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Paul Rouse

Paul Rouse is an historian, author, broadcaster… and former Offaly football boss. He specialises in sport and Irish culture.

Hibernian v Midtjylland - UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Second Qualifying Round Second Leg

Paul Rouse: How Hibs took the lead as Scottish football's expression of Irishness

This weekend Hibernians – the oldest ‘Irish’ soccer club in Scotland – play Celtic in a pivotal match in the Scottish Premiership.

Fri, 01 May, 2026

S Paul Rouse: ‘The People’s Game’ has priced its greatest competition for very few people

Supporters will need deep pockets to be at this summer's Fifa World Cup.

Thu, 23 Apr, 2026

Immersive war game in virtual reality with futuristic 3D-glasses

Paul Rouse: Treating war as a game is nothing new

In the first week of the Iran war the White House posted a video which intercut missile strikes on targets in Iran with footage from the popular ‘Call of Duty’ video game.

Thu, 16 Apr, 2026

Paul Rouse: A young nation at play - what the 1926 census reveals about sport in the new Free State

S Paul Rouse: A young nation at play - what the 1926 census reveals about sport in the new Free State

The 1926 census will be released publicly -- and for free -- in the coming weeks.

Fri, 10 Apr, 2026

Iran vs Costa Rica - Friendlies

Paul Rouse: War will also shape the future of our sporting world

Sport pales in importance beside the loss of lives, but it allows us further insight into the impact of war.

Thu, 02 Apr, 2026

Seamus Coleman dejected after the game 26/3/2026

Paul Rouse: The most gutting feeling in sport is when opportunity slips away

Paradise lost but the Irish team has remade a frayed connection.

Fri, 27 Mar, 2026

Johnny Sheridan 28/8/2011

Paul Rouse: Sport generally lurked just off-stage in the work of Brendan Behan

The sporting activity that Behan really loved was swimming – he is still remembered by people jumping into the tide out at Seapoint and the 40 Foot.

Thu, 19 Mar, 2026

Gianni Infantino file photo

S Paul Rouse: What would it take for a boycott of the Trump World Cup?

The lessons from history tell us that the only way that the World Cup will not happen is if there is a world war.

Thu, 12 Mar, 2026

Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics - Day Thirteen

S Paul Rouse: Is it all downhill for Winter Games in our changing climate?

What could be more illustrative of the impact of global warming on sport than the fact that the Olympic movement currently has a working group examining the prospect of opening the Winter Olympics to non-snow and non-ice-based sports.

Thu, 19 Feb, 2026

Chelsea FC v Manchester United FC - Premier League

S Paul Rouse: Jim Ratcliffe is wealthy beyond reason, but money no insulation from ignorance

Jim Ratcliffe's interview with Sky News revealed himself in all manner of ways.

Thu, 12 Feb, 2026