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

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

Ireland’s defeat was bad, but spare a thought for Wales

Jack Crowley and Ciaran Frawley undermined; Szmodics hale and hearty; Croke Park to host Leinster club double header

Tue Nov 12 2024 - 10:20

The stage is set for epic League of Ireland finale

Looking back at Duff’s career; Ireland’s fear of All Blacks is gone; Sexton returns

Fri Nov 01 2024 - 10:29

No Kerry or Dublin players make All-Star team

GAA club changing of the guard; Munster focus on the All Blacks; Ireland’s love of NFL

Thu Oct 31 2024 - 10:49

The drama continues for Munster and Manchester United

Gerry Thornley on why Rowntree will be remembered more fondly than Ten Hag; Gordon D’Arcy has sympathy for coach; Armagh to dominate All-Stars

Wed Oct 30 2024 - 10:19

Erik Ten Hag’s low points are grim reading for United fans

Dutch manager waves goodbye at Old Trafford; Ireland look to finish the job; Gerry Thornley talks to Caelan Doris

Tue Oct 29 2024 - 11:23

Contrasting fortunes for the four provinces as League of Ireland goes down to the wire

A busy weekend of sport saw some big county finals decided; Kylian Mbappé will want to quickly forget his first Clásico

Mon Oct 28 2024 - 11:33

Burke plays the conductor as Rovers sing a happy tune

Shamrock Rovers turn their attention from Europe to domestic affairs; Eileen Gleeson’s side head to Tbilisi; Johnny Watterson is unimpressed by the Lions

Fri Oct 25 2024 - 10:24

Doris gets his day, Wiffen dips toe back in the water

Jacob’s stock on the rise: Little left to lose in football; Cuban tries to upscuttle Trump

Thu Oct 24 2024 - 13:34

Doris steps up for Ireland, while Sexton steps in

Gordon D’Arcy on the force of nature that is RG Snyman; Karen Duggan on the ‘disconnect’ between the league and the Irish set-up

Wed Oct 23 2024 - 10:10

Questions to be asked of 20-minute red cards and referees

Gerry Thornley and Owen Doyle have some issues with how rugby is officiated; female soccer players have some issues with Saudi Arabia

Tue Oct 22 2024 - 10:27

GAA bring new rules, while Cuala bring a new broom

Dublin has new football champions; Leinster continue their strong start to season; Liverpool win again, but it’s not pretty

Mon Oct 21 2024 - 10:13

Premier Division title race all about holding on

League of Ireland bringing the late drama; Football Review Committee makes its case; Ireland learn 2025 World Cup pool opponents

Fri Oct 18 2024 - 10:58