Features

 Last week Pundit Arena obtained footage of the recent Nicky Rackard Cup semi-final between rivals, Armagh and Tyrone.  As the game entered the dying moments, Armagh held a slender lead over their neighbour’s but the game was very much there to be won. Tyrone had Armagh on the ropes and following a sustained period of pressure, they bore down on …

At one time Dublin versus Meath was the country’s biggest rivalry, a classic grudge match that pitted two of Gaelic football’s aristocrats against one another on an almost yearly basis, however, the rivalry has somewhat died as Dublin continue to squeeze the competitiveness out of the Leinster SFC. At the height of this great rivalry, fans have had to endure …

The draw for the 2019/2020 pool stages of the Heineken Champions Cup took place on Wednesday as clubs from across Europe learned their fate as to who stands between them and the knockout stages of the competition.  It’s a special year for the Irish teams as it’s the first time that all four provinces have qualified for Europe’s premier club …

The baking heat, ham sandwiches, ice-cold finches and a packed out Clones, the Ulster final is a day like no other. My first taste of Ulster final day coincides with my earliest memory of following Armagh. The year was 1999 and a youthful, yet fancied Armagh side went in search of their first Ulster title in 17 years where they …

Those of you who have followed the BOI Celtic Challenge for the past four years will be well aware of the merits of such a competition and how it gives talent from the supposedly ‘weaker’ counties a platform to showcase their skills and shine. Not only do we have teams playing out thrilling contests that are consistently going down to …

Roscommon genuinely looked down and out at half-time on Sunday. They traded scores early in the game but Galway were able to turn the screw in the final ten minutes of the first half to go in at the break 0-10 to 0-5 in front. The Tribesmen pressed high on the Rossies throughout the opening 35 minutes to great effect …

“Pep is literally a genius. He makes the game so simple. Even in some of his team meetings he is so intense, he’s a perfectionist.” _____ On Saturday, Tyreke Wilson made his debut for Ireland’s U21s in their third-place playoff against Mexico at the prestigious Toulon Tournament. The day before he had been informed by manager Stephen Kenny that, having …

Roscommon are Connacht champions for 2019 and they won it the hard way.  It started with a trip to Castlebar where they defeated Mayo on their home turf for the first time since 1986. Their attention then turned to Pearse Stadium and Galway and despite the fact that the Rossies defeated the Tribesmen in the same fixture at the same …

Toulouse lifting the Top 14 title on Saturday signalled the end of the northern hemisphere club season but the lengthy nature of the French campaign aside, many of Europe’s elite players will be getting back to work soon.  Today, Ireland have reconvened at their Carton House base as they begin their preparations for their World Cup opener against Scotland on …

On 19 August 2015, Seb Coe was elected as the new president of the IAAF. On 9 November 2015, he sat down with Jon Snow of Channel 4 for an exclusive interview. What followed was refreshing as it was one of the few – and getting fewer – times in modern sports journalism that professional integrity wasn’t traded for some …

“In Dublin’s fair city, where the girls are so pretty, I first set my eyes on Danny Mandroiu.” Friday night’s Dublin derby was an absolutely brilliant showcase of everything that makes the League of Ireland special, as Bohemians once again got the better of their bitter rivals Shamrock Rovers. A sold-out Dalymount Park witnessed a fantastic game of Friday night …

“Shamrock Rovers, it’s happened again.” A brace from Danny Mandroiu clinched Bohemians’ seventh Dublin derby win in their last eight meetings as they once again got the better of Shamrock Rovers with a 2-1 win at Dalymount Park. Here are our player ratings a from a very hotly contested Dublin derby.   _____ Bohemians James Talbot – 6 Fresh off …

“I’m different. I know I’m different,” Jack Byrne says, and he’s not wrong. The Dubliner isn’t a typical Irish midfielder and his journey has been anything but straightforward. He only turned 23 earlier this year, but he has had a unique career and packed a lot into it. The Shamrock Rovers midfielder sat down with Pundit Arena to reflect on …

All Ireland champions Limerick travel to Semple Stadium on Sunday to face Tipperary in a game that all are hoping will finally spark the Munster Championship into life after a number of one-sided affairs. The two sides have served up a few classics in recent years with the teams very evenly matched and given their recent performances, we are expecting …

It’s all to play for as we head into the final round of games in the Leinster and Munster championships while it is also crunch time in the Joe McDonagh Cup. Ahead of the weekend’s fixtures, we take a look at the big questions facing the major teams involved. _____ 1. Who will reach the Leinster final? Galway look set …

With another international break in the books, Ireland sit top of their Euro 2020 qualifying group thanks to a strong draw against Denmark and a 2-0 win over Gibraltar. There may be tougher challenges to come, with home and away ties with Switzerland in September and October, but manager Mick McCarthy is on the right track in achieving his sole …

Originally published on June 13. The next edition of the European Championships will be held in 12 cities across the continent. On June 15, 2020, Dublin will host the first of four Euro 2020 games, and if the Republic of Ireland qualify, they will play two group games at the Aviva Stadium. However, despite currently sitting top of their qualification …

Mick McCarthy vented his frustrations during the week at the continued calls to somehow accommodate both Seamus Coleman and Matt Doherty in the same team.   In his second stint as Irish boss, the 60-year-old has been hard pressed by the media on the issue, especially given Doherty’s rousing form for Wolves this season. Having experimented with the Dubliner as …