FORMER KILKENNY ENFORCER Tommy Walsh believes the current squad needs “encouragement and patience” as they look to navigate through a transitional period. Kilkenny travel to Thurles to take on Tipperary tonight, having won just one of their opening three league games. In contrast the reigning All-Ireland champions are riding the crest of a wave and … Continue reading "‘Forget about the guys that were there in the past, they’re gone. This is a new team’"

IT’S QUITE POSSIBLE Tipperary have never looked forward to a match against Kilkenny quite as much, not in the Brian Cody era anyway. Source: James Crombie/INPHO The Premier are looking to extend their winning run to a ninth straight competitive game tonight against Cody’s men, who’ve picked up just one victory in their opening three … Continue reading "Changing of the guard? Tipperary look to confirm their status as hurling’s elite force"

IT’S BEEN ANOTHER hectic week in sport. Ireland’s chances of winning this year’s Six Nations were all but dashed following a disappointing loss to Wales last night. Meanwhile, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Tyrone Mings were charged by the FA for the heavy challenges they exchanged in the Premier League last weekend. Here’s how you reacted to … Continue reading "Ireland’s Six Nations hopes in tatters, and Barcelona’s astonishing comeback – It’s Comments of the Week"

CORK STARS WERE very much to the fore as UCC ended UCD’s reign as O’Connor Cup champions this afternoon. Niamh Cotter netted a brace of goals and Libby Coppinger added another as UCC, winners last in 2012, progressed to the final for the first time since that success. UCD, who won the competition for the … Continue reading "Cork stars impress as UCC and UL set up O’Connor Cup final meeting"

Tipperary 3-17 Longford 0-18 Fintan O’Toole reports from Semple Stadium TIPPERARY’S PROMOTION CHALLENGE is still on track from Division 3 of the Allianz Football League after Conor Sweeney’s scoring spree propelled them to victory over Longford at Semple Stadium tonight. The win lifts Tipperary to second place in the table behind Louth after this eight-point … Continue reading "2-7 for Sweeney as Tipperary boost promotion hopes with victory over Longford"

CLONLARA’S IAN GALVIN will start for Clare for the first time in their league game against Dublin in Ennis tomorrow. The younger brother of former All-Star Colm Galvin will start at corner-forward, replacing Cathal McInerney, after coming on as a substitute in last week’s clash with Tipperary. Galvin will be joined in the full-forward line by Peter … Continue reading "First start for Galvin as Clare make 3 changes for Dublin game"

Padraic Maher bursts clear of Kilkenny challenges. Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO Tipperary 2-17 Kilkenny 3-14 Fintan O’Toole reports from Semple Stadium A FRANTIC AND ENTHRALLING contest eventually concluded tonight with Tipperary and Kilkenny refusing to be separated, substitute Steven O’Brien’s 69th minute point for the home side proving to be the score that delivered a draw … Continue reading "Hat-trick for TJ but late O’Brien point sees Tipp force draw with Kilkenny in Semple thriller"

Limerick 6-33 Laois 1-19 Steven Miller reports from O’Moore Park, Portlaoise SHANE DOWLING AND Gearoid Hegarty were the scoring stars as Limerick picked up their third victory in Division 1B of the Allianz Hurling league thanks to a big win tonight over Laois in O’Moore Park. Hegarty did as he pleased in the opening half … Continue reading "Dowling and Hegarty star as Limerick hit 6 goals en route to 29-point win over Laois"

1. Saturday night sparkle in Semple Tipperary manager Michael Ryan makes no apologies for not being a fan of hurling under floodlights but there were few complaining in the 14,763 attendance after this richly entertaining game. Certainly there were mistakes on both sides – inaccurate shooting from the deadliest marksmen in the game was unusual … Continue reading "5 talking points after Tipperary and Kilkenny finish level in pulsating clash in Thurles"

1. This was also a reminder that great feats are built of individual blocks. Some of them you construct yourself. Some of them are gifted to you. Some should crumble under your weight but, for whatever reason, they don’t. Some of them fall from above. Barcelona picked up all those blocks and built something beautiful … Continue reading "Barca build something beautiful, the Warriors in Tralee and the week’s best sportswriting"