It was ecstasy for South African Charl Schwartzel in The Masters at Augusta — and total unmitigated agony for Rory McIlroy. Schwartzel, 26, has grabbed his first major title after yet another amazing day of high drama that saw Tiger Woods charge into a share of the lead and McIlroy, four clear overnight, collapse to [...]
Rory McIlroy continued to roar at Augusta, taking a clear lead into the third round of The Masters. The 21-year-old Northern Irishman, trying to become the second youngest winner of the title after Tiger Woods, added a 69 to his brilliant opening 65. Now, from joint leader with Spaniard Alvaro Quiros after day one, he [...]
Ireland’s World Cup campaign comes to an end when they face Holland tomorrow (Friday), but captain William Porterfield believes his men have demonstrated they can be big players on the world stage. A shock win over England was the highlight of the minnows’ campaign – with the victory the result of the tournament in many [...]
Bookmakers were left singing the blues after a “Ruby Tuesday” with Irish ace Ruby Walsh completing his comeback from a broken leg in style with a near 75-1 treble that saw punters on top after day one of the Cheltenham Festival. Ladbrokes were among the layers left reeling as Walsh lived up to his billing [...]
Ireland skipper William Porterfield was left with mixed feelings after his side’s exit from the World Cup was confirmed with a 131-run defeat to South Africa on Tuesday. The Irish, who produced the tournament’s first upset – a three-wicket win over England – nearly two weeks ago, today saw a below-par batting performance undo what [...]
West Indies coach Ottis Gibson insists his team are taking nobody lightly as they prepare to take on Ireland later today (Friday). West Indies have won two of their three games to sit third in Group B and Gibson is happy with their application so far. “Nowadays you can’t be complacent,” he said. “We can’t [...]
Even Kevin O’Brien thought Ireland were down and out against England – before he started one of the most memorable innings in World Cup history. O’Brien (113) smashed England to every corner, and over most, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in a 50-ball century which turned tonight’s Group B match on its head. He hit [...]
Ulster’s Robert Cregan will become the first Irishman to compete in a V8 Supercar when he joins the Fujitsu Series at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide next month. The 22-year-old will race for Matt Stone, the son of Jim and nephew of Ross, who is entering a team in the Fujitsu Series for the first [...]
When Ed Joyce takes guard for Ireland against England on March 2 he will have the chance to make his mark in a fixture that has thus far caused him disappointment. It will be Joyce’s third appearance in a one-day international between the two sides but, unusually, his first for the country of his birth. [...]
WILLIAM PORTERFIELD (26 years, 44 ODIs, captain) The Gloucestershire batsman has flourished in recent years into one of his country’s finest ever performers, with five one-day centuries and four additional fifties on his CV. A solid opener with a good temperament, his runs are crucial to Ireland’s hopes. As skipper he must be inventive against [...]
