Every sportswriter is a trader in nostalgia. It comes with the territory: Instant memories. Even if you file a match report on the whistle it’s already fading into the past — “matches previously played” was Christopher Hitchens’ phrase.

Eamon Dunphy has, over his lifetime, crossed the political spectrum from left to right and back again.

Clare county councillors will debate a motion next week calling on the Government to intervene and reinstate Joe Brolly to RTÉ's football coverage.

THE ban on talking sport in the office can’t reach Cork soon enough.

Did we really think he was snookered? Turns out Joe Brolly didn’t even have to play this one off two cushions.

Let’s face it, decades ain’t what they used to be. There was a time was when you knew where you stood with a decade. The sixties? Flower power and beards. The seventies? Sideburns and disco. The eighties? Everything was massive: shoulder pads, mobile phones, hair. You used to be able to tell a decade simply by looking at the trousers involved.

A lot may have changed in the last 20 years, but in many ways, few lessons have been learned from how we lived in the late 1990s and early 2000s, writes Kyran Fitzgerald.

Early in Wednesday night’s Premier Sports broadcast, Eamon Dunphy settled on a key fact to underline the crisis facing a proud club. He’d repeat it several times throughout the evening: “Everton have never been relegated.”

John Giles was excused Premier League punditry duty tonight to be granted the freedom of the city of Leeds.

Frank! Incensed! Mirth!

Liam Brady is "looking forward to a good row with the lads", after it was confirmed that the famous RTÉ football panel will be back in the harness next week — on Premier Sports.

Roy Keane regrets penning an autobiography while still a player.

This week, a topic very close to my heart. It is an issue that has affected most people at some stage, that has touched many lives.

Sometimes when someone comes out with a Big Reveal or a Hot Issue in a Big Interview promoting their New Book like Richie Sadlier did on The Late Late Show last Friday, there’s a chance that’s all the book could be reduced to.

So that’s nearly Thursday wrapped up. Here’s some of the stories we published on irishexaminer.com today which we hope will help you make sense of it all this evening.

Former RTÉ soccer pundit Eamon Dunphy has criticised his former employers for "going soft" on sports analysis.

Newly-promoted Sheffield United are closing on a €6.6m move for Ireland international striker Callum Robinson.

Jack Grealish and Declan Rice would still be playing for the Republic of Ireland but for weak relationships between former manager Martin O'Neill and underage coaches, according to Stephen Kenny.

Republic of Ireland defender Louise Quinn has been one of the punditry stars of a groundbreaking World Cup for women's football. But she won't be satisfied until she has starred in one on the pitch. The Arsenal stalwart won't back away from a challenge, having had to completely change her playing style to become an integral part of a star-studded multinational side now chasing Champions League glory.

A few weeks ago, Ger Cunningham detailed his own gardening misfortune. Ken Hogan is another inter-county keeper to fall victim to a lawnmower injury.

Cormac Begley is a solo bass, baritone, treble and piccolo concertina player from a West Kerry musical family

Two more days until the dawn of a new era for the Republic of Ireland senior men’s team and, with Mick McCarthy’s hand back on the tiller, there has been an inevitable focus on the contrast between his current rank and file and those under his command when he first roamed international waters with the Boys in Green.

We have been here before in this country, says Larry Ryan.

Theo Foley smiled from the pages of other people’s books, had cameos in other people’s stories.

Former RTE pundit Eamon Dunphy has blamed Ireland’s management team and John Delaney for failing to secure Declan Rice as an Irish player.

"Keane can forget about a future in the game. He won't have Martin O'Neill to shield him forever."

According to accounts just filed to the Companies Office, Callan’s Catchy Title Ltd enjoyed a bumper 2017.

Japan’s meeting with Russia at the 2002 World Cup produced one of Eamon Dunphy’s most famous RTÉ moments.

It has been said that Pat Spillane is the Eamon Dunphy of RTÉ’s GAA coverage. It has also been said that George Hook was the Dunphy of RTÉ’s rugby coverage.

Here's the well-wishes, the divided opinions and the funny reactions to the departure of the controversial, but always compelling pundit.

Eamon Dunphy is leaving RTÉ after 40 years working with the broadcaster.

Damien Duff is clearly sick of Saipan.

The lads done well… Liam Brady is the latest ex-Irish international to show that talking a good game can be very lucrative after hanging up the boots.

Here are all the latest headlines this lunchtime...

As the domestic game’s big two go head to head again tonight, former Cork City player Neal Horgan argues for greater recognition of the League of Ireland at international level.

Larry Ryan - Treating the week’s sport like scum

“People were raving afterwards about Tommy Craig. He has great skill and he is strong… When you are watching a game it looks like he’s making a great contribution. But that is on the premise that what he is doing on the ball is what it’s about at that level. And it is not. Maybe it should be. It would be nice if it were.

Although there was no great surprise in news of his retirement, already the cavity in the Ireland team created by Wes Hoolahan’s absence is being sorely mourned.

Do you remember who said: “That five years as an electrician probably just grounded myself”?

There was a sense of Christmases past, present, and future coming into focus as Manchester City played Leicester City in the League Cup this week, says Liam Mackey.