Sporting fame allowed him to belong. But despite enjoying a varied career full of celebrity and success, Jason Sherlock retired feeling a failure. A deep thinker, his views on Gaelic football left him frustrated by his and Dublin’s underachievement. But now, as Jim Gavin’s coach, everything has come together and finally makes sense

Ahead of the Airtricity League of Ireland season Gareth Maher profiles each of the teams battling for Premier Division glory.

Cheltenham 2017 ends with a 19-9 win for Ireland after the Jessica Harrington trained Rock the World collected the bumper.

Seven years ago three-time All-Ireland winner David Hickey, then a Dublin selector, told friends his county would become the first team to complete the illustrious five in a row. Undaunted by the defeats to Mayo and Donegal in 2012 and 2014 respectively, he repeated those claims as one of their team doctors two years ago. Now as a supporter, his joy is unbridled seeing the team on the cusp of that achievement.

Mark Gallagher wipes a tear from his eye as he recalls 365 sporting days of highs and lows, winners and losers, some guts and a lot of glory.

And there you were, thinking you’d never see him or Westmeath again, when who springs up in Croke Park and on your screen but himself. 

Growing up in a housing estate in Tralee, Michael O’Callaghan would not have been a likely candidate to be a racehorse trainer for Dubai and Qatari royalty. As the Flat season kicks into gear following the conclusion of the jumps season, the 28-year-old reflects on his journey to here and looks ahead to the future.

August 9, 2005