Ireland and Afghanistan have come through the ranks of associate cricket together and they both now sit firmly at the top table of the world game. The inaugural test between the sides on Friday is a measure of the rise of the game’s two newest test nations.   It’s been a truly remarkable journey for both nations over the last …

Paul Dunne produced a fine bogey-free round of 64 to take the early lead in Turkey while Padraig Harrington and Justin Rose remain hot on his heels. Starting at the 11th, Dunne birdie his first hole before adding birdies at the 13th,15th and 18th. The world number 105 then birdied his 9th hole, the first on the Regnum Carya Resort, to …

Liverpool have announced today that they raised £59,104 for the Sean Cox’s Appeal during a collection outside Anfield on Saturday. Sean Cox, who was brutally attacked outside Anfield before Liverpool’s Champions League Semi-Final with Roma, remains in a serious condition and is now making a slow recovery at the National Rehabilitation Hospital. During Liverpool’s game with Cardiff, volunteers were outside …

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson has promised Wilfried Zaha the club’s full backing after the forward received racist abuse and threats on social media.  Wilfried Zaha, who has found himself at the centre of an ongoing debate over simulation in recent months, was targeted after winning a late penalty to help secure a 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday. Hodgson, …

Paul Dunne, Padraig Harrington and Shane Lowry have all made strong starts to the Turkish Airlines Open as the European Tour season begins to reach its climax. Only the top 60 in the Race to Dubai Rankings will reach the end of the season DP World Championship at the Jumeirah Golf Estate. Lowry sits in 42nd place with Dunne in …

Conor Lehane says Cork hurling is “going in the right direction” as consecutive provincial crowns continue to bring hope back to the rebels. Speaking at the GAA youth forum in Croke Park last weekend, he spoke about the steps that Cork have made in the last few years. “Definitely, just going by the last few years it’s going in the right direction, previous …

The remaining provincial Ladies club football finals will take place over the weekend, with finals down for decision in Connacht, Leinster and Ulster. Saturday, November 3rd sees the glamour Connacht and Ulster senior deciders, before Foxrock-Cabinteely aim to make it four-in-a-row in Leinster on Sunday. All-Ireland champions Carnacon and Galway’s Kilkerrin-Clonberne meet in Ballyhaunis on Saturday, in what is a …

Harry Redknapp has hit back at Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville, following his comments on how Spurs have been “spineless and soft” for the last 30 years.  Speaking to the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show on Talksport, Harry Redknapp expressed how he was “upset and disappointed” with Neville comments. Neville appeared alongside ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher on Monday Night Football …

Welsh rugby legend Gethin Jenkins is to retire from his club and country after a painful battle with a chronic knee injury.  The record Welsh appearance maker will bow out in front of his home fans at Cardiff Arms Park as Cardiff take on Zebre in the Pro 14 in what is sure to be an emotional day. It will …

Wayne Rooney has urged Manchester United’s under-achieving stars to show more respect for their troubled club after a slow start to their season. United are languishing in eighth place in the Premier League and have made also made a poor start to their Champions League campaign and Rooney is demanding more from the players. “In my experience, I have never …

Cricket Ireland have come under scrutiny in the last few days after announcing plans, last week, to make six cricket development officers redundant. The officers were informed by a letter last week and they are still unclear as to whether their jobs are safe or not. Quite extraordinary decision that will further compromise the future of the game on the …

Rob Kearney is now a doubt for Ireland’s clash with Argentina on the tenth of November after not being included in the squad for Saturday’s game with Italy. Kearney suffered a shoulder injury during Leinster’s routine win over Benetton and was replaced just after half-time by Conor O’Brien. Joe Schmidt will be hoping that Kearney can recover in time for the …

Santiago Solari took charge of his first training session as interim Real Madrid coach on Tuesday as Real Madrid plan for life without Julen Lopetegui. The Argentinian, a former midfielder with the Spanish Liga giants, has replaced Julen Lopetegui, who was sacked following Real’s 5-1 defeat to Barcelona on Sunday. According to Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) rules,  Santiago Solari’s temporary …

Anthony Martial can become one of the Premier League’s top players if he believes in himself, according to Manchester United teammate Nemanja Matic. Jose Mourinho’s men got their season back on track after overcoming Everton on Sunday. Martial’s delightful curling effort proved the difference in a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford, where he was crowned man-of-the-match after also winning the …

Ed Joyce, aged thirty-nine, will become ​the oldest test debutant this century.

Win against Afghanistan and Ireland will qualify for the Cricket World Cup 2019.