‘Hear me out’ England have made it to another World Cup semi-final and, as much as they may quibble about one of the most LOPSIDED(!) draws in World Cup history, all Irish, Welsh and Scottish rugby fans is sit back and watch. Whether or not they may be cheering on Steve Borthwick’s men, though, is […]

2 years ago

“It is the end of an era, there’s no other way of putting it. There are a group of senior players who are moving on.” There was an understandably sombre air about the post-match interviews many of the Ireland team fronted up for at Stade de France, at the weekend. The clock had just passed […]

2 years ago

“When I was young I never imagined I would get to represent my country once, never mind 101 times.” There will be a lot of tributes paid to Keith Earls over the coming days but Andy Farrell, his coach at Ireland for the past seven years, summed it up well when he described the Limerick […]

2 years ago

Irish rugby will always have their 42 phases in Paris. Five years on from Johnny Sexton’s drop goal heroics, New Zealand came up with 37 defensive phases to deny another big Irish win. Following New Zealand’s 28-24 World Cup quarter final win over Ireland, at Stade de France, their head coach made sure to give […]

2 years ago

“It does feel like, God, when will we ever have a better chance of getting to a semi-final, or a final?” Brian O’Driscoll had World Cup cracks in 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011, and the closest his Ireland side ever got to a World Cup semi was in his final tilt, as they fell flat […]

2 years ago

This was quite the sight. WhatsApp groups were going off like mad across Ireland, and around the globe, on Saturday and there was one suggestion about Bundee Aki that we could have easily got on board with – ‘My mum has just lit her eighth candle and says, if we win this, it should be […]

2 years ago

“I’ll be sitting in the stand, having a pint like you lads.” For Ireland, another World Cup journey ends at the last eight. Many of the squad will strive for another crack, in 2027. For Johnny Sexton, Keith Earls, and others, this was the last goodbye. A revved up and well-drilled All Blacks side defeated […]

2 years ago

Pure class from Ardie Savea. New Zealand No.8 Ardie Savea settled the question on who had the edge between himself and Caelan Doris, and helped his country reach another World Cup semi final. Savea scored a first half try and was immense across the park for the All Blacks as they defeated Ireland 28-24 in […]

2 years ago

Destiny awaits – an historic semi-final or a ticket back to Dublin Airport. Andy Farrell named a strong Ireland team to face New Zealand, on Wednesday, ahead of a huge World Cup quarter final. We will have all the biggest moments, talking points and full Ireland player ratings in our live feed [below]. Having set an Irish […]

2 years ago

Joe Schmidt, legacy and pay-back for past World Cup heartaches – Johnny Sexton will have been expecting these ones. Ireland have named their match-day 23 for Saturday’s World Cup quarter final with New Zealand, and Johnny Sexton will break his own record [again] of being his country’s oldest player at the tournament. Having surpassed Rory […]

2 years ago

“That was all good stuff for our friends at SportsJOE.ie, who I’m sure are listening… “ And a big ‘Kia Ora’ to you, too. The Rugby Direct team were spitting off some hot-takes before this Saturday’s quarter final between Ireland and New Zealand, and it was a Tadhg Furlong remark that caught our ear. The enjoyable […]

2 years ago

That is still a very, very strong Ireland side. Andy Farrell has made a couple of changes to his Ireland match-day squad ahead of their World Cup quarter final against New Zealand. James Ryan (wrist) misses out on the last eight clash but Mack Hansen (calf) is named, despite sitting out Tuesday at Stade Omnisports […]

2 years ago

Brought to you by Heineken “He is more dynamic” Ahead of the latest biggest game of his coaching career Andy Farrell has been thrown by a few injury issues for Saturday’s clash with New Zealand. Should Farrell lose two or three from his frontline squad, calling upon the likes of Ryan Baird and Stuart McCloskey […]

2 years ago

“Watching that game, you would have thought it was played in Dublin.” Former All Blacks star Israel Dagg and his radio co-hosts, in New Zealand, are plenty wary of Ireland and are loving the passion of our fans, but feel the All Blacks can chase them at the breakdown, set-piece and get after Johnny Sexton. […]

2 years ago

As bait goes, this is a hefty grub. Johnny Sexton and Peter O’Mahony look in their element, and never happier, at this World Cup, but one outspoken rugby sage has decided they have gotten ahead of themselves. Gregor Paul is like the Kiwi version of Matt Williams or Stephen Jones – if you want a […]

2 years ago

“James Ryan is seeing a specialist and we are hoping for better news than we (first) anticipated.” The Ireland team are back at it, following their weekend win over Scotland, and preparing for their latest crack at World Cup history. On this 10th staging of the Rugby World Cup, Ireland are seeking to make it […]

2 years ago

“They should be very proud.” Peter O’Mahony was determined, on Saturday night, to enjoy a couple of post-match beers in the Ireland dressing room, before switching focus to New Zealand. Ireland, as he said, have ‘bigger fish to fry’ but Brian O’Driscoll is confident this team have the right skillet. Ireland topped World Cup Pool […]

2 years ago

“He’d fight with his own mother… now she’s over here, so I better not say that!” Dave Kilcoyne produced another great Peter O’Mahony line as he described the Irish centurion as ‘the heartbeat of Munster and Ireland’. Finn Russell and several other Scottish players may not be singing his praises any time soon, though. O’Mahony […]

2 years ago

“It shut and he couldn’t see much.” Tadhg Furlong looked pretty dinged up after coming off the Stade de France pitch, on Saturday night, but he should be good for next weekend’s World Cup quarter final. The news on James Lowe, Mack Hansen, and more, is less clear. Lowe and Hansen started on either wing […]

2 years ago

O’Mahony barely even blinked once. Following Ireland’s 36-14 shellacking of Scotland, at Stade de France, Peter O’Mahony gave a nice, pleasant interview with ITV when he paid tribute to his family and friends. Over on Virgin Media, who got hold of the 100-cap man for a chat next, he was a different beast. The poor […]

2 years ago

“Can’t buy it. You can’t buy it!” Manchester United were so revved by their two injury time goals against Brentford – turning a 1-0 disaster into a much-needed 2-1 win – that their players embarked on a spontaneous lap of honour. Scott McTominay had only played nine minutes but had pulled the club from crisis […]

2 years ago

IRELAND 36-14 SCOTLAND Andy Farrell named a strong Ireland team to face Scotland, and his players wiped the floor with them. We will have all the biggest moments, talking points and full Ireland player ratings in our live feed [below]. Having set an Irish record for a World Cup winning margin, against Romania, then defeated Tonga 59-16, Farrell’s men […]

2 years ago

“If he’s selected!” Paul O’Connell spoke superbly about Peter O’Mahony, in his Wednesday press briefing, but was keeping his old teammate sweating on selection. O’Mahony will play his 100th Test game for Ireland, this weekend, when he lines out against Scotland at Stade de France. When O’Connell chatted with the media, though, that Ireland team […]

2 years ago

Ireland are in the box seat, but a rare Scottish win could yet sink our World Cup hopes. Andy Farrell has made some minor tweaks to his Ireland team to face Scotland, ahead of their Saturday evening clash in Paris. Having set an Irish record for a World Cup winning margin, against Romania, then defeated Tonga 59-16, Farrell’s […]

2 years ago

André Onana is grabbing the (unwanted) headlines, but another big summer signing looks to be money well spent. There was a moment, as Manchester United were conspiring to lose their sixth game of the new season on Tuesday night, when one was struck by the thought – if these lads don’t get their act together […]

2 years ago

‘He could have saved Matt, if he was brave enough to pick him.’ Back in early March, as Ireland were on their march to a Grand Slam, Brian O’Driscoll recalled some funny stories about his time as a young pup in the Test squad. Asked what young Ireland player stood out most, from his 15 […]

2 years ago

Brought to you by Heineken “You can imagine what Scotland are saying… “ Last weekend, Scotland sent out a timely reminder that Pool B is anything but locked down. Gregor Townsend’s side defeated Romania 84-0 and comfortably got to the 10-point mark that will make the final pool matches all the more interesting. The Springboks […]

2 years ago

“I was thinking about that a lot last night.” The permutations from World Cup Pool B are enough to make everyone’s head spin but, ahead of Ireland vs. Scotland on Saturday, Rassie Erasmus reckons he has it figured out. The Springboks director of rugby will be watching this weekend’s game closely, aware that South Africa […]

2 years ago

“Yeah, they would be very proud of me.” At Christmas, back in 2002, Luke Donald could not wait to see how his mother, Ann reacted to the present he got her. Aged 25 and having won his first ever PGA Tour event, a month earlier, he had some money to spend. Donald got his mum […]

2 years ago

“I didn’t know Rahmbo was there!” Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland combined for 6.5 points at the 2023 Ryder Cup, and only one answer at the victorious Team Europe press conference. Thankfully, it was a great answer. Such was the interest in Rory McIlroy and his Saturday night rows with Team USA caddies, and players, […]

2 years ago

Bouncer, cheerleader, diplomat, golfer, singer… the man was doing it all in Rome. Shane Lowry was in understandably buoyant mood after helping Europe win back The Ryder Cup from America at Marco Simone Golf Course. The Clara native secured 1.5 points in his three matches and more than made up for the heartbreak of a […]

2 years ago

McIlroy choked back the tears after delivering a big point for his side. Rory McIlroy struggled to fight back the tears after beating Sam Burns 3&1 in the Ryder Cup singles, to deliver a big point for his team. Having only won a single point for Europe at the 2021 Ryder Cup, McIlroy has gone […]

2 years ago

“Bones is one of the nicest guys around. I don’t know what he said to him.” Paul McGinley was about the only person on the live TV broadcast that was loving the “heated” scenes after a tense finish on the 18th hole of a match involving Rory McIlroy. The Team Europe talisman was raging after […]

2 years ago

“It’s hard not to see it nowadays.” Brooks Koepka accused Jon Rahm of being “a child” after a drawn fourballs match, on Friday, then went out and got spanked by one of Team Europe’s rookies, on Saturday morning. It has been a chastening Ryder Cup for the Americans and both Koepka and Scottie Scheffler were […]

2 years ago

The Sky Sports commentary team immediately picked up on it. Brian Harman and Max Homa finally landed a significant blow for Team USA, on Saturday morning, and he was keen to let everyone know about it. Friday had been a disaster for the Americans, the reigning Ryder Cup champions, as they lost the opening foursomes […]

2 years ago

“He’s taken that quite hard.” Scottie Scheffler was left bereft, and in tears, after a Ryder Cup foursomes nightmare at Marco Simone Golf Course. The World No.1 was paired with Brooks Koepka in the strongest American team for the second successive session but both players had an outright disaster. Team USA fell into a deep […]

2 years ago

“I would expect up to four of five changes.” After all the hype and momentum that built up around the Ireland team, in the past few weeks, the players, coaches, support staff and fans are all resting up this weekend. With each pool having five sides, most teams have been afforded the opportunity to rest […]

2 years ago

The 44th Ryder Cup is upon us, and we have you covered for all the big and clutch moments. You can follow 2023 Ryder Cup live brought to you by NOW (below) and can easily jump to any of the key events by tapping on them. Team USA arrive at The Ryder Cup as the reigning champions, […]

2 years ago

Shane was all of us when this dropped! Viktor Hovland was in sensational form as Europe built a healthy lead over America after the opening sessions of the Ryder Cup. Shane Lowry went from point-winner to one of the Norwegian’s biggest cheerleaders. Lowry teamed up with Sepp Straka in the morning foursomes session to claim […]

2 years ago

“They’ve done an incredible amount of work with me.” Next Saturday, just over four weeks after the World Cup started in Paris, Jack Conan will hopefully make his tournament bow. The Leinster back row has admitted there were times when he felt it would never happen. Back on August 5, Conan tore ligaments in his […]

2 years ago

It was getting dicey on the back nine, but the Europeans pulled it out in the end. Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy teamed up for a 2&1 win in the foursomes that gave Europe a 4-0 lead over America after the opening session of the Ryder Cup. With Team Europe racing out to a 3-0 […]

2 years ago

The Clara native was also identified as a potential Team Europe weak link. “I think even with my year that I’ve had,” Shane Lowry told reporters, ahead of The Ryder Cup, “statistically, it’s better than some of the people that you were talking about that should have been picked ahead of me. Statistics don’t lie. […]

2 years ago

“I thought James Lowe was superb.” Following Ireland’s weekend win over South Africa, it took Sam Warburton to put into words what many in and around Andy Farrell’s squad must have allowed themselves to think. Ireland have now won 28 of their last 30 Test matches, stretching back to February 2021, picked up two Triple […]

2 years ago

“I have never seen anything like it… they are singing, dancing. It’s as if they’ve won a World Cup.” Jill Douglas and Bryan Habana were standing pitch-side at Stade de France, on Saturday night, as scenes of jubilation and bedlam unfolded, near and far. It was a Parisian hooley, straight out of Ireland. Out on […]

2 years ago

“It’s not rocket science, Sam!” In the aftermath of Ireland toppling South Africa, in Paris, much of the praise flowing was being directed to Andy Farrell’s men. Manie Libbok came up in a lot of the post-match chat, too, with Johnny Sexton getting hooked into the debate. Libbok missed a conversion and penalty, with Faf […]

2 years ago

Team Europe vs. Team USA, let’s go get it! The 44th Ryder Cup gets underway, just outside of Rome, from Friday, September 29, and it is shaping up to be another classic. To get you in the mood for all the golfing action, we’ve teed up a great Ryder Cup quiz. The Ryder Cup is […]

2 years ago

The Ballyconnell native has now won 7.5 points from her 10 Solheim Cup matches. Inspired by Leona Maguire and Carlota Ciganda, Europe have retained the Solheim Cup after the drew 14-14 with a strong USA side in Malaga, Spain. Having trailed 4-0 after the opening session, the European comeback was so impressive that we went […]

2 years ago

Nigel Owens was asked to chime in on the incident. Josh van der Flier was pure Duracell bunny at Stade de France, on Saturday night, as he kept going, going, going, going and going. The Leinster flanker came up with another barnstorming performance as he and his Ireland teammates dug deep to defeat the Springboks. […]

2 years ago

“It’s not too often that you see Peter O’Mahony like that!” To be at Stade de France, or even in and around Paris, on Saturday night was to witness an Irish take-over to rival the very past from past years. Even for veterans like Johnny Sexton and Peter O’Mahony, this was a night to remember. […]

2 years ago

“I have never witnessed anything like this.” Bundee Aki collected his second man of the match in three World Cup outings, and he scored two tries and had an assist in the other. The Connacht centre fronted up again, like so many of his teammates, as South Africa were pipped in Paris. He stuck five […]

2 years ago