This is only the beginning. For Troy Parrott, the milestones keep coming. Senior debuts for Tottenham and Ireland have come in the last two months with Parrott now making his Premier League bow. The 17-year-old came on in the 85th minute in Spurs’ 5-0 victory over Burnley, at White Hart Lane, this afternoon. He replaced […]

6 years ago

Another big step for the teenager in what is shaping up to be a superb season. Jose Mourinho vowed to give Troy Parrott a game against Bayern Munich, next week, then went ahead and gave the 17-year-old his Premier League debut while he was waiting. Parrott came on for the final stages of Tottenham’s emphatic […]

6 years ago

The Leinster openside must have left the ‘OFF’ switch at home. Josh van der Flier once again showed his worth to this impressive Leinster side by leading the charge against Premiership leaders Northampton Saints. Chris Boyd’s side may be top of the tree in England, but Leinster look the form team in Europe again. Their […]

6 years ago

NORTHAMPTON 16-43 LEINSTER This was a fun game to watch. Leinster have complete control of Pool 1 after their third successive Champions Cup win of the current campaign. They were forced to bring out some of their best attacking and defensive phases of the season. The only shame was losing Johnny Sexton to a second […]

6 years ago

‘Where’s this new Fijian lad come from?!’ Harlequins, Newcastle Falcons, Stade Français, Gloucester Rugby and England Sevens. What Ollie Phillips’ Wikipedia page does not tell you is that the Brighton native made his international debut, as a skinny teenager, for Fiji. Against none other than Jonah Lomu. How does that happen? Once you get to know Ollie […]

6 years ago

Daniel Cormier needed to be at his best to slip out of this one. The former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion provoked the ire of his American Kickboxing Academy teammate Khabib Nurmagomedov for a TV piece in which he praised Conor McGregor. McGregor and Nurmagomedov went from being respectful of each others’ abilities to […]

6 years ago

The IRFU is the cash cow for the provinces and it needed to get some games in. Unfortunately, it came at the cost of the national team. In the summer of 2017, Joe Schmidt took his Ireland team to Japan for two Test matches. The idea was to give himself and his coaches, and backroom […]

6 years ago

“We’re so fixated with creating these big monsters that we’ve forgotten that they need to be able to play rugby.” Rory Best has some strong views on the game, and the way it should be played. Given that he has been at the top of the Irish game for 15 years, it is worth sitting […]

6 years ago

At least Fergie didn’t use his cricket bat… David Beckham never saw it coming. Alex Ferguson ruled Manchester United with an iron fist and wrung the very best out of generations of players to lead them to 13 league and two European Cup titles (and many others) during his time in charge. Ferguson used to […]

6 years ago

After 14 hours of negotiations, a deal was reached and a joint statement released. Earlier this year, the New South Wales Waratahs and Rugby Australia terminated the contract of fullback Israel Folau over an inflammatory social media post. Folau had posted pictures on Instagram and urged people to repent of their sinful ways, one of […]

6 years ago

“Come on Felix, who do you think you are?!” There may have been a few disagreements but everyone in the room was perfectly content with John Cooney in the No.9 jersey. There was unanimous agreement on Ultan Dillane, and it opened up a potentially dynamic Ireland second row. He may be a World Cup-winning coach […]

6 years ago

No better man to get the juices flowing for a big fight. Tony Ferguson is primed for ‘hunting season’ and he has his sights set on UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. ‘El Cucuy’ is on an 12-fight winning streak and has long been the No.1 contender in the 155lbs division. Ferguson’s knee injury and Nurmagomedov’s […]

6 years ago

Manchester United may have to go into Wednesday’s league encounter against Tottenham with a severely weakened midfield. There is every likelihood that Paul Pogba could have played under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the last time. The 26-year-old remains out of action since late September after an ankle injury and will not be coming to his […]

6 years ago

“I hated playing against him.” As much as they would argue that rugby is all about the collective, Leinster coaxing Leo Cullen and Shane Jennings back from Leicester Tigers, over a decade ago, changed their fortunes for the much, much, much better. Both were capped for Ireland and won multiple trophies but were definitely underrated. […]

6 years ago

“They actually picked him over me in the centre!” Many forwards, especially of the back row variety, often glance to the backline and tell themselves they could do a job out there. In 2005, Declan Kidney gave two Munster forwards a chance to put that theory to the test. With an array of back row […]

6 years ago

On December 14 in Las Vegas, three UFC titles are up for grabs. But what of the future of Jorge Masvidal and the B.M.F belt? UFC 245 takes place at the T-Mobile Arena and so stacked is the fight card that veterans Mike Perry and Matt Brown are only part of the preliminaries. The main […]

6 years ago

“Fred and Pereira is not a midfield for a mid-table club, let alone one of the top spending clubs in Europe.” And that was Gary Neville’s take before Sunday’s faltering display against Aston Villa. Andreas Pereira and Fred were overrun by Sheffield United last weekend so Ole Gunnar Solskjaer bulked up his midfield with Juan […]

6 years ago

If these two men face off again, it may be when both have a few more miles on the clock. It feels like a lifetime ago since Max Holloway and Conor McGregor faced off in The Octagon. Back in August 2013, in Boston, McGregor was a unanimous decision winner over Holloway in a fight that […]

6 years ago

This would make a lot of sense, but it may see the likes of Italy and South Africa squeezed out. There has long been talk of teaming the English Premiership to either the Welsh regions or an altered version of the PRO14. Know that the CVC investment group are involved, the talk may soon a […]

6 years ago

‘The Notorious’ could be done with the lightweight division, but there is one obvious fight that would tempt him back. News arrived on Thursday that Conor McGregor was officially making his comeback. A bout agreement for ‘McGregor Cerrone’ was signed by the Dubliner and, not long after, Donald Cerrone signed up for the biggest fight […]

6 years ago

Glasgow 10-23 Leinster Nine wins from nine, this season, and the Leinster train keeps on rolling. Despite getting off to a slow start and being reduced to 14 men in the first five minutes, the Guinness PRO14 champions got their act together to secure an excellent away win against Glasgow Warriors. Back in Glasgow for […]

6 years ago

“I signed as a winger, but I hadn’t played wing for about eight months as I’d been playing flyhalf.” And that, in a nutshell, is French rugby. The Top 14 may unfold a ferry ride, or short hop on the plane, away but it often feels like a whole other planet. Props head-butting pillars, red […]

6 years ago

This Saturday, with the visit of Brighton to Anfield, Liverpool embark on a run of nine games in 29 days. Liverpool are eight points clear of second placed Leicester City in the Premier League but missed a chance to reach the knock-out stages of the Champions League when they were held to a 1-1 home […]

6 years ago

When two worlds collide. Each January, in Dubai, a Rugby 10s tournament takes place that is as much sporting as it is social. If you head along, you are guaranteed to see some stars of yesteryear – both rugby union and league – seeing if they’ve still got the magic. Former Ulster and Ireland winger […]

6 years ago

Rory Best was the only Ireland player to retire after the World Cup, but Andy Farrell may move on from some more senior stars in 2020, and beyond. Next month, Farrell will summon his first tranche of players for a mini Ireland camp ahead of the 2020 Six Nations. As new Ireland head coach, Farrell […]

6 years ago

You just knew Manchester United would not hold onto that 3-2 lead at Sheffield United. Atrocious for 70 minutes, at Bramall Lane on Sunday, Manchester United went from 2-0 down to 3-2 ahead after being spark by their 19-year-old left back, Brandon Williams. They equalised through another teenager, Mason Greenwood, and Marcus Rashford put them […]

6 years ago

On Saturday, at Thomond Park, Munster went with a 6/2 split on their bench and did not have a specialist outhalf in reserve. Racing 92 pushed Racing to the brink but they were unable to deliver the killer dunt. JJ Hanrahan did an awful lot right to get Munster back level but his missed drop […]

6 years ago

The impact could be felt way up in the East Stand of Thomond Park. Chris Farrell versus Virimi Vakawata, round two of three. If that alone was not enough to justify the full entrance fee, it covered a good chunk of it. Munster and Racing 92 both went into their Champions Cup with serious units […]

6 years ago

Fifth time lucky. They have tried to line up Khabib Nurmagomedov versus Tony Ferguson on four previous occasions. On four previous occasions, the fight has failed to materialise. ‘Khabib Ferguson’ has been in the ether for four years now. Through a mix of injuries, weight cut misses, injuries and misplaced video cables in dark TV […]

6 years ago

“We come from different backgrounds, different races, and we came together with one goal, and we wanted to achieve it.” South Africa captain Siya Kolisi discovered a remarkable focus and calm when, minutes after winning the World Cup, he delivered the best post-match speech in the tournament’s history. Felix Jones was not the only person […]

6 years ago

Rory Scannell with out the back passes and Peter O’Mahony tossing no-look flicks to teammates. This was Munster but not as we know them. This season, with Stephen Larkham and Graham Rowntree now in-situ with the coaching staff, Munster are attempting a change in playing style. There were 10 offloads from Munster players in their […]

6 years ago

“I think the word legend gets thrown around a lot but certainly from an individual point of view he’s certainly one of the very best I’ve coached.” And so the curtain came down on the Munster career of Alby Mathewson. The Kiwi arrived, last season, as short-term cover for injured scrumhalves and ended up staying […]

6 years ago

Leinster and Ulster dominate the XV this week. Round one of the 2019/20 Champions Cup pool fixtures saw the Irish provinces win four from four. This weekend was somewhat trickier but all four sides gave it their all. In our Champions Cup Team of the Weekend – selecting from the four provinces and Irish lads […]

6 years ago

Having bogeyed four of eight holes, coming down the stretch, Jon Rahm was able to steel himself and make serious bank. Jon Rahm sealed the DP World Tour Championship and the Race to Dubai (European Tour Order of Merit) in one, fell swoop with a peach of a bunker shot on the 18th. Shane Lowry […]

6 years ago

Watching that Munster vs. Racing match on your TV, you might have asked yourself why the home side did not just keep pressing for a try. We were in the 78th minute of a captivating Champions Cup encounter between two of the top sides in Europe and while the eyes of most TV viewers would […]

6 years ago

“We can go back to Paris proud of ourselves.” So said Simon Zebo after his Racing side drew 21-21 with Munster at Thomond Park. Racing can be proud, the sure can, but most will have left Limerick asking themselves how they came so close to losing a game that was in their front pocket for […]

6 years ago

“We’re never a team to roll over, especially not at home.” Lying on the ground, ball in hand after he had re-gathered it, Peter O’Mahony scrunched his eyes closed. Losing a lineout, for O’Mahony, is never acceptable. Losing a lineout after a trick play inside your own 22 will be something that disgusts him. For […]

6 years ago

MUNSTER 21-21 RACING 92 30 seconds on the clock, the Munster pack steaming forward and their No.10 in the pocket for the drop goal. JJ Hanrahan had the chance to be the hero for Munster but he screwed his late kick left and wide. An exhilarating Champions Cup tie ended in a draw and, in […]

6 years ago

The double-header between Munster and Saracens, next month, could prove telling for Leinster’s hopes of getting a fifth star. Right now, and as we witnessed last season, there are three tiers to the Champions Cup. You have the hopefuls, you have the top sides and then you have Leinster and Saracens. Leinster marched imperiously to […]

6 years ago

“Marcell Coetzee was ridiculous.” Every weekend Ulster get him out on the park, now that his major injury woes look behind him, Marcell Coetzee produces the goods. Against Bath, at The Rec, the South African was a driving force for the Ulstermen as they got their Champions Cup campaign off to a winning start. 17 […]

6 years ago

For Ed Woodward and the Manchester United board, an opportunity has arisen. Will they sack another manager to take advantage? The prospect of dealing with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy over players – even those running down contracts – is something Manchester United have never enjoyed too much. United and Tottenham have done several deals over […]

6 years ago

One of the first to be cut from Joe Schmidt’s Ireland squad, this summer, John Cooney went back to where he was truly wanted. Heading into the summer, Cooney turned 29 and would have been aware that his chances of playing in a World Cup had a lot weighing on him making it to Japan. […]

6 years ago

“The quality in both the squad and the academy excites me. Working with these players is what has attracted me.” Jose Mourinho is talking a good game. You look at the Tottenham Hotspur squad he has inherited and there are certainly some exciting players in there – Christian Eriksen, Delle Ali, Son Heung-min and Harry Kane. […]

6 years ago

Serious credit to Stephen Kenny for noticing it was not going his team’s way and for making the necessary changes. Stephen Kenny is having some fun. The Ireland Under 21s are making records and not far off their first ever European Championships at this level. All we’ll say is, we hope the FAI have someone […]

6 years ago

35 years old and still going strong, Donnacha Ryan is heading home again. On Friday, Ryan, new father Simon Zebo and backs coach Mike Prendergast will all head through the Thomond Park gates cloaked in the heavily branded gear of Racing 92. Three proud Munster men, now and always, but all plotting to defeat Saturday’s […]

6 years ago

At least Jack Byrne made the 23-man match-day squad this time. In Irish football, there will always be the player we pine for when we see the starting XI is named. You’ll never keep all of us happy. Jack Byrne has taken up the baton from Wes Hoolahan and Andy Reid before him. A baton […]

6 years ago

“I probably would have laughed, to be honest, but I would have taken your hand off.” At the end of 2018, Shane Lowry sat 75th in the world and he was not happy with where his game was at. Had he been told where he would be by November 2019, he would have scarcely believed […]

6 years ago

As much as we might feel that we are a couple of players away from cracking it, Mick McCarthy will have been convinced of something else. Just like when Ireland headed to Paris to beat France, 10 years ago, a senior team from this island proved we have the ability to play a bit of […]

6 years ago

Welcome back, Connacht. After two seasons of Challenge Cup rugby, Sunday saw Connacht return to Europe’s top tier and add Montpellier to their list of French scalps. Conor Fitzgerald got the plaudits for his clutch kick and Caolin Blade got man-of-the-match but another two of their squad, Jack Carty and Robin Copeland were key figures […]

6 years ago

The closing stages of Munster’s Champions Cup victory over Ospreys were frustrating as hell. Having been completely dominant against their hosts, at Liberty Stadium, Munster had scored three tries between the 34th and 52nd minute but were struggling to close the game out with the fourth that would ensure a bonus point. Ospreys, showing admirable […]

6 years ago