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
New football rules arrive ‘about as well as anyone could have hoped’
Maurice Deegan on possible trouble ahead; Gerry Thornley on the big challenge for Ireland; Brian O’Connor on the Dublin Racing Festival
José Mourinho takes his humility and expertise in a bold, full-bodied direction
José turns to the bottle; RC Strasbourg pay homage to Connemara; Jamie Carragher’s son is a chip off the old block
WSL: Katie McCabe sent off for Arsenal against Chelsea
Republic of Ireland skipper shown two yellows for reaction to penalty call
Marty Morrissey gets an A+ in new football rules, even if some pundits aren’t yet sold
The second half of Galway and Armagh saw outstanding displays from the officials tasked with spotting when each side didn’t keep three men in their own halves
Vera Pauw appointed head coach of United Arab Emirates national team
UAE will be the former Republic of Ireland manager’s seventh national side
Winds of change blow new Gaelic football rules towards biggest test yet
National Football League to get the FRC treatment; how Division One may pan out; and the not-so sporting side of social media
The Dublin superclubs that aren’t super popular
Ciarán Murphy on the challenges for clubs in the capital; Mayo v Dublin lace them up again; England play the role of underdogs
Ireland’s focus solely on England as Leinster learn to embrace the chaos
National Leagues spring into view as new rule changes in football come under spotlight again
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
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
Cuala’s first-half masterclass and mighty stuff from Errigal Ciarán would have lifted Pat’s heart
Praise and tributes aplenty after the passing of the Law man
All in the Game: James McClean proudly signs his name in Shrewsbury’s bad books
Brad Pitt gives Toulouse FC a miss; Roy Keane holds a grudge; Crawley Town wish they never asked
Ellen Walshe named Sportswoman of the Month for December
Olympic finalist broke eight Irish records across four events at the World Short Course Swimming Championships in Budapest
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