“He owes me a pair of Gucci loafers, if he’s listening!” Roy Keane is often recalled as an enforcer and a pitbull – this snarling figure that motivated by a mix of intimidation and his incredible force of will – but he was a much more rounded, skilful and courageous player than just that. In […]

3 years ago

“Jack played up to that character and thought, ‘People will underestimate me’.” For over 40 years, Jack Charlton and Bobby Charlton were prospects, finds, surprises, titans, winners, influencers and talking heads in the footballing landscape of Ireland and the United Kingdom. Everyone that knew football, knew the Charltons. The lives of the two men touched, […]

3 years ago

The hits keep coming. On the back of Worcester Warriors being suspended from all club competitions, losing players and staff and looking set for relegation to the Championship, Wasps have announced the club is going into administration. The English Premiership side, who have players on their books like Joe Launchbury, Vincent Koch, Jack Willis, Dan […]

3 years ago

As much as many of us wanted the video to be some kind of ‘deep fake’, the FAI statement confirmed it was real. Ireland are going to the 2023 World Cup after qualifying for the tournament for the first team in the history of the senior women’s team. Next summer, it will be fever pitched […]

3 years ago

‘There can be no excuse for that.’ The FAI and Ireland boss Vera Pauw have offered their apologies after video footage was widely circulated of players chanting a song that contained pro-IRA lyrics in the aftermath of their win over Scotland. Ireland defeated the Scots 1-0 at Hampden Park, on Tuesday evening, to reach the […]

3 years ago

There was a lovely personal gift presented at the end of an emotional interview. Vera Pauw could not hold back the tears after what has been a huge, emotional and uplifting 12 months. The Ireland boss has guided the women’s team to their first ever World Cup, taken the fight to some other heavily favoured […]

3 years ago

“The young kids, growing up, now they have something to dream for.” Ireland are off to the Women’s World Cup, for the first time in their history, ands Amber Barrett is the player that secured that dream with the winning goal in a tense playoff against Scotland. Barrett, who hails from Milford in Donegal, came […]

3 years ago

SCOTLAND 0-1 IRELAND Ireland are off to the Women’s World Cup for the first time in their history after a cool Amber Barrett finish saw them defeat Scotland in a gripping playoff. What a nervy night in Hampden Park it was. It was not always pretty, but Ireland and Scotland both threw all their punches, […]

3 years ago

A silence that reverberated around the home of the Scottish champions. Celtic Football Club were joined in sombre silence by RB Leipzig, at Parkhead this evening, as the club and its’ supporters paid their respects to the victims of the tragic and deadly explosion at Creeslough, Donegal, last Friday. 10 people – four men, three […]

3 years ago

“I’ll be brutally honest here.” Jason McAteer is fortunate that he has a huge chunk of credit in the Republic of Ireland footballing bank, as he has come after national treasure Brian Kerr with a stark, brutal admission. The former Bolton Wanderers midfielder, Ireland international and 1996 FA Cup finalist was on Qatari broadcaster BeIn […]

3 years ago

“It’s all nonsense.” Roy Keane says he still feels he has something to offer in the world of football management, but do not expect him to be taking a job at The Hawthorns any time soon. West Bromwich Albion sacked Steve Bruce after they dropped into the relegation zone of the Championship. Keane, who has […]

3 years ago

“It was shocking, really.” Roy Keane was on punditry duty for Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football and he looked about as happy as a punter at an NFL game, in London, that was asked for a selfie as the action was unfolding. Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest played out a 1-1 draw at the City […]

3 years ago

After considering whether to launch a probe on the matter, the FA has moved swiftly. The Football Association has opened an investigation into the second half clash between Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães and Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, at The Emirates, on Sunday. The players exchanged words, and had to be separated by teammates, late in […]

3 years ago

“It’s all about winning. There’s no better feeling. I’ve been there a few times, and I want to do it again.” The Rugby League World Cup kicks off at St James’ Park, this Saturday, and John Bateman will have plenty of support in the house, including his daughter, Millie. The Wigan and England star went […]

3 years ago

South African Twitter was pure ructions. Johnny Sexton came off the bench in the United Rugby Championship semi-final, against the Bulls, last season and had that snarling, chirping, prodding persona ramped up to 10/10. Leinster lost the day, and Sexton caught some flak for what some saw as unnecessary goading of the opposition and the […]

3 years ago

EVERTON 1-2 MAN UNITED Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 700th career club goal as Manchester United won a tight one at Goodison Park. Our full Everton and Man United player ratings are below. United are up to fifth in the league standings after coming from a goal down to win 2-1 against Frank Lampard’s side. Alex […]

3 years ago

The Tullow Tank had to change his club rugby plans slightly. Sean O’Brien had been seeking to play for his club, Tullow, when he returned from his professional rugby stint in England, with London Irish. That move to a junior-level side was prevented when the domestic level section of the Leinster Rugby branch stated it […]

3 years ago

“We’ve grown closer than we ever have been.” As much as he cut his teeth on the European [or DP World] Tour, Shane Lowry makes no bones that the PGA Tour in America was always his main goal as a golfing professional. The 2019 Open champion has now reached a level where he can bounce […]

3 years ago

“It’s ended up like the Titanic, sadly.” Worcester Warriors, in its current iteration, is no more. The future of the 151-year-old club is in serious doubt but their players and staff are to have their contracts terminated. This act follows part of the club being wound up in the High Court. Warriors are suspended from […]

3 years ago

“Have you ever heard of using a boat, Rosie?” Former Ireland star Rosie Foley has become just the second Irish woman to complete the arduous ‘Triple Crown’ of Open Water Swimming, a marathon swimming challenge consisting of three historically important swims around the world. The Killaloe native undertook the charity challenge in memory of her […]

3 years ago

“It could get uglier.” Roy Keane launched into a diatribe against Manchester United for what he feels has been disrespectful and “ridiculous” treatment of Cristiano Ronaldo. The former Manchester United captain was reacting to comments from Erik ten Hag after his side were blitzed 6-3 by Manchester City, at Etihad Stadium. The Dutchman opted to […]

3 years ago

“Of course not.” Many football fans struggled to believe what they were seeing as 5-foot-11 Christian Eriksen sidled up to 6-foot-5 Erling Haaland as Manchester City prepared to whip in a corner kick. Haaland went into the Manchester derby with 14 goals in his first 10 appearances for the club, and two hat-tricks in his […]

3 years ago

In Premier League terms, the argument is rock solid. In a wider sense, the debate will rage on. Manchester City defeated neighbours Manchester United 6-3, this afternoon, and their boss still came out with the following comment – ‘Some players were not good today and have to improve’. Pep Guardiola was up on the sideline, […]

3 years ago

“Do you want to take the first goal?” asked Sky Sports host, Kelly Cates. “No,” Roy Keane shot back. “I don’t want any of the goals!” Even the most optimistic of Manchester United supporters would have expected a trip to Eastlands to be a considerable step-up from the recent challenges against Liverpool and Arsenal. Did […]

3 years ago

Close proximity. In a Manchester derby, 21 years ago, Roy Keane bided his time before crunching into Alfie Haaland and getting right in his face, before a deserved red card was shown. Keane had brooded long and hard over what he felt was Haaland goading him as he lay injured on the Elland Road turf, […]

3 years ago

MUNSTER 21-5 ZEBRE Munster got their first win of the season, and both Peter O’Mahony and Tadhg Beirne performed admirably, but there were few other highlights on an outing at Musgrave Park that flattered to deceive. Munster had never previously started a season with two league defeats, so they were determined to get one over […]

3 years ago

Brighton scored three times at Anfield, and could’ve netted another couple. Not for the first time after a Liverpool match, this season, there was praise for Alisson Becker despite him conceding more than once. Jurgen Klopp cut a frustrated post-match figure as more points were dropped in the pursuit of Arsenal and Manchester City. Brighton […]

3 years ago

The reaction of several Leinster players, at full-time, shows how fondly regarded the Ulster winger is. “Is there an update on Jacob Stockdale?” Ulster head coach Dan McFarland was asked, after the Ireland international injured his ankle in a home loss to Leinster, on Friday. McFarland was already shaking his head. “No,” he replied, and […]

3 years ago

It is an award Peter Odemwinge has won three times. There was some grumbling, this week, when Marcus Rashford was named Premier League Player of the Month. It was not so much a protest against Rashford, rather than a loud wailing that Kevin de Bruyne had missed out again. The Belgian maestro has yet to […]

3 years ago

75 games later, Jeff Hendrick must know he will never win over all the doubters. For much of Ireland’s win over Armenia, on Tuesday evening, a popular school of thought was ‘Why are we playing three centre backs, a holding midfielder and Jeff Hendrick?’ Armenia looked as inclined to attack as a sloth is to […]

3 years ago

“My slaps are for real.” Former Charlton and Standard Liege manager Guy Luzon definitely went older than old-school at Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv, on Tuesday, with a harsh motivational gee-up to one of his players. Luzon’s Israel U21 side were pushed to the very brink by Ireland in their Uefa Championships playoff, before goalkeeper […]

3 years ago

One player has amassed over 300 Premier League appearances in his club career. We have an Irish football quiz for you all that will test your knowledge of our current players to the limit, and show what Stephen Kenny is working with. In squads Kenny has selected over the past 12 months, there have been […]

3 years ago

“I’m glad we won the game, but disappointed with how it went.” Dara O’Shea was not shirking the tough questions, at Aviva Stadium, last night but he was a lot more open to hard truths than his manager, Stephen Kenny. Ireland went into their final Nations League game knowing that victory or a draw would […]

3 years ago

“That’s easy to say. I don’t accept this.” Stephen Kenny was not having a Tony O’Donoghue suggestion, after his Ireland side beat Armenia 3-2, that “leaders” did not stand up after his team squandered a 2-0 lead, at Aviva Stadium. Liam Brady, meanwhile, focused on some individual errors. The Ireland boss was stressing every positive […]

3 years ago

ISRAEL U21 0-0 IRELAND U21 (Israel win 3-1 on pens) Ireland U21 missed out on qualifying for the European Championships after losing a playoff shoot-out to Israel and their inspired goalkeeper. Daniel Peretz saved three Irish penalties and scored one himself as Israel won the shootout 3-1, following a scoreless game played out over 120 […]

3 years ago

“People I had never met before are now really good friends.” Back in the summer of 2019, the DCU campus, in Whitehall, played host to The Union Cup. Oran Sweeney and the Emerald Warriors helped set the scene for Europe’s biggest LGBT+ inclusive rugby tournament. The Derry native was a special guest on House of Rugby […]

3 years ago

“It was one of the key moments in rugby as a game, in this country and others.” Lansdowne FC has produced 117 players that have gone on to represent Ireland. Only Dublin University Football Club (formerly Trinity College) has produced more – 160. It has had 15 British & Irish Lions and one Argentina international […]

3 years ago

‘What a run to be a part of.’ The Berlin Marathon took place on Sunday and saw the indomitable Eliud Kipchoge sheer a chunk of time off his world record. It also saw 55-year-old John Casey from Cork clock a better time than World Cup and Ballon d’Or winner, Kaka. Kipchoge crossed the line, in […]

3 years ago

“It’s done a serious injury to Senatla.” The Stormers may have defeated Connacht, on Saturday, but victory came at a cost to star winger Seabelo Senatla. The Stormers star was left in a heap after a Bundee Aki clear-out attempt that saw him take a hit to the top of the head, and left him […]

3 years ago

This is the first time in the professional rugby era, Munster have started a league campaign with two defeats. There is no sugarcoating it – and Graham Rowntree was not even trying, on Sunday – Munster were dreadful against Dragons. Were it not for a two-try burst in the space of five minutes, Munster could […]

3 years ago

‘This is a step backwards for women in sports who have worked hard to prove themselves in an industry they deserve to be in.’ Having led the Boston Celtics to the NBA Finals, earlier this year, Ime Udoka will now have to look on as his players try to go one step further without him. […]

3 years ago

“Just tie your lace, Pete, and we’ll have a chat.” Peter O’Mahony got into it with Taine Basham, Rhodri Williams, Ross Moriarty, JJ Hanrahan, referee Sam Grove-White, and whoever else wanted some, as Munster fell to a spirited Dragons at Rodney Parade. For the first time in the various incarnations of what is now the […]

3 years ago

“Yeah, it was a bit feisty.” Scotland were humbled on their June visit to face Ireland, at Aviva Stadium, and Jayson Molumby eclipsed Manchester United star Scott McTominay, on the day. At Hampden Park, on Saturday evening, McTominay and Molumby squared off again. Although it was the Scottish midfielder that left the pitch a winner, […]

3 years ago

A glancing blow, this. Martin O’Neill often railed against what he perceived as negative coverage from the media when he was Ireland boss, so he tries hard to give reasoned takes when he is on punditry duty for games involving his old team. Still, the odd smart observation is never too far from O’Neill’s lips. […]

3 years ago

“Here we are talking about Ireland in a relegation game against Armenia.” Damien Delaney took a cold, hard look at the record of Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny after his side lost 2-1 to Scotland, at Hampden Park. The former Crystal Palace and Ireland defender has been a tough, but not over-reactionary, critic of […]

3 years ago

The two lads were holding nothing back. Hampden Park was hopping as Scotland hosted Ireland in a lively Nations League encounter that was made for James McClean and John McGinn. The Scotland and Ireland midfielders were as pumped and poised for the game as supporters from both countries that crammed into the Glasgow stadium. It […]

3 years ago

“It’s possible. Difficult, but possible.” During a trip to the Bristol Bears’ High Performance Centre, earlier this month, the Pat Lam effect was clear and present. Everywhere you look around the HPC, there are inspirational comments writ large on walls, in the gym, meeting and analysis rooms, treatment areas, hallways and stairwells. While such phrases […]

3 years ago

“Where do you want me? Where do you want me to clear?” Bundee Aki lost the run of himself at Danie Craven Stadium after he saw red for the third time in his professional rugby career. The Connacht centre entered the fray early in the second half of a United Rugby Championship clash with Stormers, […]

3 years ago

“Oh it’s fine, yeah.” Almost as soon as you saw the Irish rowers raise their arms as world champions, you were wondering what gold would be delivered in the Paul O’Donovan interview. The Skibbereen dynamo tried his best told hold that usual poker face, but the facade cracked near the end of his chat with […]

3 years ago

“There’s a rumour that even Chuck Norris is afraid of this Irish lightweight sculls team!” Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy cruised to yet another gold medal as they claimed a world championship title in Racice, this afternoon. The Cork duo claimed another lightweight double sculls world title after blitzing the field at the World Rowing Championships […]

3 years ago