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12

‘I think it’s a top team, top manager with a special player’ – Ruben Amorim ready for Bournemouth challenge

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Ruben Amorim stressed the importance of securing a much-needed Old Trafford win when Manchester United host "top team" Bournemouth on Monday.

11

‘I’m not feeling Xabi Alonso’s pressure’ – Leo Cullen welcomes Leinster’s great expectations after taming Tigers on the road

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Back at Welford Road, where he spent two years as a player, Leo Cullen found himself in familiar territory answering familiar questions about his side’s latest stuttering performance in their 23-15 win over Leicester Tigers last night.

07

Conor McKeon: Just when you thought it was safe to talk about Irish football again, along comes ‘Saipan’ the movie

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The tiny Pacific island of Tinian has two extremely long parallel runways on its northern end, now obsolete and overgrown. On August 6, 1945, one was used to launch the Enola Gay, the American military aircraft that dropped the atomic bomb…

‘They never forget her, yet try to move on with their lives’ – Joe Rabbitte on Athenry’s emotional journey to Croke Park

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Sabina and Olwen Rabbitte were part of Galway’s All-Ireland-winning camogie team this year, but they weren’t pressurised into the sport by their dad Joe.

‘I feel I had a lot to offer FAI’ – Twice turned down by football association Sarah Keane is moving on with a new role

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The final weeks of a job that has spanned over two decades have come together well for Sarah Keane, between podium and policy.

Miguel Delaney: Arne Slot isn’t alone – should Liverpool’s hierarchy be under the microscope?

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After the 1-0 win over Internazionale, some sources present noted how there was a bit more vigour to the Liverpool hierarchy as they congratulated Arne Slot at the San Siro.

‘All these guys are hungry to try and win a medal’ – Brian Fay leads Irish bid to end European Cross Country drought

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Moving to the other side of the world can teach you a lot about your home nation. In recent weeks, Brian Fay has been back in Dublin after spending much of the year in Melbourne, where he trains with some of Australia’s top distance…

Paddy McCarthy: I felt there was something brewing when I first started coaching this Ireland squad

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Ireland assistant coach Paddy McCarthy feels the impact last month’s stunning comeback win over Hungary had on the national side cannot be underestimated and called on the players to use that feeling as fuel in their bid to reach next…

Under-pressure Wilfried Nancy insists cup final win ‘would validate what we are doing’ at Celtic

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Wilfried Nancy claims players and fans are the most important figures in Celtic’s Premier Sports Cup final against St Mirren but admits victory on Sunday would validate his fledgling project.

‘A testament to the club’ – family effort on and off the pitch behind Kilkerrin-Clonberne’s drive-for-five

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Talk of the drive-for-five has been parked by the Kilkerrin-Clonberne ladies footballers as they focused instead on their preparations during All-Ireland final week.

Wayne Bailey: Jagwar’s upward curve points to further success at Cheltenham

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It’s four years tomorrow since every favourite (including a joint-favourite) on a card at Catterick won, a rare event that left the on-course bookmakers shell-shocked and punters briefly convincing themselves this game is easy.

Nick Griggs has more European Cross Country glory in sights as Ireland travel to Portugal in hope

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It says a lot about the star quality of Nick Griggs that, five days shy of his 21st birthday, he’s already amassed a remarkable five medals from the European Cross Country Championships, with three individual podium finishes and two team…

How a deepening injury crisis is threatening to derail Arsenal’s title charge – again

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After 15 games of the Premier League season, it currently feels like only two things can prevent Arsenal from winning their first title in more than two decades.

‘We need to see a response’ – Clayton McMillan shows ruthless streak as he wields axe after Bath ‘embarrassment’

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No one can be under any illusions about what Clayton McMillan thought of Munster’s opening salvo in the Champions Cup in Bath.

Weekend racing preview: ‘Kentucky’ primed to score for Philip Rothwell as O’Briens eye Sha Tin glory

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There is a dearth of quality when it comes to domestic action this weekend but there is no shortage of punting opportunities with nine handicaps across jumps cards at Fairyhouse (Saturday) and Navan (Sunday).

Friday, Dec 12

00

Bench press helps Leinster overturn half-time deficit and pass tough Welford Road test

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Leo Cullen has delivered some important half-time team talks during his ten years as Leinster head coach, and back at his old stomping ground, his players dug deep to overturn a 15-6 deficit.

23

European champion John Shortt sets another national record at Irish Winter Swimming Championships

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John Shortt set another national record in the 200m individual medley on the first day of the Irish Winter Swimming Championships at the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin.

22

Aine Donegan set for LET card push after five-shot win

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Lahinch’s Aine Donegan cruised to a five-shot win in pre-qualifying for the Lalla Aicha Q-School and insisted she must reset for next week’s Final Stage battle for Ladies European Tour cards.

21

‘I was taught how to win but never how to fight’ – Irish striker Armstrong Oko-Flex on his transformative move to Bulgaria

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For one Irish footballer making his way in the game, the further he travels from home, the more his career progresses.

Leicester v Leinster: Leo Cullen’s men fight back after trailing Tigers at half-time in Champions Cup clash

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The Champions Cup action continues this week with Friday’s game seeing Leinster visit Premiership side Leicester Tigers as their quest for that elusive fifth star continues.

20

Rhasidat Adeleke confirms hamstring strain forced withdrawal from World Championships bid

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Rhasidat Adeleke has said a hamstring strain led to her withdrawal from the World Championships in September, one of “several issues” that hampered her performances throughout the season.

‘If I won another major, another Irish Open… and winning the Ryder Cup in Adare’ – Shane Lowry on his future wish list

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Shane Lowry achieved Ryder Cup immortality when that nerve-shredding seven-footer found the left side of the hole at Bethpage and he launched himself into the most famous Offaly celebration jig since Séamus Darby denied Kerry the five-in-a…

Mohamed Salah back in Liverpool squad for Brighton game after crunch talks with Arne Slot

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Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has been included in the squad to face Brighton after talks with head coach Arne Slot.

19

Sportstar of the Year: Rory McIlroy magic, genius of David Clifford, Troy Parrott’s heroics and podiums for Kate O’Connor

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A year neatly distilled down to two moments for the ages. Appropriately, the shadows around Augusta’s 18th green were lengthening in the late-evening April sun when Rory McIlroy rolled in a tricky four-foot downhill putt, to trigger a…

Philly McMahon: Why managing a club team is harder than any county

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One of the unexpected treats of being a club manager this year was the gluttonous portions of football I consumed over the last six months. This was a culture shock.

18

Monaghan GAA makes €198,515 tax provision and raises questions on Casement project

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Monaghan GAA has made a voluntary disclosure of €198,515 to Revenue, after undertaking a four-year unprompted audit of county board accounts, from 2021 to 2024.

16

Munster v Gloucester, Champions Cup: Team news, TV time and talking points as Jack Crowley returns in much-changed side

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Munster entertain Gloucester in their first European game at Supervalu Pairc Uí Chaoimh, looking to bounce back from last week’s loss to Bath (KO 5.30pm). Here is all you need to know about Saturday’s clash.