I began running because I loved it and because I was pretty good at it.

Olympic walker Colin Griffin believes Irish athletes need some kind of representative body similar to the GPA (Gaelic Players’ Association).

It’s that time of year again when some of this country’s finest and fittest stare into the inky blackness of those dark winter nights and decide that one more spin on the GAA’s carousel is beyond them.

The IRFU faces an increasingly difficult task in persuading top Irish players to stay with their provinces after an amendment to a Government scheme which means they no longer need to finish their careers here to avail of attractive tax breaks.

The chief executive of the Irish rugby players’ body, Omar Hassanein, has given his backing to the IRB’s concussion protocols in a week when the controversial issue has once again been thrust into the limelight by the injury to Peter O’Mahony.

The $765m (€578m) settlement the National Football League in the US has reached with 4,500 former American football players over concussion-related lawsuits to would fund medical examinations, concussion-related compensation, and medical research could have serious implications here.

An impressive season for province and country has earned Munster winger Simon Zebo nominations for both Player of the Year and try of the year, from the Irish Rugby Union Players’ Association, (IRUPA.)

Joe Schmidt has lauded Isa Nacewa for his contribution to Leinster on and off the field after confirmation the 30-year old is to retire from rugby and return home to New Zealand at the end of the season due to family reasons.

The Irish Rugby Union Players’ Association (IRUPA) has downplayed fears that more of its members will be forced to quit the game due to injuries.

As well as captaining League of Ireland club Bohemians, Owen Heary also coaches young players on giving depression the boot.

ISA NACEWA capped a glittering night for Leinster as he became the first overseas player to be named Bord Gáis Energy Irish Rugby Union Players’ Association (IRUPA) Players’ Player of the Year.

CONNACHT RUGBY is set to undergo a radical administration change, with a new board of directors taking over its operations.

A CAREER in the professional ranks is the obvious target for thousands of young rugby players and those who make it to the top can expect rich financial rewards.

Players have been given more time to prepare submissions to the game’s control board amid concerns over the financial future of rugby and Connacht rugby in particular.

CONNACHT’S rugby players last night blasted the IRFU for its ‘appalling’ decision to discuss the possible disbandment of the provincial team 48 hours before the biggest game of their careers.

The IRFU tonight issued a statement denying a decision has been made to scrap the professional set-up in Connacht.