⚽

Sport

Claire Dowling Makes History as First Woman to Captain the Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St Andrews

Dublin-born amateur golfer Claire Dowling has made history as the first woman to serve as Captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in the institution's 272-year history, driving in on 25 September 2026. Dowling, a five-time Irish champion and Curtis Cup veteran, will represent the R&A at the 2027 Open Championship.

Conor Brennan1 Oct 2026👁 19

Sport

Rhys McKee Set for PFL Dubai Showdown with Ernesto Rodriguez as Ballymena Fighter Eyes Rankings Breakthrough

Northern Ireland welterweight Rhys McKee will face Cuban-American fighter Ernesto Rodriguez at the PFL Dubai event on 14 November 2026, as the Ballymena MMA fighter looks to break into the divisional rankings following his promotional debut victory in Belfast. McKee has described the Dubai fight as the biggest of his career.

Conor Brennan

5 min read1 Oct 2026

Sport

Leinster Captain Caelan Doris Ruled Out for Rest of 2026 After Knee Infection Extends Recovery

Leinster and Ireland captain Caelan Doris has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2026 calendar year after a knee infection complicated his recovery from foot surgery sustained in the URC final. The flanker is expected to return in early January 2027, with his availability for Ireland's November internationals now in serious doubt.

Conor Brennan

5 min read1 Oct 2026

Sport

Croke Park Enters Race to Host Champions Cup Finals as GAA Approval Sought for 2028-2030 Bids

Croke Park has entered the bidding process to host future European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup finals, competing against 22 other international venues for the right to stage the 2028, 2029, and 2030 editions. The bid requires GAA approval and would build on the stadium's record-breaking 82,300-capacity Champions Cup semi-final in 2024.

Conor Brennan

5 min read1 Oct 2026

Sport

Ireland Face Austria at Aviva Tonight with Nations League Leadership in Their Sights

Republic of Ireland host Austria at the Aviva Stadium tonight in a UEFA Nations League B Group 3 fixture that could reshape the group standings, with kick-off at 7:45pm. Ireland arrive on the back of a commanding 3-0 win over Israel, while Austria lead the group with a perfect record under Ralf Rangnick.

Conor Brennan

5 min read1 Oct 2026

Sport

Jack Moylan's Scintillating Four-Goal Start to Ireland Career Makes Him Impossible to Ignore

Jack Moylan has scored four goals in his first four international appearances for the Republic of Ireland, including a goal and an assist in the 3-0 Nations League victory over Israel in Debrecen, cementing his place as one of the most exciting attacking talents to emerge in Irish football in years. The Cardiff City midfielder's armband gesture during his goal celebration drew widespread attention.

Conor Brennan

5 min read30 Sept 2026

Sport

O'Rourke Sisters Make History with Double European Boxing Gold in Sofia as Ireland Claims Four-Medal Haul

Aoife and Lisa O'Rourke have made history by winning gold medals in the same European Elite Boxing Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, with Aoife claiming her fourth European title in the 75kg category and Lisa winning the 80kg crown. Ireland's four-medal haul — which also included bronze medals for Michaela Walsh and Jon McConnell — was one of the country's finest performances at the championships.

Conor Brennan

5 min read30 Sept 2026

Sport

Darragh McElhinney Sets New Irish 5km Road Record at World Athletics Championships in Copenhagen

Cork athlete Darragh McElhinney has set a new Irish 5km road record of 13:22 at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, finishing 16th in the elite men's race and breaking the previous national mark of 13:26 set by Alistair Cragg in 2012. The performance represents an 11-second improvement on McElhinney's previous personal best for the distance.

Conor Brennan

5 min read30 Sept 2026

Sport

Ulster Focus on Defensive Reaction Ahead of Daunting URC Trip to Face Formidable Glasgow Warriors

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy has identified a defensive reaction as the priority for his side's URC trip to face Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium on October 3, following their 34-29 opening-round defeat to Edinburgh. Murphy has several Ireland internationals available but faces injury concerns over Robert Baloucoune, Michael Lowry, and James Hume.

Conor Brennan

5 min read30 Sept 2026

Sport

Fitzmaurice Emerges as Front-Runner to Succeed Joyce as Galway Football Manager After Positive County Board Talks

Former Kerry manager Éamonn Fitzmaurice has emerged as the leading candidate to succeed Pádraic Joyce as Galway senior football manager, with reports confirming he has held positive discussions with Galway County Board chairman Paul Bellew. Fitzmaurice, who guided Kerry to an All-Ireland title in 2014, has been out of inter-county management since 2018 and has been working as an RTÉ analyst.

Conor Brennan

5 min read30 Sept 2026

Sport

Champions Cork Dominate 2026 Camogie All-Stars with 14 Nominations as Amy O'Connor Leads Forwards

All-Ireland senior camogie champions Cork have secured 14 of the 36 places on the 2026 PwC All-Star nominations shortlist, with beaten finalists Galway receiving 10 nominations and Kilkenny six. The Player of the Year shortlist is an all-Cork affair, featuring Laura Hayes, Sorcha McCartan, and Carrie Dolan of Galway, with the winners to be announced at a Croke Park banquet on 21 November.

Conor Brennan

5 min read29 Sept 2026

Sport

Mona McSharry Reflects on 'Uncharted Waters' as Sligo Swimmer Eyes 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

Mona McSharry has described her current career phase as being in 'uncharted waters' as she navigates the transition from the Paris 2024 Olympic cycle toward the 2028 Los Angeles Games, following a strong 2026 European Championships in Paris where she won bronze medals in the 50m, 100m, and 200m breaststroke. The Sligo swimmer is considering coaching and community work alongside her competitive career.

Conor Brennan

6 min read29 Sept 2026