Top 10 Sportsmanship Moments 2017 (part 2)

Kieran Read and Sam Warburton share the Lions v ABs text series

Part 1 covered sportsmanship moments number 10 to moment number 6 which included brave little Bradley Lowery, Joe Hart, French rugby and German football fans opening their homes to opposition fans, a subtle, yet magical moment in the US Masters between a Spaniard and an Englishman and a US Baseball moment. Now we’re going to reveal … Read more

Lions Touring Stories

Lions Crest

The Lions – When Enemies Become Friends The British & Irish Lions started their first match in New Zealand, a few Saturdays ago. Lions tours are extraordinary, as fierce opponents from four countries come together, train together, play together, party together, tour together – they become friends for life. The Lions is a wonderful tradition. … Read more

I had a dream

I have often wondered whether I would live to see Ireland beat the All Blacks. The famous team from New Zealand are the best in the world(despite only winning one World Cup). Something unreal happened……. Although Munster, a province of Ireland, beat them way back in 1978, Ireland never managed to beat the Kiwis in … Read more

Kiwis coming to play or to ……?

So here’s the question I put to the 2005 twin spear tackling duo, Tana Umaga and Kevin Mealamu, and to the infamous 1978 diver,  former World Rugby Cup ambassador, Andy Haden (he dived out of a line-out to win a penalty which beat Wales 13-12 and still has ‘no regrets’),  – would you want your child … Read more

Welsh Fans Are Amazing

Welsh fans are amazing. Last year, when Ireland finally won our long awaited Grand Slam in Cardiff, I couldn’t help feeling that the Welsh celebrated it as much as we did. A year later I’m back in Dublin for Wales’ last international rugby match …. …to be held in hidden jewel in the crown which … Read more

A Maori Prayer for Donal Caniffe’s Dad

I recently learned something wonderful about the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team from 31 years ago. It was kindly sent to me by former Ireland and Lions sensational wing forward, Fergus Slattery whom I met in South Africa during the Lions tour this summer.   Munster made history when they beat the mighty All … Read more

The mighty All Blacks march as Snow White’s dwarfs

As rugby is very much on my mind with the 6 Nations in full motion and, Ireland looking for their first Grand Slam since 1948, a magical moment of sportsmanship was revealed only two weeks ago from a  a match that was played over 30 years ago. I was in Cork visiting Marian Ormond the widow of Dennis to whom … Read more

Silence was broken by a dog barking outside the packed stadium

“This was one of those sporting occasions which transcends a game and makes bolder statements about humanity……………….during one of Donald’s earlier, and also crucial, kicks, the silence was broken only by the barking of a dog from outside the stadium.” This is an excerpt from an extraordinarily well written piece by a Kiwi, Martin Moodie, … Read more