News
football
Clare footballer Ikem Ugwueru hopes to inspire others
By John Harrington It’s quite common nowadays for sportspeople to have something of meaning written on a wrist strapping or even the back of their hand before they go out to compete. It could be a key performance indicator they’re chasing, a message that refocuses them in a moment of
Tuesday 30 April 2024
feature
Neil McManus hopes Unionists will come to embrace Gaelic games
By John Harrington
In a way, Neil McManus is a child of The Troubles.
He grew up in Cushendall on the North Coast of Antrim, but his family is originally from a mainly Protestant area of Belfast
Such were the intimidatory times, they were among thousands of Catholics who felt
Friday 26 April 2024
football
Life lessons helped make Padraig O'Hora a pillar of his community
By John Harrington
SuperValu really couldn’t have picked a better ambassador for their #CommunityIncludesEveryone campaign than Mayo footballer, Padraig O’Hora.
A proud Ballina man, he’s also a hugely positive influence in the wider community through his work with the Mayo Mental Health Association and Youth Work North Connacht.
His role
Wednesday 24 April 2024
football
David Clifford: 'Your life can't be lived by whether you win or lose a game'
By John Harrington
Earlier this year the Kerry football team’s performance coach, Tony Griffin, described David Cliford as ‘Jordan-esque’ in terms of his attitude to try to continually better himself.
The Jordan he compared him to was basketball legend, Michael Jordan, whose mantra was that he could accept failure, but
Tuesday 23 April 2024
hurling
Sean O'Donoghue happy to fight his corner
By John Harrington
How does someone end up playing as a senior inter-county hurling corner-back?
It’s hardly something the average hurling mad youngster aspires to be.
When they’re pucking a ball against a wall and lost in reverie it’s far more likely they’re dreaming of banging in goals for their
Saturday 20 April 2024
hurling
Unique Whelan is Galway's go-to guy
By John Harrington
There’s no mistaking Conor Whelan on a hurling pitch.
The left hand on top of a natural citóg, the hunched running style, the slightly looping but very effective striking action, the in-your-face bouldness, the clinical finishing.
He’s always been something a little bit unique ever since he
Thursday 18 April 2024
hurling
Ruairí Ó Mianáin has high hopes for Derry hurling
By John Harrington
Derry hurler Ruairí Ó Mianáin has all the hallmarks of a young man keen to get places as quickly as he possibly can.
Last year he was the star of the Derry U20 hurling team that beat Roscommon in the All-Ireland ‘B’ Final when he scored 1-5
Thursday 11 April 2024
football
Eamonn Murray happy to be a guiding hand for Cavan footballers
By Paul Keane
When Raymond Galligan was appointed Cavan manager at the age of just 36, he figured he could do with a wingman.
The players would clearly need to be coached so he recruited Tyrone's Stephen O'Neill and former Mayo coach James Burke for that task but given his
Friday 5 April 2024
football
Football's sleeping giants Down are on the up again
By John Harrington
This is a good week for Down football.
Their senior team play Westmeath in the Allianz Football League Division 3 Final on Saturday, and earlier in the day their minors play Derry in the Ulster League Final.
A good chunk of their senior panel are graduates of
Wednesday 27 March 2024