“Don’t do it! I don’t know what it is, but don’t do it to yourself!” We were mid-way through Ireland’s press conference section at the Six Nations launch, held in the Guinness Storehouse, when rugby reporter Gerry Thornley put his hand up for a question. Andy Farrell had a sharp response, eliciting a laugh from […]

2 years ago

“I know he’ll do the country proud.” Andy Farrell and Peter O’Mahony were at the Guinness Storehouse, this morning [January 22], for their part of the Six Nations whistle-stop, before they flew out to a training camp in Portugal. Ticking off the big media obligations and hoping for a green light to depart from Dublin […]

2 years ago

“What better moment than that one?” Back in July 2022, Peter O’Mahony added to his Irish rugby lore by telling Sam Cane exactly what he thought of him. Just over a year later, Brodie Retallick and the All Blacks were happy to blast out reminders. O’Mahony had been picked up on camera telling Cane, the […]

2 years ago

Not what the Ireland head coach needs, at all, right now. On Monday, Andy Farrell and Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony will be at the Six Nations launch, at Dublin’s Guinness Storehouse. Both men will be fielding questions on injuries after a bruising Champions Cup weekend. Ireland are already without Mack Hansen, Jimmy O’Brien and Dave […]

2 years ago

MUNSTER 23-26 NORTHAMPTON Northampton Saints put it up to Munster, at Thomond Park, and their celebrating replacements got right under the skin of Peter O’Mahony. The newly installed Ireland captain was not having that. After a lively Saints start, Alex Mitchell took advantage of a gaping hole beside a rick and cantered through for the […]

2 years ago

LEICESTER 10-27 LEINSTER Leinster clinched top spot in Champions Cup ‘Pool 4’ and, in doing so, have set themselves up for a home game in the Last 16. Austin Healey was not happy with one of their tries, though. Leicester Tigers started off well against four-time European champions, at Welford Road, but were outdone by […]

2 years ago

“Beautiful… an amazing player.” The was a statistic flying around on social media after Kevin De Bruyne had returned to the Manchester City team and had an instant impact. The 32-year-old, who missed the start of City’s treble defence with an injury, returned against Newcastle United and contributed to a vital win with a late […]

2 years ago

Connacht were leading at the time, but their cause was made much easier by this. Finlay Bealham was unlucky and, in another, important way, very fortunate during a scary incident at The Sportsground, on Friday night. Connacht defeated Bristol Bears and claimed a try-scoring bonus point in the process, helping their slim chances of reaching […]

2 years ago

How very organised of them. The advent of The FIFA Best Awards, earlier this week, caused some chagrin when Lionel Messi won the top men’s prize ahead of goal glutton, Erling Haaland. It also led to an interesting observation from Jamie Carragher. The former Liverpool and England defender debated awards – how fair or unfair […]

2 years ago

If you want it, come and take it. Peter O’Mahony has had the honour of captaining Ireland 10 times in a Test career that is now into its 13th season. For the upcoming Six Nations, he has the job outright. On Wednesday [January 17], the IRFU confirmed Andy Farrell’s squad selection for the opening rounds […]

2 years ago

The Wallabies need a hard re-set. The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that former Ireland boss, Joe Schmidt is Rugby Australia’s number one target to be head coach of the Wallabies. Schmidt, who led Ireland to three Six Nations titles, including a 2018 Grand Slam, had been part of the All Blacks coaching and selection […]

2 years ago

The latest cuts are the deepest. While most Six Nations squads are in the high 30s, Ireland and France have not handed out call-ups for the sake of it. Both sides, due to meet in the championship opener, have selected 34-man squads for the opening rounds. On Wednesday afternoon [January 17], the IRFU confirmed Farrell’s […]

2 years ago

Andy Farrell is bringing in some fresh faces, while retaining many of the men that fell short of World Cup history. Wednesday at 2pm [January 17] sees Andy Farrell announce his Ireland squad for the opening rounds of the 2024 Six Nations, and we’ll have all the big talking points and reactions. There are set […]

2 years ago

One name is conspicuous by his absence in the RTÉ line-up. Virgin Media and RTÉ have announced details its joint Six Nations coverage, with all 15 men’s games live and free-to-air across the two broadcasters. Virgin get the first crack at covering a game for the current holders and Grand Slam winners. Ireland will kick-start the […]

2 years ago

The time is right to sell the Cork native. Liverpool may be willing to entertain offers for Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher, this summer, after reportedly identifying his replacement in the Championship. The Mirror is reporting that Liverpool have been scouting 23-year-old Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson to add to their senior squad. The England U21 international […]

2 years ago

MAN UNITED 2-2 TOTTENHAM Roy Keane had no hesitation in reminding us all of his pre-match comments about Rasmus Hojlund, but showed the attitude that set his Manchester United side apart. Ahead of United’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham, at Old Trafford, Keane told Sky Sports that Hojlund should be scoring more for the club and […]

2 years ago

The squad will be announced on Wednesday afternoon. Andy Farrell will, this week, name his Ireland squad for the opening rounds of the 2024 Six Nations. We are expecting some uncapped players to get the nod, and the return of some familiar faces. The championship will see Ireland attempt to retain their Grand Slam status, […]

2 years ago

“If it was anybody else, it would have been fine.” Roy Keane returned to the Manchester United dressing room, almost 19 years after he finished up with the club, and recalled an infamous post-match moment from the Alex Ferguson era. Back in 2003, fresh off a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal in the FA Cup, Alex […]

2 years ago

‘God bless brother.’ Conor McGregor has reached out to an Irish Mixed Martial Artist after he suffered a devastating injury that has left him with ‘no movement in his legs or his left arm’. On Thursday of this week, Ryan Curtis suffered ‘a life altering incident’ during a training session. Bellator fighter Leah McCourt took […]

2 years ago

The first of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s two priority signings have great potential. Manchester United look set to target loan or cheaper signings in the January transfer windows, but Ratcliffe and the new ‘football operations’ team have a big summer planned. Benfica’s teenage prospect Joao Neves has been identified as a “priority signing”. The first clue […]

2 years ago

MUNSTER 29-18 TOULON Jack Crowley proved he could bounce back from an early set-back, and led his team to a big away day win in Europe, in Toulon. On Monday of this week, Andy Farrell was preparing for his trip to London, where he would be confirmed as British & Irish Lions head coach, when […]

2 years ago

Hand to heart, this is a one-time only deal for the 2023/24 season. Andy Farrell is the new British & Irish Lions head coach for the 2025 tour to Australia and that is all the reason we need to spark another debate. We promise, no more Lions XV speculation until the end of this season. Farrell […]

2 years ago

The former flanker has been with Ireland since 2014. As apprenticeships go, Simon Easterby has more than served his time. Following the November Tests run, he should be handed the keys to this highly-tuned Irish team. With Andy Farrell confirmed as British & Irish Lions head coach for the 2025 Tour to Australia, the biggest […]

2 years ago

Anything over 13 is a score to be proud of. We have a testing football quiz for you all that is all about the club jersey numbers for some of your favourite players. We’ve given you the pictures of 16 well known footballers. You’ll notice they don’t have numbers on the back of their shirts. […]

2 years ago

There is a new leader of the pride. For the first time in 12 years, the British & Irish Lions have a new head coach. The Lions coach announcement, and press briefing, is taking place in London [Thursday, January 11] and we will have all the big comments, details and reactions. Click on the key […]

2 years ago

While Ireland’s back three options are being stretched, their second and back row stocks are looking healthy. Who starts blindside for Ireland in the opening round(s) of the 2024 Six Nations? Peter O’Mahony is technically the man in possession, but Ryan Baird, Tom Ahern, Cian Prendergast and Tadhg Beirne could all slot in. If Andy […]

2 years ago

We had the new ‘Maldini’, ‘Batistuta’, ‘Hazard’, ‘Ronaldo’ and the ‘Mexican Messi’. Not all made the cut. Back in January 2019, ESPN tasked its top football writers and pundits with compiling a Top 30 list of ‘soccer’s best players under 21’. Five years on, it is worth revisiting that list to see what players lived […]

2 years ago

United could have a loan move ace up their sleeve. By underperforming to worrying degrees, this season, Manchester United have only succeeded in driving up the potential transfer fee for midfield targets. One of the, Amadou Onana, cost Everton £33m in August of 2022 and could now bring the Toffees a 50% profit. Despite the […]

2 years ago

Three changes to the starting XV, and three more on the bench. Following the retirement of Johnny Sexton and brutal injury news for Dave Kilcoyne, Jimmy O’Brien and Mack Hansen, the Ireland team for their Six Nations opener will have certain changes. Kilcoyne and Hansen are both long-term absentees after shoulder injuries. Keith Earls and […]

2 years ago

A key player will miss the entire championship. Mack Hansen will miss the entire Six Nations after Connacht rugby confirmed the winger dislocated his shoulder in their recent United Rugby Championship win over Munster. There is bad news about Jimmy O’Brien, too. The 25-year-old required oxygen before he left the pitch during that January 1 […]

2 years ago

GLEN 1-14, KILMACUD CROKES 2-10 Shane Walsh came agonising close to completing a stunning comeback for Kilmacud Crokes, but was left ruing a late wide as Glen held the day. The Galway sharpshooter scored a long-range goal for Crokes, the Dublin and Leinster champions, but was wide with a free kick, in the dying embers, […]

2 years ago

It has been 32 years since a nation won back-to-back Grand Slam titles. Andy Farrell is the heavy favourite to be named British & Irish Lions head coach, this coming Thursday. Once all that pomp and ceremony is done, he will get back to announcing his next Ireland squad and plotting a defence of their […]

2 years ago

It would be trading one Eagle for another. Michael Olise has found himself linked with moves to both Liverpool and Manchester City, in recent days, but Manchester United could be going back to the well. United have signed Wilfried Zaha and Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace in the past decade. Zaha played only four times […]

2 years ago

“It was game over.” Roy Keane was paired with former Newcastle and Spurs winger Chris Waddle, this weekend, to do some punditry with ITV for the FA Cup third round. The former Premier League rivals joined Mark Pougatch at the Stadium of Light for what ended up being a routine 3-0 win for Newcastle over […]

2 years ago

Happy New Year Quiz! On the first day of 2024, the SportsJOE Christmas quiz is here to test your sporting knowledge. Many of you got close to top marks on the first offering. Day two proved a bit tougher but we went easier on you on day three, and mixed it up on day four. As for day five, that was a doozy. Day […]

2 years ago

The last one of the year, before we round out with a New Year’s Day special. On the final day of 2023, the SportsJOE Christmas quiz is back to test your sporting knowledge. Many of you got close to top marks on the first offering. Day two proved a bit tougher but we went easier on you on day three, and mixed […]

2 years ago

“It’s up to you to decide what you want to do.” In 2022/23, we were fortunate enough to follow the journey of Ronan O’Gara and his La Rochelle team as they went on a quest to retain the Champions Cup and claim their first ever Top 14 title. Our ‘A Season With’ series featured great […]

2 years ago

“Let the boy play darts!” Former PDC world champion Gary Anderson has stood up for 16-year-old darts sensation Luke Littler after he received some blow-back for an interview and photo-shoot with a tabloid. Littler is the youngest ever player to reach the Last 16 of the PDC world championship and he faces Raymond van Barneveld, […]

2 years ago

Celtic 2-1 Rangers Liam Scales, Kyoho and Callum McGregor were stand-out performers as Celtic beat Rangers to stretch their Scottish Premiership lead. The Republic of Ireland defender has now beaten Rangers in his two starts against them, this season, and had Celtic legend John Hartson describing him as “immense” after another solid display. Celtic went […]

2 years ago

“It is very new to me… “ 16-year-old darts sensation Luke Littler is tearing it up at the PDC world championships, but having to deal with his first significant piece of social media blow-back. The teenager has reached the Last 16 of the championships after an impressive run at the oche. He next faces former […]

2 years ago

Day 8, feeling great! It’s the weekend (we think!) and the SportsJOE Christmas quiz is back to push your sporting knowledge to its very limit. Many of you got close to top marks on the first offering. Day two proved a bit tougher but we went easier on you on day three, and mixed it up on day four. As for day five, that […]

2 years ago

Day 7, let’s do this! Amid the festive madness, the SportsJOE Christmas quiz is the constant you need in your life, right now. Many of you got close to top marks on the first offering. Day two proved a bit tougher but we went easier on you on day three, and mixed it up on day […]

2 years ago

Day 6… pick up sticks! The SportsJOE Christmas quiz is back in your grill and lining up piping hot questions to keep your brain warm. Many of you got close to top marks on the first offering. Day two proved a bit tougher but we went easier on you on day three, and mixed it up […]

2 years ago

“He’s Googling it!’ Roy Keane and Ian Wright teamed up to take on Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher in an end-of-season football quiz, which got pretty competitive. On a special episode of the Stick to Football show, Neville and Carragher took on Keane and Wright in a quiz hosted by comedian Paddy McGuinness. Before we get […]

2 years ago

Bundee Aki makes the Top 5. Three Ireland stars have made it into the Top 20 list for the best players in world rugby for 2023. Bundee Aki ranks highest, and there are two Leinster stars included. Wrapping up their coverage for the year, Planet Rugby compiled their five-part series of ‘The 50 best rugby players […]

2 years ago

The former Munster and Ireland star took a cut off the IRFU for allowing such a move to take place. RTÉ aired a fantastic five-minute discussion about RG Snyman and his impending move from Munster to Leinster, ahead of Tuesday night’s United Rugby Championship clash between the sides. Donncha O’Callaghan spoke with the most passion […]

2 years ago

Up and running, at last. Rasmus Hojlund came into the Aston Villa game, on Tuesday, with six goals to his name for the season yet a world of pressure on his shoulders. The 20-year-old had scored five Champions League goals for Manchester United and another for his country, Denmark, in a Euro 2024 qualifier. He […]

2 years ago

Day 5, and we have another tester for you all. In the thick of this festive season, when no-one is quite sure what day it is, the SportsJOE Christmas quiz is providing some stability in your life. Many of you got close to top marks on the first offering. Day two proved a bit tougher but […]

2 years ago

Day 4, and we hope you are not all partied out. In the midst of this festive season, when no-one is quite sure what day it is, the SportsJOE Christmas quiz is providing some stability in your life. Many of you got close to top marks on the first offering. Day two proved a bit tougher […]

2 years ago

Day 3, and this is the one where you bag your top score. We have kicked off a festive run of the SportsJOE Christmas quiz to keep your sporting mind sharp over the break. Many of you got close to top marks on the first offering while day two proved a bit tougher. We fancy your […]

2 years ago