How we treat promising sports stars comes under the microscope
Johnny Watterson on the effect of parents on the sideline; Gavin Cummiskey on Irish soccer’s education issue
Sports Briefing
The Sports Briefing newsletter. Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers
Lions’ roar reverberates through Ireland coaching team
Paul O’Connell will mind the house at home; Kerry and Mayo gear up for the NFL final
All roads lead to Castlebar as MacHale Park gets the URC treatment
Home of Mayo GAA switches to the oval ball for a provincial derby of a different ilk
Marc Canham looks to build bridges to the League of Ireland
CFO says confusion over Colin Healy situation was ‘regrettable’; Malachy Clerkin’s team-by-team NFL guide
Hope springs from Evan Ferguson as Ireland defeat Bulgaria
Ireland retain their Nations League status; Kerry and Mayo will meet in the NFL Division One final
Hopeful Heimir Hallgrímsson upbeat in spite of it all
Republic of Ireland travel to face Bulgaria in the Nations League; all still to play for in the National Football League
James Abankwah catches Hallgrímsson’s eye, and Ireland rugby team ‘far from a crisis’
Gordon D’Arcy on how Ireland can move forward; Gerry Thornley on new optimism in Irish women’s team; and the race to become the next IOC president
Ireland’s Six Nations campaign followed a downward curve
Gerry Thornley on worrying problems for Ireland; Owen Doyle on refereeing frustrations; Rory McIlroy back in the groove
Rachael Blackmore fills in the blanks on her Cheltenham CV
Galopin Des Champs chases history; Simon Easterby jumps to his team’s defence; Heimir Hallgrímsson says he was lost in translation
Fates align to create powerful jumble of emotions at Cheltenham
Wins for Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty sparked thoughts of Michael O’Sullivan; Jack Crowley gets his chance to shine in Rome
Sports Briefing: A poignant day ahead at the Cheltenham Festival
The fallout continues from Ireland’s defeat by France, and Irish runners have a spring in their steps
Ireland’s loss to France was epochal, but it doesn’t have to be apocalyptic
Gerry Thornley on why everyone needs to stay calm; Nathan Johns crunches the numbers; Owen Doyle vents his frustration
Ireland’s fortunes go from agony at the Aviva to ecstasy on the track
Our writers assess the fallout from the loss to France, while glorying in the medal drama from Apeldoorn
Retirements sure to add extra emotion to France clash
Blow for Clare as O’Donnell is out; the best golf balls in 2025; who is Clayton McMillan
Gibson-Park goes to the next level, Munster take the next step
Clayton McMillan arrives at Munster; GAA goalkeepers in the spotlight; New York Yankees can finally let their hair down
Ireland’s limitations laid bare in Slovenia as poor Nations League start continues
Gordon D’Arcy on the happiness gained from a scrappy win; Garry Ringrose to learn fate on Thursday
Ireland get their kicks and prepare for Le Bombe Equipe
Owen Doyle is not a fan of the 20-minute red card; Paul Early is not a fan of the roaming keeper in GAA
Ireland move forward but leave the door open for France and England
Sam Prendergast enrages and enthrals; Jarlath Burns hits out at the DUP; GAA facing ‘greatest challenge since its foundation’
Ireland risk offending Wales, but it’s a risk Simon Easterby’s willing to take
Much-changed Ireland side head to Cardiff; Carla Ward kicks off her tenure against Turkey
Dan Sheehan’s remarkable recovery continues with Irish captaincy
Ross Byrne leaves Leinster after 10 years; Shamrock Rovers prepare for massive European game
Ireland will simply have to live with favourites’ tag for Wales game
Gordon D’Arcy on Wales’ woes; Niall Morgan on why goalkeepers must be allowed roam; Sharlene Mawdsley on her Olympic plans
Now is not the time to be stoking the fire in Welsh bellies
Owen Doyle on how rugby can fix its ailments; Denis Walsh on how Gaelic football has
Aviva Stadium proves the perfect stage for the League of Ireland’s coming of age
Bradley has a go at Hallgrímsson; Barrett’s scoring goals; Porter a scrummaging unicorn
Roses are red, violets are blue, oh Michael Noonan, Rovers love you
Shamrock Rovers' brilliant win in Molde; why South Africa should be in the Six Nations; the bloody history of boxing
Beware of the wounded Welsh with a new manager bounce
Calvin Nash playing his part for Ireland; Shamrock Rovers visit Molde; Rory McIlroy in PGA Tour action
Ireland’s form puts Simon Easterby on Wales' radar to replace Warren Gatland
Gordon D’Arcy hails ‘resolute’ Ireland; Finlay Bealham back on top of his game; Mayo need a win; Carla Ward looks to unearth new talent
Scottish boo boys grist to Peter O’Mahony’s mill
Ireland remain on course for Grand Slam; Wexford struggling to cope in Division 1A
Ireland have road to travel but dream of ‘three-peat’ is still alive
Sam Prendergast and Andrew Porter impress; Ken Early on the curious relationship between Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino
Simon Easterby surprises with Ireland team selection
Bundee Aki looks for Ireland to be ‘much more clinical’; prospect of Katie Taylor at Croke Park fades
Could Dan Sheehan be Ireland’s next boxing star? For rugby’s sake, let’s hope not
How Ireland can halt Humble Huw; Hurling ups the stakes; Fintan McCarthy has an eye on the scales
Gordon D’Arcy on Ireland’s perfect start and a Murrayfield history lesson
Maybe it’s time for hurling to start experimenting; goalkeepers refuel for new rules; Million euro Melia breaks record
Credit where it’s due for Ireland’s performance and new Gaelic football rules
Lineout improvement reaps dividends; Ben O’Keeffe’s game of two halves; Ferguson’s Hammers move a boost for Ireland
Simon Easterby sets the tone with Ireland team selection
Josh van der Flier finds calming effects; indiscipline and inaccuracy cost Ireland under-20s; aces wild for Lowry and McIlroy
Rugby has come a long way since Ireland was still being called ‘plucky’
Seán Moran on how new 50m GAA rule should zip some lips; Gordon Manning on TG4’s bid to broadcast Cork Vs Limerick; David Gorman on Storm Éowyn battering golf courses
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