Columns - Irish Examiner

Kieran Shannon

Roger Federer’s love for tennis reminds us of the true essence of sport

Federer’s longevity is rooted in how emotionally unaffected he was by setbacks.

Wed, 01 Feb, 2017

The GAA needs 2020 vision

It was impossible not to have some empathy and even sympathy for Páraic Duffy yesterday morning.

Wed, 25 Jan, 2017

Paddy Kelly did Cork some service by venting his frustrations

There are a couple of ways of looking at the fact the Cork footballers are in a makeshift gym in a warehouse in Fermoy close to the football field where they’ve trained this winter.

Tue, 17 Jan, 2017

There’s more to training than sweat and tears

All over the country teams are back training, aspiring and vowing to “work hard” every night.

Tue, 10 Jan, 2017

Remember the sporting heroes lost in 2016

They shook stadiums. Some of them even shook up the world. All of them heroes, and not just for one day.

Sat, 31 Dec, 2016

Even Santa stops to watch holiday hoops

These people who draw up the season schedule: Do they know it’s Christmas time at all?

Tue, 20 Dec, 2016

Never standing still, Tyrone are preparing to kick on again

They’re not happy being stuck on three All-Irelands. In Tyrone, they crave more and, going by what we observed last Saturday, the county looks geared towards achieving that.

Tue, 13 Dec, 2016

Dublin v Tyrone - Allianz Football League Division 1 Round 4

Open book Cathal McCarron gives us new insight into Tyrone

It says a lot about just how explosive a book Cathal McCarron has written that there’s been barely mention of just how explosive some of its football passages are.

Tue, 06 Dec, 2016

Conor McGregor during the post fight press conference 12/11/2016

Like it or not, Conor McGregor is up there with the elite athletes

Even here in his homeland a lot of us have little idea how respected he is.

Tue, 29 Nov, 2016

Learning sport’s real life lessons

Listening to Allison Wagner last week speak about the torment she suffered for many years after finishing second to Michelle Smith, we couldn’t help but think how there was more than one swimmer in that Atlanta pool 20 years ago who sadly lost perspective on what sport is supposed to be all about.

Tue, 22 Nov, 2016