One of the best moments I ever experienced as producer of House of Rugby came during a break in a live show at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery. It was back in 2019 and served as a launch party for that year’s World Cup. Our podcast and YouTube show was fronted by Barry Murphy and […]

2 years ago

“Their memory disappears quickly.” Pep Guardiola has launched a passionate defence of Erling Haaland, and fired a broadside at former players like Roy Keane making disparaging remarks about current stars. Keane has professed, on numerous occasions in the past, to be a big fan of Haaland, saying he loves watching him play. The former Manchester […]

2 years ago

You will get a few, handy enough, but a couple may leave you guessing. We have a football quiz for you all that, we must admit, left us somewhat stunned. The Premier League recently named their latest inductee and nominees for their Hall of Fame. Doing some research for that quiz, we discovered that only […]

2 years ago

“It has been a joy to see this incredibly talented cast and crew bring it to life.” Amy Huberman and Ardal O’Hanlon are among the cast of a new football documentary based on a series that ran on our TV screens over a decade ago. O’Hanlon made an appearance on our House of Football show, […]

2 years ago

IRELAND 0-1 SWITZERLAND After a weekend draw with Belgium, the world No.19 side came to town. Our live hub of the Ireland vs. Switzerland match (above) had all the biggest moments, talking points, best scores and full Ireland player ratings. Xherdan Shaqiri was the match-winner with a first-half free that left Gavin Bazunu flummoxed. Mikey […]

2 years ago

You could see O’Driscoll wince as he recalled who hit him the hardest. Brian O’Driscoll name-checked a former Saracens and England forward, but picked an outhalf as the player that truly rattled his cage. O’Driscoll played 133 times for Ireland, eight times for the British & Irish Lions and 186 times for Leinster. It is […]

2 years ago

‘Our family feels a sense of comfort to know you are both united again.’ The Branagan family from County Down has been left reeling after the death of a talented, young GAA player in Australia. The body of Lorcán Branagan was recovered in New South Wales on Monday (March 25). He was reported to police […]

2 years ago

‘There are no two words in the English language more harmful than “good job”.’ Whiplash is a film that grossed 15 times its’ production budget at the box office, won three Oscars, launched the career of its’ director and sits at 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. For all that, the fact that it never went super […]

2 years ago

“Look, kid, we can’t always save the day. All right? We’re just cops. Janitors.” Back in 2013, way before he was ever in the frame for the Dune franchise, director Denis Villeneuve delivered a movie that is as tense and jarring as they come. Prisoners has a ridiculously talented cast, with two of its leading […]

2 years ago

“Let’s not make out England are all best buddies with each other, yeah.” Roy Keane mocked his former Manchester United teammate, Gary Neville for falling back on a much-used phrase when discussing the current England squad under Gareth Southgate. Keane and Neville were discussing Kobbie Mainoo’s England call-up with Ian Wright and Jill Scott, on […]

2 years ago

Time to kneel at the quizzing alter once more Spring is springing guys. It’s so close. The The JOE Friday Pub Quiz is getting excited, too. The temperature isn’t quite where we’d like it, but the lighter mornings are here and soon the clocks will leap forwards, ending the winter gloom. Another winter conquered. Pat […]

2 years ago

‘I was teed up to do a full season!’ Conor McGregor has revealed he had signed up to shoot a full season of one of the biggest TV shows in the world, but ended up “letting people down.” The former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion is starring alongside Jake Gyllenhaal and Daniela Melchior in the remake of […]

2 years ago

“The Mac is back.” Conor McGregor has confirmed an agreement has been made with the Ultimate Fighting Championship for his next bout. The full details, he said, will soon be announced by the promotion but Michael Chandler, the former Bellator lightweight champion, is the confirmed opponent. It is likely that the fight would headline UFC […]

2 years ago

The ‘major announcement’ was flagged just an hour in advance. Leo Varadkar announced at midday, on Wednesday March 20th, that he was stepping down as Taoiseach and leader of the Fine Gael party. After seven years as Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar is relinquishing his position and also stepping aside so his party can elect a new […]

2 years ago

A huge acknowledgement of the Connacht star’s consistency, and impact across a winning campaign. Bundee Aki is the sole Ireland star on a four-man shortlist for the 2024 Six Nations Player of the Championship. Aki, who was nominated for 2023 World Rugby Player of the Year, carried on his good form from last year into […]

2 years ago

We talk about Man United finding a way to win but Liverpool found a way to lose.” Roy Keane delivered a timely reminder to Liverpool, their players and their supporters, after Manchester United rallied from 3-2 down to win an FA Cup classic. Ahead of the game, heavyweight boxing world champion Tyson Fury, who is […]

2 years ago

This is for a place at Wembley One of the oldest football rivalries will take place on Sunday as Man United and Liverpool battle it out for a place at Wembley. The two meet in the FA Cup quarter finals at Old Trafford knowing that a win will secure their place in the semi-finals. You […]

2 years ago

A Robbie Williams’ banger. The TV cameras could only stay around for so long. The fans that even wanted to stay eventually got ushered out. The media had to skip off to file stories and share video clips. When Aviva Stadium had just about settled down again, the Ireland squad real partying started. With gold […]

2 years ago

“We’ll see… “ Peter O’Mahony refused to steal the limelight on a fantastic night for his Ireland team. There has been growing speculation that the Munster back-row played his last home Test this evening, and it was a winning effort against Scotland. Following his team’s 17-13 victory over Scotland, O’Mahony was asked if this was […]

2 years ago

IRELAND 17-13 SCOTLAND Scotland pitched up in Dublin and, as Stuart Hogg would tell you, they felt they are ‘due these f***ers one’. Our live hub of ‘Super Saturday and the Ireland vs. Scotland match (below) had all the biggest moments, talking points, best scores and full Ireland player ratings. Ireland shot out of the […]

2 years ago

Scotland stand in the way of Ireland’s first back-to-back Six Nations titles in nine years. Andy Farrell made an emphatic statement with his Ireland team to face Scotland in Saturday’s Six Nations decider in Dublin. Farrell confirmed his Ireland team selection on Thursday ahead of the Saturday afternoon, March 16 (4:45pm kick-off) match at Aviva […]

2 years ago

The Ireland captain has looked entirely human in two of his side’s toughest losses, in the past six months. Not long after Brodie Retallick had sought him out, at Stade de France, to bellow, “Oi, Peter! Four more years, you ****wit!”, Peter O’Mahony was asked in a tough post-match interview if he would play on with […]

2 years ago

“What we do is meaningful and the stuff we decide to make is important.” The 2024 Oscars was a triumph for Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer and two of the actors that lit up the screens in the biopic, Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr. Oppenheimer swept to seven Oscar wins, including Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, […]

2 years ago

Ireland will be keen to finish on a high. Andy Farrell’s Ireland team went into their Six Nations clash with England having lost just three times in their previous 34 games. You can make that four in 35 now. Steve Borthwick’s side did all the big things they had to – play with pace and […]

2 years ago

Let’s be quizzin’ ya! For the spring day that is in it, try our latest JOE quick-fire quiz below. Let us know how you do. If the JOE quick-fire quiz does not display below, just click here. The JOE quick-fire general knowledge quiz: Day 157 As mentioned, if there were any issues with the quiz displaying, you can […]

2 years ago

Ireland looking for a fifth straight win over the English. Ireland made it three from three in the 2024 Six Nations with a win over Wales, in Dublin. Our England Ireland live match bub (below) has all the biggest moments, talking points, best scores and full Ireland player ratings. England finished 3rd in the most […]

2 years ago

Two wins from a historic back-to-back, but tough games ahead. Andy Farrell has stuck with his big guns in a full bore Ireland team to take on England at Twickenham (4:45pm kick-off, Saturday March 9). The official announcement was made on Thursday afternoon – our Ireland team news live hub will keep you up to […]

2 years ago

‘Have Ireland improved since the World Cup, without Johnny Sexton?’ Not a question many pundits, fans or former players in Ireland are throwing around yet, but the question was asked this week. That will tell you how well Jack Crowley has been going in the 10 jersey. The Aotearoa Rugby Pod gang are at a safe enough […]

2 years ago

“That’s what you like to hear.” It has been 31 years since Lee Sharpe won the PFA Young Player of the Year award, and there is still that sparkle in his eye as he sits and recalls his days at Manchester United. Sharpe arrived at United as part of a crop of young players dubbed […]

2 years ago

“He can play better.” Evan Ferguson’s first three months of the 2022/23 season saw him find the net seven times, for club and country, but the goals and starts have dried up. The 19-year-old drew praise from the likes of Alan Shearer, Roy Keane and Gary Lineker after a flying start to the Premier League […]

2 years ago

“We weren’t anywhere near that level.” Sam Warburton has insisted Ireland are the best team in rugby, despite South Africa retaining their World Cup trophy just over three months ago. Ireland defeated Wales 31-7, on Saturday, to remain on course to retain their own title. England (away) and Scotland (home) are their final two matches, […]

2 years ago

“I was talking to Keith Earls, and he described him as a big child, full of energy and enthusiasm.” It is nearing the end of a Caelan Doris chat, with ourselves and a group of journalists, when someone brings up Joe McCarthy. The 25-year-old breaks into a big grin. “Yeah, he’s a great character. We […]

2 years ago

“That’s such a nice compliment.” Asked, on the spot [by me, admittedly] to ponder the best back rows in world rugby, Josh van der Flier went through the hit-list but was careful not to leave out the three players pushing hard for starting Ireland roles. Van der Flier put in another fine performance in a […]

2 years ago

The Ireland head coach also revealed Calvin Nash had a blip in the build-up to the match. Andy Farrell cleared up the situation over Josh van der Flier after the 2022 World Rugby Player of the Year did not return to the field after going for a Head Injury Assessment. The openside took a hefty […]

2 years ago

“He’s just thriving. It’s quite clear to see.” It is too early to be poring over the record books just yet but a try (or two) against Wales and we may see Dan Sheehan feature in a lot more Six Nations headlines and stories. The championship record try-scoring tally is eight tries in four ‘Five Nations’ […]

2 years ago

IRELAND 31-7 WALES Ireland made it three from three in the 2024 Six Nations with a win over Wales, in Dublin. Our live hub of the match (below) has all the biggest moments, talking points, best scores and full Ireland player ratings. Ireland raced into a 17-0 lead, at half-time, but Wales rallied after the […]

2 years ago

Seven changes made to the starting XV. Andy Farrell has named his Ireland team to face Wales in their Six Nations third round clash (Saturday, 2:15pm kick-off). His Ireland side toppled France 38-17 in the opening game of the 2024 championship and beat Italy 36-0 in their last game out. IRELAND TEAM 15. Ciarán Frawley 14. […]

2 years ago

“He touched everyone’s hearts.” First we had Stevie Mulrooney tug our anthemic heart-strings with his ‘Ireland’s Call’ rendition, now we have the legendary Dáire Gorman making a special visit to Bundee Aki, Andy Farrell and all at the Ireland camp. Gorman, from Monaghan, has the rare condition, known as Crommelin Syndrome, and is a full-time […]

2 years ago

We were convinced that was Joe Cole handing over the PA system. Rio Ferdinand was not shirking his recent comments on Arsenal and England star Bukayo Saka, despite being on a plane to Porto full of Gunners. Mikel Arteta’s side are facing Porto in their ‘Last 16’ first leg, on Wednesday, and Ferdinand was on […]

2 years ago

Two Munster men link up with the squad. Andy Farrell has named his revised Ireland squad for the third round of the 2024 Six Nations. After two opening wins, Ireland welcome Wales to Aviva Stadium this Saturday (2:15pm kick-off). The IRFU press release reads, “Prop Oli Jager has joined the squad and Thomas Ahern has […]

2 years ago

“It was said for effect.” Back in 2020, as he was trying to make a name for himself as a pundit, Chris Ashton took an unfair cut off James Lowe. Four years on, his tune has changed completely. James Lowe had a fine start to his Test career, with Ireland, in late 2020 but was […]

2 years ago

Leaned into that banter a bit too much. A BBC reporter’s unfortunate exchange with Irish actor Andrew Scott has been rounded on my movie fans, and fans of common decency, after a clip emerged from the BAFTAs red carpet, on Sunday. Scott, who was nominated as Best Actor for his role in All of us […]

2 years ago

“Capuozzo looked like a guy just out of his confirmation suit. Ridiculously small.” Italy went up against a much-changed but fully focused Ireland team, in round two of the Six Nations, and got sent packing in emphatic fashion. The likes of Ange Capuozzo, Paolo Garbisi and Stephen Varney all got dinged up by an Irish […]

2 years ago

“Everyone knows [the kits] create a notorious clash every year.” Ireland have Wales next up in the 2024 Six Nations and high numbers of rugby fans are set to be discommoded again. At present, one in 12 men and one in 200 women (in Ireland and across the UK) have colour-vision deficiency, also known as […]

2 years ago

“I really don’t know how we got here, but I know it really has to change.” Neil McMamus sat opposite Andrew Trimble, inside the Cushendall club-house of Ruairí Óg, and spoke from the heart about the cultural, political and religious divides that still play such a big role across Northern Ireland. Trimble, who played rugby […]

2 years ago

Agreement on four players, in three separate selections. The second round of the 2024 Six Nations is in the bag and only two teams are still on for a potential Grand Slam. France survived a late TMO call against Scotland, England had a comeback win over Wales and Ireland beat Italy 36-0. “Once they went […]

2 years ago

‘Give it to Lowe, ffs Quinny!’ James Lowe delivered another attacking masterclass for Ireland in their 36-0 win over Italy, at Aviva Stadium. Lowe ended up with a try – his 13th for Ireland – and made 116 metres off 13 carries, which included four clean breaks. His missile of a left boot was key, […]

2 years ago

“There is an isle.” One of the best Irish plays in recent decades is returning to the stage for a run that coincides nicely with the 2024 Six Nations. Alone It Stands, written by Breen and first performed in 1999, theatre groups across the land, and further afield (London, New York, Auckland, Sydney). The most […]

2 years ago

IRELAND 36-0 ITALY Ireland made it two from two with a thumping win over Italy, in Dublin. Our live hub of the match (below) has all the biggest moments, talking points, best scores and full Ireland ratings. Andy Farrell’s side got their Six Nations defence off to a record-breaking start as they demolished France 38-17 […]

2 years ago

Only five counties, in the south of the country, have escaped the weather warnings. Met Éireann and the UK Met Office have combined to issue weather warnings to 27 counties in Ireland and Northern Ireland, for Thursday and Friday. Heavy rainfall and, in other areas, snow and ice will hit Ireland over the next 48 […]

2 years ago