One of the world’s elite female assistant soccer referees believes that Maggie Farrelly can fulfil her dream of becoming a leading GAA whistler in a male-dominated arena.

If you watched Ireland’s U20s take on Wales in Dublin last Friday evening then chances are that the sheer size of the Leinster loosehead prop Andrew Porter stood out every bit as much as the abandon with which Nigel Carolan’s offloading side played.

I wonder what Guy Noves must be thinking this week as he prepares to pit himself against Joe Schmidt for the first time in international battle.

Out-half Dan Biggar remains on the road to recovery ahead of Wales’ RBS 6 Nations clash against Scotland this weekend.

It was 1995 when a certain “tall, gangly looking fella with a red head of hair” arrived at Young Munster for the first time.

Shock was the overriding emotion on the Cote d’Azur as Paul O’Connell announced his immediate retirement from the sport he has graced so magnificently over the last 14 years.

Shane Sweetnam got “two new toys” for Christmas, Buckle Up and Cobolt, but when it comes to fun, Chaqui Z remains the top plaything.

Liverpool defender Kolo Toure believes a recent improvement in the mindset within the squad means they now refuse to accept lost causes.

Ireland’s quest to medal in Rio has received a boost with a restructuring of the Olympic tournament.

I’M SITTING on the balcony of the View Point Hotel in Nyaungshwe overlooking the jetty where most of the skiffs and narrow timber boats leave for Inle Lake, one of Myanmar’s biggest attractions.

Conor Murray was delighted to be reunited with Andy Farrell at Munster this week but despite Farrell’s arrival as coaching consultant, the Ireland star insists there has been nothing lacking from the existing team management.