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

Why Leinster fans should count their blessings, but not their chickens

Sheehan and Lowe on the comeback trail; Owen Doyle on the best referee in the world; Michael Fitzsimons’ phenomenal career

Tue Jan 21 2025 - 10:45

Dublin GAA’s alive, alive-o as Na Fianna and Cuala take All-Ireland glory

Irish provinces learn their fate in Last 16 of European competitions as Six Nations build-up intensifies

Mon Jan 20 2025 - 11:18

FAI manage to snatch defeat from jaws of victory yet again

Appointment of Carla Ward is overshadowed by controversy around exit of Colin Healy; Con O’Callaghan’s medal haul; Errigal Ciaran’s brotherly love

Fri Jan 17 2025 - 10:35

‘Regeneration and evolution’ the touchstone for treble-chasing Ireland

Gerry Thornley looks at the Six Nations squad; Carla Ward to take over WNT; Rory’s McIlroy’s disappointment over McKibbin move

Thu Jan 16 2025 - 10:21

Expectations running high for Ireland ahead of Six Nations

One-dimensional Leinster causing concern; referees speak of experiences; a pair of novel club finals

Wed Jan 15 2025 - 11:29

Injuries start to clear ahead of Six Nations squad announcement

Ronan O’Gara heaps praise on Sam Prendergast; James Ryan on Jacques Nienaber’s defence; Sean Moran talks to Davy Fitzgerald

Tue Jan 14 2025 - 10:29

Leinster win ugly but O’Gara hopeful of getting ‘another crack’

Munster and Leinster impress in Europe; the Canavan brothers set up a clash with King Con; Ken Early on Arteta’s handbrake

Mon Jan 13 2025 - 10:50

Mack Hansen and Connacht left to count the cost of comments

Tom Ahern has international ambitions; Gallagher/Burns story takes a twist; Malachy Clerkin gets things lined up

Fri Jan 10 2025 - 10:50

Messi’s medal, Will’s woes and Ringrose’s rude health

Leinster gear up for crunch game against La Rochelle; Ciarán Murphy reckons the Sigerson Cup organisers missed a trick

Thu Jan 09 2025 - 11:24

It’s shop-window time for Jack Crowley, Sam Prendergast and Ciarán Frawley

Mike Prendergast talks to Gerry Thornley; Jarlath Burns’s intervention gets Malachy Clerkin thinking; and some Republic of Ireland players need a move

Wed Jan 08 2025 - 10:49

Complaints of anti-Connacht bias are not new – it’s been going on ‘pretty much since the foundation of Irish rugby’

Rugby’s focus still on Mack Hansen’s comments ahead of Champions Cup; word is that Jarlath Burns made contact with Naas over Rory Gallagher

Tue Jan 07 2025 - 11:08

‘Real Madrid? He’ll end up at Tranmere’: Roy Keane delivers withering assesment of Alexander-Arnold’s performance

United stand up and fight at Anfield; Golf needs all the fun it can muster

Mon Jan 06 2025 - 10:28

How tinkering has damaged appeal of Champions Cup

Gerry Thornley on the problems that remain; Owen Doyle on refereeing issues; Leona Maguire on a mixed year

Tue Dec 17 2024 - 10:15

Christmas comes early for Manchester United

A 2-1 win over Manchester City at the Etihad even had Roy Keane in a festive mood

Mon Dec 16 2024 - 10:50

Provinces gear up for more European action as rugby pays tribute to Dave Fagan

Jordie Barrett’s instant effect; Munster get frontrow boost; taxing time for GAA

Wed Dec 11 2024 - 11:25

What’s great for Leinster can hardly be healthy for Irish rugby

The dilemma at the heart of Irish rugby; Sam Prendergast needs to tackle his tackling issues; O’Gara’s international plan; taxing times for counties

Tue Dec 10 2024 - 11:25

Leinster and Munster off to fliers but Ulster and Ange Postecoglou have weekends to forget

Dr Crokes and Errigal Ciarán secure provincial glory; Energumene makes triumphant return to action

Mon Dec 09 2024 - 11:26

Quelle surprise! Leinster the biggest threat to French dominance

Gerry Thornley previews the Champions Cup; Dan Sheehan nears a return; Armagh and Galway will face off in repeat of All-Ireland final

Fri Dec 06 2024 - 11:17

Ireland lose their place at the top table

Karen Duggan on Eileen Gleeson’s future; Ciaran Murphy on the changes to Gaelic football; Jack Crowley on a European adventure

Thu Dec 05 2024 - 14:02

Heartbreak for Ireland against a Welsh side there for the taking

Gut wrenching night in Dublin; Irish rugby still in a good place; Kilkenny lose another All-Ireland winner

Wed Dec 04 2024 - 11:12

Ireland’s Euro 2025 play-off likely to fray the nerves

Katie McCabe hopes experience will prove key against Wales; Gerry Thornley struggles to find the positives in Ireland’s Autumn series

Tue Dec 03 2024 - 10:23

Farrell takes the rough with the smooth as he hands over reins

Irish coach believes team can ‘kick on’ under Simon Easterby; Ken Early salutes Arne Slot; Wales stoke the fire ahead of Ireland play-off

Mon Dec 02 2024 - 10:35

Stakes are ‘off the charts’ as Ireland play for their future

Eileen Gleeson’s side have a lot riding on tonight’s game in Cardiff; Jack Crowley’s character will be examined on the bench

Fri Nov 29 2024 - 10:34

Prendergast nudging ahead in battle for number 10

Ireland v Australia could be a clash of the set-pieces; Leanne Kiernan has her sights set on playing at a major championships

Thu Nov 28 2024 - 11:04

Ireland prepared to face the man with the plan

Ireland to feature at Euro 2028 regardless of qualification; Will FRC rules get waved through?

Wed Nov 27 2024 - 10:52

Joe Schmidt not expecting any ‘love bombs’

Former Ireland coach prepares for return to Lansdowne Road; Jordie Barrett will be touching down in Leinster this week

Tue Nov 26 2024 - 10:51

Ireland find rhythm ahead of Farrell farewell

Coach will want to sign off with win before Lions sabbatical; Ken Early thinks Ruben Amorim will have to be patient

Mon Nov 25 2024 - 10:43

Ireland’s young guns get their chance to fire against Fiji

Gus McCarthy and Cormac Izuchukwu will make debuts; Eileen Gleeson’s new contract; Racing’s problem with death

Fri Nov 22 2024 - 10:40

Ciara Mageean speaks of ‘grieving’ process after missing Olympics

Limerick hurling and Dublin football hit with big changes; Rogers backs Rory Gallagher

Thu Nov 21 2024 - 11:02

Blue wave comes crashing down on Dublin football

Dublin might have to deal with more exits; Gordon D’Arcy on the ‘din of negativity’ around Irish rugby

Wed Nov 20 2024 - 13:52

Has Irish rugby become a bit spoilt?

Dublin reeling after another retirement; Hallgrímsson left to pick up the pieces

Tue Nov 19 2024 - 09:59

‘Tactically bereft’ Ireland need to shake off malaise

Andy Farrell’s men face another stiff challenge; Evan Ferguson and Co ‘deserved’ some luck; Katie Taylor gets ready for her Netflix close-up

Fri Nov 15 2024 - 11:37

Injury headache for Hallgrímsson

Republic of Ireland welcome Finland; Felipe Contepomi reacquaints himself; Rory McIlroy racing to season end

Thu Nov 14 2024 - 10:30

Redemption the name of the game as Ireland look to Argentina

Penalties in the spotlight; Andy Farrell to keep the faith; Derry hone in on Paddy Tally

Wed Nov 13 2024 - 10:15