A much changed side. Ireland face Japan this Saturday at the Aviva Stadium (kick-off, 12.40pm). They will hope, and need, to get back to winning ways, with World Cup seeding on the line, after a dud outing against the All Blacks. Expect a handful of changes from Andy Farrell, with fringe players given a rare […]

7 months ago

The GAA are facing a huge problem. While the headlines over the past week have been dominated by Kobe McDonald’s deal with AFL side St Kilda, Austin Stacks and Kerry U20s star, Ben Murphy, has signed with the Brisbane Lions. The issue of losing players to Australia has now come to a head, with clubs […]

7 months ago

He did not hold back! The vast majority of rugby Twitter, Andy Farrell, and even Beauden Barrett have expressed their unhappiness over Tadhg Beirne’s controversial red card against the All Blacks, for his hit on the aforementioned out-half. When all was said and done, it proved to be extremely costly for Ireland, not just because […]

7 months ago

A frustrating watch…. The All Blacks have beaten Ireland by 26-13 at Soldier Field in Chicago. Andy Farrell’s men had plenty of opportunities to put day light between the teams, but New Zealand stayed in the game and pulled away in the last quarter. Player ratings below. Andrew Porter – 6 Not one of his […]

7 months ago

This is going to be epic! Ireland face the All Blacks this evening in Soldier Park, Chicago, in their Autumn Nations Series clash (kick-off, 8.10pm). New Zealand are 2/5 favourites, and are coming match-ready after the Rugby Championship. However, a relatively undercooked Ireland will have the crowd on their side, and can lean on the […]

7 months ago

It was bad! By the autumn of 2016, Rob Kearney was a bonafide great of Irish rugby; a shoo-in for our greatest XV, and one of the most decorated players in our history. However, there was a serious problem at hand. Despite only turning 30 in March, he was out of form, and his body […]

7 months ago

A scintillating lineup! This Ireland XV goes out to those who may not have received the same fanfare or recognition as others as the years went on. To those who have watched other, less talented players go and reach 50 Ireland caps or win leagues and cups. While their primes of the players may have […]

8 months ago

How well have you been paying attention? Welcome to another SportsJOE Friday Pub Quiz, with 15 questions to test your sporting knowledge. Rugby, GAA, F1, football, golf, and athletics are all covered, so you will have to be a jack of all trades to do well. If you want try previous versions of the quiz […]

8 months ago

A big loss. Although the laws now mean an NIQ player must be playing in a country for five years to become IQ, Ireland made hay when the rule was three years, and have probably gained the most out of any of the Six Nations sides. James Lowe, CJ Stander, Jared Payne, and Jamison Gibson-Park […]

8 months ago

What a header! Southampton U21s came away with a 1-1 draw against Real Madrid Castilla in their Premier League International Cup clash last night. Gavin Bazunu was in goal for the Saints and made a series of crucial saves before Thiago gave the lead to the Spanish visitors in the 75th minute. However, in the […]

8 months ago

Some team in fairness! Naturally, after Andy Farrell announced his Autumn Nations Series squad, there was uproar from some quarters, with fans enraged that their favourite players from their province were not picked. Well, we have put their fantasies to paper, with our selection of the best XV of players who missed out on the […]

8 months ago

He has not been granted a visa. Dutch volleyball player, Steven van de Velde, 31, has been denied a visa by the Australian authorities, ahead of the Beach Volleyball World Championships in Adelaide, South Australia, next month. The then 21-year-old was convicted in 2016 on three counts of raping a 12-year-old girl in the UK. […]

8 months ago

Big changes put forward! Irish dodgy box users should be worried, after a report from the Irish Independent revealed that TV companies such as Sky are planning more intense crackdowns in Ireland. It is understood that they are looking into copying their strategy used in Italy, which involves issuing direct fines to dodgy box users. […]

8 months ago

What a finish! In recent years, James Lowe and Mack Hansen have established themselves as Ireland’s first-choice wingers, with significant distance between them and the chasing pack. Names like Jacob Stockdale, Tommy O’Brien, Shayne Bolton, Calvin Nash, and Zac Ward pop up in discussions over who is next in line. One man who has been […]

8 months ago

Exciting times! If you find yourself thirsty for some more Irish rugby following the Japan showdown on November 8, fear not as Ireland XV will be facing Spain in Leganés later that day (kick-off, 4pm). Head coach Cullie Tucker – backed up by Mossy Lawler (backs/attack), Jimmy Duffy (forwards) and Sean O’Brien (defence) – has named an encouragingly positive squad, […]

8 months ago

An iconic side. One of the most memorable months for Irish rugby during the 2000s came in November ’06. The side produced some of the most eye-catching and complete play we have ever seen from an Irish team as they went unbeaten during their Autumn foray. Wins against South Africa, Australia, and the Pacific Islanders […]

8 months ago

A defining performance. Jack Crowley produced an emphatic performance on Saturday, comfortably winning the much-publicised battle between himself and Sam Prendergast, his rival for the Ireland 10 jersey. A couple of wayward cross-field kicks to start the game did not put him off in the slightest, as he stuck with the game plan, producing a […]

8 months ago

He didn’t hold back…. Shane Duffy and Norwich are in a spot of bother at the moment, sitting in 22nd place in the Championship. Yesterday’s 1-0 defeat to Derby was their fourth league loss in a row, and leaves them two points from the bottom of the table. Duffy has fallen out of favour with […]

8 months ago

Can’t stop the ses! St John’s defender, Peter McCallin, helped his Belfast club to their first Antrim hurling crown since 1973, with a 2-16 to 1-18 win over Loughgiel on Sunday. His side will now face Donegal’s Setanta on the weekend of November 15/16. McCallin is currently living in Australia, and was due to fly […]

8 months ago

Not a great look. James McClean has given a revealing interview to the BBC, with the Wrexham and former Ireland winger detailing life growing up in the Creggan estate in Derry, and the abuse he has received over the years for not wearing a poppy. He told host Lucy Kennedy: “I was getting death threats, […]

8 months ago

What an iconic game! Once again, on November 1, Ireland will travel to Solider Field in Chicago, the site of their famous first victory over the All Blacks, back in 2016. The score that day was 40-29, as Ireland utterly dominated New Zealand. But can you name the starting XV from that day? It’s harder […]

8 months ago

A bit harsh. Sunday was a day to forget for Derry man Jude McAtamney, as the Denver Broncos scored 33 4th-quarter points, to defeat his New York Giants side by 33-32. The 2020 Ulster U20s winner came in for severe criticism after missing two Point after Touchdown attempts; one in the second quarter to put […]

8 months ago

Some guys just didn’t get a fair chance. Darren Cave once famously questioned whether his “face didn’t fit”, following his omission from Joe Schmidt’s Ireland squad in November 2013. The Ulster centre struggled for Ireland caps throughout his career, despite consistently great form domestically and in Europe. Many a player can relate to Cave’s woes, […]

8 months ago

Was it a dig? Bryson DeChambeau has won over many fans with his YouTube content. Some of his most popular videos come from his ‘Break 50’ series, where the two-time major champion teams up with a fellow golfer or athlete, and they play a scramble off the front tees and try to finish 18 holes […]

8 months ago

We learnt a lot over the weekend. In just under two weeks, Ireland will kick off their Autumn Nations Series against the All Blacks at Solider Field in Chicago, the site of their first win over New Zealand back in 2016. After a relatively disappointing season, there should be an improvement based off factors such […]

8 months ago

This would be huge. The proposed R360 league has caused waves in rugby union, with fears that it may attract some of the biggest names in the game. Similar to the LIV Golf Tour, it is a breakaway league that will use a condensed format, and play games around the world. Headed by former England […]

8 months ago

A big November ahead. Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has named his squad for Ireland’s Autumn Nations Series games against New Zealand, Japan, Australia, and South Africa. Farrell is back in charge after taking a sabbatical to focus on the Lions, following last year’s November games, with Simon Easterby stepping up for the Six Nations […]

8 months ago

A massive game. Ireland have a chance to finish the day in a play-off spot in their World Cup qualifying group, as long as they beat Armenia and other results go their way. But anything less than a victory this evening at the Aviva Stadium will likely signal the end of their campaign. After the […]

8 months ago

This is ridiculous. Seamus Coleman was back with a bang for Ireland yesterday, proving that it was probably a mistake to leave him out for the last set of qualifiers. However, the 37-year-old was not handed back his captain’s armband, with Nathan Collins staying in the role. Coleman alluded to this fact when discussing the […]

8 months ago

Ireland fans were not happy. Caomhin Kelleher gave Irish supporters their best moment so far under Heimir Hallgrimsson, with his heroic save for Ronaldo’s penalty during Ireland’s 1-0 loss to Portugal yesterday. However, whether it should have been a penalty or not is up for debate, with a lot of fans arguing that the decision […]

8 months ago

It’s an issue… Another stellar performance against a top nation, without actually yielding a positive result, seems an all too familiar trend with Ireland over the past few years. We saw it during the last World Cup qualifying group stage, when Ireland only lost to Portugal 2-1 after two late Ronaldo goals, while the side […]

8 months ago

Unsavoury scenes. Bohemians took on Schalke 04 in a friendly at Dalymount Park earlier today, winning 3-2 against the Bundesliga 2 side. Dawson Devoy, Adam McDonnell and John Mountney got the goals for the Gypsies. However, the game was marred by violent scenes in Dublin, with Schalke ultras out in force and seen pushing over a […]

8 months ago

There was a lot of interest! St Pat’s Mason Melia and Shamrock Rovers’ Michael Noonan have been touted as Ireland’s two best teenage talents. But a new man has now entered the fray, in the form of Cork City’s Cathal O’Sullivan. The 18-year-old has been a bright spark in a dreadful season for his club, […]

9 months ago

This will save a few quid! After a hugely entertaining 2025 Ryder Cup we can all look ahead to the 2027 edition at Adare Manor. A big talking point at last year’s tournament was the sheer price of tickets, which, before the event, were around €640 for Fri-Sun – although prices did drop for Sunday […]

9 months ago

This is going to be huge! After 21 years, the Ryder Cup will be back on Irish shores, with golf’s flagship tournament coming to Adare Manor in 2027. Here at SportsJOE, we will have all the info on how to get tickets. The last time it was held in Ireland was back in 2006 at […]

9 months ago

Not a good look for the city. Pittsburgh Steelers player, Skylar Thompson, was reportedly robbed and assaulted in Dublin on Friday night. The NFL giants are in town to face the Minnesota Vikings at Croke Park on Sunday, September 28, in what is the first regular-season NFL game to be hosted in Ireland. Thompson is […]

9 months ago

He won’t let it go. If there is a man in football who can hold a grudge, it is Martin O’Neill. The former Ireland boss once again took a swipe at Keith Andrews in an interview with the Guardian. O’Neill has held a grudge against the Brentford manager since Andrews’ days as a pundit, when […]

9 months ago

Lets go! It was a big week for Irish sport, with success at the World Athletics Championship. There was Irish involvement in the Premier League, international cricket, and golfing buzz with the Ryder Cup kicking off later this week. Show us how well you were paying attention and give our quick-fire quiz a go! This […]

9 months ago

Wishing him a speedy recovery. Chichester City FC striker, Billy Vigar, is currently in an induced coma at a London hospital, following an accident during their Isthmian premier division match at Wingate and Finchley on Saturday. On social media, Chister said: “Billy received a significant brain injury and is currently in an induced coma in […]

9 months ago

Another day, another scoring error. Tinryland played Bagensalstown Gaels over the weekend in their Carlow SFC round-robin clash, with the former needing a win to avoid a relegation play-off. The official score at Cullen Park 1-14 to 0-11, but there was confusion, as a first-half score was not awarded for Tinryland. Footage shows Niall Lowry […]

9 months ago

He’s had his say. Former Dublin manager Jim Gavin is on the campaign trail as he aims to become the next President of Ireland, after securing the Fianna Fáil nomination. The six-time All-Ireland winning manager has gained even more respect in the game, after overseeing the wildly successful introduction of the new rules in Gaelic […]

9 months ago

A serious rugby team With Leinster players continuing to dominate Ireland selections, we have gone and picked out match-day 23 made up of players plying their trade outside of the Blue province. It is a serious side and further highlights the depth in Irish rugby. The breakdown of the squad is as follows: 12 Munster, […]

9 months ago

He is some talent. One of the brightest prospects, not just in Mayo, but in Ireland is Crossmolina’s Kobe McDonald. The son of Ciarán McDonald put up 1-5 on the weekend, as his team defeated Belmullet to advance to the semi-finals of the Mayo SFC, with the 17-year-old taking his goal brilliantly. Playing alongside him […]

9 months ago

Good stuff! Corrie Ndaba made his Serie A debut for Lecce, coming off the bench in their 2-1 loss away to Cagliari yesterday. The Dubliner joined Kilmarnock last year, after a series of loans from his parent club, Ipswich, before moving to Italy during the summer. The defender played his youth football with Cherry Orchard […]

9 months ago

The pot is already being stirred. And just like that, we are less than a week away from the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage, New York. It feels like each edition of the tournament between Europe and the US is more anticipated than the last, but this year does feel special, given the strength of […]

9 months ago

What a performance! Kate O’Connor has given Ireland one of their great sporting moments, winning a silver medal in the heptathlon at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. She came into the final event, the 800m, in second place and solidified it with an astonishing fifth personal best out of seven events. The Dundalk woman […]

9 months ago

This is some team. In light of the recent retirement announcements from Peter O’Mahony, Cian Healy, and Conor Murray, we have had a go at selecting the best Ireland XV from players who have worn the green jersey this century. We have taken into account longevity, peak, and all-round game – so there is method […]

9 months ago

A big year ahead! As the rugby season kicks into gear, we have taken a look at what the aims of each of Ireland’s provinces should be. Leinster Given what has gone on since lifting the Champions Cup trophy in 2018, anything less than a repeat of that day in Bilbao will be seen as […]

9 months ago

This will be some battle in the years to come. Leinster are objectively one of the best stocked sides in the world when it comes to out-half. This season, the versatile Ciarán Frawley and the returning Harry Byrne will both be trying to prise the 10 jersey from the grasp of Ireland’s first-choice, Sam Prendergast. […]

9 months ago

The man is a rugby fan! Arsenal overcame Athletic Club Bilbao last night in their opening game of the Champions League. Substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandron Trossard both scored, with both men assisting the other for their goals. The Belgian Trossard has been particularly fruitful off the bench for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, and since […]

9 months ago