Features

As the days tick down towards the season’s end it gives us a chance to reflect on what has been an enjoyable season overall for Gaelic football. Whatever the outcome of Sunday’s final between Kerry and Dublin we know we are set for a historic occasion. Either Dublin complete the ‘drive-for-five’ or Kerry become the team to stop them just …

The second round of the Carabao Cup gets underway this week with 50 teams in action as they look to reach the last 32 of the competition. Traditionally over the last few years, the League Cup has represented a chance for teams to rotate their squads and give some of their younger talents the opportunity to shine. There are currently …

On Saturday, a report emerged from The Independent.ie outlining that the FAI had reached out to Leicester City midfielder James Maddison about a potential switch to play for Ireland. The Association had reportedly received some encouragement about a potential switch for Maddison who qualifies to play for the Boys in Green through a grandparent. Irish manager Mick McCarthy is understood …

Ireland’s World Cup squad has experienced some trimming in recent weeks as the original squad of 45 has been reduced to 40.  Of course, only 31 players can travel to Japan for the Rugby World Cup and Ireland’s final three warm-up games against England, Wales and Wales again will provide the testing ground for those who are in a battle …

Doncaster forward Kieran Sadlier’s initial reaction to his first call-up to the Irish senior squad was one of shock. In truth, it probably shouldn’t have been. The 24-year-old has adjusted well to life back in English football after his move to the Keepmoat from Cork City in December of 2018, with last year’s return of three goals in just 14 …

Ireland’s World Cup squad has experienced some trimming in recent weeks as the original squad of 45 has been reduced to 40.  Of course, only 31 players can travel to Japan for the Rugby World Cup and Ireland’s final three warm-up games against England, Wales and Wales again will provide the testing ground for those who are in a battle …

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the king’s horses and all the king’s men, Couldn’t put Humpty together again. ______ It’s been nearly three years since Conor McGregor was a winner – at least in sporting terms for he better than most demonstrates its narrow meaning in an oft overvalued sphere. It’s coming …

“This time around is a lot different and (I’m) now really coming into my own performance-wise.”  This time four years ago Jack Conan received his first cap for Ireland as he looked to make a late surge into Joe Schmidt’s final 31-man squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. That cap came in a warm-up game against Scotland at the …

Spend half an hour in Derek McGrath’s company and two of his life’s passions becomes increasingly clear… family and teaching.  Sporting a healthy tan, the former Waterford manager reveals he’s just returned from holidays with his wife Sarah and two sons Fionn (13) and Odhrán (6). While Odhrán is about to enter his last year of senior infants, Fionn is preparing for his second year …

Ahead of the highly-anticipated All-Ireland hurling final between Kilkenny and Tipperary, Pundit Arena spoke to some of the country’s top hurlers to get their thoughts.  Johnny Coen (Galway), Mark Kavanagh (Laois), Alan Cadogan (Cork), and Cian Boland (Dublin) predict the 2019 decider in Croke Park, the Hurler of the Year and tell us whether or not they would like to see …

One of hurling’s biggest rivalries is set to be renewed on Sunday when Kilkenny and Tipperary meet in the showpiece event of the season; the All-Ireland SHC final. It’s the sixth All-Ireland decider involving the two heavyweight counties in 10 seasons (2014 final went to a replay) as the decade rounds off the way it started with Liam Sheedy and …

On Friday, Ireland manager Mick McCarthy will name his provisional Irish squad for the upcoming games against Switzerland and Bulgaria. The Boys in Green haven’t been in action since June where they drew with Denmark in Copenhagen and defeated Gibraltar in Dublin to solidify themselves at the top of their Euro 2020 qualifying group. With the season only just underway …

Over the past two years, Shane Duffy has grown to become one of, if not, the most vital player for both his club, Brighton and his country, Ireland. A towering and dominant centre-half, Duffy has excelled in his two seasons in the Premier League with Brighton and has stepped up at international level, making himself one of the first names …

Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Though wise men at their end know dark is right, Because their words had forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night. For 35 minutes they raged. Lee Keegan raged. …

Saturday’s game was everything we hoped and dreamed for until the most perfect rendition of Gaelic football for a 12 minute period in the second half ruined it all. Excitement simmered all week as Dublin and Mayo prepared to lock horns for the first time since Jim Gavin’s side secured the three-in-a-row. So much has happened since then that it …

On Saturday, Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium will play host to Sheffield United’s first Premier League game for nearly 12 years. After over of a decade of hovering between the second and third tiers of English football The Blades finally returned to where so many of their fans believe they belong after achieving promotion from the Championship  in stylish fashion last year. …