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Pat McCarry

Pat McCarry has been covering rugby, across various shows and platforms, for over 16 years. He has two best-selling rugby books, The New Breed and Man & Ball, and penned a sell-out rugby play, Soldier Field, in 2019. He has written for SportsJOE, The42, Guardian, Press Association and Inside Rugby, among others.

111 Articles
LONG READ
Analysis

The best uncapped Irish prospects pushing for summer tour places

With criticism is some quarters about an ageing squad, Andy Farrell has a plethora of young talent to blood onto the Test stage

Pat McCarry
Pat McCarry
10 May 2026, 2:09
LONG READ
Interview

‘You can’t go into your shell’ - Tommy O’Brien primed for Toulon after late big-time arrival

After biding his time through injury frustration, the Leinster and Ireland winger is making up for lost time with club and country…

Pat McCarry
Pat McCarry
30 Apr 2026, 10:03
LONG READ
Interview

‘No-one was expecting us to win’: How Cape Town heist crowned Connacht comeback

Fuelled by eight players born in the province, Connacht's sixth straight URC win has put them in the play-off frame.

Pat McCarry
Pat McCarry
23 Apr 2026, 3:46
LONG READ
Opinion

Crowley and Byrne help Farrell flesh out No.10 masterplan

Harry Byrne's displays for Leinster have bolstered competition for Jack Crowley's Ireland shirt despite Sam Prendergast's glitch i…

Pat McCarry
Pat McCarry
17 Apr 2026, 4:30
LONG READ
Interview

Dalton: 'Some girls like to be screaming and shouting, and that works for them. I’m definitely the opposite'

This Six Nations Aoife Dalton comes in as a mainstay of the Irish team after captaining the Wolfhounds to Celtic challenge glory. …

Pat McCarry
Pat McCarry
10 Apr 2026, 3:46
LONG READ
Interview

Dan Sheehan: ‘I don’t feel that rugby swallows me up a whole lot’

The Ireland hooker discusses family, relationships, an early encounter with Jonah Lomu and a ‘taste for winning’ with Leinster…

Pat McCarry
Pat McCarry
02 Apr 2026, 8:40
LONG READ
Exclusive

Alex Nankivell: 'Playing for Ireland wasn't my goal - it definitely is now'

The Munster centre had no thoughts of Test rugby when he moved north, but is now 15 months from qualifying to wear the emerald jer…

Pat McCarry
Pat McCarry
26 Mar 2026, 3:03
LONG READ
Analysis

England could force Ireland to break the bank if they go hard after Andy Farrell

The in-demand coach will be pushed to reject overtures from England and Saracens when his contract is up after the World Cup

Pat McCarry
Pat McCarry
17 Mar 2026, 3:16
LONG READ
Interview

‘A very lonely feeling’ – Jack Crowley’s worrying flaw that could undermine Ireland

Jack Crowley has shown fight and perseverance to reclaim the 10 jersey, but doubts over his goalkicking remain.

Pat McCarry
Pat McCarry
13 Mar 2026, 5:37
LONG READ
Exclusive

Ulster have emerged from the doldrums - and Ireland are the beneficiaries

Ulster endured the ignominy of contributing zero players to an Ireland squad as recently as November, but times have changed.

Pat McCarry
Pat McCarry
04 Mar 2026, 6:35
LONG READ
Analysis

Andy Farrell took England down with a move straight from the Alex Ferguson playbook

Holding back the likes of Josh van der Flier against Italy proved to be a masterstroke by Andy Farrell, the kind of selection move…

Pat McCarry
Pat McCarry
25 Feb 2026, 3:57
LONG READ
Analysis

England ‘smell blood’ as Ireland roll out the old guard for Twickenham battle

Can an aging team with a creaking scrum upset the odds at Allianz Stadium? Only if Ireland's pack turn into Optimus Prime.

Pat McCarry
Pat McCarry
20 Feb 2026, 8:11
LONG READ
Interview

'I don't think fans understand some of the consequences' – Peter O’Mahony on the worrying trend in modern rugby

Ahead of his punditry debut, the former Ireland captain gives his take on the "circus" surrounding Ireland's fly-half debate

Pat McCarry
Pat McCarry
12 Feb 2026, 6:59
LONG READ
Opinion

Three Ireland players with huge World Cup questions to answer after Paris pummelling

Ireland weren't expected to beat France but the manner of their defeat was alarming and serious questions now need to be asked in …

Pat McCarry
Pat McCarry
06 Feb 2026, 5:15
LONG READ
Opinion

'Ireland are consumed by chaos, but Andy Farrell's choice of 10 is becoming clear'

As he manages a swathe of absentees, Farrell may be tempted to plump with his most familiar playmaker despite intense competition.

Pat McCarry
Pat McCarry
29 Jan 2026, 8:14
LONG READ
Opinion

Injuries to key Ireland stars pave way for bold pack to start France opener

Injuries at loosehead and blindside mean Andy Farrell will need to find solutions to match French power.

Pat McCarry
Pat McCarry
23 Jan 2026, 1:42
LONG READ
Interview

Byrne at 10? Stockdale at 15? How Ireland's backline might look for Six Nations opener

Former Ireland wing Andrew Trimble assesses the big calls Andy Farrell has to make at 10, 12 and 15 against France.

Pat McCarry
Pat McCarry
16 Jan 2026, 9:45
LONG READ
Opinion

‘There is only one Irish job that Ronan O’Gara desires, and it is not Leinster’

Despite suggestions he needs to take a provincial job first, the Munster legend only wants to be coach of Ireland if he returns ho…

Pat McCarry
Pat McCarry
09 Jan 2026, 1:20
LONG READ
Analysis

Who will be replacing Ireland's ageing golden generation if they don't make RWC 2027

Some of Ireland's ageing stars will be nearing their mid-thirties when they reach Australia so who replaces them if they don't go …

Pat McCarry
Pat McCarry
12 Dec 2025, 8:08
LONG READ
Interview

‘South Africa did exactly the right thing. If you have your foot on someone’s throat, you keep it there’

Former Ireland prop Mike Ross explains how a 'perfect storm' of circumstances led to their scrum mauling by the Springboks.

Pat McCarry
Pat McCarry
26 Nov 2025, 5:06
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