Why Ireland refuse to put O'Mahony, Murray and Healy out to pasture
The veteran trio has a combined age of 107 yet Andy Farrell wants his on-field ambassadors to stick around.
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Pat McCarry
24 Oct 2024, 5:34
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Contributors
Pat McCarry
@patmccarry
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.
'I feared no opposition. I feared letting Axel down.' – Remembering a legend on a special anniversary
Donncha O'Callaghan and Orla Foley, sister of Anthony Foley, remember a Munster legend, eight years after his untimely passing
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Pat McCarry
16 Oct 2024, 2:59
Ireland’s Lomu, their next general at 10 and three other ‘Emerging’ stars who soared
The second Emerging Ireland tour in South Africa gave coaching an insight into the talent coming the famed system and didn't disap…
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Pat McCarry
13 Oct 2024, 1:02
Jordi Murphy: 'If you drop your output by even 5 per cent, there’s someone else ready to go.'
The former Ireland backrow hopes to use his experience to help guide the next generation and learn from his mistakes
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Pat McCarry
03 Oct 2024, 9:58
'There's not a lot wrong': Leinster going for broke to avoid more broken hearts
After three lost finals and four semi-final defeats in four seasons, how have Leinster regrouped for the new campaign?
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Pat McCarry
17 Sep 2024, 7:56
Munster hoping bold transfer decisions can help deliver more URC glory
Zebo may have retired and RG Snyman may have headed up the N7 to Leinster but Munster's low-key recruitment has been shrewd
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Pat McCarry
11 Sep 2024, 13:23
Why it's Ciaran Frawley's time in the Ireland 10 jersey
The drop-goal hero wants to prove he can be Leinster and Ireland's go-to fly-half.
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Pat McCarry
04 Sep 2024, 4:36
Cathal Forde savours a decade of Bundee Aki and Connacht's new identity
The talented midfielder has gone from idolising powerhouse Aki to playing alongside him.
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Pat McCarry
30 Aug 2024, 1:06
Mack Hansen: 'The All Blacks let their girlfriends do their fighting for them!'
The colourful Ireland wing on New Zealand's 'trash talk', long-term injury, and letting personality shine.
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Pat McCarry
24 Aug 2024, 1:06
Jamie Osborne heads up the Irish family who may one day rival the Barretts
The precocious back and eldest of five siblings shone on his introduction to the Test arena in South Africa.
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Pat McCarry
13 Aug 2024, 3:00
The ‘Connacht colossus’ and the best Irish prospects for big-time shots
England U20s may have won the ultimate prize but Ireland's young conveyor belt of talent shows no sign of grinding to a halt
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Pat McCarry
29 Jul 2024, 13:36
'Ireland could end up with 20 Lions after winning back the world's respect'
Ciaran Frawley's drop-goal changed the Irish narrative and they have a glut of British and Irish Lions contenders.
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Pat McCarry
17 Jul 2024, 23:19
Hitting joints and closing doors: How South Africa rumbled Ireland's lineout
Ireland's lineout issues in Pretoria had shades of the Springboks' hatchet-job in their RWC clash.
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Pat McCarry
10 Jul 2024, 7:29
Massive Andy Farrell decision asks three Ireland stars to put their legacies on the line
Giants of Irish rugby must go to the well again as a monumental Test series against the Springboks looms.
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Pat McCarry
03 Jul 2024, 4:01
Munster prospects aim to drive Ireland U20s to world glory
Back-rower Brian Gleeson and captain Evan O’Connell are among those aiming to go one better than last year in South Africa.
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Pat McCarry
26 Jun 2024, 23:44
Resilient Irish will test Springboks despite provincial setbacks
South Africa may feel they have Ireland figured out, but would do well to recall an important recent lesson.
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Pat McCarry
19 Jun 2024, 22:58
Leinster have made their big call, but something still needs to change
The battle to replace Johnny Sexton at No 10 has intensified but can Leo Cullen's province really sustain five out-halves?
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Pat McCarry
11 Jun 2024, 7:58
Peter O’Mahony has passed the torch, but that old Munster fire remains
A talisman for his country and province, the legendary backrow is desperate to add to his trophy haul with a URC Final win
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Pat McCarry
05 Jun 2024, 9:03
How Leinster should learn from Dan Carter after toughest Champions Cup 'lesson' of all
With no Johnny Sexton and no history of clutch drop-goal kickers on the field, Leinster have been left to rue a loss by the finest…
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Pat McCarry
28 May 2024, 1:45
Ross Byrne has the grandest stage to prove his doubters wrong
Stepping out of Johnny Sexton's shadow was never going to be easy but Leinster's out-half has a day of reckoning in London
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Pat McCarry
23 May 2024, 10:03
IRFU get their man as Richie Murphy tasked with Ulster rescue
The Belfast-based province have endured a rollercoaster season and shoud reach the play-offs if they can topple mighty Leinster
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Pat McCarry
16 May 2024, 7:07
Caelan Doris strikes out as clear Lions captaincy frontrunner
In the absence of Garry Ringrose, the Ireland No 8's leadership credentials may have caught the eye of Lions coach Andy Farrell
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Pat McCarry
07 May 2024, 4:53
The era-defining moment that set Leinster on the road to success
The elite Irish province started their dominance in 2009 and will be desperate to put out a statement of intent against Northampto…
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Pat McCarry
03 May 2024, 1:27
Munster have much to play for after blowing best Champions Cup shot in years
A tantalising European opportunity has been squandered, but the proud province are intent on defending their URC title.
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Pat McCarry
25 Apr 2024, 3:12
Ryan Baird has unlocked raw power for Leinster and Ireland
In running Leinster's lineouts, the newly powered up, rangy back five forward has added another string to his bow
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Pat McCarry
18 Apr 2024, 3:45
Ronan O’Gara’s latest Leinster mind game may be his best yet
The charismatic Munsterman has the Dubliners in his sights and the mind games have begun
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Pat McCarry
10 Apr 2024, 9:09
Ireland's old guard nearing end... but key trio still needed
Succession planning is at an advanced stage but certain players will be needed for a while longer yet.
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Pat McCarry
25 Mar 2024, 12:29
How 'Connacht man' Bundee Aki took the world by storm
The Ireland centre has laid waste to the biggest and meanest international opponents.
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Pat McCarry
15 Mar 2024, 2:29
Why Ireland have the best back-row in world rugby
O'Mahony, Doris and Van der Flier have that perfect balance of experience, power and speed to become a formidable triumvirate
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Pat McCarry
06 Mar 2024, 0:46
Old habits die hard but Farrell's Ireland must embrace favourites' tag
Ireland habitually traded on an underdog status but have 'leaned into' a new identity under Andy Farrell
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Pat McCarry
22 Feb 2024, 6:08
Why Beirne and Keenan are Farrell's most zealous disciples
The progression of Ireland's immense lock and under-rated full-back mirror Andy Farrell's qualities as head coach
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Pat McCarry
07 Feb 2024, 2:01
Jack Crowley and the men who would be 10
The spectre of Johnny Sexton will hang over the Ireland No 10 jersey for some time but a new era brings fresh competition
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Pat McCarry
30 Jan 2024, 2:30
Caelan Doris targets French tonic for Rugby World Cup wounds
The number eight is itching to pull on the Ireland jersey again after quarter-final heartbreak in Paris.
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Pat McCarry
21 Jan 2024, 7:29
