Colman Stanley

Author description

Colmán is the lead writer with SportsJOE, covering the GAA, football and golf, with a special interest in rugby. Whether it is an in-depth analysis of the best young Irish rugby talents, or a live blog covering all the big moments from some of sport's most iconic events, he has got you covered. Past experience includes working at the Irish Sun, Balls.ie and Extratime.ie. When he's not writing, you can find him watching the latest HBO mini-series, whipping up a spaghetti aglio e olio, or togging out for his beloved Stillorgan-Rathfarnham RFC.

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  • The youthful 35-man Ireland squad Paul O’Connell should pick this summer

    The youthful 35-man Ireland squad Paul O’Connell should pick this summer

    An exciting summer ahead. Ireland take on Georgia on July 5, and Portugal a week later. It will be a depleted squad in terms of both players and coaches, with many off in Australia with the Lions. As such, it provides the best opportunity to blood the next generation since Andy Farrell became head coach. […]

    1 year ago

  • Gary Neville embroiled in huge libel case brought by Nottingham Forest owner

    Gary Neville embroiled in huge libel case brought by Nottingham Forest owner

    Not ideal for Neville. Gary Neville has surprisingly been cited in a £2.1 million libel action case which Nottingham Forest owner, Evangelos Marinakis, has brought against Irini Karipidis and Ari Harow. Karipidis is the owner of Greek club Aris, who are rivals to Olympiacos, also owned by Marinakis, while Harow is a former chief of […]

    1 year ago

  • Irish rugby fans ecstatic over massive Ulster signing ahead of next season

    Irish rugby fans ecstatic over massive Ulster signing ahead of next season

    What a signing. Ulster have received an enormous boost after their damning 2024/25 season, which saw them miss out on the URC play-offs and Champions Cup qualification. According to a report from Australian outlet The Roar, Wallabies loosehead prop, Angus Bell, will be heading to the Kingspan Stadium on his sabbatical year from his country. […]

    1 year ago

  • Derry man Joe Brolly explains how Mayo ruined his weekend

    Derry man Joe Brolly explains how Mayo ruined his weekend

    He’s had a mare. Mayo supporters were lamenting their side’s poor showing in Sunday’s shock All-Ireland round-robin loss to Cavan, with some calling for the end of Kevin McStay’s reign as manager. It certainly puts a sizeable dent in their title hopes this season, as they look likely to add another year of disappointment and […]

    1 year ago

  • Former teammate of Kevin McStay eviscerates Mayo tactics in Cavan loss

    Former teammate of Kevin McStay eviscerates Mayo tactics in Cavan loss

    He was not pleased. Mayo have been left reeling after their All-Ireland round-robin loss to Cavan on the weekend. While the final score was 1-14 to 1-17, a late Aidan O’Shea goal put a gloss on the scoreline for the Connacht side. Martin Carney represented both Donegal and Mayo in inter-county football, and with the […]

    1 year ago

  • Ireland at heart of controversial change as Six Nations fixtures released

    Ireland at heart of controversial change as Six Nations fixtures released

    A strange choice…. The fixtures for the 2026 Six Nations have been released, with one game in particular standing out. Ireland will open the tournament away to France, however, the game will be played on February 5, a Thursday. Normally the opening game of the competition is played on a Friday evening, and fans have […]

    1 year ago

  • Joe Canning singles out Cork player that summed up Rebels’ problems

    Joe Canning singles out Cork player that summed up Rebels’ problems

    It was a poor team performance. Cork will still be reeling from their heavy defeat to Limerick on Sunday in the Munster SHC, and other counties will no doubt be fearful of a Limerick team that seem back to their best. The game finished 3-26 to 1-16 at the Gaelic Grounds, with the home side […]

    1 year ago

  • Clare boss calls journo a “c***” after storming out of interview

    Clare boss calls journo a “c***” after storming out of interview

    He was not pleased after their heavy defeat. Clare were easily beaten by Down on the weekend at Páirc Chíosóg in Ennis. The Mournemen were superb in their opening game of the All-Ireland round-robin phase, with the game finishing 3-27 to 1-16 in their favour. It was the Banner’s second defeat in a row, following […]

    1 year ago

  • Incredible stat shows enormity of Cavan’s shock win over Mayo

    Incredible stat shows enormity of Cavan’s shock win over Mayo

    A brilliant performance from the Ulster county. Cavan defeated Mayo at MacHale Park at Castlebar this afternoon, by a score of 1-17 to 1-14 in their opening game of the All-Ireland round robin stage. It now leaves Mayo with a bit of mountain to climb if they want to make the quarter-finals, with Tyrone and […]

    1 year ago

  • Limerick fans try their best to provoke Dónal Óg after Cork hammering

    Limerick fans try their best to provoke Dónal Óg after Cork hammering

    The Treaty faithful were in great spirits! Limerick produced the best performance from any hurling team so far this season, looking back to their very best in a 3-26 to 1-16 win over Cork at the Gaelic Grounds in the Munster SHC. Kyle Hayes was named as the man of the match, while Cian Lynch […]

    1 year ago

  • Pádraic Joyce slams game-changing ref call after Dublin loss

    Pádraic Joyce slams game-changing ref call after Dublin loss

    The Galway boss was not pleased. Dublin showed that they are still a real contender in this year’s All-Ireland Championship, beating Galway by 1-18 to 2-14 at Pearse Stadium yesterday. The Tribesmen came into the game as favourites, having beaten Mayo in the final of the Connacht SFC, while the Sky Blues had suffered a […]

    1 year ago

  • Former Springboks rugby star dies aged 37

    Former Springboks rugby star dies aged 37

    RIP. Former Springboks player, Cornal Hendricks, has passed away at the age of 37. The winger, who occasionally togged out at centre, played 12 times for South Africa, including in a 2014 loss to Ireland at the Aviva Stadium, scoring five tries across those games. He played Super Rugby for the Cheetahs and the Bulls, […]

    1 year ago

  • Clare star clears up speculation over absence from Tipperary game

    Clare star clears up speculation over absence from Tipperary game

    He could have made a difference. Aidan McCarthy was not in the Clare panel for their Munster SHC clash against Tipperary on Saturday. The Banner ended up losing the the Premier County by 4-18 to 2-21 in Ennis, leaving them on the brink of elimination from the championship. McCarthy scored 1-7 in their draw with […]

    1 year ago

  • Stuart Lancaster offers serious hope for a return to Irish rugby

    Stuart Lancaster offers serious hope for a return to Irish rugby

    This would be great for rugby in Ireland. Former England and Racing 92 head coach, Stuart Lancaster, is certainly missed on these shores. The Englishman was at Leinster from 2016-2023 as a Senior coach, but he was effectively performing the head coach duties. While Leinster lost three finals during his tenure, they did win in […]

    1 year ago

  • Cork beat Tipperary with help from ‘Maradona-esque’ screamer

    Cork beat Tipperary with help from ‘Maradona-esque’ screamer

    What a finish! Cork were victorious over Tipperary in their Munster MFC semi-final on the weekend, winning 2-17 to 0-20 after extra-time. It was Joe Miskella’s 80th-minute goal that got the Rebels over the line in this classic at Semple Stadium, but the finest finish of the day was Donagh Flynn’s 48th-minute screamer. The Cork […]

    1 year ago

  • Ticket prices for Croke Park NFL game set to be eye-watering

    Ticket prices for Croke Park NFL game set to be eye-watering

    This is going to be huge. This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission on any sales generated from it. Today was a momentous occasion for Irish sport with the date and teams set for Ireland’s first-ever regular-season NFL game. The Pittsburgh Steelers had already been announced as one of the participating teams, […]

    1 year ago

  • Ronan O’Gara and La Rochelle interested in one of Irish rugby’s best talents

    Ronan O’Gara and La Rochelle interested in one of Irish rugby’s best talents

    This would be a huge loss. La Rochelle head coach Ronan O’Gara is once again reportedly interested in one of Ireland’s young talents. Before Jack Crowley shot to stardom with Munster and Ireland, there was a contract on offer in the South of France for him, while former Roscrea College man, Richie Whelan, is currently […]

    1 year ago

  • Tyrone legend voices support for ugly scenes after Donegal-Armagh final

    Tyrone legend voices support for ugly scenes after Donegal-Armagh final

    A controversial take indeed. Not for the first time following a great game of Gaelic football involving Armagh, the biggest talking point was not the play but rather an ugly fracas between the teams. After Donegal’s extra-time win in the Ulster SFC final over Armagh, both sides were engaged in a shemozzle. It began when […]

    1 year ago

  • Trailblazing jockey Rachel Blackmore announces retirement

    Trailblazing jockey Rachel Blackmore announces retirement

    One of the best to ever do it. Jockey Rachel Blackmore has announced her retirement from horse racing at the age of 35. In 2021, the Tipperary native was the first female to win the Grand National, on Minella Times and the first female to be named leading jockey at the Cheltenham Festival, where she […]

    1 year ago

  • Shane Lowry completes remarkable career first despite agonising loss

    Shane Lowry completes remarkable career first despite agonising loss

    He came so close. Shane Lowry cut a clearly heartbroken figure last night, after narrowly losing out to Sepp Straka at the Truist Championship. Lowry went into the final round in the elevated PGA Tour event level with his 2023 Ryder Cup teammate, but bogeys on 16 and 18 meant it was a disappointing level-par […]

    1 year ago

  • The Lions XV Andy Farrell should start in the first test vs Australia

    The Lions XV Andy Farrell should start in the first test vs Australia

    A mighty squad of players. With Andy Farrell’s 38-man squad named, we have put ourselves in the head coach’s chair and had a crack at selecting what we believe is the best 23 the Lions can put out against Australia. Front row A one-two punch of Andrew Porter and Ellis Genge seems like the play […]

    1 year ago

  • Irish legend not happy with ‘foreign’ players in Lions squad

    Irish legend not happy with ‘foreign’ players in Lions squad

    Safe to say he won’t be handing out the match jerseys… Andy Farrell named his Lions squad on Thursday, selecting 15 Irish, 13 English, 8 Scots, and 2 Welsh. A number of these were born outside of these countries, including Irish players, James Lowe, Bundee Aki, Jamison Gibson-Park and Mack Hansen. Those four grew up […]

    1 year ago

  • Tyrone icon says dodgy match-winning two-point free for Louth was ‘karma’

    Tyrone icon says dodgy match-winning two-point free for Louth was ‘karma’

    A controversial call from the referee. Louth have won the 2025 Leinster Senior Football Championship, beating Meath at Croke Park by 3-14 to 1-18. It was a replay of their infamous 2010 final, the last time a side other than Dublin had won the competition, when Meath were awarded a controversial winning goal, with Joe […]

    1 year ago

  • English pundit makes woeful error in attempted dig at BOD’s Lions career

    English pundit makes woeful error in attempted dig at BOD’s Lions career

    A tweet he’ll want to forget….. After the news that Lions head coach Andy Farrell had ‘left the door open’ for his son Owen to be called up, Sunday Times writer Stuart Barnes was not particularly pleased. He took to X to write: “Shame….no form and as for Lions `experience’, SCW belief in past it […]

    1 year ago

  • Terenure spring huge surprise and name All Black legend as new head coach

    Terenure spring huge surprise and name All Black legend as new head coach

    One of the all-time greats. Terenure RFC have announced All Black legend Carlos Spencer as their new head coach. The South-Dublin club have enjoyed much success in recent years, reaching their first AIL Division 1A final in 2022, before winning their first title in 2023 and reaching the final in 2024. Spencer, who won 44 […]

    1 year ago

  • Dublin & Offaly forced back into skorts after ‘standoff’ and threat in final

    Dublin & Offaly forced back into skorts after ‘standoff’ and threat in final

    The farce continues. There was further controversy today in the ongoing skorts debacle in Camogie. Dublin faced Offaly in the Leinster Camogie Minor Shield A final, with both teams entering the field of play wearing shorts. However, according to Newstalk journalist Will O’Callaghan, following a ‘lengthy standoff’ the sides returned to their dressing rooms and […]

    1 year ago

  • Andy Farrell leaves two spots for injured players to be added to Lions squad

    Andy Farrell leaves two spots for injured players to be added to Lions squad

    A huge revelation from the head coach. Lions head coach Andy Farrell has named his squad for their tour of Australia this summer. The nationality breakdown is as follows: 15 Ireland, 13 England, 8 Scotland, 2 Wales. This makes up 38 players, despite the fact that it was expected to be a 40-man squad. However, […]

    1 year ago

  • Mack Hansen had hilarious and emotional reaction at Lions announcement

    Mack Hansen had hilarious and emotional reaction at Lions announcement

    One of the game’s great characters. Mack Hansen was one of a record 15 Ireland players selected for the 2025 Lions tour to Australia. After the live squad announcement, the Connacht winger was video called to get his reaction. When Lions head coach, and Hansen’s Ireland boss, Andy Farrell heard the news he quipped, ‘you […]

    1 year ago

  • 15 Ireland players named in Lions squad with Caelan Doris missing out

    15 Ireland players named in Lions squad with Caelan Doris missing out

    A hefty number of Irish players Andy Farrell has named his squad for the 2025 Lions tour to Australia. 15 Ireland players have made the final cut, while Caelan Doris has cruelly missed out after picking up an injury in Leinster’s loss to Northampton at the weekend. The number eight had been favourite to captain […]

    1 year ago

  • Can you name Manchester United’s top ten Europa League goal scorers?

    Can you name Manchester United’s top ten Europa League goal scorers?

    Some serious ballers here. With Man United taking on Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final tonight, we thought it would be fitting to test your knowledge on the Red Devils’ best finishers in the competition! This quiz is for players from 2009 onwards, when the tournament’s name was changed. Good luck, and tell us […]

    1 year ago

  • Big price tag slapped on one of Ireland’s most in-form stars

    Big price tag slapped on one of Ireland’s most in-form stars

    He has been superb this season. Troy Parrott has undoubtedly been Ireland’s best striker this season, scoring 20 times for Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar in 2024/2025, including 14 league goals in 28 games. This has led to a number of clubs taking interest in the Dubliner ahead of the summer transfer window. After securing the […]

    1 year ago

  • Pat Spillane hated comparisons between Mayo and ‘pampered’ Leinster

    Pat Spillane hated comparisons between Mayo and ‘pampered’ Leinster

    He was not at all pleased. After yet another under-par performance in a Champions Cup knockout game on the weekend, Leinster, their players, and management were rightly questioned. Given their numerous advantages, including population, number of private schools, and central contracts from the IRFU, they have been serial under achievers since they last won the […]

    1 year ago

  • Former Mayo star incredulous over county’s use of Aidan O’Shea

    Former Mayo star incredulous over county’s use of Aidan O’Shea

    He was highly critical. Galway marched to a fourth Connacht SFC title in a row, with Sunday’s win over Mayo in Castlebar. It was an excellent game, but one man who wasn’t quite at his best was Mayo’s Aidan O’Shea. The much-maligned forward is one of the top players in the country when on song, […]

    1 year ago

  • SportsJOE’s 2025 37-man Lions squad to take down the Aussies

    SportsJOE’s 2025 37-man Lions squad to take down the Aussies

    A group primed to beat the Wallabies. Ahead of Thursday’s squad announcement, we have had a go a picking what we feel is the best British and Irish Lions group to send to Australia this summer. Front row Most of these selections are definites or probables to make the plane, with a couple of tight […]

    1 year ago

  • Ex-Celtic star has harsh criticism for Adam Idah despite Old Firm leveller

    Ex-Celtic star has harsh criticism for Adam Idah despite Old Firm leveller

    A bit harsh. Celtic’s Scottish title win was guaranteed last week, making this weekend’s Old Firm derby against Rangers a little more subdued than usual. Rangers took the lead just before half-time, with Cyriel Dessers opening the scoring, but Celtic equalised in the 57th minute through Adam Idah. The Ireland striker made up for a […]

    1 year ago

  • Lee Keegan slams ‘scandalous’ draw decision by the GAA

    Lee Keegan slams ‘scandalous’ draw decision by the GAA

    The Mayo icon spoke his mind. Lee Keegan did not hold back when giving his views on the recent draw for the All-Ireland round-robin group stages. The draw took place last Wednesday, and has dominated GAA conversations in the week leading up to today’s Munster and Connacht SFC finals. The draw also conjured up a […]

    1 year ago

  • Leo Cullen defends game-losing Leinster decision

    Leo Cullen defends game-losing Leinster decision

    It was the wrong call. After being second best for the majority of their Champions Cup semi-final against Northampton yesterday, Leinster were given an out with a very kickable penalty with five minutes left, while they were three points down. They chose to kick to the corner, but lost possession to Northampton soon after. But […]

    1 year ago

  • Simon Zebo rubs salt in to Leinster wounds after brutal loss

    Simon Zebo rubs salt in to Leinster wounds after brutal loss

    He was loving it! Before yesterday’s game, few bet on Northampton to defeat the Leinster juggernaut, but one of those few was Simon Zebo. Off the pitch, the former Munster and Ireland winger has never shied away from letting his dislike of Leinster be known. Yesterday, he tweeted that Northampton would win by five. And […]

    1 year ago

  • Massive step taken in bid to bring the Open Championship to Dublin

    Massive step taken in bid to bring the Open Championship to Dublin

    Huge news for Irish golf. It is looking increasingly likely that Portmarnock Golf Club will be hosting the Open Championship, and the Women’s Open, at some point. With Portrush hosting the famed major back in 2019, it opened the door for the tournament to move to the south of the island for the first time […]

    1 year ago

  • Can you name all of Leinster’s Heineken and Champions Cup semi-final opponents?

    Can you name all of Leinster’s Heineken and Champions Cup semi-final opponents?

    Serious going if you can get 15/15. Another year and another semi-final for the Leinster goys. They are heavy favourites against Northampton, and have had pretty good success in the last four over the years. In lieu of this weekend’s game, we have put together a semi-final quiz for you all. Give it a decent […]

    1 year ago

  • Leinster v Northampton: How to watch & teams news

    Leinster v Northampton: How to watch & teams news

    A massive game this weekend. For the second year in a row, Leinster will host Northampton in a Champions Cup semi-final. If Leinster prevail, it will be a fourth final in a row for the Dublin-based side, and they will be hoping it is fourth-time lucky, having narrowly lost the last three. For Northampton, who […]

    1 year ago

  • Can you name the top-ten Munster SHC scorers of all-time?

    Can you name the top-ten Munster SHC scorers of all-time?

    You would have to have seriousl knowledge to get 10/10. With the 2025 Munster SHC in full swing, why not try out our hurling-themed quiz. Only absolute experts will be able to get 10/10, and it will take some going to even get eight correct. But don’t worry, you will have six minutes to complete […]

    1 year ago

  • Waterford vs Limerick: How to watch, TV details, team news

    Waterford vs Limerick: How to watch, TV details, team news

    An enormous clash this weekend. It is widely agreed that the Munster SHC is the best provincial championship in both hurling and Gaelic football, with its unrivalled intensity and passion, and any side beat anyone on their day. This weekend, Waterford take on Limerick in their top-of-the-table clash, in another pivotal match up, after two […]

    1 year ago

  • Waterford legend & selector criticises Munster SHC schedule

    Waterford legend & selector criticises Munster SHC schedule

    He speaks sense in fairness. An already wide-open Munster SHC is even wider following Waterford’s defeat of Clare on Sunday. The result leaves Waterford second, with one win from one after a bye week in the first round, while Clare are in a perilous position after a draw and a loss, with next week’s game […]

    1 year ago

  • Recent form proves 2018 Jacob Stockdale is back and a Lions bolter

    Recent form proves 2018 Jacob Stockdale is back and a Lions bolter

    The man is on fire. 2018 Jacob Stockdale really was prestige television, and if you needed a season recap, here it is. The Ulster winger starred for the 2016 Ireland U20s side who reached the final of the World Championship that summer, and quickly became a regular in Ulster’s match-day squads in both the league […]

    1 year ago

  • Leinster & Munster in pursuit of Irish-eligible South African whizz-kid

    Leinster & Munster in pursuit of Irish-eligible South African whizz-kid

    The provinces are reportedly in hot pursuit. According to a report by RugbyPass, both Leinster and Munster are after the signature of South African schoolboy prodigy, Josh Neill. The Rondebosch Boys’ High School backrower can play blindside and number eight, and has represented both Western Province and South Africa at Under-18s level. He holds an […]

    1 year ago

  • Limerick star Kyle Hayes avoids jail time for breaching sentence

    Limerick star Kyle Hayes avoids jail time for breaching sentence

    The Treaty player dodged a bullet. Limerick player Kyle Hayes, who is a 5x All-Ireland winner and 6x All Star, has avoided jail time after breaching the terms of his two-year suspended sentence for violent disorder back in 2019. Judge Colin Daly has instead ‘deemed him suitable’ for 180 hours of community service according to […]

    1 year ago

  • Dublin legend offers withering assessment of Sky Blues after shock Meath loss

    Dublin legend offers withering assessment of Sky Blues after shock Meath loss

    He did not pull any punches. The Leinster SFC semi-final, June 27, 2010. Dublin vs Meath. This was the last time any side had beaten the Sky Blues in the provincial tournament, so naturally it would take a special occasion to break their stranglehold. Fittingly it was the Royals who were the ones to do […]

    1 year ago

  • Dublin avoid red after strike to face as Meath star accused of ‘diving’

    Dublin avoid red after strike to face as Meath star accused of ‘diving’

    Controversy in Portlaoise. Meath secured a famous 0-23 to 1-16 win over Dublin in Portlaoise this evening, their first over the Sky Blues in 15 years. It also gave the Royals a first Leinster SFC final since 2020. And perhaps it was what Dublin deserved after luckily avoiding a first-half red card. Kilmacud Crokes defender […]

    1 year ago