After a farcical week or so for the FAI, a Twitter-ready one-on-one interview with Martin O’Neill was not what was needed. There was silence, then there was an interview, after which we wished they’d just kept silent. O’Neill is still the Republic of Ireland manager – that’s what we’ve been assured of in a grainy […]

8 years ago

There has been a breakthrough in contract talks. He may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but Jose Mourinho is here to stay, or so it seems. The Portuguese coach is close to extending his contract as Manchester United manager, with both club and Mourinho confident that a deal will soon be signed. Discussions have […]

8 years ago

Luke Shaw is back in a big way – and he’s thanking Jose Mourinho. The Manchester United left-back is enjoying an extended run in the team. Lining out in the 3-0 win over Stoke City on Monday night was Shaw’s fifth consecutive start, his best run in the side since August 2016. It’s a remarkable […]

8 years ago

The proposal has received positive feedback online. Derry City are to discuss the possibility of renaming the Brandywell Stadium after the club’s late captain Ryan McBride. McBride passed away in his sleep last March at the age of 27 and the Ryan McBride Foundation, a charity organisation set up following his death, is hopeful of […]

8 years ago

What a brilliant experience this will be for Ireland’s ice hockey hopefuls. A young Irish ice hockey team will represent the nation later this week in a tournament bringing together teams from across the world. Ireland’s Under 12 Junior Development Team, The Saints, will participate in the inaugural Commemorative Imjin-Pyeongchang International Youth Ice Hockey Tournament, which commemorates the 65th […]

8 years ago

The Belgian is considering his future. Simon Mignolet has admitted that he may be forced to quit Liverpool after being informed by Jurgen Klopp that he is no longer his manager’s first-choice at Anfield. The Belgian was dropped for Liverpool’s 4-3 victory over Manchester City on Sunday, with Loris Karius instead being preferred between the […]

8 years ago

This particular assessment doesn’t quite add up. Jamie Carragher is a great pundit. Not good, but actually great. His ability to analyse games with great depth and knowledge and offer nuanced, forthright opinions on football’s biggest issues makes him a hot ticket for Sky Sports. His debates with Gary Neville – another credit to football […]

8 years ago

The Frenchman is the shining light of this Manchester United side. Manchester United fans have been understandably preoccupied this week. With the fantasy of beating Manchester City to Alexis Sanchez threatening to become reality, they can be excused for having spent much of a routine victory over Stoke at Old Trafford thinking about the Chilean’s […]

8 years ago

He feels he made the right choice. Jurgen Klopp is an enormously popular figure at Liverpool. His infectious charisma, coupled with an undying commitment to attacking football, means he spends every other weekend soaking up acclaim from the Kop. Such is his character, Klopp probably would have established a special connection with Manchester United fans […]

8 years ago

Louis van Gaal could have been managing at the World Cup this summer. The Dutchman was offered a route back into management with Belgium. Working with players like Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku as well as the undeniable appeal of potentially managing at another World Cup were ultimately secondary concerns for van […]

8 years ago

This would be a blow. Anthony Martial is a doubt for Manchester United ahead of their Monday night clash with Stoke City. The Frenchman picked up an unspecified injury during the club’s warm weather training camp in Dubai last week. The development has cast doubt over whether the 22-year-old will be involved for the visit […]

8 years ago

Many people will have heard the name ‘Patrick O’Connell,’ but few outside of football know his story. O’Connell is a footballing figure of near mythical proportions. He is a figure who, through various accounts of his time coaching Barcelona, has acquired a kind of exalted status. The Westmeath-born man is often credited with ‘saving Barcelona.’ […]

8 years ago

One is here for the long run, the other one isn’t. Jose Mourinho says Manchester United are intent on extending the contract of David De Gea while admitting that Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s time at the top of the game is coming to an end. United will exercise their option to extend De Gea’s four-year contract, due […]

8 years ago

The 2014 Ryder Cup captain has been in contact with the former Donegal manager recently. Paul McGinley believes that Jim McGuinness has interesting plans for his future, but they do not involve a return to Gaelic football. McGuinness, who memorably managed Donegal to the 2012 All-Ireland title, recently left his role as the assistant manager […]

8 years ago

There’s no defending against that. Luis Suarez added another fine entry into his personal collection of wonder goals on Sunday evening when he conjured up a piece of magic to score for Barcelona. Liverpool fans will remember the Uruguayan as both a scorer of great goals and a great goal-scorer, and he certainly lived up […]

8 years ago

Alexis Sanchez isn’t the only one. On Sunday, news filtered through that Alexis Sanchez was edging closer towards becoming a Manchester United player. Being left out of the Arsenal squad for their clash with Bournemouth appeared to be the final nail in his Gunners career ahead of a headline-grabbing move to Old Trafford. With Manchester […]

8 years ago

Classic Jurgen. After Liverpool’s thrilling 4-3 victory over Manchester City, Jurgen Klopp did the usual. He conducted a post-match interview with Sky Sports and gave a press conference to print journalists. He also went re-appeared pitchside for an interview with an American broadcaster, although things took a turn for the hilarious. During the interview, Klopp […]

8 years ago

He may be staying put after all. The future of Martin O’Neill took another interesting turn on Sunday afternoon when reports emerged that the Republic of Ireland manager has turned down the chance to become the new Stoke City manager. According to The Daily Telegraph, O’Neill has decided to stay in his current position as […]

8 years ago

Jurgen Klopp has a mightily impressive record against Pep Guardiola. Pep Guardiola isn’t easily beaten. The Catalan tactician has always been accustomed to winning, whether it’s been while he was in charge at Barcelona, Bayern Munich or Manchester City. One man who knows how to beat him, though, is Jurgen Klopp. The Liverpool manager oversaw […]

8 years ago

Aaaand breathe. Manchester City’s defence capitulated in spectacular fashion in the second-half at Anfield as Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah struck three glorious goals in the space of a breathless nine-minute spell to put Liverpool 4-1 up. With the score locked at 1-1 (after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s opener and Leroy Sane’s equaliser), Firmino got […]

8 years ago

He was given the nod ahead of Simon Mignolet. Loris Karius was given a huge opportunity to stake his claim as Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper on Sunday when Jurgen Klopp started the German for the visit of Manchester City. However, questions were once again asked of the 24-year-old for failing to keep out Leroy Sane’s effort […]

8 years ago

The Frenchman has been outstanding since joining the Blues in 2016. N’Golo Kante has emerged as a top transfer target for Paris Saint-Germain. The Chelsea midfielder has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League in the last three years, helping Leicester City to a historic league title before repeating the […]

8 years ago

They’ve made their move. Stoke City have offered Martin O’Neill the chance to return to Premier League management. The Potters have made their move after missing out on Quique Sanchez Flores, the former Watford boss who was reportedly their first-choice. Stoke are now negotiating with O’Neill, who has been in charge of the Republic of […]

8 years ago

He was sent off during Leeds’ 1-0 defeat to Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon. Eunan O’Kane has come under fierce criticism from Leeds United fans after being sent off for a head-butt during their 1-0 defeat to Ipswich. The game was scoreless but turned in the Tractor Boys’ favour when the Republic of Ireland midfielder […]

8 years ago

The Russian club have been criticised by anti-discrimination groups since posting the tweet Spartak Moscow became embroiled in a racism row on Saturday after posting an offensive tweet. The club’s official Twitter account shared a video of three black players in training accompanied by the caption “see how chocolates melt in the sun.” The players […]

8 years ago

Liverpool reached an agreement with RB Leipzig last summer for Naby Keita to join the Reds this July. Liverpool may be getting their man a few months early. Following Philippe Coutinho’s departure to Barcelona, reports emerged suggesting that the Premier League club have opted to try and sign Naby Keita from RB Leipzig this month. […]

8 years ago

He’s been out of favour under Neil Warnock. Anthony Pilkington hasn’t had much of a look in at Cardiff City this season but the Republic of Ireland winger came off the bench to complete the Bluebirds’ rout of Sunderland on Saturday. Pilkington replaced striker Kenneth Zohore with Cardiff already leading 3-0 and sealed three valuable […]

8 years ago

The Argentine star signed a new contract at Barcelona in November. Lionel Messi pockets in the region of €2million-a-week with his astonishingly lucrative new contract at Barcelona, according to a new report by Football Leaks. Messi ended growing speculation over his long-term future in November when he put pen to paper on a new deal that […]

8 years ago

It just got interesting. And we were thinking this was shaping up to be a slow news day. But alas, it’s all happening. The transfer rumour mill went into overdrive Thursday lunchtime when Manchester United were reported to have made a spectacular attempt at hijacking Alexis Sanchez’s proposed transfer to Manchester City. You had our […]

8 years ago

Micko, the RTÉ documentary chronicling the life and career of legendary Kerry manager Mick O’Dwyer, earned rave reviews when it aired on Monday night. Its depiction of the man as a football romantic who’s been hopelessly addicted to the game for 70 years undeniably tugged on the nation’s heartstrings. There were poignant moments, like Micko […]

8 years ago

According to reports on Thursday morning, Martin O’Neill is edging closer to becoming the new Stoke boss – with Roy Keane set to follow him. Should we be surprised that Keane wants to follow O’Neill to the Premier League? Not in the slightest. Although the Potters are currently in disarray, there can be no denying […]

8 years ago

He’s a very popular figure at Anfield. Liverpool want to ward off potential future interest in Roberto Firmino by offering him a new contract. There is nothing unusual about that. What is startling, though, is that the proposed new deal will commit him to Anfield for the rest of his career in a kind of […]

8 years ago

We love it when a great sporting week comes together. Sometimes the sporting gods are good to us. Understanding that we lead busy lives, they sometimes conspire to give us something to look forward to. For regular visitors to this site, that means an almighty sporting binge. We had one in December. On the 22nd […]

8 years ago

It’s looking increasingly likely that Alexis Sanchez will become a Manchester City player. Arsenal have stepped up their search for Sanchez’s replacement by organising a meeting with the agent of Malcom, the highly-rated Bordeaux winger. Sanchez’s days in North London look numbered following reports that Manchester City have reached an agreement with Arsenal for a […]

8 years ago

The veteran Frenchman may leave in the summer. Carlo Ancelotti has emerged as a strong favourite to succeed Arsene Wenger as manager of Arsenal. The former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich coach is being considered as a serious candidate to take up the reigns, should Wenger depart in the summer. The 68-year-old agreed a […]

8 years ago

Martin O’Neill is now the bookies’ favourite to take over at Stoke City. We may not have been feeling particularly positive about the Republic of Ireland after a chastening defeat to Denmark in the World Cup play-offs, but news that O’Neill is widely tipped to succeed Mark Hughes at Stoke plunges the team’s future into […]

8 years ago

A quality tribute to a real legend of the game. GAA fans up and down the country had been eagerly anticipating the premiere of Micko, the new documentary looking at the incredible life and career of Mick O’Dwyer. The legendary football manager, who led Kerry to eight All-Ireland titles in an 11-year period between 1975-86 during […]

8 years ago

Squeezing every last drop out of Barcelona. Barcelona finally got their man this week with the signing of Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool but, as we all know, the Catalan club chased the Brazilian all summer. Barca saw several bids rejected for Coutinho with Liverpool stubbornly refusing to sell their most valuable player. While that stance […]

8 years ago

The magic of the FA Cup is alive and well. The draw for the FA Cup fourth-round has served up some intriguing ties, including Manchester United travelling to face Yeovil Town and Liverpool hosting West Brom. Jose Mourinho’s side facing Yeovil is a glorious upset waiting to happen, while Alan Pardew will hope to inflict […]

8 years ago

The two clubs are currently locked in negotiations. Manchester City have stepped up their pursuit of Alexis Sanchez, with the Premier League leaders now expected to wrap up the signing of the Arsenal star in the next week. City have been caught in two minds over whether to sign Sanchez in January or wait to […]

8 years ago

This is a big boost. Former Ireland prop Mike Ross has been confirmed as the new scrum coach for the Ireland women’s rugby team as they continue preparations for the upcoming Six Nations campaign. The 38-year-old Cork native established himself as a player with considerable expertise in the scrum during a career that yielded two […]

8 years ago

This is what all that money gets you. Paris Saint-Germain aren’t just good, they’re freakishly good – and getting better. Completing one of the most astonishing one-two punches in transfer history in the summer with Kylian Mbappe and Neymar has transformed them from a good side to a great side. The attacking trident of Mbappe, […]

8 years ago

The Tottenham striker’s price has shot up after an outstanding 2017. Harry Kane is the third most valuable player in world football, according to a new study conducted by CIES’ Football Observatory. According to the findings, Kane is worth a staggering €194.7million, placing him behind only Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar and Barcelona star Lionel Messi. The […]

8 years ago

It’s an exciting time to be a Liverpool fan. The above statement, when coupled with the departure of the club’s most technically gifted player to Barcelona, may seem a little incongruous. However, look beyond the sale of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona and you will see the exciting project unfolding at Anfield under the watchful eye […]

8 years ago

This just keeps on giving. Antonio Conte has called Jose Mourinho a ‘little man’ as the war of words between the two Premier League managers continues to dominate the headlines. Press conferences involving the Chelsea and Manchester United boss have been peppered with questions regarding each other – and they haven’t shied away from spicing […]

8 years ago

This was the right thing to do. If you’re a Liverpool fan who bought a 2017/18 shirt bearing Philippe Coutinho’s name on the back, don’t throw it away, burn it or do whatever you were planning to do now that he’s away to Barcelona. The club has confirmed that you are entitled to a €56 (£50) […]

8 years ago

He’s finally able to talk about it. After months and months of having to swerve questions and remain tight-lipped about Philippe Coutinho, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp can finally speak freely. Coutinho was officially announced as a Barcelona player on Saturday evening after the clubs agreed a fee of €160m. Speaking to Liverpool’s official website, the […]

8 years ago

It’s been a long road back for both of them. It was by no means the biggest story of the FA Cup third round – Virgil van Dijk will understandably steal most of the headlines – but it was great to see Irish duo Stephen Ireland and Alan Judge return to competitive action after their […]

8 years ago

It’s done. Liverpool and Barcelona have reached an agreement: Philippe Coutinho will become a Barcelona player for the tidy sum of €160m. The Brazilian playmaker, who did not travel with the rest of the Liverpool squad to Dubai for their training camp, has now been officially announced as a Barca player by both clubs. He will […]

8 years ago

We could watch this all day. Burnley were beating Manchester City in their FA Cup third-round clash for a while, but then Ilkay Gundogan and Sergio Aguero decided to show up. John Stones’ blunder had gifted Ashley Barnes with the opener at the Etihad Stadium going into the break, but Gundogan and Aguero established a […]

8 years ago