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

Hope springs from Evan Ferguson as Ireland defeat Bulgaria

Ireland retain their Nations League status; Kerry and Mayo will meet in the NFL Division One final

Hopeful Heimir Hallgrímsson upbeat in spite of it all

Republic of Ireland travel to face Bulgaria in the Nations League; all still to play for in the National Football League

James Abankwah catches Hallgrímsson’s eye, and Ireland rugby team ‘far from a crisis’

Gordon D’Arcy on how Ireland can move forward; Gerry Thornley on new optimism in Irish women’s team; and the race to become the next IOC president

Ireland’s Six Nations campaign followed a downward curve

Gerry Thornley on worrying problems for Ireland; Owen Doyle on refereeing frustrations; Rory McIlroy back in the groove

Rachael Blackmore fills in the blanks on her Cheltenham CV

Galopin Des Champs chases history; Simon Easterby jumps to his team’s defence; Heimir Hallgrímsson says he was lost in translation

Fates align to create powerful jumble of emotions at Cheltenham

Wins for Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty sparked thoughts of Michael O’Sullivan; Jack Crowley gets his chance to shine in Rome

Sports Briefing: A poignant day ahead at the Cheltenham Festival

The fallout continues from Ireland’s defeat by France, and Irish runners have a spring in their steps

Ireland’s loss to France was epochal, but it doesn’t have to be apocalyptic

Gerry Thornley on why everyone needs to stay calm; Nathan Johns crunches the numbers; Owen Doyle vents his frustration

Ireland’s fortunes go from agony at the Aviva to ecstasy on the track

Our writers assess the fallout from the loss to France, while glorying in the medal drama from Apeldoorn

Retirements sure to add extra emotion to France clash

Blow for Clare as O’Donnell is out; the best golf balls in 2025; who is Clayton McMillan

Gibson-Park goes to the next level, Munster take the next step

Clayton McMillan arrives at Munster; GAA goalkeepers in the spotlight; New York Yankees can finally let their hair down

Ireland’s limitations laid bare in Slovenia as poor Nations League start continues

Gordon D’Arcy on the happiness gained from a scrappy win; Garry Ringrose to learn fate on Thursday

Ireland get their kicks and prepare for Le Bombe Equipe

Owen Doyle is not a fan of the 20-minute red card; Paul Early is not a fan of the roaming keeper in GAA

Ireland move forward but leave the door open for France and England

Sam Prendergast enrages and enthrals; Jarlath Burns hits out at the DUP; GAA facing ‘greatest challenge since its foundation’

Ireland risk offending Wales, but it’s a risk Simon Easterby’s willing to take

Much-changed Ireland side head to Cardiff; Carla Ward kicks off her tenure against Turkey

Dan Sheehan’s remarkable recovery continues with Irish captaincy

Ross Byrne leaves Leinster after 10 years; Shamrock Rovers prepare for massive European game

Ireland will simply have to live with favourites’ tag for Wales game

Gordon D’Arcy on Wales’ woes; Niall Morgan on why goalkeepers must be allowed roam; Sharlene Mawdsley on her Olympic plans

Now is not the time to be stoking the fire in Welsh bellies

Owen Doyle on how rugby can fix its ailments; Denis Walsh on how Gaelic football has

Aviva Stadium proves the perfect stage for the League of Ireland’s coming of age

Bradley has a go at Hallgrímsson; Barrett’s scoring goals; Porter a scrummaging unicorn

Roses are red, violets are blue, oh Michael Noonan, Rovers love you

Shamrock Rovers' brilliant win in Molde; why South Africa should be in the Six Nations; the bloody history of boxing

Beware of the wounded Welsh with a new manager bounce

Calvin Nash playing his part for Ireland; Shamrock Rovers visit Molde; Rory McIlroy in PGA Tour action

Ireland’s form puts Simon Easterby on Wales' radar to replace Warren Gatland

Gordon D’Arcy hails ‘resolute’ Ireland; Finlay Bealham back on top of his game; Mayo need a win; Carla Ward looks to unearth new talent

Scottish boo boys grist to Peter O’Mahony’s mill

Ireland remain on course for Grand Slam; Wexford struggling to cope in Division 1A

Ireland have road to travel but dream of ‘three-peat’ is still alive

Sam Prendergast and Andrew Porter impress; Ken Early on the curious relationship between Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino

Simon Easterby surprises with Ireland team selection

Bundee Aki looks for Ireland to be ‘much more clinical’; prospect of Katie Taylor at Croke Park fades

Could Dan Sheehan be Ireland’s next boxing star? For rugby’s sake, let’s hope not

How Ireland can halt Humble Huw; Hurling ups the stakes; Fintan McCarthy has an eye on the scales

Gordon D’Arcy on Ireland’s perfect start and a Murrayfield history lesson

Maybe it’s time for hurling to start experimenting; goalkeepers refuel for new rules; Million euro Melia breaks record

Credit where it’s due for Ireland’s performance and new Gaelic football rules

Lineout improvement reaps dividends; Ben O’Keeffe’s game of two halves; Ferguson’s Hammers move a boost for Ireland

Simon Easterby sets the tone with Ireland team selection

Josh van der Flier finds calming effects; indiscipline and inaccuracy cost Ireland under-20s; aces wild for Lowry and McIlroy

Rugby has come a long way since Ireland was still being called ‘plucky’

Seán Moran on how new 50m GAA rule should zip some lips; Gordon Manning on TG4’s bid to broadcast Cork Vs Limerick; David Gorman on Storm Éowyn battering golf courses

New football rules arrive ‘about as well as anyone could have hoped’

Maurice Deegan on possible trouble ahead; Gerry Thornley on the big challenge for Ireland; Brian O’Connor on the Dublin Racing Festival

Winds of change blow new Gaelic football rules towards biggest test yet

National Football League to get the FRC treatment; how Division One may pan out; and the not-so sporting side of social media

The Dublin superclubs that aren’t super popular

Ciarán Murphy on the challenges for clubs in the capital; Mayo v Dublin lace them up again; England play the role of underdogs

Ireland’s focus solely on England as Leinster learn to embrace the chaos

National Leagues spring into view as new rule changes in football come under spotlight again

Why Leinster fans should count their blessings, but not their chickens

Sheehan and Lowe on the comeback trail; Owen Doyle on the best referee in the world; Michael Fitzsimons’ phenomenal career

Dublin GAA’s alive, alive-o as Na Fianna and Cuala take All-Ireland glory

Irish provinces learn their fate in Last 16 of European competitions as Six Nations build-up intensifies

FAI manage to snatch defeat from jaws of victory yet again

Appointment of Carla Ward is overshadowed by controversy around exit of Colin Healy; Con O’Callaghan’s medal haul; Errigal Ciaran’s brotherly love

‘Regeneration and evolution’ the touchstone for treble-chasing Ireland

Gerry Thornley looks at the Six Nations squad; Carla Ward to take over WNT; Rory’s McIlroy’s disappointment over McKibbin move

Expectations running high for Ireland ahead of Six Nations

One-dimensional Leinster causing concern; referees speak of experiences; a pair of novel club finals

Injuries start to clear ahead of Six Nations squad announcement

Ronan O’Gara heaps praise on Sam Prendergast; James Ryan on Jacques Nienaber’s defence; Sean Moran talks to Davy Fitzgerald

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