Columns - Irish Examiner

Donal Lenihan

Time for Munster to assess and move forward

A chastening end to what has proved one of the most horrifically demanding and challenging seasons any group of players and management has ever had to endure.

Mon, 29 May, 2017

Red alert as Munster on mission to scratch a seven-year-itch

Across a season of 31 competitive games, Leinster registered 23 wins, a single draw and only seven defeats, writes Donal Lenihan. 

Wed, 24 May, 2017

Sarries’ Lions have proved their mettle to Gatland. Can Munster and Leinster Lions do likewise?

The lack of an Irish presence may have dampened our enthusiasm in the buildup to the Champions Cup final but, in the end, worthy finalists Saracens and Clermont Auvergne produced a captivating spectacle.

Wed, 17 May, 2017

Ireland already casting an eye towards Rugby World Cup 2023

You might be forgiven for thinking this is a bit of a down week, rugby wise, but you would be wrong, with a few significant events looming on the horizon.

Wed, 10 May, 2017

Seriously IRFU, it’s long past time to give club game respect

Joey Carbery and Darren Sweetnam played in last year’s Ulster Bank final before going on to great things this season, writes Donal Lenihan.

Wed, 03 May, 2017

Buzz is back but Munster must address shortcomings in attack

On a monumental, if ultimately disappointing, weekend for Irish rugby, one hopes valuable lessons will be learned by all concerned, including those responsible for running the club game in this country.

Wed, 26 Apr, 2017

Painful lessons learned as Euro bubble well and truly burst

From boom to bust in the space of 24 hours. 

Mon, 24 Apr, 2017

Munster won’t put up with any lip today: 3 areas that will shape today's semi-final

The odds are stacked against them but Munster wouldn’t have it any other way. Donal Lenihan looks at three areas that will shape today’s semi-final.

Sat, 22 Apr, 2017

Munster Rugby Squad Training and Press Conference

Leigh Halfpenny lucky to get the nod at Simon Zebo’s expense

The British and Irish Lions squad announcement followed the usual pattern — a majority of predictable selections, a few left field picks, some surprise omissions along with the customary bolter. Warren Gatland was always good for a few of those and in Ross Moriarty, Ben Te’o and Ireland’s Jared Payne, he didn’t disappoint.

Thu, 20 Apr, 2017

The 2009 Lions squad announcement unsettled Munster. The lesson must be learned

I have always believed that the announcement of the 2009 Lions squad to tour South Africa, eleven days before that epic Heineken Cup semi-final between Munster and Leinster in front of 82,000 people at Croke Park, played a key role in the southern province’s demise that day, writes Donal Lenihan.

Wed, 19 Apr, 2017