A fine footballer, but not the most dangerous of long-range strikers. It was a frantic end-game and the allocated time had long since passed. David Coldrick looked determined to see the final Kerry attack out, and Tommy Walsh did not shirk the responsibility. As it turns out, the veteran forward may have been better served […]

4 years ago

A make-or-break seven day stretch. Portugal away before a home stand against Azerbaijan and Serbia. That is what Stephen Kenny’s Ireland are facing over the next week. Ireland are fourth in Group A of the Uefa qualifying stage of the 2022 World Cup. Opening losses to Serbia (away) and Luxembourg (home) have Kenny’s men sitting […]

4 years ago

“Stop walking, Patrick!” Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Cantlay served up a final day classic at the BMW Championship. Both men finished on -27 and then slugged it out over six gripping playoff holes. It was golf at the highest level as both men peppered the flag-stick and dropped clutch putts. DeChambeau looked to have it […]

4 years ago

“To be honest, it’s not just for me.” Her whole body shaking and a smile never far from her lips, Nicole Turner delivered the sort of interview that shows just how much her silver medal will be cherished for years to come. The 19-year-old came home second in the final of the Women’s S6 50-metre […]

4 years ago

Neves had got a point. Souness was seriously clutching. Graeme Souness knows a thing of 1,756 about lusty tackles, and he had a strong opinion on Paul Pogba’s coming together with Ruben Neves. If you want to challenge for titles, you have to win games when you’re not playing well. Manchester United failed to do […]

4 years ago

WOLVES 0-1 MAN UNITED A 36-year-old goalscoring machine would have been watching on approvingly as Mason Greenwood, a player 17 years his junior, claimed all three points for Manchester United. United fans were in fine spirits at Molineux, this afternoon, as they joyously sang of the impending return of Cristiano Ronaldo. One United supporter had […]

4 years ago

What the hell is going on? Cristiano Ronaldo is on his way back to Manchester United in the same transfer window that saw Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane signed up. The team that finished second in the league and reached the Europa League Final have been considerably strengthened. They have a world-class defender added to […]

4 years ago

“I was polite enough.” Back in 2019, Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson revealed Roy Keane had been the influencing factor in his decision not to swap jerseys with Lionel Messi at the Nou Camp. “Roy Keane told me when I was at Sunderland that if you ask for someone’s shirt, it looks like you are in […]

4 years ago

What a nail-biter! Even when the race was run, it took a while to confirm Jason Smyth was once again the 100-metres Paralympics champion, in the T-13 class, for a fourth consecutive time. The 34-year-old, who won Paralympic gold in 2008, 2012 and 2016, was pushed all the way but kept gunning until the finish […]

4 years ago

This is what often makes the difference between winning and losing. “Just to get that Tyrone jersey back on my back,” Conor McKenna reflected, “and playing with the lads has been amazing.” Having returned from an Aussie Rules stretch, last year, McKenna revelled in his return to the Tyrone panel, even if it ended far […]

4 years ago

KERRY 0-22 TYRONE 3-14 Conor McKenna’s bravery and Cathal McShane’s late burst were crucial, but this was a squad effort from Tyrone. By the end, Pat Spillane was not the only Kerryman in shock. Tyrone are off to the 2021 All-Ireland Final after being Kerry by a point, after extra time, in a tense semi […]

4 years ago

A heap of drama, spice and recriminations, all well before a ball was thrown in. Kerry and Tyrone took a back-seat, for a while anyway, to Pat Spillane and Sean Cavanagh ripping into each other about Covid-19, bluffs and information vacuums. The RTE pundits went toe-to-toe in an extraordinary exchange, before an All-Ireland semi-final that […]

4 years ago

MEATH 1-12 TYRONE 1-11 This goes to show you why you should never drop your head, and keep going until the very end. Seán Leonard and Meath did just that. Many of the Meath Minors that claimed All-Ireland glory at Croke Park today were the ones that needed picking up off the ground, last year. […]

4 years ago

“That wasn’t acceptable.” Oisin McConville was part of an era, in club and inter-county football, when anyone wanting to show off their individuality, or straying from the team’s stated goals, was harshly dealt with. Up in Armagh, for a long stretch of years, the hard road was the only road. Former Armagh forward, and Footballer […]

4 years ago

“For the lads who have got minutes tonight, it was really important and they will be better for the experience.” It did not take Evan Ferguson long to make his presence felt at Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion. On Tuesday, Ferguson and fellow Ireland underage football prospect Andrew Moran both made their senior […]

4 years ago

The former West Ham youth team player now has five goals in six games. Anthony Scully is off to a flyer, and he’s in no mood to slow down. After scoring twice for Lincoln City in the opening fixtures of the 2021/22 season, he blasted in a hat-trick against Manchester United’s U21 side in a […]

4 years ago

“Another one for the bed-side cabinet!” Aiden O’Brien is scoring goals and making a difference for his club. With two big World Cup qualifiers coming up, he has certainly got Stephen Kenny’s attention. The 27-year-old was the hero for Sunderland in their League Cup win over Blackpool, on Tuesday. O’Brien had already bagged a brace […]

4 years ago

“I’m really excited to be here and I can’t wait to get going.” As we enter the final week of the 2021 summer transfer window, Irish midfielder Liam Kelly has landed himself a club. Robbie Brady, however, remains on the market. Kelly, who has played U19 and U21 for Ireland, joined Feyenoord from Reading in […]

4 years ago

“What else more is there to say?” Gearóid Hegarty went to town on Cork in the All-Ireland Final and, 48 hours on, still has folks marvelling over his performance. The St Patrick’s clubman scored 2-2 and was the biggest contributor to Limerick’s first half pummelling of Cork that all but ended the game as a […]

4 years ago

“That can’t be acceptable.” Jamie Carragher backed Gary Neville into a corner on this one. His hesitation to answer a pointed question spoke volumes. Monday night saw Leicester City travel to London to take on West Ham, while Gary Neville joined Jamie Carragher and Sky Sports host David Jones to set the scene for the […]

4 years ago

12 questions between you and a perfect score. The SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz is starting off with a belter of a TV round before zipping through your old favourites – geography, records and general knowledge. Good luck, and enjoy!

4 years ago

“The reason I want to talk about it is, you don’t want to see that ever on the field again.” For Cian Lynch, on Sunday, his All-Ireland Final performance against Cork was everything Limerick fans would have craved for a mean at the peak of his hurling powers. Lynch was phenomenal against the Rebels as […]

4 years ago

“That’s a good name, that. Say it again!” Rob Kearney’s GAA comeback, after a long absence, is even making headlines beyond these shores. The former Leinster, Ireland and Lions fullback was a talented footballer, growing up, and played with the Louth Minors at Croke Park. He ultimately went down the rugby route but always vowed […]

4 years ago

United fans must have been thinking, ‘Here we go again’. On the opening weekend of the Premier League season, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made some big selection calls. Most paid off. Mason Greenwood was the out-and-out forward, Dan James started on the right side of the front three and Bruno Fernandes played in a more advanced, […]

4 years ago

“Look at this place! What it means to all of us!” Padraig O’Hora was struggling to hear what Damian Lawlor was asking him, but he could not give a fiddlers. He was in a state of pure bliss. The Mayo defender busted up a couple of ribs in the Connacht Final win over Galway and […]

4 years ago

Sheer insanity. Philly McMahon has long had a history of getting the opposition’s skin. At a rain-soaked Croke Park, with Dublin rattled, he was always going to be a target for some pay-back. For the first time in nine years, Mayo have beaten Dublin in the championship. The Dubs were 0-10 to 0-4 up at […]

4 years ago

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think any Mayo forward has scored from open play in the first half.” Dublin players like John Small were going hell for leather out there. They were letting no-one get in their way, even if they had to go through them. In a rain-soaked first half, Dublin […]

4 years ago

“It’s almost a guarantee that one of the northern hemisphere teams, in the autumn, will knock over the Saffas.” Stuart Hogg was not the only British & Irish Lions player that left South Africa convinced that the tourists had the weapons to beat the world champions. As we all know now, that did not happen. […]

4 years ago

“I’m flat out in the departures lounge, sleeping! I was devastated” Many of the British & Irish Lions stars were reunited with their families in Jersey, where they are spending an isolation period before returning to England, Scotland and Wales. Stuart Hogg enjoyed seeing his children again, even with a ropey hangover. A three-tour veteran, […]

4 years ago

“We have to do the right thing by our players… ultimately we’re putting them in an environment where it’s not safe.” Tyrone manager Brian Dooher has called on GAA officials and health experts to get together and come up with re-worked guidelines for playing panels affected by positive Covid cases. The Ulster champions have notified […]

4 years ago

“Garryowen, correct me if I’m wrong, is a high ball, isn’t it?” Stuart Hogg may wear the Garryowen jersey he was recently gifted in his next few training sessions as he works on fielding steepling up-and-unders. After touring with the British & Irish Lions in 2013 and 2017, the Scotland star finally had a couple […]

4 years ago

‘It is acknowledged that the decision taken will cause major disappointment.’ Tyrone look set to forfeit their All-Ireland Senior Football Championship semi-final with Kerry, next Saturday. The Ulster champions’ panel has been badly hit by a Covid-19 outbreak, with several players testing positive for the virus and many others unable to train or meet with […]

4 years ago

“Rob won’t be happy with me. I’ll be getting a text about that.” Over the past six weeks, during the House of Rugby Lions Series, Alex Goode and Seán O’Brien have debated and, ultimately, selected their greatest Lions XV. We have already seen the pack decided upon – with four Irish players, two English and […]

4 years ago

At least the England star left Cape Town Stadium with a decent memento. In the end, after a fractious Test Series and two games that even the purists would not have enjoyed, the Springboks beat the British & Irish Lions 2-1. The Lions players are back either in Jersey or, for the Irish contingent, at […]

4 years ago

‘It is imperative that their health and wellbeing is the priority in this situation.’ On Monday, Tyrone boss Brian Dooher expressed his doubts about whether his county would be able to field a team for the rescheduled All-Ireland semi-final. The semi against Kerry has been bumped back six days, to August 21, after the Tyrone […]

4 years ago

“Are you too good for your home?!” The SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz has been inspired by some classic movies, Lionel Messi’s GAA skills and Kellie Harrington’s joyous home-coming. Go forth and conquer!

4 years ago

“If someone tells you the Lions are only going to score two tries, you’d say, ‘Well, South Africa are winning that series’.” Matt Dawson may have beaten the Springboks with South Africa in 1997, but don’t get him started about the 2001 tour to Australia. The former England scrumhalf still cherishes memories of that ’97 […]

4 years ago

‘Why doesn’t he just play for free?’ We are sure that, over the past few days, a friend or colleague has not asked that question of Lionel Messi. The Argentinean superstar is leaving Barcelona after two decades and a room-full of trophies with the Spanish club. He did not want to go, but Barcelona simply […]

4 years ago

“I just know what he’s about. Good player to have on the field.” In selecting a combined XV from South Africa and British & Irish Lions players, you ruefully consider how the tourists’ backline failed to have any huge say on matters. The 2021 Lions Tour to South Africa is now in the history books. […]

4 years ago

Another couple of Irish lads on the bench too including *checks glasses* Tadhg FURLONG?! After the 2017 British & Irish Lions Tour to New Zealand, we took a crack at selecting a starting XV for the 2021 jaunt to South Africa. We got five players right, so we are not chancing a Lions 2025 selection. […]

4 years ago

‘WHHHAAAAMMMMMMMMMYY!!’ The SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz has cooked up another tasty batch of sporting teasers and you’ll need your ‘A’ game to score well. Go hard or go home. If you’re already at home, stay there!

4 years ago

“I said whoever is on the next one – make sure you go as hard as hell because it is a very special privilege to be involved in.” That is what British & Irish Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones said to his teammates at the end of a gruelling tour to South Africa. The advice […]

4 years ago

This Sunday’s semi-final ‘will not take place as originally scheduled’. This weekend’s scheduled All-Ireland Senior Football Championship semi-final between Tyrone and Kerry has been pushed back until Saturday, August 21 after positive Covid cases in the Ulster champion’s panel. The decision was confirmed by the GAA this afternoon, with the knock-on result being the final […]

4 years ago

Warren Gatland was playing it coy, but his assistant has made his play. The day after the British & Irish Lions lost their Test Series against South Africa, Gregor Townsend sat down with some of the touring journalists and laid out a vision of rugby, as he sees it. As job pitches go, for the […]

4 years ago

“It wasn’t a Zinedine Zidane style head-butt.” The SportsJOE 12 o’clock quiz has a smorgasbord of sporting questions for you all today – GAA, football, rugby and Olympics. If you’ve been keeping track of recent sporting events, you should do well.

4 years ago

He came with a beer to nurse as he reflected on a series defeat. His eyes were already red from the post-match tears. Alun Wyn Jones, still in his Lions jersey and with the battle scars still fresh and thumping, sat down for his final bit of press duty on what has been a rollercoaster […]

4 years ago

‘Apologies on behalf of all the good Leicester fans.’ Ian Wright and Roy Keane were subjected to some awful abuse during their punditry stint at Wembley Stadium, on Saturday, with many Leicester City fans sending their apologies on behalf of the club. Wright and Keane were in the broadcast gantry for ITV, during their coverage […]

4 years ago

Plenty of contenders, on both sides. When it came to the crunch, Maro Itoje and Robbie Henshaw really stepped up for the Lions. Tadhg Furlong, Courtney Lawes and Jack Conan were not far behind. The 2021 British & Irish Lions Tour to South Africa is now in the history books. The Springboks are the victors […]

4 years ago

Josh Adams didn’t need another reminder. There was a moment, right at the end of a pulsating contest, when Finn Russell and Morné Steyn were right in each other’s faces. The Springboks veteran and the Lions sub that proved the doubters wrong. Russell had a superb game after coming on for the injured Dan Biggar […]

4 years ago

“He’s incredibly talented.” Warren Gatland was asked, on several occasions, on Saturday if he would be open to coaching the British & Irish Lions again. If Marcus Smith is available, he may well be. An assistant to Ian McGeechan in 2009, Gatland has been Lions head coach in 2013, 2017 and this year. Had the […]

4 years ago