Sports Briefing

The Sports Briefing newsletter. Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sharks’ theatrics bring rugby into disrepute

Mayo roll back the years; Ireland look for a big win; Kelleher’s bags are by the door

How rugby could take a leaf out of NFL’s book regarding off-season

The dreaded Achilles injury and how to deal with it; Ireland take on Turkey in Nations League

Tyrone footballers draw high praise all round

URC gets down to business; the curious case of Hungairan soccer; the fascinating life of an NFL team owner

Armagh even stronger with the return of Rian O’Neill

Leinster need to get over the line with a trophy; Irish players who should be on the move

Summer brings different vibes for Waterford and Tyrone

Katie Power on the stress of the skorts campaign; Gerry Thornley on the era of the French

Deadly and dithery Cork make Munster final

Monaghan bring Louth back down to earth; Ken Early reviews the Premier League campaign

Skorts-gate finally over as sanity prevails

Joe Canning questions Cork hurlers; Colin Healy stands by his grievances

Cavan and Spurs enjoy feeling of defying the odds and ending a drought

Paul Fitzpatrick on the wisdom of fighting badgers; Ciarán Murphy on how an old lion is still a lion

The hard road can help in revitalised football championship

Darragh Ó Sé on Kerry’s questions; Seán Moran wonders if football is going to knock hurling off its pedestal

Powers-that-be ‘don’t give a damn’ about paying Six Nations fans

Conor McManus on a rough weekend for Connacht football; Rovers extend their lead with 4-0 win

Awesome Limerick leave rivals fearing the worst

Talk of Dublin’s demise ‘greatly exaggerated’; Scottie Scheffler eases to Major victory

Irish struggle at Quail Hollow but Pádraig Harrington remains evergreen

Cork and Limerick go again; the history of the golf gimme; Rachael Blackmore bucked the trend

Rory McIlroy looks to go beyond the end of the rainbow

Heimir Hallgrímsson targets World Cup qualification; Gordon Manning explains the skort vote

Rory McIlroy looking to shine among the showers at US PGA Championship

Darragh Ó Sé on issue of exhaustion under new rules; Gordon D’Arcy on the long road ahead of Caelan Doris

Rachael Blackmore: A trailblazing career from a ferociously determined jockey

New rules bringing back excitement in football, Ulster and Connacht on a worrying slide

Louth win their first Leinster title since Éamon de Valera was taoiseach

Irish relay teams have success; no joy for Shane Lowry in Philadelphia

Lions squad announcement brings the corporate fanfare

Lions winners and losers; Clare banking on Kelly; Racing looks to the future

D-Day for Lions hopefuls as Andy Farrell’s squad announced

How many Irish players will make the cut? Plus, special congress on skorts; daft championship scheduling; and McIlroy and Lowry in Philly

Leinster must learn from humbling lesson and go on to win URC title

Provincial championships enjoying day in the sun; Darragh Ó Sé on mouthwatering Ulster football final

James Lowe in high spirits ahead of Northampton visit

Joe Canning has questions about the sending off of Tipperary’s Darragh McCarthy; Louth manager Ger Brennan has questions for the Leinster council

Dublin’s run of misfortune continues with dire draw

Dan Sheehan looks ahead to Northampton clash; Ciaran Murphy isn’t sure if Connacht is worth winning

Health of Dublin football splits opinion and a warning for Leinster

Seán Currie on ‘that’ penalty; Clare need to get their shoots boots on; Third time lucky for Galopin Des Champs?

Health of Irish rugby and Dublin football come under focus after lost weekend

Owen Doyle on URC officiating; Conor McManus on Ulster football riches; Punchestown Festival ready for the off

Meath living the dream after Dublin win as Tipperary’s nightmare start proves costly against Cork

Provinces suffer URC weekend wipeout; Joy for Clontarf and UL Bohemians in AIL; Liverpool and Celtic celebrate title wins

There is no Leinster secret - winning simply attracts winners

Matt Williams on provincial issues; Joe Canning on Cork’s need to reset; Martin Clancy on his Leeds obsession

The FAI and their interminable search for interims

Search for a CFO begins; Louth and Kildare play for high stakes; Clontarf get ready for Cork Con

Meath hoping to give Dublin as good a game as Cork gave to Kerry

Marc Canham quits role at FAI; Gordon D’Arcy wonders what impact Rieko Ioane will have for Leinster

IRFU find chickens are coming home to roost for provinces

Owen Doyle on Munster suffering a ‘chaotic cock-up’; Denis Walsh on Munster hurling’s beautiful chaos

A busy year for Johnny Sexton - and more Lions outhalf selection intrigue?

Erin King injury a blow for Irish facing Wales, the IRFU’s ‘granny hunters’ and the teen who could be League of Ireland’s next million-pound player

Rieko Ioane steps in while Pete Wilkins steps out

Changes afoot in both Leinster and Connacht; Ciaran Murphy on a possible surprise from Roscommon and Monaghan

Munster football has its problems, but as for Munster hurling ...

Rieko Ioane on his way to Leinster; Ulster prepare for a visit to Dublin

Rory McIlroy’s Masters win was a ‘horrific, excruciating pleasure’

Gerry Thornley on the flaws in the Champions Cup; Owen Doyle on the flaws that have crept into rugby itself

Rory McIlroy leaves us bleary eyed as he completes Grand Slam jigsaw

Wild drama at the Masters in Augusta; heartbreak for Munster in France; a cakewalk for Leinster in Dublin

Rose blooms in Augusta while McIlroy falls foul of course demons

John O’Sullivan runs the rule over Leinster selection; Nathan Johns on Ireland’s Six Nations chances against England

McIlroy and Lowry both serious contenders as Masters gets underway

Irish women face formidable challenge; does the name Joe DePugh ring a bell?

Rory McIlroy at the Masters: Take 17 in the green jacket quest

Philip Reid joins the queue for Augusta merchandise; Darragh Ó Sé pays tribute to Mick O’Shea; Duffer says he’s going nowhere

Munster and Leinster draw breath and get ready to go again

Owen Doyle wasn’t impressed by the refereeing in France; new columnist Conor McManus was very impressed by Donegal

Munster’s peach leaves O’Gara reaching for superlatives and swears

La Rochelle coach was magnanimous in defeat; Leinster purred at Croke Park; Cork brought fireworks to the Páirc

The amazing Mick O’Dwyer: GAA says goodbye to a favourite son

Provinces in European action; Carla Ward out the conquer Greece; Grand National losing its appeal

Mick O’Dwyer was ‘one of the most influential personalities in GAA history’

Kerry legend dies at age of 88; Ireland confirm new backroom team; new championship can be ‘greatest ever’

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