with $25 […]

3 years ago

“He’s human, but that’s what happens.” In the aftermath of Leinster’s 24-21 Champions Cup final defeat, an Irish rugby supporter spotted Wayne Barnes in a hotel, not far from the Stade Velodrome, in Marseille. Not seeking to ruffle any feathers, we were later assured, the supporter approached the Englishman, who had refereed the game, and […]

3 years ago

The Cork native was in the middle of a long response, delivered in flowing French, when he dropped in some English – ‘pick and go, pick and go, pick and go’! “There were ample excuses in the game to jump ship,” Ronan O’Gara said, in French, at a post-match press conference not long after his […]

3 years ago

“Its an enormous honour for him.” Back in 2016, Josh van der Flier stood on a landing spot, outside the England press room, at Twickenham, overlooking a gym the senior players often use. Ireland had lost 21-10 to England, and it was a ruthless job by a team that Eddie Jones had quickly turned around […]

3 years ago

“I can die in peace, but as late as possible, all the same!” Ronan O’Gara and his victorious La Rochelle players received a thunderous, heaving, joyous welcome back to their picturesque port after defeating Leinster in Saturday’s European Champions Cup final. The Stade Rochelais playing squad, coaching staff and support team were met at the […]

3 years ago

“I am pretty lost for words.” Johnny Sexton now has four European Cup winners medals and two runners-up medals. You get the sense he may, in the years to come, linger more on those two medals he picked up as recently as 2019 and last Saturday in Marseille. Sexton, like many of his Leinster teammates, […]

3 years ago

The glazed, hollow looks in the eyes of Leinster’s players, in the aftermath of their late, late defeat, told you all you needed to know. Leinster had that fifth star in the palm of their hands. It would be cruel to say they let it slip out. Instead, La Rochelle wrenched the result, and that […]

3 years ago

The Munster legend helped deny his old interprovincial rivals with a coaching masterclass. Ronan O’Gara orchestrated a prolonged smack in the mouth for Leinster, then spent much of the post-match press conference praising them. The La Rochelle head coach is a European champion for the third time in his storied career, and the first as […]

3 years ago

“Thanks for asking, though.” Leinster captain Johnny Sexton was still chewing over late decisions as his side came to terms with another cup final defeat. Post-match press briefings are never pleasant for the losing team. In fairness to Leinster head coach Leo Cullen, he was making the best of a bad situation. For Johnny Sexton, […]

3 years ago

For the Cork native, this is his third European Cup win, but first as coach. Ronan O’Gara could barely contain his emotions as his La Rochelle side became the champions of Europe for the first time in their history. The former Munster and Ireland outhalf spoke superbly on the pitch, at Stade Velodrome, this evening […]

3 years ago

LA ROCHELLE 24-21 LEINSTER Ronan O’Gara is champion of Europe for the third time in his career, and the first as a head coach. Leinster looked like they had dome enough to secure a fifth star, but they flagged badly in the second half and La Rochelle were deserved winners. The first half saw Leinster […]

3 years ago

It was a tough call then, and it looked wrong then, too. It was around this time last year that rugby fans in Ireland were asking aloud, and on every form of social media they could log into, why the hell Johnny Sexton was not in the British & Irish Lions squad. James Ryan missing […]

3 years ago

A guy that has very often been happy operating under the radar is now getting a lot of attention. There was a lovely moment at last week’s Rugby Players Ireland awards ceremony as the room rose to applaud Josh van der Flier, at the end of the night. The Leinster and Ireland flanker won the […]

3 years ago

“To pack two Six Nations titles, a Grand Slam and a winning tour to Australia, in a very short international career, is always quite nice.” Yes. For Jack Clifford, that was his Test career with England. 10 games, 10 wins, two Six Nations championships, including a 2016 Grand Slam, and a winning tour Down Under […]

3 years ago

“I don’t think that’s the answer that you’re looking for.” Brian O’Driscoll is correct here. One story of a training ground bun-fight with Ronan O’Gara, or some post-match verbals, and it would be an easy write-up. Instead, O’Driscoll’s version of events is that hard words and opinions were often shared but it was never personal […]

3 years ago

“Is it a psychological thing?” Saturday at the Aviva Stadium was grim viewing for many Munster supporters as their side fell away in a United Rugby Championship encounter with a weakened Leinster side. At this stage, given how well many of these fringe players, older stagers and young guns have performed, affirming titles like ‘B’, […]

3 years ago

“I wanted to give him an opportunity to dunk on me.” Kevin Van Valkenburg says he is not normally one for hot-takes, but the third round slumps of Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy, at the PGA Championship, drove him to his keyboard. Hours before the final round of the golfing major got underway, at Southern […]

3 years ago

High praise, from one class openside to another. On Saturday, Sean O’Brien brought down the curtain on a 15-season career as a professional rugby player with his final game for London Irish. The former Leinster, Ireland and Lions back-row is still hopeful of lining out for the Barbarians, against England, in what would be a […]

3 years ago

He fired that back without hesitation. Down on the Etihad Stadium pitch as blue and white streamers and balloons littered the place and Manchester City supporters were still booming and singing away. Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne and the City players were whooping it up. Roy Keane has been in better situations. The former Manchester […]

3 years ago

“I don’t think you can turn around and say this isn’t a strong squad.” In February of last year [and last season], Jamie Redknapp went up against Roy Keane as he argued the merits of Tottenham Hotspurs’ squad. Keane said top sides ‘wouldn’t touch’ every Spurs player, barring Harry Kane and Son Heung-min. One particularly […]

3 years ago

FRANCE 7-24 IRELAND Ireland Sevens men’s side reached their first ever World Series final, at the fifth time of asking, after defeating hosts France at the Toulouse Sevens tournament. It was a moment of triumph for the Irishmen, but Esteban Capilla shoved Ireland captain Billy Dardis just as the final whistle blew and there was […]

3 years ago

What a maddening, talented, captivating, maddening, ballsy, maddening player. After finally answering the braying questions about his opening round wobbles, at major championships, Rory McIlroy had a wobble on Friday and finally imploded on Saturday. This PGA Championship is so crazy and exacting, though, that McIlroy starts final round Sunday nine strokes off leader Mito […]

3 years ago

On a day when the leading players wobbled, the Waterford native was rock-steady. 71, 69, 67. It keeps getting better for Seamus Power. The 35-year-old may have taken a while to get his first taste of the majors – debuting at The Masters in April – but he is lapping it up now. After more […]

3 years ago

LEINSTER 35-25 MUNSTER Jordan Larmour returned with a huge, attacking bang as Leinster sent Munster on the road for the United Rugby Championship quarter finals. Leinster twice fell behind to Johann van Graan’s side but had all the right answers, even without many of their leading players. The score was 15-12 to the reigning league […]

3 years ago

Nothing like a bit of jersey-grabbing and threat-throwing to liven up an end-of-season game. Leinster went into this evening’s United Rugby Championship clash with Munster having already secured top spot. However, lads like Harry Byrne and Scott Penny were hoping to impress, ahead of next Saturday’s Champions Cup final. Munster travelled up to the Aviva […]

3 years ago

“It’s just a special place, and you can really feel that when you play here.” It is Wednesday in Galway and I have come down from Kildare to, coincidentally, talk to two Kildare men making a home for themselves in the West of Ireland – Cian Prendergast and Diamuid Kilgallen. After catching up with Munster […]

3 years ago

“Maybe it was a case I wasn’t maybe quite as committed or aggressive as I was yesterday.” Rory McIlroy admitted, after his lacklustre second US PGA round of 71, that ‘you’re not going to go out and shoot 65 every day’. The problem was, with advantageous conditions for the afternoon starters and others outstripping his […]

3 years ago

The Offaly native started on the back nine, so the homeward journey was always going to be trickier. Shane Lowry told reporters, on Wednesday, that he just wanted to be in the mix heading into the final two rounds of the US PGA Championship. He is just about hanging on, but will need a superb […]

3 years ago

At this stage, we all know what to expect with Shane Lowry. There’s no need to apologise about the odd coarse word. Shane Lowry was not the only of the afternoon starters that struggled to get it going in their opening US PGA round at Southern Hills Country Club. The wind picked up after a […]

3 years ago

A 66 would have been great, but McIlroy was not finished. The statistics are lighting up like crazy across the TV broadcasters and across social media. Rory McIlroy has put an opening day run together at a major and though it is too early to get excited, there is certainly a quiver or two. The […]

3 years ago