Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Football quarters draw, Dubs blow hurling wide open

Ciarán Whelan and Davy Burke join Jacqui Hurley and Rory O'Neill to look back on the weekend where the football quarter-final teams were decided, while Shane McGrath joins for the hurling to reflect on the greatest shock of the 21st century.

Football • 17 hrs

A season of Sundays on a single Saturday evening

Limerick will need the three week lay-off to recover from the Munster final defeat, while Cork will need to summon the same anger and fire for the All-Ireland semi-final

Hurling • 11 Jun

Cork halt Limerick again as Kilkenny plough on

Shane McGrath and Barry Kelly join Jacqui Hurley and Rory O'Neill to reflect on Cork bringing Limerick's run in Munster to an end, a Leinster final didn't live up to the hype and Kildare's run to Joe McDonagh Cup glory.

Hurling • 09 Jun

'The Rebels have an abundance of talent in their forward division but they don't have that out-and-out dog who will win the dirty ball and pop it out to the shooters'

Cork must take down towering pillars of Lynch and Hayes

For Cork to have chance of dethroning Limerick as Munster champions, they simply have to curb the influence of Cian Lynch and Kyle Hayes, writes Shane McGrath.

Hurling • 04 Jun

Galway and Cork come good, provincial champions stutter

Shane McGrath and Enda McGinley join Jacqui Hurley and Rory O'Neill to reflect on weekend where the provincial hurling finals pairings were decided, while the provincial football champions continued to stutter.

Football • 26 May

Limerick send strong message, Cavan enjoy good weekend

Shane McGrath and Éamonn Fitzmaurice join Jacqui Hurley and Rory O'Neill to look back on a commanding victory for Limerick over Cork, and a shock win for Cavan against Mayo.

Football • 19 May

Hurler of the Year Shane O'Donnell came on in the 44th minute against Tipperary for his first appearance of 2025 after undergoing shoulder surgery

No team could cope with absences like Clare's - McGrath

Clare look likely to become the first All-Ireland champions under the round-robin system not to qualify for the knockout stages the following year but former Premier midfielder Shane McGrath believes Banner boss Brian Lohan has been dealt a tough hand this season.

Hurling • 12 May

Louth's day in sun, Clare's title defence in tatters

Dessie Dolan and Shane McGrath join Jacqui Hurley and Rory O'Neill to look back on a bountiful provincial weekend for Donegal and Louth, while Clare's All-Ireland hurling defence is in tatters.

Football • 12 May

Shane McGrath: 'I took it all in, saying to myself "this is brilliant up here", but I would give anything to be down there on that grass pitch being the one they are cheering for.'

Clare v Tipp Munster rivalry reminiscent of 90s classic

It's 29 May in the year of 1994. Most people are getting ready for what will be an unforgettable summer in the USA for the World Cup, a tournament that some Irish went to and just never came home, for the best of reasons now.

Hurling • 07 May

Connacht conclusions, keys for Kerry and Limerick back?

Mikey Stafford and Rory O'Neill are joined by Éamonn Fitzmaurice and Shane McGrath to review the weekend's provincial football and hurling action.

GAA • 05 May

Shane McGrath: 'The more I see of Cork this year the more I believe they will get over the line and end the famine they are experiencing with the absence of Liam MacCarthy on Leeside'

Hayes-inspired Cork on track to end All-Ireland famine

Shane McGrath feels Cork are on the right track to claim a first All-Ireland senior hurling title since 2005 with Brian Hayes playing a key role in the full-forward line.

Hurling • 30 Apr

Darragh McCarthy (R) of Tipperary is shown a red card by referee Johnny Murphy

McCarthy red a 'lesson' for Tipp and warning to hurlers

Shane McGrath feels Darragh McCarthy's red card against Cork was a warning to him, Tipperary and inter-county hurlers in general that there is a line that can't be crossed in pre-match squaring up to opponents.

Hurling • 28 Apr

Meath resuscitate Leinster, Waterford come to life

Dessie Dolan and Shane McGrath join Jacqui Hurley and Rory O'Neill to reflect on one of the shocks of the decade, as Meath downed the Dubs, while Waterford caused a surprise in the Munster Hurling Championship.

Football • 28 Apr

'Recovery back in my playing days was in the form of elbow stretches in a public house'

Hurling gladiators must prioritise rest over relaxation

Former Tipperary hurler Shane McGrath says that while the Munster hurling championship continues to enthral, he feels some of the enjoyment away from the pitch is not where it used to be.

Hurling • 24 Apr

Munster hurling deep dive and two-pointer stock rise?

Jacqui Hurley and Rory O'Neill are joined by Shane McGrath and Ciarán Whelan to review the weekend's GAA action.

GAA • 22 Apr

Shane McGrath: 'The Munster Hurling championship is the greatest thing the GAA have.'

Forget the golf, it's time for grand slam of hurling

The excitement, the passion and the emotions on show for a golf tournament was like nothing seen in a long time for the sport, now imagine you turned to one of the patrons there and said, "You know this is nothing compared to the Munster Hurling Championship".

Hurling • 18 Apr

Donegal looking sharp, Cork building momentum

Ciarán Whelan, Dessie Dolan and Shane McGrath join Rory O'Neill to look back on the opening weekend of the 2025 provincial football championships, as well as the Allianz Hurling League final.

Football • 07 Apr

'Galway have enjoyed the biggest change in fortunes over the course of the campaign'

Galway emerging from league on the biggest upward curve

What exactly are some teams looking to get from this final round of league action, Shane McGrath ponders.

Hurling • 21 Mar

'The TV ref would not be needed for every single call and should not be asked to intervene in every play'

It's time to embrace video refs in hurling

The effort and time being put in by everyone is just massive so why not use this technology to make sure everyone is getting the fairest shot at this?

Hurling • 12 Mar

Sparks between Tipp and Kilkenny, where are Clare in 25

Shane McGrath joins Jacqui Hurley and Rory O'Neill to look back on an impressive win for Tipperary over Kilkenny, even allowing for all the red cards.

Hurling • 10 Mar

Brian Hayes of Cork and John Conlon of Clare go for the ball as Clare's Adam Hogan and Patrick Horgan tussle off the ball

McGrath: Clare body language not good in loss to Cork

A lack of fight was very much evident in Clare's loss to Cork in Sunday's Division 1A hurling clash in Ennis, according to Shane McGrath, with the former Tipperary star adding that the Banner have a lot of soul searching to do ahead of their Munster opener against the Rebels on 20 April.

Hurling • 11 Mar

Shane McGrath: 'Like a deaf dog, it's too hard to call'

Twists and turns still to come in the hurling league

With the Allianz Hurling League drawing to a climax, Shane McGrath gets out his crystal ball and looks at how things will wind up and how the leagues could take shape for next season, after promotion and relegation matters are settled.

Hurling • 05 Mar

Dublin have been on the end of red cards in three rounds of the National League

McGrath: GAA must take zero tolerance with head contact

Shane McGrath wants the GAA to err on the side of caution when it comes to head contact in hurling.

Hurling • 04 Mar

Shane McGrath: 'The structure of the league has helped create excitement and high-quality games, coupled with the fact we had no pre-season league competitions to contend with'

Early league rounds delivered excitement and quality

Shane McGrath reflects on an entertaining opening three rounds of the league and offers reasons as to why the excitement and quality has been there for all to see.

Hurling • 11 Feb

Declan McLoughlin cracks home Galway's second goal against Kilkenny

McGrath hails Galway's new-found character and grit

After finding a renewed surge at the death to claim victory, the character shown by Galway in their win over Kilkenny in Division 1A of the Allianz Hurling League was what impressed Shane McGrath the most, as Micheál Donoghue looks to put his stamp on the side in his second coming as manager.

Hurling • 04 Feb