THE SURPRISE, AND ruthless, omission of Sean Cronin from Ireland’s squad for Sunday’s Six Nations clash against France in Dublin was a decision based on building squad depth, rather than due to the Leinster hooker’s performance in Rome. Cronin wasn’t in Belfast with Joe Schmidt’s Ireland last week and was left out of the 37-man …
Read more “Ireland insist Cronin’s omission down to ‘building squad depth’”
MANY WILL REMEMBER the highs of Lynne Cantwell’s Irish rugby career. The 2013 Grand Slam, beating the Black Ferns and becoming the first-ever Ireland team to beat a New Zealand side at the 2014 World Cup, finishing fourth there. From her debut in 2001 to her farewell in 2014, the legendary 13 donned the green …
Read more “From ‘not ok’ barriers to breaking down more and more for go-getter Cantwell”
IRELAND HEAD COACH Joe Schmidt would like the roof of the Principality Stadium to remain open on Saturday when his side meet a Welsh side eyeing a Grand Slam. However, the Kiwi says that the call is out of his hands currently because Wales have directed a special request to close the roof directly to …
Read more “Roof debate rages as Wales request closure, while Schmidt prefers match in open air”
ENGLAND HEAD COACH Eddie Jones was in a jovial mood as he considered Scotland’s woeful record at Twickenham ahead of this afternoon’s Six Nations finale. Scotland hold the Calcutta Cup after a 25-13 win over England at Murrayfield last season, but have not beaten their southern neighbours at Twickenham since 1983. A continuation of that …
Read more “‘1883?’ Eddie Jones pokes a little fun at Scotland’s winless run in Twickenham”
Pep Hamilton has been announced as the coach and general manager of the untitled Washington D.C. XFL team. This follows the announcement from earlier this month that Bob Stoops will be the head coach and general manager for Dallas. Hamilton said: “I’m excited to join the XFL and lead the team in Washington, a city …
Murray Kinsella reports from AJ Bell Stadium THOUGH THE game ended in fiery fashion, with Dave Heffernan questioning whether referee Mathieu Raynal was going to do his job, Connacht will fly home this afternoon with regrets at failing to fire enough shots against Sale Sharks. There will also be frustration that the shots they did …
Read more “Connacht to ‘regroup’ for huge Pro14 run-in after disappointment against Sale”
PAUL O’CONNELL WILL leave his coaching role at French outfit Stade Francais at the end of this season, but the former Ireland second row insists he does not plan to move into another club role next year. Reports in France this week said the former Ireland second row’s relationship with Stade Francais head coach Heyneke …
Read more “O’Connell confirms Stade Francais departure after one season”
THE CAMERAS WERE tightly-trained on Jamie Heaslip as he made his way to the tunnel after tonight’s tremendous performance to knock Ulster out of the running for the Pro12. First, Leinster’s man of the match stopped to celebrate with Jennifer Malone… Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO And then he made sure he wasn’t heading in to the …
Read more “One lucky Leinster fan left the RDS with Jamie Heaslip’s boots tonight”
Home Kellie Harrington was in imperious form again at the World Championships today, beating Sara Kali to give her a place in tomorrow’s final.The news wasn’t quite so good for Katie Taylor, who was scored to have drawn her semi-final bout with Estelle Mossely by three judges and lost the deciding vote that followed.Damien Shaw …
VETERAN SPORTS COMMENTATOR George Hook will leave his roles with the Irish Independent and Sunday Independent to join startup Irish sports website Pundit Arena. As part of the deal, Hook will write a weekly column for Pundit Arena and take part in videos produced by the website. He will continue to host his weekday drive time radio show, …
Read more “George Hook is leaving the Independent for a 3-year-old sports website”