By his own reckoning, Seán Óg Ó hAilpín was probably the least skilful hurler to ever put on a Cork jersey — but has there been a more dedicated person to wear it? “That’s what made me survive,” he suggests. Now with his life thoughts put to paper, he’s ready to reflect, without bitterness, without rancour. Anyone looking for sly digs won’t find them here.

So it's official. Two men from opposite ends of Ireland have been tasked with working together to deliver Irish soccer to new heights. In this article Kieran Shannon asks if the Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane combination is destined for success.

Austin Murphy recalls the cold November morning spent at the home of Mullingar rugby back in 2008.

A year ago it was all up in the air.

Irish Sports Council chairman Kieran Mulvey describes his role as the ‘best appointment in Irish public life’. But it is not without its challenges.

Shortly after the closure of The Sunday Tribune, I was asked to contribute a couple of articles to a book celebrating the best of writing from the staff that were there to the end.

There’s some band of warriors departing the battlefield these days. The most capped championship hurler ever, Brendan Cummins. The most-capped footballer ever, Tomás Ó Sé. Another raider on the wing, Noel O’Leary. And then up north, Marty McGrath just handed in his shield as well.

He was there for JT’s big day with Caroline all those years ago, so there was no way he was missing JT’s big day with Jonjo yesterday.

The opening weekend of the Heineken Cup has been overshadowed by the off-field threat to the competition’s existence. Despite the threats, accusations and stand-offs, ERC chief executive Derek McGrath still holds out hope that the competition can be saved.

He was deflated when he should have been elated, and brimming with pride when you’d think he’d be brimming with tears.