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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  • Jim Gavin confirms two huge GAA rule changes will be tested next week

    Jim Gavin confirms two huge GAA rule changes will be tested next week

    More game-changing rules! On the RTÉ panel ahead of today’s All-Ireland SFC final is Peter Canavan, Lee Keegan, and Jim Gavin. The latter, who managed Dublin to six All-Ireland titles, has left his biggest mark on the game through his work as chairman of the Football Review Committee. The new rules brought in by the […]

    9 months ago

  • Aussie commentators left stunned after late Lions win

    Aussie commentators left stunned after late Lions win

    They were shocked! The fallout from the Lions’ late victory over Australia will likely continue in the coming weeks, with fans and pundits debating whether Jac Morgan should have been penalised for a clearout in the lead up to Hugo Keenan’s winning try. However, the referee let the try stand, much to the chagrin of […]

    9 months ago

  • Lions player ratings as Hugo Keenan wins the Tour at the death

    Lions player ratings as Hugo Keenan wins the Tour at the death

    What a game! The Lions produced their biggest Test comeback after being 17 points down. Hugo Keenan’s last-gasp try gave them a 29-26 win, overcoming a seriously improved Wallabies side. Andrew Porter – 7.5 Didn’t have any outstanding moments, but scrummaged very well and made an whopping 16 tackles in just 54 minutes. Dan Sheehan […]

    9 months ago

  • Donegal icon suggests ‘illegal’ methods to stop David Clifford in final

    Donegal icon suggests ‘illegal’ methods to stop David Clifford in final

    It may be the only way…. Ahead of the All-Ireland final on Sunday, there is no doubt that Donegal boss Jim McGuinness has a plan in mind for stopping Kerry’s maverick, David Clifford. Over the years, many of the sport’s best have tried to curb his output, but such is his talent that it is […]

    9 months ago

  • Kerry legend puts McGuinness comments on David Clifford down to ‘mind games’

    Kerry legend puts McGuinness comments on David Clifford down to ‘mind games’

    It’s All-Ireland final week! How to stop David Clifford? That’s the prevailing question heading into Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC final between Kerry and Donegal. Such is the class of the Kingdom’s talisman, that the conversations of whether he is the best of all time have been rampant all week, with Donegal boss Jim McGuinness also chipping […]

    9 months ago

  • The reason why the GAA have made a practical kit decision for the All-Ireland final

    The reason why the GAA have made a practical kit decision for the All-Ireland final

    Proper order. The GAA have made the prescient decision to have Donegal and Kerry both wear alternative kits for the All-Ireland SFC final this Sunday. The news of the decision was reported last week, after a discussion between the GAA and referee Brendan Cawley, and will help avoid any post-match controversy. One of the main […]

    9 months ago

  • Italy tried their best to poach one of Ireland’s brightest rugby talents

    Italy tried their best to poach one of Ireland’s brightest rugby talents

    Not a hope! There’s a strong argument that the man who has had the best year in Irish rugby is Leinster tighthead prop Tom Clarkson. The former Blackrock College man began last season with no Ireland caps to his name, and was seen as, at best, fifth choice in his position. Fast forward 12 months […]

    9 months ago

  • Former Clare All-Star found not guilty of assaulting 12-year-old boy

    Former Clare All-Star found not guilty of assaulting 12-year-old boy

    He played for the Banner for over a decade. Ex-Clare hurler, Niall Gilligan, has been found not guilty of assaulting a boy, 12, with a wooden stick on October 5, 2023. The former All-Star and All-Ireland winner, played for Clare from 1997 to 2009, picking up two Munster SHC titles as well. On Wednesday, July […]

    9 months ago

  • Tipp boss was having none of a question on whether he was right man for the job

    Tipp boss was having none of a question on whether he was right man for the job

    Well he certainly answered any critics… Heading into this year’s Munster SHC there were question marks over Tipperary and their manager. After taking over in 2022 on three-year term, Liam Cahill oversaw a relatively promising first season, qualifying out of Munster, which included a win over Clare, before getting knocked out of the All-Ireland by […]

    9 months ago

  • ROG shuts down ex-Scotland captain for suggesting dropping two Irish for Lions Test

    ROG shuts down ex-Scotland captain for suggesting dropping two Irish for Lions Test

    O’Gara wasn’t having it! The Lions’ 24-19 win over First Nations & Pasifika XV was a game to forget, with few, if any, putting their hand up for a start in Saturday’s second Test against Australia. Speaking post-match, former Scotland captain John Barclay picked his side for the weekend’s clash, and controversially dropped two Irish […]

    9 months ago

  • Lions player ratings after drab and narrow win over First Nations & Pasifika XV

    Lions player ratings after drab and narrow win over First Nations & Pasifika XV

    That was not pretty…. It was the Lions’ dullest performance so far, but they scraped through with a 24-19 win. Certain players had a chance to force their way into the second Test 23, but few, if any, did. Pierre Schoeman – 5.5 Scrum didn’t go as planned, and failed to make much of an […]

    9 months ago

  • RTÉ commentator has been saying same thing after All-Ireland final goals for years

    RTÉ commentator has been saying same thing after All-Ireland final goals for years

    It’s like a catchphrase! John McGrath’s second goal in the All-Ireland final was a cracker and put Tipperary out of sight against Cork, on their way to the All-Ireland SHC title. On commentary was the famed duo of Marty Morrissey and Offaly’s Michael Duignan, with the latter describing the score as “as good a goal […]

    9 months ago

  • Tipperary broke Croke Park tradition for extra boost ahead of All-Ireland final win

    Tipperary broke Croke Park tradition for extra boost ahead of All-Ireland final win

    A great decision. Tipperary defied the odds to take home the Liam MacCarthy, defeating favourites Cork, 3-27 to 1-18, in the All-Ireland SHC final on Sunday. And they needed to dig deep after trailing by six points at half-time, but they blew the Rebels away, outscoring them 3-14 to 0-02 in the second half. As […]

    9 months ago

  • Tipp’s teen superstar reveals how teammates helped his ‘red card’ redemption arc

    Tipp’s teen superstar reveals how teammates helped his ‘red card’ redemption arc

    On the way to greatness! Darragh McCarthy had a less than ideal start to his 2025 Munster SHC, getting sent off in Tipperary’s second game, against Cork, for striking Seán O’Donoghue with his hurl before the sliotar had even been thrown-in. There is a fine line between making your mark and going overboard, and unfortunately […]

    9 months ago

  • GAA president advocating for huge change to All-Ireland structure

    GAA president advocating for huge change to All-Ireland structure

    An interesting proposition… Writing in today’s match programme for the All-Ireland SHC final between Cork and Tipperary, GAA president Jarlath Burns has spoken of a potential change to the current championship structure. He is suggesting to get rid of the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals, which sees the finalists of the second-tier Joe McDonagh Cup face off […]

    9 months ago

  • Touching captain’s tribute to late Tipp star Dillon Quirke gets biggest All-Ireland cheer

    Touching captain’s tribute to late Tipp star Dillon Quirke gets biggest All-Ireland cheer

    Incredible words. Tipperary are All-Ireland SHC champions after beating Cork by 3-27 to 1-18. It was an incredible second-half comeback from the Premier County, after trailing by six points at half-time. In his post-match captain’s speech in front of the whole of Croke Park, Ronan Maher paid tribute to the late Tipperary star Dillon Quirke, […]

    9 months ago

  • Five changes Andy Farrell may look at for the Lions’ second Test

    Five changes Andy Farrell may look at for the Lions’ second Test

    Constant improvement is needed. While the Lions were comfortable victors against Australia – only looking in any way under pressure, at kick-off and after Max Jorgensen’s 28th minute try – the scoreline will have disappointed them given their general dominance over a dull Wallabies side. As such, head coach Andy Farrell and his management team […]

    9 months ago

  • Dublin star scores back heel stunner to help her team to All-Ireland final

    Dublin star scores back heel stunner to help her team to All-Ireland final

    What a finish! Brought to you by TG4 Dublin are through to the TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Football Championship final on August 3 at Croke Park, after beating Galway, 3-14 to 2-14, after extra time yesterday. They will face Meath in the showpiece game, after the Royals took down Kerry in their semi-final by 2-12 to […]

    9 months ago

  • Rory McIlroy hits two balls at the same time in utterly bizarre Open moment

    Rory McIlroy hits two balls at the same time in utterly bizarre Open moment

    We’ve never seen this before! Rory McIlroy is currently -5 in the Open Championship at Portrush, after a decent start to his third round which has seen him have three birdies and one bogeys in his first 10 holes. After a wayward tee shot on the 11th, one of the most bizarre moments we ever […]

    9 months ago

  • Risk-taking spectator knocked down by team car in Tour de France

    Risk-taking spectator knocked down by team car in Tour de France

    Lets hope they’re ok. For Irish fans, the big story of the Tour de France has been the success of Ben Healy, who has a stage win, and wore the yellow jersey for two stages before being overtaken by Tadej Pogacar. After losing a serious amount of time on July 17, Healy did well today […]

    9 months ago

  • Ronan O’Gara explains why Andy Farrell will be ‘fuming’ despite Lions win

    Ronan O’Gara explains why Andy Farrell will be ‘fuming’ despite Lions win

    An interesting take from ROG…. First-half dominance from the Lions helped them to a 27-19 win over Australia in the first Test of the 2025 Tour. After leading 17-5 at the break, they scored an early second-half try through Dan Sheehan, before the Wallabies got themselves back into the game and the Lions regressed. The […]

    9 months ago

  • Lions player ratings as Irish shine in first-Test win over Australia

    Lions player ratings as Irish shine in first-Test win over Australia

    A powerful performance! The Lions took on Australia this morning in the first Test of the 2025 Tour, and several players stood out in the player ratings. The game finished 27-19 to the tourists, and they were relatively comfortable throughout. Head coach Andy Farrell came under fire for some controversial selections, but his side showed […]

    9 months ago

  • Katie Taylor offered another history-making fight

    Katie Taylor offered another history-making fight

    This would be incredible! As a two-weight world champion and the first female fighter to headline Madison Square Gardens, along with her illustrious amateur career, there is little, if anything, left for Katie Taylor to achieve in women’s boxing. After her trilogy fight with Amanda Serrano, it was hoped that a Croke Park fight could […]

    9 months ago

  • Ireland legend thinks Joe Schmidt will target specific Irish star to undo the Lions

    Ireland legend thinks Joe Schmidt will target specific Irish star to undo the Lions

    He knows his stuff! The Lions take on Australia in the first Test of the 2025 Tour, at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane (kick-off, 11am). Eight Irish have made the starting XV – Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Jamison Gibson-Park, James Lowe, Hugo Keenan – with three on the bench […]

    9 months ago

  • Cork star fit as Rebels and Tipperary name teams for  All-Ireland final

    Cork star fit as Rebels and Tipperary name teams for All-Ireland final

    What a game we have in store in two days time! Cork will take on Tipperary this Sunday, July 20, in the All-Ireland SHC final at Croke Park, with throw-in at 3.30pm. Amazingly, it is the first time both counties will meet in a senior final, despite being two of the biggest and most successful […]

    9 months ago

  • ‘Happy ending’ to Cavan GAA All-Ireland final tickets controversy

    ‘Happy ending’ to Cavan GAA All-Ireland final tickets controversy

    We didn’t see this coming! There has been a lot of uproar over the last week over the allocation of tickets for the All-Ireland SHC final between Tipperary and Cork. The game takes place this Sunday, July 20, at Croke Park, with throw-in at 3.30pm. Tickets for the game have been given to clubs and […]

    9 months ago

  • Iconic Dublin links moves closer to hosting Open with update from golf chief

    Iconic Dublin links moves closer to hosting Open with update from golf chief

    This would be incredible! We reported back in January on the huge news that Portmarnock Golf Club in North Dublin would be making upgrades to the course, in order for it to continue on its journey to hosting the Open Championship. Never before has the iconic major been held in the south of Ireland, but […]

    10 months ago

  • Reports from Australia have controversial selection calls in Lions test team

    Reports from Australia have controversial selection calls in Lions test team

    These calls will cause some amount of furore! Head coach Andy Farrell is set to pick his Lions 23 for Saturday’s first Test against Australia on Thursday, July 17. While much of the side is predictable, there is huge competition in the back row and on the bench. The Telegraph have reported that a couple […]

    10 months ago

  • Exciting groups for Irish golfers as Open Championship tee times announced

    Exciting groups for Irish golfers as Open Championship tee times announced

    There’s going to be some crowd following Shane! The tee times and pairings for the 2025 Open Championship at Portrush have been announced. Two-time winner Pádraig Harrington will take the opening tee shot at 6.35am. He has been grouped alongside Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin, and 2023 Ryder Cup star Nicolai Hojgaard from Denmark. Shane Lowry, […]

    10 months ago

  • All-Ireland Ladies SFC semi-final TV details & tickets

    All-Ireland Ladies SFC semi-final TV details & tickets

    A huge weekend ahead! Brought to you by TG4. We are down to the last four in the TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Football Championship, with a double-header at O’Connor Park in Tullamore this Saturday. First up is Kerry vs Meath (kick-off, 5.15pm), pitting the reigning champions against the 2021 and 2022 winners. The Kingdom defeated Kildare, […]

    10 months ago

  • Tyrone icon singles out key Donegal ‘launchpad’ player Kerry must stop in final

    Tyrone icon singles out key Donegal ‘launchpad’ player Kerry must stop in final

    Donegal were magnificent today! Jim McGuinness and his Donegal side are through to the All-Ireland SFC final against Kerry, following their 3-26 to 0-15 demolition of Meath. After scoring 0-06, Donegal’s talisman, Michael Murphy, was taken off after just 45 minutes with an eye on the final. But it didn’t make a difference to their […]

    10 months ago

  • Ireland Player Ratings as they put over a 100 points past sorry Portugal

    Ireland Player Ratings as they put over a 100 points past sorry Portugal

    You can only play what’s in front of you…. Ireland’s dished out a 106-7 hammering to Portugal, who were one of the poorest sides these men will ever face. Given the standard of the opposition in Lisbon, it’s hard to put too much weight into the performances, but the performances of the debutants were encouraging. […]

    10 months ago

  • South Africa produce never-before-seen scrum method against Italy

    South Africa produce never-before-seen scrum method against Italy

    Classic Rassie! South Africa are currently playing Italy in their summer Test. Known for his innovative plays, head coach Rassie Erasmus conjured up another wily piece of trickery against the Azzuri. From a kick-off, the Springboks purposely fouled by not reaching the 10-metre line with the kick, resulting in a scrum to Italy. However, given […]

    10 months ago

  • Limerick scupper Tailteann Cup final hopes with last-play miss

    Limerick scupper Tailteann Cup final hopes with last-play miss

    Oh so close! Kildare have won the 2025 Tailteann Cup, with a 1-24 to 2-19 win over Limerick at Croke Park. The Lilywhites led for large parts of the game before a goal from the Treaty’s Killian Ryan put them ahead. However, Kildare rallied and were able to see the game out, but not before […]

    10 months ago

  • Diarmuid Connolly points out disadvantage Ger Brennan would have as Dubs boss

    Diarmuid Connolly points out disadvantage Ger Brennan would have as Dubs boss

    A good point! While the favourite to take over as the manager of the Dublin footballers, Ger Brennan, has enjoyed huge success with Louth prior to his recent resignation, his time there will have him at a disadvantage in one sense. Locked into his role with the Wee County for the last two years, and […]

    10 months ago

  • SportsJOE’s Irish-heavy Lions Test team to take down Australia

    SportsJOE’s Irish-heavy Lions Test team to take down Australia

    Some side! The Lions 23 that faced the Brumbies on Wednesday gave a glimpse into the probable Test team to face Australia on July 19. There are, however, a few places still up for grabs and a handful of players who could force their way into the match-day squad with a big showing on Saturday. […]

    10 months ago

  • Dublin great on why Brennan’s rugby background could be ideal for Sky Blues

    Dublin great on why Brennan’s rugby background could be ideal for Sky Blues

    He’s backing his mate! Ger Brennan remains favourite to take over from Dessie Farrell as manager of Dublin, and is a popular choice given his success with Louth over the last two years. A two-time All-Ireland winners with the Sky Blues as a player, Brennan guided the Wee County to two Leinster SFC finals, beating […]

    10 months ago

  • Legendary Lions coach picks an enormous amount Irish in his Lions Test XV

    Legendary Lions coach picks an enormous amount Irish in his Lions Test XV

    He knows what he’s talking about! Today’s team that faced the Brumbies is the closest we have seen to the Test 23 that will face Australia on July 19. Most positions are locked up, but there are still a few places up for grabs. Ian McGeechan is one of the most legendary figures in Lions […]

    10 months ago

  • Lions player ratings as they overcome a strong Brumbies side

    Lions player ratings as they overcome a strong Brumbies side

    Another win on the books. It was disjointed at times, with handling errors still too prevalent. However, the Lions faced a fired up Brumbies side and got the job done, winning 36-24, with some of their best tries so far. Ellis Genge – 7 Scrum looked strong once again, but gave away a silly penalty […]

    10 months ago

  • Andy Farrell gives positive update after huge Lions injury scare

    Andy Farrell gives positive update after huge Lions injury scare

    Terrible luck. The Lions are currently leading the Brumbies in Canberra in their second-last game before the first Test on July 19. It has been another scrappy performance from the touring side, mixing error-strewn passages with some exciting attacking phases. The big story to come out of the first half is the injury to fullback […]

    10 months ago

  • Robbie Keane endorses Ireland star on Brazilian TV amid botched transfer

    Robbie Keane endorses Ireland star on Brazilian TV amid botched transfer

    A strange turn of events…. Ireland and West Brom winger, Mikey Johnston, looked all set to join Brazilian Série A side Flamengo. The 26-year-old, who has 15 international caps, was due to fly out to Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday, but instead will rejoin the Baggies for their pre-season tour to Austria. Johnston’s link to […]

    10 months ago

  • State won’t change traffic rules for Cork/Tipp fans ahead of All-Ireland final

    State won’t change traffic rules for Cork/Tipp fans ahead of All-Ireland final

    Bad news for those coming up from Munster! After traffic issues ahead of last weekend’s All-Ireland SHC semi-final between Cork and Dublin, there was hope that big changes were going to come in before the Cork vs Tipperary final on July 20. Cork North Central TDs, Colm Burke of Fine Gael and Sinn Féinn’s Thomas […]

    10 months ago

  • DJ Carey victim tells of ‘letter template’ he used for cancer scam

    DJ Carey victim tells of ‘letter template’ he used for cancer scam

    More details have come out over the disgraced hurler. We reported last week on DJ Carey pleading guilty to 10 charges of fraud, relating to his false cancer claim in order to extort money from individuals. And now further alleged details of the former Hurler of the Year’s methods have been revealed. An exclusive in […]

    10 months ago

  • Throw-in times, tickets, and venues for All-Ireland Ladies’ semis

    Throw-in times, tickets, and venues for All-Ireland Ladies’ semis

    Some cracking games! Brought to you by TG4 The dates, throw-in times, ticket prices, and venues have been confirmed for the TG4 All-Ireland Senior Ladies’ Football Championship semi-finals and the Senior Football relegation play-offs. Following Dublin’s win over Cork last Saturday, they will take on Galway, who beat Waterford, at O’Connor Park in Tullamore on […]

    10 months ago

  • Tipperary great convinced that Kilkenny won’t take score controversy further

    Tipperary great convinced that Kilkenny won’t take score controversy further

    The fallout continues…. As we reported earlier, Kilkenny met after yesterday’s All-Ireland semi-final loss to discuss their next moves following the ‘ScoreGate’ controversy, which saw the stadium scoreboard count a late wide from Tipperary. Both teams believed that there was a four-point and then three-point difference heading into and during stoppage time, leading the Cats […]

    10 months ago

  • Jacques Nienaber approached over big move away from Leinster

    Jacques Nienaber approached over big move away from Leinster

    This would be huge! Leinster senior coach, Jacques Nienaber, has just finished up his second season with the province, guiding them to the URC title, following their Champions Cup semi-final heartbreak against Northampton. After losing last year’s Champions Cup final to Toulouse, before getting knocked out of the URC semis by the Bulls, the World […]

    10 months ago

  • Kilkenny GAA weighing up next move after ‘ScoreGate’ fiasco

    Kilkenny GAA weighing up next move after ‘ScoreGate’ fiasco

    What a mess! The fallout continues from yesterday’s scoreboard fiasco during Tipperary’s All-Ireland SHC semi-final win over Kilkenny. After a late wide from Noel McGrath was counted as a point on the stadium scoreboard, the teams believed that there was a four-point and then three-point difference between them going into and during added time. This […]

    10 months ago

  • GAA confirm potentially game-changing scoreboard error in All-Ireland semi

    GAA confirm potentially game-changing scoreboard error in All-Ireland semi

    This is crazy! Tipperary are through to their first All-Ireland final since 2019, beating out Kilkenny by 4-20 to 0-30. However, there was a lot of confusion regarding the official scoreline, after a mix-up from a Noel McGrath shot. With the scores at 4-20 to 0-29, the Tipp man went for a point which was […]

    10 months ago