Opinion
International Rugby
‘Ireland’s spine looks less like a succession plan and more like a synchronized sunset’
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Contributors
Garry Doyle
Garry is a rugby reporter with the highly respected Irish sports website, The42. He has previously worked as Chief Sports Writer for The Times, Ireland edition having also held that title with The Irish News of the World. He has covered 21 Six Nations campaigns and reported from 52 different countries in his career as a sports reporter, including that unforgettable day in November 2016, when Ireland recorded their first ever win over the All Blacks at Soldier Field, Chicago.
121 Articles
Latest
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Opinion
Underdog to big dog: Joe McCarthy’s journey from school's fourth XV to Lions
The Leinster and Ireland lock spent his teenage years on the edge of obscurity, but his quiet determination has paid off.
Garry Doyle
09 Jun 2025, 10:09
2
Analysis
'Ulster, though no one wants to admit it, isn't much more than a development province right now.'
A storied rugby institution, the Irish representation from Ulster has fallen away to a trickle in recent years and that is a conce…
Garry Doyle
19 Mar 2025, 5:40
48
Exclusive
Harry McNulty: 'I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t think about walking through Dublin Airport with an Olympic medal.'
The Ireland Sevens captain has led a life less ordinary as he's travelled the world and has his sights set on Olympics glory
Garry Doyle
10 Jul 2024, 12:28
Opinion
'Don't get your Twickers in a twist'
Yes, Ireland's standards dipped, but the panic following their last-gasp loss to England is over the top.
Garry Doyle
14 Mar 2024, 4:01
1
Interview
Eddie O'Sullivan: 'One win in the Five Nations was considered a good year'
The revolution in Irish rugby in the last decade and a half has transformed a squad of also-rans into a side other countries aspir…
Garry Doyle
28 Feb 2024, 23:57
1
Analysis
Four changes Farrell made to reset Ireland on a path to glory
Andy Farrell is a much-changed coach from the one who critics felt was facing the sack three years ago
Garry Doyle
15 Feb 2024, 7:01
23
Analysis
Great expectations replace hope as Ireland chase consecutive Grand Slams
In the last decade or so, Ireland have moved the dial in people's perceptions, from plucky also-rans to elite, clinical profession…
Garry Doyle
08 Feb 2024, 0:42
1
Opinion
Garry Ringrose: How rejection bred resilience in Ireland's centre of excellence
The quiet man of Irish rugby has shown defiance in adversity to become a leader for club and country
Garry Doyle
30 Jan 2024, 0:32
1
Opinion
Irish contemplate four more years of hurt
Andy Farrell's men could do no more in an epic encounter against the All Blacks and despite regrets, perspective is required to ho…
Garry Doyle
15 Oct 2023, 8:11
16
Opinion
No ordinary Joe
When the former Ireland coach Joe Schmidt accepted a role back within the All Black inner sanctum it set him on course for an Iris…
Garry Doyle
12 Oct 2023, 14:57
19
Exclusive
'There is no team Ireland cannot beat but I know what can go wrong'
Irish great Shane Byrne tempers his Rugby World Cup optimism with a sharp history lesson
Garry Doyle
05 Oct 2023, 5:44
7
Opinion
'Let's return to reality - Ireland must exercise caution'
Irish expectation soars as Andy Farrell's team sweeps all in its path, but cool heads are needed if they are to heed mistakes of t…
Garry Doyle
26 Sep 2023, 2:07
35
Opinion
The fire that drove Peter O'Mahony to become a Test centurion
The teak-tough Munsterman will win his 100th Test cap against South Africa and his legacy as an Irish great is assured
Garry Doyle
21 Sep 2023, 1:50
5
Analysis
O'Connell helps Farrell learn from the ghosts of 2007
The 2007 Rugby World Cup proved a salutary lesson in how not to run a World Cup campaign, but Ireland have listened and learnt
Garry Doyle
14 Sep 2023, 9:15
1
Analysis
To understand Robbie Henshaw, you need to know who he is and where he is from
The powerful Leinster centre has overcome a quiet disposition to make plenty of noise in Andy Farrell's Irish winning machine
Garry Doyle
07 Sep 2023, 9:26
3
Opinion
Ireland head to France buoyed by expectation and a sense of destiny
The world's number one team are about to find out whether they can make history of continue a trend of underachievement
Garry Doyle
28 Aug 2023, 9:53
11
Interview
Ireland's World Cup failures laced with perspective and building blocks to a better future
Ireland's World Cup story is one of disappointment but out of quarter-final failures have come plans that have changed the game fo…
Garry Doyle
31 Jul 2023, 8:25
9
Analysis
Saracens back on their perch to continue the dynasty
Despite spirited resistance from Sale Sharks, few members of the Twickenham crowd doubted Mark McCall's men would wrestle back the…
Garry Doyle Jamie Lyall Owain Jones
29 May 2023, 8:18
1
Opinion
La Rochelle complete the modern-day miracle
It's been a challenging season in rugby but the Heineken Cup final showed the game can reach parts few other sports can on a breat…
Garry Doyle Jamie Lyall Owain Jones
22 May 2023, 5:20
Analysis
Sale Sharks show true Northern pride
George Ford inspires Sale to reach their first Premiership final in 17 years and despite facing Saracens, they will have nothing t…
Garry Doyle Owain Jones
15 May 2023, 5:23