Opinion
Ireland one more November defeat from a full-blown crisis of confidence
Andy Farrell saw his men put in one of their worst performances under his tenure and that has made a win over Los Pumas pivotal
Pat McCarry
11 Nov 2024, 15:48
Contributors
Pat McCarry
@patmccarry
Pat McCarry has been covering rugby, across various shows and platforms, for over 16 years. He has two best-selling rugby books, The New Breed and Man & Ball, and penned a sell-out rugby play, Soldier Field, in 2019. He has written for SportsJOE, The42, Guardian, Press Association and Inside Rugby, among others.
Interview
'You don’t want to be the one shouting the loudest' - Andrew Porter plotting All Blacks payback
Stung by their heartbreaking loss in Paris at last year's World Cup, the Irish prop says they will give it everything to emerge vi…
Pat McCarry
07 Nov 2024, 11:36
Opinion
“He’s given Connacht everything” – Bundee Aki’s future, and an exciting tactical innovation
Still at the top of his game, the power-packed Connacht and Ireland midfielder could yet have a novel positional switch in him
Pat McCarry
03 Nov 2024, 14:29
Analysis
Why Ireland refuse to put O'Mahony, Murray and Healy out to pasture
The veteran trio has a combined age of 107 yet Andy Farrell wants his on-field ambassadors to stick around.
Pat McCarry
24 Oct 2024, 7:34
Interview
'I feared no opposition. I feared letting Axel down.' – Remembering a legend on a special anniversary
Donncha O'Callaghan and Orla Foley, sister of Anthony Foley, remember a Munster legend, eight years after his untimely passing
Pat McCarry
16 Oct 2024, 4:59
Analysis
Ireland’s Lomu, their next general at 10 and three other ‘Emerging’ stars who soared
The second Emerging Ireland tour in South Africa gave coaching an insight into the talent coming the famed system and didn't disap…
Pat McCarry
13 Oct 2024, 3:02
Exclusive
Jordi Murphy: 'If you drop your output by even 5 per cent, there’s someone else ready to go.'
The former Ireland backrow hopes to use his experience to help guide the next generation and learn from his mistakes
Pat McCarry
03 Oct 2024, 11:58
Interview
'There's not a lot wrong': Leinster going for broke to avoid more broken hearts
After three lost finals and four semi-final defeats in four seasons, how have Leinster regrouped for the new campaign?
Pat McCarry
17 Sep 2024, 9:56
Analysis
Munster hoping bold transfer decisions can help deliver more URC glory
Zebo may have retired and RG Snyman may have headed up the N7 to Leinster but Munster's low-key recruitment has been shrewd
Pat McCarry
11 Sep 2024, 15:23
Exclusive
Why it's Ciaran Frawley's time in the Ireland 10 jersey
The drop-goal hero wants to prove he can be Leinster and Ireland's go-to fly-half.
Pat McCarry
04 Sep 2024, 6:36
Exclusive
Cathal Forde savours a decade of Bundee Aki and Connacht's new identity
The talented midfielder has gone from idolising powerhouse Aki to playing alongside him.
Pat McCarry
30 Aug 2024, 3:06
Exclusive
Mack Hansen: 'The All Blacks let their girlfriends do their fighting for them!'
The colourful Ireland wing on New Zealand's 'trash talk', long-term injury, and letting personality shine.
Pat McCarry
24 Aug 2024, 3:06
Analysis
Jamie Osborne heads up the Irish family who may one day rival the Barretts
The precocious back and eldest of five siblings shone on his introduction to the Test arena in South Africa.
Pat McCarry
13 Aug 2024, 5:00
Opinion
The ‘Connacht colossus’ and the best Irish prospects for big-time shots
England U20s may have won the ultimate prize but Ireland's young conveyor belt of talent shows no sign of grinding to a halt
Pat McCarry
29 Jul 2024, 15:36
Opinion
'Ireland could end up with 20 Lions after winning back the world's respect'
Ciaran Frawley's drop-goal changed the Irish narrative and they have a glut of British and Irish Lions contenders.
Pat McCarry
18 Jul 2024, 1:19
Analysis
Hitting joints and closing doors: How South Africa rumbled Ireland's lineout
Ireland's lineout issues in Pretoria had shades of the Springboks' hatchet-job in their RWC clash.
Pat McCarry
10 Jul 2024, 9:29
Analysis
Massive Andy Farrell decision asks three Ireland stars to put their legacies on the line
Giants of Irish rugby must go to the well again as a monumental Test series against the Springboks looms.
Pat McCarry
03 Jul 2024, 6:01
Analysis
Munster prospects aim to drive Ireland U20s to world glory
Back-rower Brian Gleeson and captain Evan O’Connell are among those aiming to go one better than last year in South Africa.
Pat McCarry
27 Jun 2024, 1:44
Opinion
Resilient Irish will test Springboks despite provincial setbacks
South Africa may feel they have Ireland figured out, but would do well to recall an important recent lesson.
Pat McCarry
20 Jun 2024, 0:58
Analysis
Leinster have made their big call, but something still needs to change
The battle to replace Johnny Sexton at No 10 has intensified but can Leo Cullen's province really sustain five out-halves?
Pat McCarry
11 Jun 2024, 9:58
