Columns - Irish Examiner

Paul Rouse

The wrong turn that shaped a life in sport for Rita Parsons

Across the generations, the fundamental strength of every single sports club is defined by its ability to command the devotion of people who commit their time, energy and talents to its service.

Fri, 23 Jun, 2017

In praise of John Mullane - His passion as a commentator gives him a connection to the game

Listening to the match between Wexford and Kilkenny last weekend, it was an absolute pleasure to listen to John Mullane’s analysis and his general co-commentary on RTÉ radio, writes Paul Rouse.

Fri, 16 Jun, 2017

A window into how sport changed over the centuries

Growing up in Offaly in the 1970s and 1980s, the annual sports days were a huge part of every year, writes Paul Rouse. 

Fri, 09 Jun, 2017

Date with Dublin touchstone to Carlow’s golden age

There’s something deeply patronising and self-serving about the way in which some from traditionally successful GAA counties wish to carve the championship up for their own ends and shunt Carlow — and all the Carlows — off to a ‘B’ championship, writes Paul Rouse.

Fri, 02 Jun, 2017

This is your chance to take a step in the right direction

Ireland’s incidence of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and colonic cancer (to name just three) is way above the European and global average, writes Paul Rouse.

Fri, 26 May, 2017

Any player ready to stick his head above the parapet?

Gaelic games has never enjoyed such cross-spectrum appeal, but the absence of diversity in the summer narrative is a source of concern — not least with other sports ready and willing to step up to the mic, writes Paul Rouse.

Fri, 19 May, 2017

Grants an unspoken joke in the Greatest Amateur Association in the World

The final essential part of the farce is to claim the cash is justified because it is being used to support players playing “at the highest level”, writes Paul Rouse.

Fri, 12 May, 2017

A Bronx tale: How GAA took hold in New York

There is nothing quite like this day of days for the GAA in New York, writes Paul Rouse.

Fri, 05 May, 2017

Camogie's struggle to establish itself has never truly been won

Paul Rouse has more than a few issues with the place of women’s sports in the heart of Irish society.

Fri, 28 Apr, 2017

There’s an insufferable quality to the sporting snob

A Connemara bar on an Easter Sunday afternoon — pints and fish-and- chips and plenty of fun. There are locals and blow-ins, tourists, day-trippers and weekenders. By 5pm, the place is full. 

Fri, 21 Apr, 2017