This is magnificent. An All Ireland Gaelic Football Final between arch enemies Dublin and Kerry went all the way before it was won by the Dubs in the last second of the match in front of 82,500 fans. With the game over, the defeated young Kerry player retrieved the ball, carried it up the pitch … Read more
That moment when the eventual Open Winner, Darren Clarke’s ball clipped the top of a bunker and somehow escaped and thundered on safely down the fairway. There were at least two other ‘magical’ moments when the commentators suggested that Clarke had ‘the little people on his side’ (note: Clarke did, in fact, play sublime golf … Read more
When asked about the illegal Welsh try that won the game, the Irish coach, Declan Kidney did not fulminate in the manner of Sir Alex Ferguson, but said, that ‘while he felt extremely frustrated, he was not going to make an issue of it at a time when so many in the world were suffering … Read more
I have often wondered whether I would live to see Ireland beat the All Blacks. The famous team from New Zealand are the best in the world(despite only winning one World Cup). Something unreal happened……. Although Munster, a province of Ireland, beat them way back in 1978, Ireland never managed to beat the Kiwis in … Read more
So here’s the question I put to the 2005 twin spear tackling duo, Tana Umaga and Kevin Mealamu, and to the infamous 1978 diver, former World Rugby Cup ambassador, Andy Haden (he dived out of a line-out to win a penalty which beat Wales 13-12 and still has ‘no regrets’), – would you want your child … Read more
The oldest international rugby venue in the world, Lansdowne Road, and its brand new 51,700 all-seater Aviva Stadium opened its doors to the world on Saturday 31 July 2010. Here is my virtual tour as I sat in awe of this wonderful new stadium. One wonders what historic moments in rugby and football (soccer) will … Read more
And so the dream was taken away by the better side on the day, Scotland (20-23). It was interesting, when I asked Scottish fans before the game to forecast the result, all but one said ‘A Win!’. The other singular Scottish voice said he forecasted ‘a good weekend!’ Whilst most of our Welsh friends the … Read more
Frenchman and Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, says “France should offer a replay – which I support personally. We want to beat Ireland properly.” French captain Thierry Henry says a replay of the World Cup play-off with the Republic of Ireland would “be the fairest solution”. France’s former superstar, David Ginola, said “there is no pride … Read more
I’m in Joburg wondering how the Lions will do on Saturday in the third and final test. I caught the Emerging Springboks game in Capetown and witnessed one of the finest conversions ever kicked in the dying moments to give the youngish Springboks a draw. Then I witnessed another killer kick in the Second Test … Read more
Isn’t it nice when every so often, someone, somewhere appreciates your efforts like when your boss says ‘good job’ or your team mate says ‘well played’? A simple ‘thank you note’ or a ‘congratulations’ message can mean so much. That’s why I’m over the moon….. The Irish Sports Council have just said this about the … Read more