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Leinster's Robbie Henshaw and Jack Conan celebrate their European Challenge Cup quarter-final win over Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park, Exeter. Photo: Reuters/Paul Childs

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Mick Galwey Opinion Win over Exeter was one of Leinster's greatest performances in Europe

By God that was a serious statement by Leinster in Exeter yesterday.

Cora Staunton. Photo: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

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Staunton still has what it takes to be successful at the highest level

Cora Staunton’s achievement in making the women’s Australian Rules Football League team of year is remarkable on a number of counts.

Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates after scoring their side's first goal with his team mate Neymar

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Eamonn Sweeney Opinion Last week’s Champions League matches did wonders for mature recollection. Expect more in this week's sequels

Twenty four years ago, I was strolling down the Champs Elysees like the narrator in ‘Parisienne Walkways’ by Gary Moore when I heard an enormous hullabaloo in the distance.

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny. Photo: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

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Roy Curtis Opinion Stephen Kenny's moment of truth has arrived with no more excuses for the dismal fare already served up

Like traffic cops looking the other way as a neighbour crashes a red light, the Irish football fraternity has stubbornly declined to hold Stephen Kenny to account.

'Sport is one of the casualties of NPHET’s policies which I believe will cost us dearly in the long term'

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Pat Spillane Opinion The pandemic will look like a teddy bear's picnic compared to the crisis if we don't tackle obesity levels

Like everybody else in Ireland, I’m tired, frustrated, and cranky.

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Clive Brunskill/PA)

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Paul McGrath Opinion I like Solskjaer but I'm not convinced he can turn Manchester United into a champion club again

The only consistent thing about Manchester United right now is that they are inconsistent.

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Roy Curtis Opinion The picture is immoral, arrogant and cruel – and Gordon Elliott faces an ever-growing hurdle to reclaim his reputation

As the scaffolding of his universe collapses like the stricken beast he violated, Gordon Elliott’s future suddenly appears as cold and hopeless as that ruined, empty-eyed creature.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp speaks to Jordan Henderson after he leaves the pitch with an injury during last week's defeat to Everton. Photo: Phil Noble/PA Wire

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John Aldridge Opinion Liverpool have endured a disastrous season but some of the criticism directed at Jurgen Klopp is justified

Liverpool's train crash of a season needs to get back on track at Sheffield United tonight and the time has come for Jurgen Klopp to show some invention.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, pictured, was surprised to see Frank Lampard had been sacked (Peter Powell/PA)

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Paul McGrath Opinion My fears for Manchester United's defence against a rejuvenated Chelsea

I hate matches between Chelsea and Manchester United above any other pairing in the Premier League.

Jose Mourinho, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur reacts during Sunday's Premier League defeat to West Ham United at London Stadium. Photo: Kirsty Wigglesworth/Getty Images

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Roy Curtis Opinion Jose Mourinho - the once-great Caesar of the dugout - has seen his tactical empire fall with the passage of time

Like a DVD fundamentalist thrashing about in a digital world, Jose Mourinho looks ever more floored and anachronistic, a citizen of a lost football age.

Republic of Ireland's James McClean. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

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Sinéad Kissane Opinion McClean leads new brand of activism by calling out latest anti-Irish abuse

There was one particular moment this week when you were almost synched into the real-time horror that James McClean and his family have to live through.

James McClean has been the subject of vicious online abuse. Photo: Bradley Collyer/PA

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Richard Dunne Opinion I have nothing but sympathy for James McClean but I don't think social media is a platform that footballers need

I never got online abuse. Because I was never on social media. I’ve never had an account with Twitter or Instagram.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is under pressure to get a positive result against RB Leipzig on Tuesday night. Photo: Adam Davy/PA Wire

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John Aldridge Opinion Liverpool still have one big chance to save their season and they have to take it against Leipzig

Jurgen Klopp is entering into the unknown in Tuesday night's Champions League clash with RB Leipzig - and it will be uncomfortable territory for him.

Ireland captain is tended to by team physio Keith Fox, left, and team doctor Dr Ciarán Cosgrave before being replaced during the Six Nations defeat to Wales last Sunday. Photo: Gareth Everett/Sportsfile

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Roy Curtis Opinion Relentlessly driven and freakishly gifted, Johnny Sexton is a sporting icon – but health has to be the primary concern

If NPHET’s remit was extended to another pandemic, the one that renders rugby players and crash test dummies ever more indistinguishable, Tony Holohan might be inclined to narrow the dimensions of Johnny Sexton’s world.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp Photo: Paul Ellis/PA

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Richard Dunne Opinion Liverpool's failure to do what United used to do is the main reason their reign as champions appears to be over

Back when they were winning league titles, Manchester United's success was built on the knack of making their squad stronger when they were on top.

Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus celebrates scoring the opening goal of the game with Phil Foden during the Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium last Saturday

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John Aldridge Opinion Showdown with Liverpool will tell us if Guardiola's City have the bottle for title challenge

Every team that has held a lead in this season’s Premier League title race have struggled to maintain the pace - and now we are about to find out if Man City can take the pressure.

Captain Pádraig Harrington will aim to keep the Ryder Cup trophy in European hands at Whistling Straits. Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

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Roy Curtis Opinion Many scientists can be grey and one-dimensional, but Pádraig Harrington thinks in glorious technicolour

As Pádraig Harrington unfurled an unlikely weekend surge for the old terrain of his peak golfing years, a realisation dawned like a Georgian sun over Amen Corner.

'Finally, hurling seems to be taking a cold look at itself and recognising that even it is not without blemish.' (stock photo)

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Colm Keys Opinion The game of hurling appears to be finally facing up to the damage of cynical play

Some time last year counties, and consequently clubs, were advised to keep motions to a minimum because of the obvious logistical difficulties in convening online meetings and hosting debates with multiple participants.

Paul Galvin pictured during his time as Wexford senior football manager. Photo: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

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Pat Spillane Opinion Why Kerry's Galvin gamble could pay off, my regrets for Keith Higgins, and the plight of Valentia Island GAA club

No matches, no training, padlocks on the gates of GAA grounds. Yet, unbelievably, there are no shortage of GAA topics to comment on.

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Eamonn Sweeney Opinion McKinstry is harshly feeling heat in Uganda

At just 35 Lisburn's Johnny McKinstry has already put together one of the more interesting Irish managerial CVs. Eight years ago he became the youngest international boss in the world when appointed by Sierra Leone before being sacked after 17 months.

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Eamonn Sweeney Opinion Tuchel should be able to deal with Chelsea's big guns in a way that was beyond Lampard

Frank Lampard actually did well at Chelsea considering how utterly unqualified he was for the job. One ultimately unsuccessful Championship season with Derby County always seemed like inadequate preparation for managing one of the Premier League's elite clubs.

Conor McGregor was knocked out by Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 in Abu Dhabi

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Eamonn Sweeney Opinion If UFC was the sporting wing of Trumpism, Conor McGregor was its embodiment but he had more in common with Hulk Hogan than Muhammad Ali

Conor McGregor is finished. He may fight again and perhaps even regain a world title but Conor McGregor as we knew him, Conor McGregor the spitting, snarling, strutting, cocksure phenomenon is no more.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady reacts after winning the NFC championship NFL game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday as the Buccs advanced to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

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Roy Curtis Opinion Tom Brady's epic grip on America's game is a glorious act of defiance against the tyranny of the passing years

If it is just another impossible number from Tom Brady's neon-lit, eternal career, it is one that slams into the chest as joltingly as a perfectly spiralled first down pass from America's Golden Arm.

Left to right, Tyrone goalkeeper Niall Morgan, Kerry captain David Clifford and Meath defender Donal Keogan would all make Pat Spillane's dream team

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Pat Spillane Opinion My Dream XV and management team that would take on the Dubs and win

These are dark days in every sense. Everyone is stuck in lockdown and the weather is dank.

Johnny Sexton has a word in O'Gara's ear after Gordon D'Arcy's opening try during the 2009 Heineken Cup semi-final at Lansdowne Road . Photo: Matt Browne / SPORTSFILE

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Neil Francis Opinion When the dislike is real you have to cultivate it, but farming out Leinster players will kill interpro rivalries

On October 1, 1975, Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali got it on for the third and final time in the 'Thrilla in Manila'.

Liverpool's Roberto Firmino reacts after a missed chance during the Premier League match against Manchester United at Anfield last Sunday.

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John Aldridge Opinion The changes Jurgen Klopp must make to get Liverpool's season back on track

The moment has come for Jurgen Klopp to try something different with his Liverpool team, as they simply must get their season back on track against Burnley on Thursday night.

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Roy Curtis Opinion Rory McIlroy's 77 months without a major victory is the cloud that shuts out all the sun

It is not merely because he clocks in beneath an intense Abu Dhabi desert sun that Rory McIlroy walks back onto his factory floor this week pinned by an unrelenting glare.

Paddy Andrews of Dublin in action against Mayo's Donal Vaughan during the 2016 All-Ireland SFC final. Both players recently announced their retirement from inter-county football. Photo: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

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Pat Spillane Opinion The savage demands on inter-county players will see many more retirements

An old man who used to frequent our family bar years ago was always bemoaning the fact that in Ireland you had to die before anybody would say a good word about you.

Paul Pogba celebrates after scoring the winner in Manchester United’s 1-0 success at Burnley, a result that moves Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side top of the Premier League ahead of Sunday’s trip to Liverpool. Photo: Reuters

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Roy Curtis Opinion Pogba is running out of time to claim place in United folklore, but today offers the perfect stage for him to do so

The taps of public indignation, as soon as they are turned on, tend to immediately target Paul Pogba for an angry soaking.

Liverpool strikers (l-r) Sadio Mané, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino need to find their form against Manchester United. Photo: Phil Noble/AFP via Getty Images

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John Aldridge Opinion Why Liverpool's attack will be key today, and the three United players I believe would get in Klopp's side

Liverpool are no longer favourites to hang on to their Premier League title, but I don’t believe Manchester United are the team most likely to dethrone them.

April 2021

Mick Galwey Opinion Win over Exeter was one of Leinster's greatest performances in Europe

Staunton still has what it takes to be successful at the highest level

Eamonn Sweeney Opinion Last week’s Champions League matches did wonders for mature recollection. Expect more in this week's sequels

March 2021

Roy Curtis Opinion Stephen Kenny's moment of truth has arrived with no more excuses for the dismal fare already served up

Pat Spillane Opinion The pandemic will look like a teddy bear's picnic compared to the crisis if we don't tackle obesity levels

Paul McGrath Opinion I like Solskjaer but I'm not convinced he can turn Manchester United into a champion club again

Roy Curtis Opinion The picture is immoral, arrogant and cruel – and Gordon Elliott faces an ever-growing hurdle to reclaim his reputation

February 2021

John Aldridge Opinion Liverpool have endured a disastrous season but some of the criticism directed at Jurgen Klopp is justified

Paul McGrath Opinion My fears for Manchester United's defence against a rejuvenated Chelsea

Roy Curtis Opinion Jose Mourinho - the once-great Caesar of the dugout - has seen his tactical empire fall with the passage of time

Sinéad Kissane Opinion McClean leads new brand of activism by calling out latest anti-Irish abuse

Richard Dunne Opinion I have nothing but sympathy for James McClean but I don't think social media is a platform that footballers need

John Aldridge Opinion Liverpool still have one big chance to save their season and they have to take it against Leipzig

Roy Curtis Opinion Relentlessly driven and freakishly gifted, Johnny Sexton is a sporting icon – but health has to be the primary concern

Richard Dunne Opinion Liverpool's failure to do what United used to do is the main reason their reign as champions appears to be over

John Aldridge Opinion Showdown with Liverpool will tell us if Guardiola's City have the bottle for title challenge

Roy Curtis Opinion Many scientists can be grey and one-dimensional, but Pádraig Harrington thinks in glorious technicolour

Colm Keys Opinion The game of hurling appears to be finally facing up to the damage of cynical play

Pat Spillane Opinion Why Kerry's Galvin gamble could pay off, my regrets for Keith Higgins, and the plight of Valentia Island GAA club

January 2021

Eamonn Sweeney Opinion McKinstry is harshly feeling heat in Uganda

Eamonn Sweeney Opinion Tuchel should be able to deal with Chelsea's big guns in a way that was beyond Lampard

Eamonn Sweeney Opinion If UFC was the sporting wing of Trumpism, Conor McGregor was its embodiment but he had more in common with Hulk Hogan than Muhammad Ali

Roy Curtis Opinion Tom Brady's epic grip on America's game is a glorious act of defiance against the tyranny of the passing years

Pat Spillane Opinion My Dream XV and management team that would take on the Dubs and win

Neil Francis Opinion When the dislike is real you have to cultivate it, but farming out Leinster players will kill interpro rivalries

John Aldridge Opinion The changes Jurgen Klopp must make to get Liverpool's season back on track

Roy Curtis Opinion Rory McIlroy's 77 months without a major victory is the cloud that shuts out all the sun

Pat Spillane Opinion The savage demands on inter-county players will see many more retirements

Roy Curtis Opinion Pogba is running out of time to claim place in United folklore, but today offers the perfect stage for him to do so

John Aldridge Opinion Why Liverpool's attack will be key today, and the three United players I believe would get in Klopp's side

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