Columns - Irish Examiner

Donal Lenihan

Connacht complete the unlikeliest journey in some style

A famous scene adorns the walls of the ACT Brumbies headquarters in Canberra, depicting the dressing room scenes after their first ever victory over the New South Wales Waratahs in Super Rugby. At that stage the Brumbies team were full to the brim with players rejected by their big Sydney neighbours and the win not only sparked emotional scenes but also marked a changing of the guard.

Mon, 30 May, 2016

Indomitable Connacht ready to achieve the impossible dream

They beat the Warriors, but can they repeat the dose when Glasgow return to the Sportsground on Saturday week?

Wed, 11 May, 2016

Is this the man who is going to save Irish provincial rugby?

It may have its faults but the Guinness PRO12 has managed to hold the imagination of fans, across the Celtic nations at the very least, as it enters its version of Super Saturday in three days time.

Wed, 04 May, 2016

Getting Munster out of the red

Musgrave Park has hosted some of the greatest days in the history of Munster rugby. 

Wed, 27 Apr, 2016

Unlike Munster, Connacht stuck with long-term plan and are reaping rewards

Four lessons that Donal Lenihan learned from his latest trip to Galway...

Wed, 20 Apr, 2016

Johnny Sexton is congratulated by teammates 2/4/2016

Pro 12 let down by declining standard of refereeing

After a brief respite, due to the unwelcome failure to qualify for the quarter-final phase of Champions Cup action, Munster and Ulster recommence their quest to join Leinster and Connacht in securing one of the seven slots available to the Guinness Pro 12 sides in next season’s tournament.

Wed, 13 Apr, 2016

Interprovincial rugby is alive and kicking once again

With no Champions Cup rugby on the horizon for Munster, Leinster, and Ulster, the clock is being rewound and the internal warfare that defined the treasured inter-provincial series for over a century is back in fashion.

Wed, 30 Mar, 2016

Pray that Joe Schmidt returns for another run

So there you have it. Another Six Nations championship has come and gone in a never-ending season kickstarted by those World Cup warm-up games back in August.

Wed, 23 Mar, 2016

The Andy Farrell factor can now be of benefit to Ireland

AN England Grand Slam only five months after their rugby world fell apart in their own global tournament just serves to show once again that, in sport, the pain of calamitous defeat can serve to inspire new beginnings.

Mon, 21 Mar, 2016