Hans Christian Andersen, you may stand down sir. For those who produce fairytales to rival anything ever penned by yourself did so again on Saturday evening in some far flung corner of South Africa. Though I don’t think anybody in the celebrated writer’s works ever endured as much heartache and disappointment between pots of gold… Read More Carlsberg don’t sponsor Munster…but if they did…
Leinster… 53 Leicester Tigers… 24 When the Dublin football team were in peak unbeatable mode under Jim Gavin, the manager repeatedly spoke about everyone in the camp ‘trusting the processes’. Watch their matches during that era and you can see it playing out. There was one signal in particular – where the player in possesion… Read More They do it however they have to
Ireland… 29 England… 16 The phrase ‘Impressionable kids’ is one you often hear in use. Then there’s the fact that it’s said first impressions are lasting ones. Now read on… Andy Farrell’s grandkids obviously copped on fairly quick that his team was better than that of their dad – England fly half Owen. Hence their… Read More World’s best show just why they are
Ireland… 22 Scotland… 7 Sometimes in sport you’ll see things that scarcely seem credible at the time, never mind when the thing that waits for no man or woman or child or beast rolls on. Devon Loch putting down on Dick Francis with the Grand National on a plate, Kevin Foley ghosting up the field… Read More When you win the ones you shouldn’t you know you’re in a good place
No matter what sport it may be, there will be competitors who stand out like a lighthouse. More than that, in a team environment, there will be players who will set pulses racing that bit faster than their contemporaries. In basketball you have Stephen Curry and LeBron James. Switch to soccer and you’re talking Lionel… Read More The Tank could’ve been spreading the gospel about himself
Ireland… 34 Italy… 20 In assignments like Saturday’s at the Stadio Olympico in Rome, teams like Ireland are on a hiding to nothing. Win by a big score and you’re only doing what you’re supposed and expected to do. Don’t, and there’s obviously something fairly drastically wrong. On this occasion, Ireland probably fell between the… Read More Grand designs not the finished article yet
Ireland… 32 France… 19 There are few more satisfying things in sport than earning a statement victory with the cordite of controversy left wafting in the air. Now read on… That’s exactly where Ireland found themselves on Saturday evening following their second win from as many outings in this season’s Guinness Six Nations Championship. With… Read More J. Lowe calls the tune as Ireland make big statement
Tadhg Furlong has been ruled out of Ireland’s Six Nations Championship opener against Wales on Saturday at the 11th hour due to an ongoing calf muscle injury. The Wexford colossus hasn’t played since December, but was considered to be on track for a return before this latest setback. Connacht’s Finlay Bealham will replace his Leinster… Read More Furlong pulls up as preparations enter the home straight
In the overall annals of GAA history, one wonders where the Centenary Cup resides. For Meath however, it was without doubt the spring board for the greatest era in the county’s football history. Fast forward to the present day and Westmeath will be hoping that last year’s Tailteann Cup success will similarly set them on… Read More Progress can mean different things to different people
The inclusion of Leinster’s uncapped centre Jamie Osborne is the only occurrence of note in Andy Farrell’s Ireland squad for the forthcoming Six Nations Championship announced this morning. Some would no doubt lament the exclusion of Joey Carbery as equally newsworthy but, in the opinion of this writer, sooner rather than later the Athy man… Read More No major surprises in Ireland Six Nations squad