In the context of where Irish rugby is heading over the next nine months, this Six Nations triumph was a hugely significant result, writes Donal Linehan.

I was still feeling so devastated following our midweek debacle against Monaco that I was left struggling to muster sufficient enthusiasm to wander around to our encounter with Everton.

When Ireland attempt to make it three wins from three Cricket World Cup games against South Africa in the early hours of tomorrow morning (3.30am Irish time), they will come across a man who did much to lift Ireland to their position today.

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt says he’ll know the pressure’s on to deliver another rugby Grand Slam when Brian O’Driscoll tweets it.

So many rudderless English chariots have drifted away on the Liffey over the years they must now pose a danger to shipping in the Irish Sea.

Earlier this week, in these pages, Paddy Heaney wrote about the Kerry football conveyor belt of talent — the headline, ‘Kingdom’s unique structure keeps them well ahead’, conveys the general spirit of the piece.

Ireland’s men made a huge statement as they began their Olympic qualification campaign with an 8-0 rout of Chile at the World League 2 in San Diego.

An Irishman is waiting to hear if his application for a seasonal job in the world’s most southerly and possibly coldest post office has been successful.

THE lovely people at Penguin sent a book about the Roman philosopher, Seneca, written by a professor of classics, Emily Wilson.

Ireland v England

Capital One Cup Final

The business end of the Champions League has been less sweet 16 and more a knockout for England’s elite this week, another chastening trial for the self-styled ‘greatest league in the world’. 

World No. 1 Rory McIlroy let his honesty shine through again, bluntly admitting he was ‘pissed off’ after the disappointment of missing the halfway cut in the Honda Classic at Palm Beach Gardens. 

The Dandelion Bar and Nightclub Easter Cup is all the richer for the return of Derby winner Laughil Blake, who will light up proceedings at Shelbourne when he lines up for the opening heat.

The inaugural Eventing Ireland National Championships at Ballindenisk, Co Cork, will be a “major affair” according organiser Peter Fell. 

THE DONAL LENIHAN INTERVIEW

Jonathan Sexton’s kicking talents are matched by his incredible mental strength.

The odd eye-catching European result aside, the march of Russian football has been stopped in its tracks. Paul Little investigates the reasons.

Ireland World Cup cricketer John Mooney hopes that his new invention will help prevent deaths like that of Australian batsman Phillip Hughes.

Most opposing players harbour painful memories of games against England’s Women, but few match those of Ailis Egan.