Dave Hannigan: White Sox declared ‘God’s team’ as Pope Leo XIV becomes their most-famous fan
Election of new pontiff has caused great excitement in American sports circles
Dave Hannigan: Why Bill Belichick’s relationship with woman 49 years younger has America rapt
Once nicknamed Doom, legendary NFL coach has undergone an image transformation since finding love
Could Shedeur Sanders ever really be another Tom Brady after phone faux pas and NFL draft snub?
In defence of the son of American football giant Deion Sanders, arrogance is kind of a necessary attribute to play quarterback
Dave Hannigan: A trip to England offered my American sons a lesson on Irish history
Lessons in football heritage, Irish history and globalisation in Middle England
Dave Hannigan: Life in the fast lane of elite sport sport no protection against mental health issues
Baseball star Jarren Duran and the NFL’s Braden Smith have done the wider community a service by revealing their own personal struggles
Bruce Springsteen’s Glory Days is a tribute to a late friend and unrealised teenage sporting potential
The universal theme of unrealised teenage sporting potential was immortalised in Springsteen’s ode to his friend Joe DePugh
Dave Hannigan: NFL clubs ponder a big gamble on Desmond ‘Dez’ Watson
The 33-stone University of Florida lineman boasts impressive stats but can he remain healthy enough to handle the more sapping pro schedule
John Feinstein’s dealings with Johan Cruyff revealed a young sportswriter who never pulled his punches
Late journalist’s career showcased his unique knack for lifting the veil on golf, college basketball, tennis and the NFL
When Muhammad Ali came to Ireland: how a ‘splendid spoofer’ from Kerry planned to lure the boxer to Dublin
Kerryman Michael ‘Butty’ Sugrue was known as ‘the splendid spoofer’, so few believed he’d convince the most famous athlete in the world to fight in Croke Park
A toxic generation of parents is spoiling sport for US children
Further evidence of the slow death of civility in this ailing society
Memorable role in Hoosiers a highlight − even for Gene Hackman
Great actor made better films but none quite as revered by Americans as his role as basketball coach Norman Dale
Dave Hannigan: Nothing sums up the pomposity of the New York Yankees better than their weird beard announcement
They never treated the issue of rampant steroid use in their locker room with this kind of gravitas
Dave Hannigan: Tragic story of Paul Bamba’s death an indictment of boxing’s regulators
Former marine had surely no business being in a ring given his recent medical history?
NFL’s €10m shakedown of Ireland shows they’re the best-dressed welfare spongers in the world
Irish Government to fork out €10m to help mega-wealthy Pittsburgh Steelers host a home game in Croke Park
Dave Hannigan: Is the Super Bowl what passes for culture in modern America?
The Super Bowl is one event still capable of brings divided Americans together