Place: Lansdowne Road

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>The way we were: Fergus Finlay (centre) in the early 1950s with his mother, Lilian Roberts Finlay, his twin sister Finola, his brother Hugo, and his father Hugh Finlay.</p>

columnists

Fergus Finlay: In memory of my dad, who finally got to write his own script on the 16th tee

Hugh Finlay devoted his life to his loved ones, but spent his final day on earth enjoying the simple pleasures of life. As his son says: 'Way to go, Dad'

rugby

Bumper Six Nations payday not yet over the line

sport

The CEO Series: Bernard O'Byrne - 'What is the damage to communities if Basketball Ireland or another organisation implodes?'

rugby

Dave Curtis: The Irish international turned wine expert who made Zimbabwe home

general

Thursday's TV Highlights: David Brophy's new choir and a classic Ireland v Holland game

rugby

Roadmap out of Covid-19 lockdown signposted for Irish rugby but dark clouds remain

How the Aviva Stadium will be turned into a biosecure bubble

As professional sport gears up for a resumption of action behind closed doors this summer, Aviva Stadium director Martin Murphy provides a picture of the steps needed to be taken to make the home of Irish football and rugby biosecure.

Tue, 19 May, 2020

Mick Fitzgibbon still staying a step ahead of the advance of professionalism

Like the hero in a disaster movie, trying to elude their nemesis, Mick Fitzgibbon has always tried to stay a step ahead from the advance of sporting professionalism.

Fri, 08 May, 2020

Champion of Clare football Noel Walsh has died

Noel Walsh, one of the masterminds behind Clare's 1992 Munster Senior Football Championship win and a progressive GAA administrator, has died.

Wed, 29 Apr, 2020

Niall Quinn recalls Michael Robinson as an 'absolute gentleman and gangbuster striker'

Michael Robinson's former Republic of Ireland teammates, Niall Quinn and Mick McCarthy, are among those to pay tribute after the former striker died, aged 61.

Tue, 28 Apr, 2020

Liam Brady: 'Michael Robinson was always up for life'

Liam Brady retains fond memories of his former international colleague Michael Robinson - who, sadly, has passed away at the age of 61 - as a positive, upbeat personality both on and off the pitch.

Tue, 28 Apr, 2020

‘When you are pounding the treadmill in a sweat suit there was nothing like the thought of a big win to help stay motivated’

Q & A with Fran Berry

Fri, 24 Apr, 2020

World Cup Gold series to rebroadcast Ireland's most iconic games in full

A new World Cup Gold series on TG4 will allow fans to relive Ireland’s greatest days at Italia ’90 and USA ’94.

Thu, 23 Apr, 2020

When Munster prevailed on Irish rugby’s biggest day

It was the biggest game of rugby ever seen in Ireland, Leinster and Munster meeting in Europe for the first time and in a Heineken Cup semi-final no less.

Thu, 23 Apr, 2020

Net gain: The evening Stapleton back-heeled a vital goal for the Republic

For every Packie Bonner penalty save or immortal score in a Munster hurling final there are a million more half-remembered but magical moments that had us leaping from from our seats. Brendan O'Brien kicks off a weekly 'Moment in Time' series by digging up memories of a dramatic ending to a difficult day in Malta 37 years ago.

Wed, 22 Apr, 2020

Paul McGrath: The days of ooh and aah

On a notable anniversary, Paul McGrath recalls golden memories of playing for Ireland and the bitter day he knew it all had to come to an end. And, speaking from his Wexford home, he stresses the importance of staying safe so we can all enjoy better days again.

Fri, 17 Apr, 2020

Kelly felt ‘elated’ after vote paved way for soccer and rugby at Croke Park

It was 15 years ago today that then GAA President Sean Kelly expressed his elation and great relief that ‘Rule 42’ had been amended.

Thu, 16 Apr, 2020

Easterby hopeful Leinster can survive short-term implications of revenue loss

Guy Easterby is confident that Leinster will be able to weather the worst of the financial storm caused by the coronavirus pandemic, including the loss of two hugely lucrative home games at the Aviva Stadium this month.

Wed, 15 Apr, 2020

Schedule announced for 'RTÉ Sport Classics' series

RTÉ has revealed a slate of throwback sporting action to keep us entertained as the coronavirus continues to shutdown live sport.

Tue, 14 Apr, 2020

'Hard to fathom how John Egan doesn't have more Ireland caps' — Stephen Kenny

While Stephen Kenny faces a clamour to promote some of his U21s, the new Ireland boss is adamant the defence he’s inherited from Mick McCarthy provides a springboard to success.

Thu, 09 Apr, 2020

Donal Lenihan: Rugby’s biggest challenge won’t be on the pitch — but in the boardroom

If a week is a long time in politics, a month has proved an eternity for professional rugby, writes Donal Lenihan.

Tue, 31 Mar, 2020

The day Mick McCarthy dived in at the deep end

A 2-0 defeat, a missed Steve Staunton penalty and a red card for Roy Keane: Mick McCarthy's rocky first game as Ireland manager, on this day 24 years ago, revisited by Liam Mackey

Fri, 27 Mar, 2020

Donal Lenihan: A win that changed the course of Irish rugby

A recent request for a personal auction item to benefit a most deserving cause found me checking the whereabouts of a unique Irish jersey. After a brief search, I found it.

Wed, 25 Mar, 2020

Michael Moynihan: It was 30 years ago (if you can believe it)

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.

Mon, 09 Mar, 2020

Quinn: FAI will honour contracts to McCarthy and Keane

Niall Quinn insists the FAI has no option but to honour the contracts issued by former CEO John Delaney to Mick McCarthy and Robbie Keane.

Sat, 07 Mar, 2020

Brendan O'Brien: Pauw's team edge one step closer to a seismic leap

Declan McBennett, RTE’s head of sport, spoke earlier this week about the national station’s coverage of last year’s Women World Cup and his sense that the tournament had proven to be a Rubicon moment for female sport around the globe.

Fri, 06 Mar, 2020

Donal Lenihan: Match postponements a huge headache but they can lead to lasting memories

A S if the sense of anger felt by the Irish players after the 24-12 defeat to England wasn’t bad enough, those emotions paled in comparison to the frustration within the camp following the postponement of the Italian game last week.

Wed, 04 Mar, 2020

Slovakia clash could be played behind closed doors

Ireland’s Euro play-off against Slovakia on March 26 could be contested behind closed doors or moved away from Bratislava due to the Coronavirus.

Tue, 03 Mar, 2020

Peter Jackson: This time Farrell v Farrell has added bite

Andy Farrell has experienced the cruel extremes of Anglo-Irish rugby conflict from both sides, for England in Dublin and Ireland in London.

Mon, 10 Feb, 2020

Fogarty braced for both Wales and Storm Ciara

A storm is coming. Question is whether it will be Ireland, Wales or just Storm Ciara that rattle through the Aviva Stadium this afternoon.

Sat, 08 Feb, 2020

On opening night, it might not be perfection for Farrell’s new green wave

Simon Easterby knows what it is to be dropped in at the deep end.

Sat, 01 Feb, 2020

Donal Lenihan: Time for Henderson to step up and lead Ireland

Donal Lenihan looks at the recipe for opening day success in the 2020 Six Nations.

Sat, 01 Feb, 2020

‘It’s his first rodeo as head coach’: How previous Ireland coaches compare to Andy Farrell

On the face of things, the similarities are unavoidable.

Fri, 31 Jan, 2020

Niall Quinn hails FAI deal as ‘manna from heaven’

From Lansdowne Road to Wembley and from Palermo to Ibaraki, Niall Quinn enjoyed plenty of euphoric moments in the green shirt.

Fri, 31 Jan, 2020

New FAI board to have its first female director

The new Football Association of Ireland board is set to have its first female director after the Schoolboys FAI (SFAI) last night proposed Ursula Scully as their nominee to replace John Earley.

Fri, 20 Dec, 2019

FAI’s perilous state casts doubt on Irish football future

Another day, and another battering of the FAI’s reputation — but this today's pummelling in Leinster House could prove the tipping point for its survival prospects.

Wed, 18 Dec, 2019

Shane Ross: FAI sought €10m bailout

The FAI’s executive lead Paul Cooke tonight refused to deny a claim by Sports Minister Shane Ross that the association have sought a bailout of over €10m.

Mon, 16 Dec, 2019

Limerick demise a tragedy, reflects Hand

It was bad enough for Eoin Hand to observe his former employer deep in trouble last week but to see his former club sink beyond rescue this week was especially heartbreaking.

Fri, 13 Dec, 2019

Expect the unexpected this weekend in Europe

The ghosts of Christmases past will be circling around the four provinces this weekend as they prepare for the unique demands that come with the traditional back-to-back December rounds in the Heineken Champions Cup.

Wed, 11 Dec, 2019

FAI risks Ross wrath and government funding with Cooke’s CEO appointment

The Football Association of Ireland are prepared to defy Sports Minister Shane Ross by appointing a new chief executive without his imprimatur.

Tue, 03 Dec, 2019

'It is sickening' - Ireland rue lack of firepower as Danes progress to Euro 2020

While the Wolves man grabbed his first international goal five minutes from full-time to cancel out Martin Braithwaite’s breakthrough 12 minutes earlier, the 1-1 draw sent Denmark into the finals at Ireland’s expense.

Tue, 19 Nov, 2019

Kenny will wait and see on Parrott’s availability

Troy Parrott could yet return to Ireland’s U21s for tomorrow’s Euro qualifier against Sweden as manager Stephen Kenny will wait to see if the teen is involved for the seniors tomorrow night.

Sun, 17 Nov, 2019

25 magical Heineken Cup memories come under the spotlight

Since rugby history was made when Romania’s Farul Constanta played eventual winners Toulouse in the first ever pool match, the Heineken Cup has produced some of the most breathtaking moments in the sport. Simon Lewis gives us his top 25

Sat, 16 Nov, 2019

What’s become of the noble art of defending the indefensible?

In the clamour for football ‘content’ we are now flies on every wall, forever ‘behind the scenes’.

Sat, 16 Nov, 2019

25 years of the Champions Cup: Vote for your favourite moment

What is the defining moment in the history of the Heineken European Champions Cup?

Fri, 15 Nov, 2019

Mick McCarthy happy to sing Troy Parrott's praises

'He has not been that talkative (in camp this week) but he stood up and sung last night.'

Fri, 15 Nov, 2019

Troy Parrott takes another assured step to stardom

The Aviva wasn't exactly the place to be tonight but it's no stretch to say that most of those fans who made the effort would have had a debut goal for a much-hyped wunderkind near the top of their list of wants and needs.

Thu, 14 Nov, 2019

Wexford Youths retain FAI Women's Cup

Wexford retained their FAI Women’s Cup thanks to a winner from captain Kylie Murphy in a five-goal thriller against Peamount at Lansdowne Road.

Sun, 03 Nov, 2019

Sinnott: Youths determined to grasp another shot at silverware

Nicola Sinnott admits Sunday’s FAI Cup final offers one last chance for this generation of Wexford players to enhance their legacy.

Fri, 01 Nov, 2019

Jackling: Rugby needs a final worthy of the game

The team that had supposedly forgotten how to lose suddenly remembered at the worst possible time yesterday and the first all-Six Nations global decider vanished like a mirage.

Mon, 28 Oct, 2019