Columns - Irish Examiner

Donal Lenihan

Maro Itoje in a maul with Cian Healy 19/9/2020

Donal Lenihan: Irish momentum grinds to a shuddering halt in Champions Cup

For years before finally cracking what was required to succeed in Europe, Munster thrived on the underdog tag, playing with a chip on both shoulders over some grievance — manufactured or otherwise — and relying on their unbridled passion to see them ...

Mon, 21 Sep, 2020

Donal Lenihan: What Leinster and Ulster have to do to progress in Champions Cup

An Irish presence in the last four of the Champions Cup is dependent on a number of factors

Sat, 19 Sep, 2020

Saracens v Harlequins - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Park

Donal Lenihan: Smarting Saracens retain star quality to test Leinster like no other

Saracens remain the last team to experience what it’s like to defeat Leinster

Wed, 16 Sep, 2020

Leinster v Munster - Guinness PRO14 Semi-Final

Donal Lenihan: Thinking outside the Boks - How Munster's mindset needs to change

Every champion team has one or two key players whose mere presence lift those around them. Even New Zealand, despite being jam-packed with quality performers, is reliant on the inspirational figures that separate them from the rest.

Wed, 09 Sep, 2020

Leinster v Munster - Guinness PRO14 Round 14

Donal Lenihan: Munster couldn't be that unlucky again with a stellar import, could they?

This is going to take some getting used to. Perched in the prime seats, bang on Aviva Stadium's halfway line in the relative isolation of the RTÉ commentary box, the irony of the situation was hard to dismiss.

Mon, 24 Aug, 2020

New Zealand will improve, but so will Joe’s Ireland

With the much anticipated New Zealand test looming large in the background, the opening international of the November Guinness Series always had a bit of a matinee feel to it, the prelude to the main event.

Mon, 12 Nov, 2018

Joe Schmidt’s powerplays can help Ireland exploit demise of the Bajada

Donal Lenihan on what Ireland must do to beat Argentina.

Sat, 10 Nov, 2018

Back to the future as Ledesma puts the snarl back into Pumas

With an average of 13 internationals now scheduled in a single season, it’s clear that some tests rank higher than others, writes Donal Lenihan

Wed, 07 Nov, 2018

Oct 31, 1978: How privileged we were

Watching those re-runs on RTÉ of Reeling in the Years serves as a graphic reminder of just how much things have changed in modern Ireland — in the majority of cases — for the better.

Wed, 31 Oct, 2018

Memories - and myths - that linger from a special day for Munster in 1978

The most obvious starting point when exploring the myths surrounding Munster’s historic win over New Zealand is the attendance. At least I can honestly declare that “yes, I was there”, a claim that many in the years that followed that famous encounter deemed to imagine.