Willie Mullins finished Wednesday on a high note, likening Ferny Hollow’s win in the bumper to scoring a goal just before half-time. I take heart from this. The second half is about to begin and I’m still in the game.

Here’s what Jane Mangan, a rising star of RTE’s racing coverage, said about Envoi Allen at a recent media gig. “He’s what it would be if I described my perfect horse to a sculptor or a dream maker.”

In victory, Put the Kettle On became the first mare to win the Arkle in 40 years, a notable achievement on the part of the 16-1 outsider.

Epatante proved herself a mare out of the very top drawer with a hugely impressive display in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.

Drat, I’ve just discovered that I missed National Potato Day. It was on Friday, October, 4.

The Irish Dressage team have qualified for an Olympic Games for the first time ever.

JP McManus has set Adare Manor and Ireland the challenge of staging the greatest Ryder Cup ever as he celebrated his luxury hotel and golf resort in Co Limerick winning the right to host golf’s biggest team event in 2026.

For the most part, it is a game that only the very few can play.

Ever wondered what it would be like to move lock, stock and barrel into a tiny home, like the ones on Netflix’s Tiny House Nation?

The consensus is Pádraig Harrington would need to be out of his mind to take on the role of host at the Irish Open Championship next July, given that he is set to captain the European Ryder Cup team at Whistling Straits less than three months later.

Munster Rugby has made an “inspired appointment” in securing the services of Wallaby legend Stephen Larkham

Munster Rugby’s search for a “next-level” experienced senior coach is close to a conclusion and will not be limited by financial considerations, acting CEO Philip Quinn has assured supporters.

In the wake of his Canadian Open victory on Sunday, Rory McIlroy was asked if he intended returning to the country next year to defend his crown.

I had no inkling that it was going to happen, but I must say I wasn’t entirely surprised to learn of Michael O’Leary’s decision to phase out his Gigginstown operation.

Whether you are a Munster coach or a team-mate, Tyler Bleyendaal ticks plenty of boxes as one of the great readers of the game and those insights could well be vital against Saracens on Saturday.

Johann van Graan is hopeful his decision to stay on as Munster boss beyond his current contract can give the province the sort of stability that has propelled the likes of Saracens and the All Blacks to long-term and sustained success.

Nicky Henderson believes the professionalism of Angels Breath can come to the fore and help him secure a fourth success in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival today.

Willie Mullins has three potential runners as he bids to continue his dominance of the Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.

Dressage rider Judy Reynolds made her first appearance in this year’s FEI World Cup qualifying series in Mechelen, Belgium at the weekend with Vancouver K where she finished in fifth place, but yesterday the Germany-based Kildare rider maintained that her focus for the year ahead is aimed beyond the annual championship and fixed on getting to Tokyo 2020.

One of the most popular hurdlers of recent years, has been retired.

Necessity makes bedfellows of the fiercest of rivals, especially as GAA clubs fight against rural depopulation.

Munster coach Johann van Graan has acknowledged the influence of fellow South Africans Johan and Ruan Ackermann on Gloucester, the side Munster face in Thomond Park tomorrow.

Only the little people pay taxes.” — Leona Helmsley

JP McManus’ €100,000 donation to each county board has been described as “the greatest ever gesture to the clubs of Ireland”.

The Limerick academy I was involved with for three years was about fostering a culture of doing things the right way — and not necessarily all about winning. Some people in the county had issues with me over that but I never had anyone say a single negative thing to my face, writes Anthony Daly

At the end of the match yesterday, I shook hands with Dave Punch, the former Limerick hurler, who works for RTÉ. He asked me if I saw the attendance. I did, I said — 71,000. Dave corrected me. ‘No, Dalo, 71,073.’

At the end of the match yesterday, I shook hands with Dave Punch, the former Limerick hurler, who works for RTÉ. He asked me if I saw the attendance. I did, I said — 71,000. Dave corrected me. ‘No, Dalo, 71,073.’ 

A district court judge yesterday jailed a man for five months, saying he was a menace for people living in the Blackrock area of Cork and, for some reason, had seemed to think he was an important person in that part of the city suburb.

Statistics show that one in 10 baby boys born in 1980, were named John Paul after the historic visit.

Four of Ireland’s most distinguished professional golfers lined up at Adare Manor, Co Limerick, yesterday in tribute to the contribution five JP McManus pro-am events have made to charitable interests throughout the mid-west.

Áine Hannafin is a lively seven-year-old girl who will not let anything stand in her way, not even a severe form of cystic fibrosis (CF).

His career as a water carrier brought to an ignominious end by the arrival of defence coach JP Ferreira, Tyler Bleyendaal must content himself with a return to the day job, delighted to be free of the neck injury which had left him such a frustrated figure on the Munster sidelines.

Munster coach Johann van Graan is at a loss to understand why his side were able to reap a reasonable return from their away games in the European Champions Cup but are struggling to achieve any degree of consistency from their travels in the Guinness PRO14.

Is it just us or has January felt 365 days long this time around?

Munster captain Peter O’Mahony, an injury doubt for Sunday’s Champions Cup clash with Castres, says he and his squad will stand by Gerbrandt Grobler, as the debate continues over the decision to sign a player who served a two-year doping ban.

Johann van Graan is not giving up hope that Munster legend Paul O’Connell will join his coaching think tank at the province.

Connacht prop JP Cooney has been ruled out for most of the remainder of the season while coach Kieran Keane is sweating on the fitness of loosehead Denis Buckley and impressive flanker Jarrad Butler ahead of Saturday’s showdown with Ulster.

The age profile of the Munster coaching staff has taken another dip after 34-year-old JP Ferreira’s appointment as defence coach was confirmed by the province and the IRFU.

Kevin Markham chats with Noel Cronin, one of Irish golf’s great gentlemen.

A doctor who provides courses in occupational health and sports injuries has been fined €5,000 and censured by the High Court over his failure to comply with requirements that he undergo continuing education.

Death Duty completed a Grade One treble on the day for Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown House Stud with victory in the Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse.

Success has been a long time coming for JP Cooper and he’s grateful for the push he got along the way from Ed Sheeran, writes Ed Power.