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James Lawton: Nesbitt is self-styled bard of Cheltenham

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:32:16 GMT

Cheltenham comes round quickly, but then so does life, and in both cases some of us rarely get round to analysing quite why we enjoy it so much.

The Punter: Big Buck’s all the way

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:20:14 GMT

One Armagh punter can look forward to care-free Cheltenham following two sensational bets landed courtesy of Toals Bookmakers.

The Punter: Not a done deal just yet for Dunguib

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:07:06 GMT

What are the bankers for Cheltenham?

Tyrone Howe: Simply get the basics right and the rest will take care of itself

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 01:51:24 GMT

Looking back at Ireland's victory on Saturday, the opening minutes gave a portent of things to come.

Peter Bills: Ireland now reaping reward for nurturing genius of O’Driscoll

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 01:43:10 GMT

It wasn’t the perfect performance, far from it. Business-like and effective, another working day at the office perhaps, but the true sparks were comparatively few and far between.

Triple Crown within Ireland’s grasp

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:54 GMT

There can be no disputing that Ireland wholly deserved Saturday’s victory over Wales.

Heaslip’s delight at Welsh shut-out

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:46 GMT

Jamie Heaslip, Leinster’s No 8 forward, expressed his delight that Ireland had managed to keep their try line intact against Welsh opponents noted for their scoring.

O’Driscoll tries to keep his emotions in check

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:27 GMT

Brian O’Driscoll savoured every moment of the match which saw him win his 100th cap and admitted that it had been more emotional than he had thought would be the case.

‘Flattered’ O’Driscoll plans perfect party

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:25:24 GMT

With this being Brian O’Driscoll’s big day, it says something for the regard in which Wales coach Warren Gatland’s holds the Irish captain that he has called a ceasefire in the war of words he declared 12 months ago.

Dallaglio’s backing Ireland’s World Cup bid

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:15:33 GMT

Shepherd’s Bush-born and reared Lawrence Dallaglio could have played rugby for Ireland. Or Italy.

James Lawton: Schumacher to kick up a storm in desert

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:04:14 GMT

It may be true that nowhere is the world less inclined to stand still than in Formula One but then if anyone can put a brake on the assumption that both genius and unprecedented achievement can be timed out in a mere four years surely it is Michael Schumacher.

David Healy: Savage just keeps on surprising

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:06:02 GMT

It was funny seeing Robbie Savage playing in goal for Derby County against Reading this week.

David Healy: Ronaldo may have Real regrets about leaving Old Trafford

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:01:25 GMT

Cristiano Ronaldo looked shattered following Real Madrid’s exit from the Champions League.

David Healy: Not even Barcelona will stop Manchester United ruling Europe this time

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:59:17 GMT

What a result for Manchester United and what a performance. The more this season goes on the better they and Wayne Rooney become.

Steven Beacom's Premier League predictions

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:55:12 GMT

Arsenal scored five, Manchester United hit four so I guess that means Chelsea will smash home three against Inter Milan next week in the Champions League. Before Jose Mourinho returns to the Bridge, though, there are plenty of important Premier League clashes to get excited about.

Croke Park victory a must, says Best

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:31 GMT

Rory Best last night urged his Irish colleagues to make home advantage count in their RBS 6 Nations Championship clash with Wales tomorrow.

Joe Kernan: McGourty’s star quality just made for a Croke Park showpiece

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:26:52 GMT

What have C J McGourty, Henry Shefflin, Odhran O’Dwyer and Joe Canning got in common?

Joe Kernan: Antrim prove League needs taken seriously

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:25:50 GMT

Not so very long ago the majority of teams tended to go through the motions in the National Football League. The competition indeed was treated with scant respect which did little to enhance its reputation as the second most important series in the calendar.

Quiet man Wallace can silence old foe Williams

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:33:35 GMT

David Wallace is a solidly grounded Munster man whose handling of the media is not dissimilar to his treatment of opponents on the pitch; he concedes little to either.

Billy on the Box: It’s official, the Beeb have totally gone to the dogs

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:21:02 GMT

Do you ever get the feeling that BBC Northern Ireland are just taunting and laughing at you?

Steven Beacom: Sorry Sol, you have been great

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:11:24 GMT

When Sol Campbell signed for Arsenal, I suggested that it was a backward step for the north London outfit.

Steven Beacom: Gary Hamilton must do more for Glentoran - and he knows it

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:51 GMT

I remember flying home once from an international trip with Gary Hamilton sitting beside me. The poor guy probably wanted to sleep, but as is my wont on a plane, I was looking for a conversation.

Steven Beacom: Liverpool players Gerrard and Torres must take some of the blame

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:27 GMT

I thought it would be a long time before I watched a more pitiful performance than that served up by Northern Ireland last week.

Tyrone Howe: Final thriller should be academic for Belfast and Ballymena

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:56:07 GMT

Last Thursday afternoon, for many who follow Schools rugby, the world seemed to grind to a halt.

Tyrone Howe: Bowe-Williams battle will get juices flowing

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:55:40 GMT

It is no wonder that many of the headlines going into this weekend’s penultimate round of Six Nations fixtures revolve around England’s visit to Edinburgh.