Columns - Irish Examiner

Brendan O'Brien

Sport’s golden moments don’t glisten for all, not least Bernard Tomic

Bernard Tomic hasn’t harmed anyone. He hasn’t broken any marital vows or government laws but his sin in confessing to being “bored” during first round loss is the ultimate no-no in the realm of sports, writes Brendan O’Brien.

Fri, 07 Jul, 2017

Lions’ lack of a standout leader hasn’t helped Warren Gatland’s cause

We were told that this was the best-prepared and most talented Lions squad to leave these shores in modern times, but where are the standout leaders? asks Brendan O’Brien.

Fri, 30 Jun, 2017

Memory puts paid to dogged Irish style of play

We’re six games and nine months into the latest qualifying campaign, one that started with a brilliant result and an awful display against Serbia in Belgrade, writes Brendan O’Brien.

Fri, 16 Jun, 2017

Time to box clever on selection issue

Fere we are, looking on aghast yet again as the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) airs more of its dirty linen out in public, writes Brendan O’Brien.

Fri, 09 Jun, 2017

Lions concept is a readymade excuse

Few teams can run out onto a pitch with as many ready-made reasons for defeat as the Lions which, in itself, must be an issue for Warren Gatland, writes Brendan O’Brien.

Fri, 02 Jun, 2017

Counties like Carlow deserve home comforts

It’s Carlow - the town, the county and its people - who will suffer because of the Leinster Council’s scattergun approach, writes Brendan O’Brien.

Fri, 26 May, 2017

Paying managers could have a big impact on fixtures list

It’s so often inter-county managers who put the foot down over club fixtures and the release of players, writes Brendan O’Brien.

Fri, 12 May, 2017

Tottenham may soon find out there’s just no place like home

Tottenham beware: a new ground means new gripes, writes Brenda O’Brien.

Fri, 05 May, 2017

Even when everything goes right, boxing still manages to have a problem

“Hands were made for hitting people,” Mickey Duff once argued. Then again, he would have said that, wouldn’t he? asks Brendan O’Brien.

Fri, 28 Apr, 2017

Why we should be thankful for this weekend in the 2017 Champions Cup

Let’s park logic and bookmakers’ predictions for a moment and allow ourselves the luxury of contemplating a scenario come tea-time on Sunday whereby both Munster and Leinster are confirmed as finalists for the 2017 Champions Cup.

Fri, 21 Apr, 2017