When the Dubliner joined them, Donegal Boston were mid-table in the league standings. This morning, they wake up as champions. This weekend will see Dublin take on Tyrone in the All-Ireland final at Croke Park. Diarmuid Connolly should be gracing that stage but he’ll happily settle for being the toast of Boston GAA. The St […]

8 years ago

Slated. And rightly so! Liverpool are flying it and Roberto Firmino is playing his part. The Brazilian attacker looks to have taken his 2017/18 form right on into the new season and has helped Liverpool to a winning start in the Premier League. It is early days yet, but there is a lot of excitement […]

8 years ago

The 17-year-old power forward has attracted offers from more than 30 top universities across the United States. Aidan Harris Igiehon is taking America’s high school basketball scene by storm and says it is all down to his old club in Dublin. The teenager, who has been nicknamed ‘The Irish Hulk’, is one of the hottest high […]

8 years ago

Richie Hogan was simply in awe of the Clare hurler’s scoring feats. Tony Kelly is a joy to behold on most days. When he gets into his scoring stride, you just sit back and take it in, in all its glory. The Clare forward is one of the classiest operators out there and he was […]

8 years ago

The Liverpool boss had some very nice things to say about his departing goalkeeper. Loris Karius is now a Besiktas player, for the rest of the season at least. Jurgen Klopp has given him a fitting send-off. The German goalkeeper’s loan move from Liverpool was confirmed, postponed and confirmed all in the space of the […]

8 years ago

This should be a cracking fight. The UFC are resting a lot on Conor McGregor’s return bout against Khabib Nurmagomedov breaking records and reestablishing the sport as a pay-per-view draw. The promotion has not had a 1 million plus PPV since McGregor headlined UFC 205 at Madison Square Garden, and defeated Eddie Alvarez and claimed […]

8 years ago

You’ve got to hand it to Besiktas, they certainly back themselves. The Turkish side’s best ever finish in the Champions Cup and Europa Cup has been reaching the quarter final stage. Still, they fancy themselves as major mover and shakers and now they’ve got themselves Loris Karius to jazz things up… and keep goal. The […]

8 years ago

This has definitely caused a stir. Former Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll was having no part in the pre-match handshakes between his Linfield side and the Cliftonville players. Both teams faced off at Solitude on Saturday afternoon and the Irish League derby ended in a 1-1 draw. The result was not the main talking point, […]

8 years ago

“Well I can tell you something, if you do nothing else, go down to Limerick tonight and you’ll see celebrations!” So said Shane Dowling the morning after the All-Ireland win before. 45 years without an All-Ireland title came to a thrilling, tense end at Croke Park, last Sunday, and the party has been raging in […]

8 years ago

That’s some response to all the flak he received during the week. James McClean got into with with Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland, on Wednesday, as his new side went in at half-time 2-0 down to Wigan. The Ireland winger had been snarling and snapping for Stoke’s cause in the first half and his free-kick into […]

8 years ago

Welcome back to the big leagues. Perpignan had a decent pre-season after their promotion to the Top 14 but their first league game of the season saw them shredded by Stade Francais. Paddy Jackson contributed eight points but his new side were soundly beaten. Stade, who have Paul O’Connell and Mike Prendergast on their coaching […]

8 years ago

“He’s a good manager, believe it or not. I liked the way he ran the dressing room… No one could get away with anything. If you put a foot out of line or did anything wrong, he would let you know.” That was Jon Walters’ take – in 2016 – on his life under Roy […]

8 years ago

Munster fans must be itching to see their strongest XV in action. It may not be until round five of the Guinness PRO14 until we get to see Munster at full strength but Johann van Graan’s men should be off to a decent start by then. The opening four rounds of the league are kind […]

8 years ago

Every player that features in an All-Ireland final will pray that, at a very minimum, they leave it all out on the pitch. Graeme Mulcahy definitely did that, and so did several of his Limerick teammates. Dublin hurler Liam Rushe joined Colm Parkinson on The GAA Hour Hurling Show and recalled the words of Kilkenny […]

8 years ago

If only something like this existed for long-serving GAA players. If you are still playing at the highest level of rugby and GAA past your 30s, you are either lucky, talented, damn determined or a combination of all three. Both sports are increasingly dominated by young pups who can dedicate themselves to extra gym sessions […]

8 years ago

The pair spent four seasons at Old Trafford together. In his first three seasons at Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo scored 27 times in 137 games. In 2006/07, he found the net 23 times. The season after that, he scored 42 times in 49 games. The Portuguese started adding different facets to his attacking game during […]

8 years ago

Out of the depths of their worst season in recent memory, Ulster managed to qualify for the Champions Cup and secure a coach that is highly regarded in the game. They have also recruited well and their strongest XV would test the very best sides in Europe. Scratch below the surface and that is where […]

8 years ago

Some piece of work

8 years ago

In fairness to Milner, he has sacrificed himself for a gem of a midfielder. James Milner has followed the Kevin Keegan philosophy of management when it comes to selecting his dream 5-a-side team – we’ll score more than you. The Liverpool and England midfielder has played with some class players over the course of his […]

8 years ago

‘Yer man’s lost it! He’s finally gone!’ Kieran Donaghy has seen some big changes during his time on the inter-county scene. He enjoys the challenge of keeping up with the young guns but still gets a kick out of the diets some of his old teammates fell back on. The 35-year-old finished his 14th season […]

8 years ago

Cut from a very similar cloth. Five games. Four goals and 18 points with an impressive shooting accuracy and kilometres of hard-running and harrying done off the ball. David Clifford’s first season in the Kerry senior panel ended at the quarter final [Super 8s] stage but he is “nailed on” for an All Star. Colm […]

8 years ago

One would have thought they would have pushed the boat out a bit more with this one. The ‘Champ Champ’ against the UFC’s undisputed lightweight champion. Conor McGregor’s return to the UFC after 23 months away. Supreme striker versus expert wrestler. The UFC are expecting the October 6 bout between McGregor and current champion Khabib […]

8 years ago

Stoke lie 22nd out of 24 teams in The Championship after their opening four league games. James McClean knew he was taking a punt going from West Brom to Stoke, but he fancied his chances of helping The Potters immediately return to the Premier League. It is early doors in the Championship season but West […]

8 years ago

Mark Hughes was a pretty decent striker back in his day and he can see where Shane Long is coming from. Hughes was a few months shy of his 32nd birthday when he made the decision to leave Manchester United and seek regular first-team football at Chelsea. Alex Ferguson wanted the Welshman to stick around […]

8 years ago

Declan Hannon has already been through so much, as a hurler, at 25. Vaunted as an underage star – for Ardscoil Rís, Mary I and Limerick – Hannon was drafted into the Limerick senior squad at the age of 17, in April 2010. By 2013, Hannon was well settled within the Limerick starting 15 and playing […]

8 years ago

“‘Tis good to see what it means to the fans.” In years gone by, hurling fans have flooded onto the Croke Park pitch for the presentation of the Liam MacCarthy trophy and the captain’s speech. On Sunday, after Limerick’s win over Galway, most who lingered had to watch from the stands. A good handful evaded […]

8 years ago

“If the ref wanted, he could have made a draw.” Heading into injury time in the All-Ireland final, Galway trailed by eight points and looked to be playing for pride. Goals from Conor Whelan and Joe Canning, allied to points for Canning and Niall Burke, had Limerick rattled and they needed a Graeme Mulcahy score […]

8 years ago

STILL HEROES. So declared a maroon and white banner held aloft by two young Galway fans at Pearse Stadium. Monday evening in Galway and the senior hurler’s homecoming was a little more sedate, a little less jam-packed, than the triumphant scenes of 2017. Back then, not long after bringing the Liam MaccArthy west over the […]

8 years ago

This is not the final the St Vincent’s man probably had in mid at the start of the year, but it will be one he’ll relish all the same. Diarmuid Connolly scoring vital points and being involved in flash-points. Sounds like a regular championship outing, but this one took place in Boston. Connolly joined Donegal […]

8 years ago

Ahead of the All-Ireland Hurling Final, Paul Browne described himself as being like a supporter ‘with the best seat in the house’. After Sunday’s tense, thrilling finalé at Croke Park, it was hard to argue with the Limerick midfielder. Browne was named vice captain by John Kiely as Limerick headed into the championship summer in […]

8 years ago

“Joe was an expert on periodic brilliance.” That was Ger Loughnane’s take on Joe Canning in his early days with the Galway senior squad. On Sunday, a decade after he made his senior debut, there was brilliance again but sustained over a rousing comeback in the final. Canning’s free-taking was not as accurate as it […]

8 years ago

When Limerick needed him, Cian Lynch delivered. Lynch produced the goods on All-Ireland final day. Anyone who knows the Patrickswell man would have told you as much. Never in doubt. Kyles Hayes may have won The Sunday Game’s man-of-the-match but Lynch was propelled into the debate after his lung-busting, harrying performance against Galway. Allied to […]

8 years ago

Joy unbridled and some speed. Who knew Nickie Quaid could go from zero to 60 in such a short space of time. All of Limerick must have watched the nine minutes and 34 seconds of injury time from behind their hands. From eight points up, goals from Conor Whelan and Joe Canning, along with two […]

8 years ago

“This is a live vote, just so you know.” With pen and paper in hand, as in days of yore, Des Cahill got the voting underway for The Sunday Game’s Player of the Year. Around six hours after the final whistle had sounded at Croke Park, and with Michael Lyster well ensconced in Limerick’s team […]

8 years ago

“Ooooh, I can feel the shudders all the way up here on the seventh floor!” Eight minutes into the All-Ireland Hurling Final and Limerick were tipping along nicely. John Kiely’s men had come out of the blocks at a decent clip and were 0-4 to 0-2 up against the reigning champions. Seamus Flanagan was putting […]

8 years ago

20 years young and fearless as you like. Limerick went into the half-time break four points to the good against Galway. The likes of Conor Whelan, Johnny Glynn and Joe Canning had yet to fire. Surely the second half would be different? The game needed a player to step up and grab it by the […]

8 years ago

LIMERICK 3-16 GALWAY 2-18 The wait is finally over for Limerick, but that was one hell of a tense finish! Limerick looked home and hosed against Galway, in the All-Ireland hurling final, but two goals in injury time had fans from both counties, and around the nation, on the edge of their seats. Shane Dowling’s […]

8 years ago

GALWAY 0-21 KILKENNY 0-14 Galway’s minor hurlers got the county’s All-Ireland double-header off to the perfect start with a well deserved win at Croke Park. Donal O’Shea, Shane Jennings and Evan Duggan turned plenty of heads as the westerners came back from 0-10 to 0-9 down at the break to win the minor crown at […]

8 years ago

“He’s just unlucky.” Ryan Crotty is giving ‘unlucky’ a bad name. Fresh from helping Crusaders to retain their Super Rugby title, the centre lined out in midfield for the All Blacks in the Bledisloe Cup clash with Australia but lasted only 12 minutes. Five times in the last 18 months, Crotty has suffered concussive blows. […]

8 years ago

You can only imagine what type of interest, and money, this would bring. At a Q&A event in Glasgow, late last year, Conor McGregor must have made Dana White’s night. ‘The Notorious’ told a packed house that he was definitely returning to the UFC, after his boxing hiatus, and that he could even fit in […]

8 years ago

“Eight games unbeaten and you haven’t been behind for a single minute… this management lark is easy, isn’t it?!” “I wish, I wish,” replied a grinning Steven Gerrard before admitting his start to life as Rangers boss had “fantastic”. Progress in the Europa Leaugue couple with a slew of signings and a decent start in […]

8 years ago

For David Burke and Declan Hannon, that scrap of paper with all the right names and mentions will have added an extra wrinkle to their All-Ireland preparations. The captains of Limerick and Galway will have most of their focus on getting their own performances right, at Croke Park, this Sunday. You could forgive either man […]

8 years ago

“That might be the worst one.” The more Jamie Carragher watched of Harry Arter’s yellow card tackle In the first half of Cardiff City’s draw with Newcastle United, Arter was the onlooker as Kenedy got away with a swipe at his teammate. With little over half an hour played of his team’s first away game […]

8 years ago

It seemed like a good idea at the time… Many teams, over the years, prefer to head up to Croke Park on the morning of All-Ireland finals but it just makes sense to get up the night before. Limerick were not taking any chances, in 1994, ahead of their final clash with Offaly. The Treaty […]

8 years ago

Two of Irish rugby’s best ever players are finding their own way in the game since hanging up their boots. Brian O’Driscoll is preparing for his fifth season as a pundit for BT Sport since he retired from the game. Fifth. Five. FIVE. If you wonder where time has gone, O’Driscoll’s face is no indication. […]

8 years ago

The Galway forward was causing chaos in the first half of the semi-final against Dublin. Damien Comer scored 1-1 in Galway’s last four exit to the Dubs but one suspects both he and his team left a slew of scores out there at Croke Park. The Tribesmen clearly had Dublin rattled in the opening 35 […]

8 years ago

Manchester City hit that hurdle on their title run-in but they would not be denied for long. There is little doubt that Pep Guardiola’s City were, by far, the top side in the Premier League last season. If their dominant performances on the pitch did not prove it, their 19-point winning margin should do. Neighbours […]

8 years ago

The 21-year-old is not for changing. Anyone expecting James Gallagher to be cowed by his emphatic knock-out loss, at Bellator 204, will be in for a shock. The ‘Strabanimal’ started well against Ricky Bandejas but a flurry of heavy punches and kicks saw his lights dimmed as he suffered the first loss of his professional […]

8 years ago

The ‘Strabanimal’ was absolutely pummelled after being rocked by a right-hand midway through the first round of his Bellator 204 bout. James Gallagher returned to fighting action, on Friday, after 14 frustrating months on the sidelines. Following his punishing defeat by Ricky Bandejas, the Strabane native may well face a lengthy medical suspension. After weeks […]

8 years ago

That didn’t take long at all. When is a sell-out really a sell-out? In years to come, we will probably look back and marvel at McGregor vs. Nurmagomedov selling out in just three minutes. That, after all, is the official line from the UFC after tickets for UFC 229 went on sale at 6pm (GMT) […]

8 years ago