That underwhelming Six Nations campaign? It was never his target in a World Cup year. The recent Twickenham hammering? When we finally get to hear Donal Lenihan properly he reveals he was talking to one of the players, they’d been in Portugal for nine days beforehand “and it was hell”.

Mayo farmer Brendan Kilduff, who received fatal gunshot wounds on Tuesday night last, was described at his funeral Mass as “a man of the land, a man of family, a man of the parish, a generous soul.”

There was a point on Saturday night in Yokohama when Kieran Read gathered his troops about him and told everyone to just take five.

Ireland finished with a flourish in the Aviva last night, as a much improved second-half performance meant first international goals for the Cork duo of Alan Browne and Kevin Long, along with one on his debut for striker James Collins, delivered a 3-1 win over a Bulgarian side whose only answer on the night came from the penalty spot.

THERE’S a quiet revolution taking place in the background to this season’s Six Nations that could have huge repercussions for Irish rugby.

Munchin's included Gordon Wood and Tony Foley, sons of Munster legends Keith and Anthony, in their squad.

It was a dream debut for Rhys Marshall as he scored and assisted in the two goals that gave Shamrock Rovers an easy victory over 10-man Waterford FC in last night’s SSE Airtricity Premier Division clash at the RSC.

Ulster secretary Brian McAvoy’s innovative suggestion last month didn’t receive a fraction of the attention it deserved, writes John Fogarty.

Right from Steve Cooney’s first didgeridoo note on the opening track of their third album, Dublin-based seven-piece the Bonny Men command their audience’s absolute attention.

In fits and starts Kerry motored. And sporadic though they were, these bursts of enterprise proved just about sufficient to deliver a second Allianz league win.

THE journey takes less than a minute but it’s the moment you know you’ve arrived at one of the best arenas in world rugby.

How fine are the margins, exactly?

Wexford boss Davy Fitzgerald has called on officials to look after hurling and to ‘mind’ our ‘great game’, claiming their Croke Park contest was ruined by fussy officiating.

Celtic stormed 12 points clear of faltering Rangers at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership after a powerful 3-1 comeback win against Kilmarnock at Parkhead.

A strong second-half display from Monaghan saw them finish pulling up against a 13-man Mayo in St Tiernach’s Park, Clones, this afternoon.

It was a night of undiluted misery for the visitors who suffered their worst-ever League defeat.

Andy Farrell began this week by warning his Ireland squad of the danger of turning up at Twickenham merely hoping it goes well.

City have fallen foul of Uefa’s curiously subjective FFP structures and now the roof is falling in, writes Simon Curtis.

Cork, known in Congress as the county that likes to say no, could very well turn out to be the only traditional hurling power to vote yes to the sin bin come Saturday week.

A mucky and miserable Mullingar workout for Cork, one which Kieran Kingston’s charges were most fortunate to escape from with a win.