#Sport - Top Picks

A specially curated collection from our sportsdesk highlighting the content they think you should not miss - as fellow Irish Examiner sport superfans.

LATEST TOP PICKS

January February March April May June July August September October November December

S columnists
Paul Rouse: Like Dylan, sport is still tangled up in truth
To just give up on facts and information, and to simply cede the pitch to imagination and emotion and feelings is a profound mistake.

S columnists
Tommy Martin: Why GAA teams are treating the Allianz Leagues as a warm-up, not a priority

racing
Irish Examiner at the Cheltenham Festival: Day 1 video preview with Ruby Walsh
Listen |

SDonal Lenihan: Ireland must counter the juggernaut and stop French stardust

S gaa
Dalo's Hurling Show: Moving day with Tipp wired for the old enemy
Listen |

SRuby Walsh: How I'd add extra sparkle to Grand National

MORE TOP PICKS

S Éamonn Fitzmaurice: Plenty on the line as Kerry and Donegal look to lay down a marker
Plus three things I'll be looking out for this weekend.
Sat, 08 Feb, 2025

S Éamonn Fitzmaurice: Division 4 in Rathkeale, but the rules of engagement are the same
I have attended Division 3 and Division 4 games down the years but not as many as I would like to. And every season I vow to try and get to a few more.
Mon, 03 Feb, 2025

Soaked in the Páirc: is there another side of Corkness finally emerging?
Cork has tended to suffer in poor conditions and while they may always have hurling to burn, the hurly burly of what might be called the real stuff hasn’t always come naturally to them.
Sun, 02 Feb, 2025

Cork's first LGBTQ+ GAA club giving people a sense of belonging
At January's Cork GAA County Committee meeting, Na Laochra Aeracha's application to form a new club was approved. They will play in the Seandun Junior C Football Championship this year.
Sat, 01 Feb, 2025

S Anthony Daly: Forget All-Irelands, Midleton in the Harty jangled the nerves most
The Munster senior colleges decider is down for a decision on Saturday.
Sat, 01 Feb, 2025

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Ronan O'Gara previews the Six Nations
The La Rochelle coach -- and Irish rugby legend -- speaks to Tony Leen about a tournament he knows well.
Listen | Thu, 30 Jan, 2025
Listen |

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Six Nations preview
Donal Lenihan joins Brendan O'Brien and Simon Lewis to look ahead to the 2025 Six Nations, assess Ireland's chances without Andy Farrell and pick their likely tournament winners
Listen | Wed, 29 Jan, 2025
Listen |

S Kieran Shannon: With a new nut to crack, Cluxton emulates perfectionist Ring
Gaelic football's new rule present Stephen Cluxton with a fresh challenge.
Tue, 28 Jan, 2025

S Colin Sheridan: Kaepernick proves it pays to remain silent
The NFL, which had protected and forgiven all manner of criminals, including countless domestic abusers, consciously cancelled Kaepernick for deigning to protest racial and social injustice.
Mon, 27 Jan, 2025

Cathal Dennehy: Saying a final goodbye and thanks to a beloved coach
A coach who cares – about the person even more than the performance. Treasure them. They’re among life’s greatest givers.
Fri, 24 Jan, 2025

S Paul Rouse: Denis Law stood for the swagger and style of Scottish identity
Denis Law had a deep loyalty to Scotland. He may have lived and worked outside the country of his birth for all of his adult life, but there was no denying his Scottishness.
Thu, 23 Jan, 2025

S A vulnerable champion: Fintan McCarthy on living up to life as an Olympic hero
Six grams of gold, infinite emotions. Ireland’s Olympic hero Fintan McCarthy shares how Olympic glory stirs unexpected insecurities with Eoghan Cormican
Thu, 23 Jan, 2025

S Donal Lenihan: The business end at last with Saints showdown now huge for Munster
I’ll be tuning in from the bowels of the stadium to events at Franklins Gardens, hoping that Munster can build on the momentum generated from last weekend’s pivotal win. Franklin's Gardens will tell us a lot.
Wed, 15 Jan, 2025

S There's only two Keowns: Gunner invincible on being a 'Paddy' outsider, brutal Arsenal and Van Nistelrooy
The former Arsenal man's autobiography is written by Martin Keown about Martin KEY-own, he says. If there are two Keowns, the Irish and English version, there are also two Martins, before and after Arsene Wenger.
Sat, 11 Jan, 2025

WATCH: Aidan Igiehon on search for Irish hoops' one-percenters who can make it in US
The Ireland international blazed a trail in America - and he wants to help the next generation make the leap.
Thu, 09 Jan, 2025

S Colin Sheridan: Change as good as a rest for Rashford and Grealish
The out-of-favour strikers -- as well as Ireland forward Evan Ferguson - need game time.
Mon, 06 Jan, 2025

S The Gaelic Football Show: up and running with the new rules
James Horan, Maurice Brosnan and Paul Rouse analyse a big first weekend of the season.
Listen | Mon, 06 Jan, 2025
Listen |

S Conor Meany: What is happening to Neptune?
Chance Hunter is a good player, while Jahmal Wright hasn’t lit the world on fire since arriving. The problem is though that the two players don’t help their Irish players at all
Sun, 05 Jan, 2025

S We looked at every GAA crest in the world — here’s what we found
Camels are more likely to grace GAA crests than cows. Adam Moynihan discovers why, and looks at the stories behind the designs of some distinctive badges
Wed, 25 Dec, 2024

The midterms: Who has set the pace at the Premier League turn?
Here’s our verdict on who would lift the individual trophies, if the were votes were being counted before the bells welcome in 2025…
Tue, 24 Dec, 2024

S Kieran Shannon: Why has nobody from Ulster been able to retain the All-Ireland?
Has the Disease of Me infected previous champions from the province?
Tue, 24 Dec, 2024

Madness of Football, Episode 2: why does Gaelic football exist?
Maurice Brosnan, James Horan and Paul Rouse trace the game's early development.
Listen | Mon, 23 Dec, 2024
Listen |

S Christy O'Connor: Why has the most competive province stopped producing All-Ireland winners?
Why do Munster teams struggle so much in the All-Ireland club championship?
Sat, 14 Dec, 2024

S Ronan O'Gara: This will take a mammoth effort from Munster to beat Castres
Also, on Sam Prendergast, my bad. I now see where all the hot air about the Leinster kid was coming from. He's good.
Fri, 13 Dec, 2024

S Dalo's Hurling Show: All-Ireland semis, Revenue and charging U16s
Anthony Daly, TJ Ryan and Mark Landers preview the weekend's hurling.
Listen | Thu, 12 Dec, 2024
Listen |

S The Gaelic Football Show: End-of-year questions, Munster and Ulster deciders
Paul Rouse, Maurice Brosnan and James Horan reflect on the year and the weekend's action.
Listen | Tue, 10 Dec, 2024
Listen |

S Peter Jackson: Munster's Alex Nankivell escaped full force of the law that crashed down on Azagoh
Brennan brothers complete winning family double and Ulster almost bring Champions’ Cup into disrepute.
Mon, 09 Dec, 2024

S Colin Sheridan: what sport media's jock culture shows us about society
This past week showed we may be going backwards.
Mon, 02 Dec, 2024

S Dion Fanning: For once Manchester City are compelling as Pep wrestles with a riddle
Man City have not usually engaged emotions which tend to be more pronounced when there is an element of jeopardy.
Sat, 30 Nov, 2024

Top 8: Our annual Christmas mince pie survey — a fruitful endeavour
"We must ensure that bakers, new and well-established, will be here ‘ag an am seo arís’ by supporting them. With escalating costs and staffing problems, they need us more than ever."
Fri, 29 Nov, 2024

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Munster backroom deals, Joe's Wallabies in town
Simon Lewis and Brendan O'Brien convene after a busy day to discuss staff developments at Thomond Park, Joe Schmidt's return to Dublin and the news from the Ireland camp.
Listen | Tue, 26 Nov, 2024
Listen |

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Farrell rings the changes, Sam's the man, Fiji challenge
Simon Lewis and Brendan O'Brien discuss Andy Farrell's team selection for the third November test against Fiji.
Listen | Thu, 21 Nov, 2024
Listen |

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: focus turns to Fiji
Simon Lewis and Brendan O’Brien tun through the new faces we can expect to see ahead of a “dangerous” week and game against Fiji in Dublin this Saturday
Listen | Tue, 19 Nov, 2024
Listen |

S Colin Sheridan: Pathetic Tyson-Paul show should mark end of this era of pro boxing - but won't
There's too much money to be made from a sport that's sold its soul.
Mon, 18 Nov, 2024

S Dion Fanning: How Ireland can exploit England’s true cultural heritage
The Boys in Green will hope to roll back the years at Wembley on Sunday evening.
Fri, 15 Nov, 2024

Paul Rouse: How the game of 'hurley' rose and fell in the capital
Hurley never exploded onto the Dublin sporting scene rather its story is one of steady progress. It became an important part in the life of various schools
Fri, 15 Nov, 2024

S Donal Lenihan: Ireland's issues are serious. And the clock is ticking for some
If Sam Prendergast impresses off the bench, he could well start against Fiji next time out. Change is on the way. That’s why it’s imperative for a number of seasoned campaigners to show their true worth
Thu, 14 Nov, 2024

S Discussing schools football: Sem suppression of Cork, starlets surfacing, west Cork derby and red faces
Nine Talking Points as the Munster U19 Schools SFC (Corn Uí Mhuirí) starts shaping up for the knockouts.
Thu, 14 Nov, 2024

S Donal Lenihan: Ireland's failure to cope with All Blacks pressure will irk Andy Farrell most
Ireland's inability to deal with the All Blacks pressure manifested itself in some very poor handling errors and a lack of discipline that continued throughout the game.
Tue, 12 Nov, 2024

Rugby podcast: Bouncing back from All Blacks defeat and the Argentina challenge
Simon Lewis and Brendan O'Brien discuss what needs to change for Ireland this week as focus shifts from the All Blacks defeat to the visit of the Pumas.
Listen | Tue, 12 Nov, 2024
Listen |

S The Gaelic Football Show: Murphy returns, McCarthy exits, All-Star decisions
James Horan and Paul Rouse are joined by Maurice Brosnan from Washington DC to discuss Michael Murphy's return to intercounty football, James McCarthy's retirement, the All-Stars and what Maurice has witnessed in the US.
Listen | Mon, 11 Nov, 2024
Listen |

S Cathal Dennehy: No appetite to uncover truth of drugs in soccer
On the Stick to Football podcast earlier this year, two of the sport’s most respected voices, Gary Neville and Roy Keane, said they believed they played against doped teams during their career.
Mon, 11 Nov, 2024

S Colin Sheridan: Rugby is an OK game propped up by commerce - nothing more nothing less
Compared to practically every other team sport played by kids around this country, it is a game that is propped up - not by community - but by commerce
Mon, 11 Nov, 2024

S Ronan O'Gara: This isn’t about spite. It's about whose rugby is better, Ireland’s or New Zealand’s
Dublin might, only might, be the most significant challenge for New Zealand on this tour. But Scott Robertson knows the next autumn series that really matters to him is in 2027 in Australia.
Listen | Fri, 08 Nov, 2024
Listen |

Podcast: Team selections, revenge and New Zealand in transition? Previewing Ireland's All Blacks reunion
Brendan O'Brien and Simon Lewis convene for a special rugby podcast to look ahead to Friday night's big game.
Listen | Wed, 06 Nov, 2024
Listen |

S Colin Sheridan: An open letter from a lapsed Man Utd fan to Erik ten Hag
The now former Old Trafford boss wrote a departing message to supporters last week.
Mon, 04 Nov, 2024

S Talking Points: O’Keeffe's small net gains the difference again for Gunners
Elsewhere, Errigal find their way and Barcelona show they're going places.
Sun, 03 Nov, 2024

S Anthony Daly: Gillane omission makes no sense and Kilkenny will use snub as fuel
Friday night's All-Star awards will be grist to the mill for Derek Lyng and the Cats as they aim to reclaim Liam next season.
Sat, 02 Nov, 2024

S How John Maher went from sitting in the stand after nightmare debut to an All-Star
The Galway man is one of three nominees for the footballer of the year award.
Fri, 01 Nov, 2024

S Jack Anderson: Doon. County champions. I'm too caught in the throat to say anything else
So many times, we left the Gaelic Grounds and headed silently and sullenly home on the Ballysimon road. Are we ever going to do it? And then, we just did.
Thu, 31 Oct, 2024

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LATEST TOP PICKS

Paul Rouse: Like Dylan, sport is still tangled up in truth

Tommy Martin: Why GAA teams are treating the Allianz Leagues as a warm-up, not a priority

Irish Examiner at the Cheltenham Festival: Day 1 video preview with Ruby Walsh

SDonal Lenihan: Ireland must counter the juggernaut and stop French stardust

Dalo's Hurling Show: Moving day with Tipp wired for the old enemy

SRuby Walsh: How I'd add extra sparkle to Grand National

MORE TOP PICKS

S Éamonn Fitzmaurice: Plenty on the line as Kerry and Donegal look to lay down a marker

S Éamonn Fitzmaurice: Division 4 in Rathkeale, but the rules of engagement are the same

Soaked in the Páirc: is there another side of Corkness finally emerging?

Cork's first LGBTQ+ GAA club giving people a sense of belonging

S Anthony Daly: Forget All-Irelands, Midleton in the Harty jangled the nerves most

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Ronan O'Gara previews the Six Nations

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Six Nations preview

S Kieran Shannon: With a new nut to crack, Cluxton emulates perfectionist Ring

S Colin Sheridan: Kaepernick proves it pays to remain silent

Cathal Dennehy: Saying a final goodbye and thanks to a beloved coach

S Paul Rouse: Denis Law stood for the swagger and style of Scottish identity

S A vulnerable champion: Fintan McCarthy on living up to life as an Olympic hero

S Donal Lenihan: The business end at last with Saints showdown now huge for Munster

S There's only two Keowns: Gunner invincible on being a 'Paddy' outsider, brutal Arsenal and Van Nistelrooy

WATCH: Aidan Igiehon on search for Irish hoops' one-percenters who can make it in US

S Colin Sheridan: Change as good as a rest for Rashford and Grealish

S The Gaelic Football Show: up and running with the new rules

S Conor Meany: What is happening to Neptune?

S We looked at every GAA crest in the world — here’s what we found

The midterms: Who has set the pace at the Premier League turn?

S Kieran Shannon: Why has nobody from Ulster been able to retain the All-Ireland?

Madness of Football, Episode 2: why does Gaelic football exist?

S Christy O'Connor: Why has the most competive province stopped producing All-Ireland winners?

S Ronan O'Gara: This will take a mammoth effort from Munster to beat Castres

S Dalo's Hurling Show: All-Ireland semis, Revenue and charging U16s

S The Gaelic Football Show: End-of-year questions, Munster and Ulster deciders

S Peter Jackson: Munster's Alex Nankivell escaped full force of the law that crashed down on Azagoh

S Colin Sheridan: what sport media's jock culture shows us about society

S Dion Fanning: For once Manchester City are compelling as Pep wrestles with a riddle

Top 8: Our annual Christmas mince pie survey — a fruitful endeavour

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Munster backroom deals, Joe's Wallabies in town

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Farrell rings the changes, Sam's the man, Fiji challenge

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: focus turns to Fiji

S Colin Sheridan: Pathetic Tyson-Paul show should mark end of this era of pro boxing - but won't

S Dion Fanning: How Ireland can exploit England’s true cultural heritage

Paul Rouse: How the game of 'hurley' rose and fell in the capital

S Donal Lenihan: Ireland's issues are serious. And the clock is ticking for some

S Discussing schools football: Sem suppression of Cork, starlets surfacing, west Cork derby and red faces

S Donal Lenihan: Ireland's failure to cope with All Blacks pressure will irk Andy Farrell most

Rugby podcast: Bouncing back from All Blacks defeat and the Argentina challenge

S The Gaelic Football Show: Murphy returns, McCarthy exits, All-Star decisions

S Cathal Dennehy: No appetite to uncover truth of drugs in soccer

S Colin Sheridan: Rugby is an OK game propped up by commerce - nothing more nothing less

S Ronan O'Gara: This isn’t about spite. It's about whose rugby is better, Ireland’s or New Zealand’s

Podcast: Team selections, revenge and New Zealand in transition? Previewing Ireland's All Blacks reunion

S Colin Sheridan: An open letter from a lapsed Man Utd fan to Erik ten Hag

S Talking Points: O’Keeffe's small net gains the difference again for Gunners

S Anthony Daly: Gillane omission makes no sense and Kilkenny will use snub as fuel

S How John Maher went from sitting in the stand after nightmare debut to an All-Star

S Jack Anderson: Doon. County champions. I'm too caught in the throat to say anything else

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