“I was hoping to play Under-20s and stuff like that and realistically you would want to be playing Six Nations and World Cups to get a contract out of it,” the Laois hurler explains.

Another bumper audience is to be expected on Saturday when Leinster face Jake White’s Bulls at Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld in one of the weekend’s two semi-finals.

Jim Ratcliffe needs to get matters right on and off the pitch now he had decided to stick by Erik ten Hag.

One reader says that people often drown due to unexpected falls or when overestimating their abilities and underestimating the risks

He won the Masters for the second time in three years in April and heads into the US Open on the back of his fifth win of the year at the Memorial Tournament.

Gamblification is a gathering sporting storm on both sides of the Atlantic.

“Not to sound arrogant but I don’t need to state my case around here."

The real business is in the great stadiums of Germany and on the muddy unplayable fields of Ireland. The two have never been further apart.

I don’t ever want to wake up and think I have reached only 70/80% of what I could have been.

Glasgow announced last month that the 31-year-old forward would be ending his seven-year stint at Scotstoun.

Euros outlook bleak for goal-shy Ireland and Kennedy Cup takes centre stage.

Olympian, pundit and podcaster David Gillick talks about a Saturday spent amid the frenzy of the Olympic Games

Koeman announced late Monday that De Jong would not be fit in time to play at the tournament in Germany that begins Friday.

The 53-year-old took charge of the national team at one of their lowest ebbs, having been stunned by Iceland at Euro 2016 and seen Roy Hodgson’s successor Sam Allardyce swiftly exit.

Alexander-Arnold’s range of passing a plus in midfield.

“I have a deep sense of satisfaction and validation,” the Dubliner said.

"It is a great honor and there’s plenty of deserving candidates and there will be plenty for 2027."

Ciara Mageean joined Sonia O'Sullivan as the only individual gold medallists for Ireland across 26 editions of the European Athletics Championships.

The Lions forwards both told head coach Steve Borthwick they want to be part of the 36-man squad that departs for Tokyo on Wednesday.

For John O’Shea to end his four-match audition armed to continue into permanency for the Autumn Uefa Nations League series, it’s likely the global superstar will have to be shackled.