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

Mary Hannigan: South Africa get the rub of the green - or the rub of a knee at least

Ben O’Keeffe’s big call in the Rugby World Cup semi-final is a major point of debate; Jamie Finn on her World Cup heartache; John Doyle on his parish joy

By Mary HanniganTue Oct 24 2023 - 10:27

Mary Hannigan: Rugby World Cup semi-finals prompt thoughts of what might have been

The history of the international rules; unfancied England hope for shock; Dettori’s bullshit farewell tour

By Mary HanniganFri Oct 20 2023 - 10:09

Mary Hannigan: It feels wrong that the Rugby World Cup is carrying on without us

Leinster flavour to Argentinian coaching staff; Ciarán Murphy sticks the boot in on Kilcoo

By Mary HanniganThu Oct 19 2023 - 09:52

Mary Hannigan: Busy month of recruiting ahead for the FAI

Gordon D’Arcy on Irish pride in Rugby World Cup defeat; should Ireland take comfort if New Zealand go on to win it all?

By Mary HanniganWed Oct 18 2023 - 10:18

Mary Hannigan: Ireland need a miracle, but find some dignity against Gibraltar

Stephen Kenny’s swansong hits a high note and Gerry Thornley addresses that ‘hoary old chestnut’ about quarter-final glass ceilings

By Mary HanniganTue Oct 17 2023 - 10:14

Mary Hannigan: Guts wrenched and hearts broken ... this is why we love sport?

Ireland’s Rugby World Cup defeat in Paris; our withering Euro 2024 campaign; and the right time to retire from GAA - cheery stuff in today’s Irish Times

By Mary HanniganMon Oct 16 2023 - 10:29

Mary Hannigan: One more sleep, and the All Blacks aren’t helping with our nerves

The New Zealand view is that they ‘explode into life’ at the quarter-finals, and that it’s all about ‘who’s best on the day’... a sleepless night awaits

By Mary HanniganFri Oct 13 2023 - 10:56

Mary Hannigan: ‘Joe Schmidt doesn’t get to make any tackles or run any lines’

There are plenty of subplots to the Rugby World Cup quarter-final between Ireland and New Zealand, whether it’s ex-coaches, mindsets or zombies

By Mary HanniganThu Oct 12 2023 - 10:29

Mary Hannigan: Ireland team v All Blacks to be named at lunchtime today

Rugby World Cup quarter-final build-up, team news ahead of Euro qualifiers, and Euro 2028 is coming to Dublin and Belfast

By Mary HanniganWed Oct 11 2023 - 10:04

Mary Hannigan: Paulie, Catty, Si and Fogs getting Ireland ready for the All Blacks

Build up to the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals, Ireland to be confirmed as one of the co-hosts for Euro 2028, John O’Shea to remain as Ireland assistant coach

By Mary HanniganTue Oct 10 2023 - 10:49

Mary Hannigan: Serene Irish progress at Rugby World Cup leaves us a bit giddy

Ken Early on how mistakes deliver spectacle and Ian O’Riordan lauds Rhys McClenaghan’s faultless World Championship triumph

By Mary HanniganMon Oct 09 2023 - 10:27

Mary Hannigan: The talking is nearly done ahead of Saturday night’s Celtic shoot-out in Paris

The latest from the Rugby World Cup, Stephen Kenny names his Ireland squad and an update on Casement Park

By Mary HanniganFri Oct 06 2023 - 09:50

Mary Hannigan: Will Euro 2028 be nothing but woolly promises and prime corporate guff?

Minister weighs in on Euros funding, demon bugs in France and Ireland sweat on James Ryan’s fitness

By Mary HanniganThu Oct 05 2023 - 10:29

Mary Hannigan: Ireland now experts at dealing with expectation

VAR audio released, reaction to GAA special congress and Manchester United lose again

By Mary HanniganWed Oct 04 2023 - 09:49

Mary Hannigan: Everybody’s talking about us - but are Scotland going to ruin the party?

Gerry Thornley contemplates disaster; Johnny Watterson talks to Finn Russell; and Owen Doyle is shocked by Sexton’s about-turn in today’s Irish Times

By Mary HanniganTue Oct 03 2023 - 10:11

Mary Hannigan: Hugging, kissing, yupping and hollering as Europe win the Ryder Cup

Ken Early fed up of VAR, Ireland hungry for success in France, lessons in marathon running

By Mary HanniganMon Oct 02 2023 - 10:03

Mary Hannigan: Europe off to a strong start at Ryder Cup in Rome

The latest from the Rugby World Cup, the All Star football nominations and Sonia O’Sullivan’s column

By Mary HanniganFri Sept 29 2023 - 10:10

Malachy Clerkin: Rory McIlroy shows the LIV golfers what they’re missing out on at the Ryder Cup

From broken down TGVs to the disconnect in Irish women’s football to Shane Lowry’s GAA background ...

By Malachy ClerkinThu Sept 28 2023 - 10:31

Malachy Clerkin: New era for Ireland as they hammer hapless Hungary

Football from Budapest, golf from Rome, rugby from France and Katie Taylor in Dublin - all in your morning Irish Times sports coverage

By Malachy ClerkinWed Sept 27 2023 - 10:57

Malachy Clerkin: It’s Ryder Cup week and Rory McIlroy is laughing at himself

The fall-out from the weekend in Paris, anticipation of what’s to come in Rome and Mary Hannigan in Budapest, all in your Irish Times Sport this morning

By Malachy ClerkinTue Sept 26 2023 - 10:47

Malachy Clerkin: Ireland’s World Cup bandwagon just keeps growing and growing

The win over South Africa, Europe’s Solheim Cup triumph, a landmark day at Lansdowne and the north London Derby are all on the plate in today’s Irish Times Sport

By Malachy ClerkinMon Sept 25 2023 - 11:57

Mary Hannigan: Ireland exuding ‘Zen-like calm’ ahead of South Africa clash

Nice wants to forget its past; Karen Duggan on turmoil for women’s team; Leona Maguire in action

By Mary HanniganFri Sept 22 2023 - 09:36

Mary Hannigan: Even James Ryan can be struck by the heebie-jeebies

Manie Libbock ready for big game; Leona Maguire preparing for Solheim Cup; unsavoury side of GAA

By Mary HanniganThu Sept 21 2023 - 09:48

Mary Hannigan: Ireland must ‘improve in every aspect’ to beat huge Springboks

Louth shocked by Mickey Harte leaving; a trip down memory lane in Paris; new era for women’s football

By Mary HanniganWed Sept 20 2023 - 09:30

Mary Hannigan: Vera Pauw in the firing line as Ireland players have their say

Diane Caldwell wasn’t holding back when asked about the Dutch coach; Ireland prepare to face the Springboks and the best defensive lineout around

By Mary HanniganTue Sept 19 2023 - 09:50

Mary Hannigan: Build-up to Ireland’s ‘defining’ Rugby World Cup clash starts here

The world number one side are in apparent rude health ahead of the game with South Africa, but is the tournament itself a bit ‘Downton Abbey’?

By Mary HanniganMon Sept 18 2023 - 09:30

Mary Hannigan: Sexton to start against Tonga and Hansen to keep his shorts on

Latest from the Rugby World Cup, reaction to FAI’s media briefing, horse trainer Luke Comer banned for doping offences

By Mary HanniganFri Sept 15 2023 - 09:59

Mary Hannigan: FAI executives face busy media briefing over Pauw’s exit and Kenny’s future

Also, all the latest Irish rugby news including Sexton’s expected start against Tonga, and, in Gaelic games, a look at the dominant clubs around the country

By Mary HanniganThu Sept 14 2023 - 10:29

Mary Hannigan: Andrew Porter feels the heat in Bordeaux

Ireland need to go up a notch against Tonga; the history of rugby and GAA’s relationship; the race to be Derry manager

By Mary HanniganWed Sept 13 2023 - 09:49

Mary Hannigan: Chaos, order and rising temperatures at the Rugby World Cup

The organisers and the referees are getting it in the neck in France, while the players are just keen to avoid sunstroke

By Mary HanniganTue Sept 12 2023 - 10:27

Mary Hannigan: Contrasting feelings for Irish rugby and football fans this morning

Reaction too from the Irish Open and the World Rowing Championships

By Mary HanniganMon Sept 11 2023 - 11:45

Malachy Clerkin: Stephen Kenny’s bad run of luck looks set to continue against France

A Euro qualifier, an Irish Open, a World Cup opener and a column on gun violence in American high school football, all in your Irish Times Sport this morning.

By Malachy ClerkinThu Sept 07 2023 - 10:45

Evan Ferguson’s injury demolishes any lingering optimism over European campaign

The Republic of Ireland’s players still believe, Paul O’Connell’s optimism and the murky world of the GAA rule-book

By Malachy ClerkinWed Sept 06 2023 - 09:21

Malachy Clerkin: After some late speedbumps, France just want the World Cup to get started

Owen Doyle’s refereeing column, the news from Stephen Kenny’s squad and yet another Manchester United player in trouble for domestic abuse allegations

By Malachy ClerkinTue Sept 05 2023 - 10:32

Malachy Clerkin: The Irish Open needs Rory McIlroy but the opposite isn’t always the case

The latest from the Ireland camp in France, Ken Early on the Saudi disruptors and Ian O’Riordan on sticking with marathon training even if it goes off track

By Malachy ClerkinMon Sept 04 2023 - 10:02

Malachy Clerkin: Vera Pauw comes out firing against the FAI as ruckus rages on

Richard Fitzpatrick on Rubiales, Johnny Watterson on the Springboks, Brian O’Connor on dirt-track racing in America - all in your Irish Times this morning

By Malachy ClerkinFri Sept 01 2023 - 11:51

Malachy Clerkin: Digging through the rubble of the end of the Vera Pauw era

Karen Duggan, Dave Hannigan and Ciarán Murphy are all on top form in their columns in the sports section today

By Malachy ClerkinThu Aug 31 2023 - 10:06

Malachy Clerkin: The Vera Pauw era ends after marathon FAI board meeting

Soccer, racing and the return of Gordon D’Arcy all feature in today’s sports section

By Malachy ClerkinWed Aug 30 2023 - 11:40

Malachy Clerkin: Bringing seven forwards off the bench isn’t good for safety in rugby

Ireland’s World Cup opponents, Vera Pauw’s fate and an Irishman in the NFL

By Malachy ClerkinTue Aug 29 2023 - 11:46

Malachy Clerkin: Ireland World Cup squad announced while Johnny Sexton admits to ‘regrets’

The upcoming Rugby World Cup, the just-finished World Athletics Championships and Ken Early on Eddie Howe - all in your Irish Times this morning

By Malachy ClerkinMon Aug 28 2023 - 10:41

Malachy Clerkin: The clock is ticking and Samoa game is last-chance saloon for Andy Farrell’s squad

Mason Greenwood, Rhasidat Adeleke and the disparity of frees awarded in hurling all feature in today’s sports pages

By Malachy ClerkinFri Aug 25 2023 - 09:32

Malachy Clerkin: Bittersweet mix of heartbreak and pride on the Rhasidat Adeleke rollercoaster

Rhasidat Adeleke finished fourth in her 400m final while optimism grows in the IRFU about Dan Sheehan’s recovery

By Malachy ClerkinThu Aug 24 2023 - 09:53

Malachy Clerkin: Ciara Mageean somewhere between a proud smile and a quiet tear

Reports and previews from the World Athletics Championships, news on Dan Sheehan from the Ireland rugby camp, all the latest on Jim McGuinness

By Malachy ClerkinWed Aug 23 2023 - 10:27

Mary Hannigan: Andy Farrell defends his son Owen against ‘bullshit’ reaction to red card

The impact of goalkeepers ahead of World Cup final; profiles for World Athletics Championships

By Mary HanniganFri Aug 18 2023 - 09:26

Mary Hannigan: Spain’s sophisticated passing patterns stand in the way of England’s glory

Grand Slam boys back together; Ciarán Murphy’s goalkeeper experience; Chris O’Donnell ready for worlds

By Mary HanniganThu Aug 17 2023 - 09:32

Mary Hannigan: Australia and England all set for World Cup semi-final clash

Owen Farrell decision ‘beggars belief’; Keith Earls on ‘monumental day’ of 100th cap; Seán Moran on Kerry’s final fall-off

By Mary HanniganWed Aug 16 2023 - 09:23

Moisés Caicedo boosts value of Chelsea’s engine room to nearly £250m

Mary Hannigan: Neymar the latest star to take the Saudi cash, while Owen Doyle talks us through the new-fangled ‘foul play bunker system’

By Mary HanniganTue Aug 15 2023 - 10:08

Mary Hannigan: What a difference a year makes as Dublin return to top of the heap

Ken Early on scrappy Chelsea v Liverpool clash; Eamonn Coghlan reflects on career high and lows; Shane Lowry’s season of struggle

By Mary HanniganMon Aug 14 2023 - 11:24

Mary Hannigan: Our natural grá for homecomings, no matter how we do

Louise Galvin on motherhood and playing for Kerry; James McCarthy lines out for Ballymun; Elizabeth Ndudi takes gold

By Mary HanniganFri Aug 11 2023 - 09:52

Mary Hannigan: Seán Cavanagh remembers Art McRory, ‘a godfather of Tyrone football’

Kerry women aim to create their own legacy in All Ireland final against Dublin, while Ciara Mageean limbers up for World Championships in Budapest

By Mary HanniganThu Aug 10 2023 - 10:21

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