The FAI have confirmed this evening that Noel Mooney will take up a role within the association as General Manager for Football Services and Partnerships.  Mooney is currently UEFA’s Head of National Association Business Development and he will commence his secondment on June 3. Initially, his role will be to assess the FAI’s requirements and to coordinate future support and …

Wallabies scrum-half Will Genia admits that he feels sorry for Israel Folau in the aftermath of Rugby Australia’s decision to terminate the 30-year-old’s contract.  Folau shared a post on social media stating that “hell awaits” drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolators. That social media post ultimately led to a hearing and the outcome of which resulted in …

The Guinness PRO14 is entering its final week as the Glasgow Warriors and Leinster will battle it out for the title in Celtic Park next Saturday.  Both sides, who finished top of their respective conferences, eased to victory over the weekend. Glasgow put 50 points on Ulster on Friday night in Scotstoun and while Munster put up a fight for …

Sean McMahon reporting from the RDS. Another year, another semi-final exit for Munster.  The southern province have exited both the Champions Cup and the Guinness PRO14 at the last-four stage this season in a repeat of what exactly occurred in the 2017/2018 campaign. On the bare face of it, this suggests that Munster have not evolved since last season and …

Sean McMahon reporting from the RDS Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has praised the performance of man-of-the-match Josh van der Flier after his side’s 24-9 victory over Munster at the RDS on Saturday afternoon.  Van der Flier played 77 minutes of this afternoon’s semi-final victory and these were the first minutes which the flanker has played since he suffered a …

Leinster 24 Munster 9 Sean McMahon reporting from Thomond Park  Leinster bounced back from the disappointment of Newcastle as they produced a superb second-half performance to swat away the Munster challenge and secure a spot against Glasgow Warriors in the PRO14 final next weekend. There was little between the teams in the opening 40 minutes as Leinster took a 9-6 …

Munster have been forced into a late change ahead of their Guinness PRO14 semi-final with Leinster at the RDS (KO 2.30 pm).  The change sees Billy Holland drop out of the matchday 23 and he is replaced by Cork man Fineen Wycherley on the bench. Wycherley played a pivotal role in the last time these sides met, at Thomond Park …

Leinster and Munster take each other on in the Guinness PRO14 semi-final at the RDS on Saturday afternoon in what promises to be a highly-entertaining affair.  Both Leo Cullen and Johann van Graan have named strong teams and with that in mind, earlier this afternoon we asked you to vote on a combined XV based on the starting lineups of …

We’re less than 24 hours away from the highly anticipated Guinness PRO14 semi-final clash between Leinster and Munster at the RDS.  In what is a repeat of last year’s semi-final, Munster will be hoping to end their last-four hoodoo by clinching a spot in the final while Leinster will have no shortage of motivation after the disappointment of last weekend’s …

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has announced his matchday 23 for Saturday’s Guinness PRO14 semi-final with Munster at the RDS.  Cullen has made four changes to the team which started against Saracens in Newcastle last weekend. Dave Kearney comes onto the right wing as Jordan Larmour is shifted to fullback. Rob Kearney drops out of the matchday 23 altogether. Ross …

“To be honest, I’m pretty speechless,” Michael McDonald says cheerfully with a distinct Louth brogue. The 19-year-old from the Cooley Peninsula has had a whirlwind couple of weeks. In early April, he made his senior debut for the Western Force as a replacement in their 42-10 victory over the Asia Pacific Dragons in Global Rapid Rugby. 14 days later, he …

Ireland U20 head coach Noel McNamara has announced his extended 33-man squad for the upcoming 2019 World Rugby U20 World Championships which take place from the 4th – 22nd of June in Argentina.  Ireland are riding the crest of a wave at the moment after securing a historic Six Nations Grand Slam earlier this year. They face a tough group, …

“Fine margins” was the commonly used expression coming out of the Leinster camp in the aftermath of their loss to Saracens in the Heineken Champions Cup final.  And it’s not surprising. Saracens were the better team on the day and they deserved their victory over the course of the 80 minutes but Leinster will look back at some crucial moments, …

The Cheetahs have confirmed this afternoon that Franco Smith will take over as head coach of Italy after the 2019 World Cup.  Smith is currently the head coach of the Cheetahs and the club confirmed today that the 46-year-old will take up his new position on 1st January 2020. Smith will continue his current role throughout the upcoming Currie Cup …

Ulster have confirmed the signing of Kiwi utility back Matt Faddes.  The 27-year-old plays his rugby with the Highlanders in Super Rugby and Otago in the Mitre10 Cup. The Balclutha native made his debut for Otago in 2011 and he earned himself a spot in the New Zealand 7s squad in 2013 where he played in three tournaments. His impressive …

Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez has emerged as the frontrunner to take over as manager of Scottish Premiership side Celtic ahead of the new season.  Benitez’ contract with Newcastle expires in the summer and despite supporters of the Toon Army demanding that the Spaniard continues as boss of the north-east club, the chances of a new contract seem to hinge …

It’s been a frustrating couple of weeks for Joey Carbery.  The Ireland out-half has had to sit on the sidelines and watch his side endure a difficult time as they exited the Champions Cup at the semi-final stage to eventual winners Saracens. Munster also scraped over the line in their Guinness PRO14 quarter-final victory over Benetton at Thomond Park as …

The stakes have never been higher for Leinster and Munster as they prepare to battle it out at the RDS on Saturday in the Guinness PRO14 semi-final.  Munster, of course, are still attempting to end their trophy drought which last saw them win silverware in 2011 when they lifted the Celtic League. Leinster, on the other hand, are licking their …