# Editor's picks

Last year

2022

Star Power

Pints with David Beckham and kind words from Roy Keane - the lives of the Salford Irish

Stephen O’Halloran and Adam Rooney remember their respective stints at the club.

24.4k

Feb 8th 2022, 8:00 PM

brothers with arms

Sonny Bill Williams and Andy Lee: An unlikely partnership of world champions

A move from rugby league to rugby union in 2008 sparked the New Zealand sporting legend’s interest in boxing – because he found himself a million dollars in debt.

23.2k

Jan 31st 2022, 11:55 PM

the British question

Irish football has always been defined by Britain - so what has changed since Brexit?

We take a big-picture look at what is happening with the men’s national team, the men’s national league and youth development at a time of great change for Irish football.

24.3k

Jan 30th 2022, 8:00 AM

The42 Reads

How a one-month loan backed by Brian Clough started a remarkable League of Ireland career

From Derby County to Cork City, Alek Ludzik had a fascinating journey.

42.8k

Jan 29th 2022, 8:00 AM

Pride Of The Parish

‘It's been a dream in our club for many years’: Kilcoo and Ballygunner chase All-Ireland glory

Kilcoo and Ballygunner are vastly different clubs but they share a common goal.

20.2k

Updated

Jan 28th 2022, 9:23 PM

Reeling In The Years

The world-class Irish internationals and the Ballinasloe ties that bind

Heather Payne, Beibhinn Parsons and many more stars in the same age bracket have crossed paths in the sporting hotspot on the Galway/Roscommon border.

17.6k

Jan 26th 2022, 5:21 PM

incomplete

'He became very engrossed in it' - The story behind Dermot Morgan's unfinished football film

Remembering his work on ‘Miracle of the Magyars’ and other soccer-related projects.

27.0k

Updated

Jan 25th 2022, 8:36 AM

Never Really Over

'People were pleading with me not to go back' - Irish tales of triumph after retirement u-turns

Cork hurling legend Brian Corcoran and Ireland international Áine O’Gorman speak to The42 about why they went back.

18.9k

Jan 23rd 2022, 10:00 AM

New Kids on the Block

'Ulster players have to go above and beyond in their performances to be selected for Ireland'

A new generation of Ulster players have emerged to help the club reconnect with fans – now they want recognition by Ireland.

24.8k

Jan 22nd 2022, 8:00 AM

Matchwinner

Analysis: The tweak that has unlocked some of Ireland striker Adam Idah's Premier League potential

The Irish striker scored his first Premier League goal against Everton on Saturday, and may have given Stephen Kenny some food for thought in the process.

21.9k

Jan 17th 2022, 5:00 PM

happy place

'I went to Barcelona and spent €2,500. That's the kind of release I was living for'

Niall Saunders retired from professional rugby at the age of 22 and is better for it.

82.2k

Jan 16th 2022, 8:00 AM

Noel Considine

'Zoom meetings weren't for me... There were people a long time sober who relapsed'

Hurling goalkeeping coach Noel Considine talks about the challenges that AA members faced during Covid.

52.9k

Jan 15th 2022, 7:00 AM

Stand up and fight

Munster’s identity crisis: ‘You’d see more innovation at a civil servants' conference’

Despite losing just twice this season Munster’s coaching staff and team have had to face a barrage of criticism. Is it fair?

35.5k

Jan 8th 2022, 8:00 AM

Journey

From training with Inter Milan on reality TV and playing at Anfield to Boreham Wood - The life and times of Connor Smith

The Irish midfielder finished second in the Football’s Next Star TV series, and talks to The42 about his career thus far against an FA Cup reunion with his former side today.

35.4k

Jan 8th 2022, 7:00 AM

do not disturb

How Irish sport is trying to tackle social media abuse

Dealing with unwelcome notifications on your phone apps is now a part of being an athlete.

10.9k

Jan 3rd 2022, 8:00 AM

The42 Reads

Giant ambitions: Bríd Stack, Cora Staunton and the ties that bind

‘They were the best people to have by my side during it all. I couldn’t have done it without them.’

71.7k

Jan 2nd 2022, 8:00 AM

Risk

'I was getting less money to take over Cork City than I was in Diageo'

John Caulfield on a League of Ireland career in which he’s frequently had to defy limitations.

80.1k

Jan 1st 2022, 9:00 PM

Golden Boy

'You don't think about being part of history' - inside the mind of Ireland's Olympic champion

Fintan McCarthy was one half of the dynamic duo who captured rowing gold for Ireland in Tokyo.

16.0k

Jan 1st 2022, 9:59 AM

Wizard of Oz

Home and away: Paul Warwick on Munster glory, chaos in France and one day returning to Ireland

Maurice Brosnan catches up with the former Connacht and Munster favourite in Australia.

44.6k

Jan 1st 2022, 8:00 AM

The42 Reads

A year of two halves: the inside story of Stephen Kenny's Ireland in 2021

With Stephen Kenny in talks over a new contract, The42 spoke to some of those closest to the situation to see how the Ireland manager turned his year around.

11.4k

Jan 1st 2022, 7:00 AM

All time

reflection

The A-Z of the Irish football year, 2021

Our look back on another dramatic year on and off the field.

3.3k

Dec 31st 2021, 7:00 PM

legacy

Founding the club that brought Liverpool, Man United and Ajax to Monaghan - The legacy of Sean McCaffrey

The42 reflect on the legacy of the late Sean McCaffrey by looking back at the improbable journeys and successes of the club he founded Oriel Celtic.

15.2k

Dec 31st 2021, 12:00 PM

The42 Reads

'He makes it look so easy' - Limerick's brightest hurling star and his road to greatness

In a year of Limerick dominance, Cian Lynch stood out as the best hurler in the country.

45.5k

Dec 31st 2021, 8:00 AM

Stockholm Syndrome

Elbouzedi declining Libya call-ups as he keeps Ireland 'dream' alive

The decision to take his club career to Sweden has paid dividends for the former Ireland U21 winger.

47.8k

Dec 28th 2021, 10:00 AM

The42 Reads

The rise and rise of Kieran McGeary

Reflecting on his journey from underage talent to Footballer of the Year.

14.4k

Dec 28th 2021, 8:00 AM

Interview

The former Ireland international who’s become a leading advocate in football’s me-too movement

Ciara McCormack on the NWSL abuse scandal and other similar controversies that have plagued sport.

26.1k

Dec 27th 2021, 8:00 PM

Chris Shields

'It was strange. I thought I'd finish my career at Dundalk, now I was a new lad at 30'

Ahead of today’s derby with Glentoran, Chris Shields discusses his new life at Linfield, his exit from Dundalk and Brian Kerr’s criticism of his old team-mate, Stephen O’Donnell.

27.2k

Dec 27th 2021, 12:03 PM

Trauma

‘I genuinely could have died… There was fluid in my lungs, fluid around my heart’

Wexford Youths player Vanessa Ogbonna reflects on a dramatic 12 months.

68.7k

Dec 27th 2021, 10:10 AM

One of the greats

How Ciara Griffin's last game for Ireland typified her never-say-die brilliance

The Kerry woman signed off with a sublime two-try performance last month.

12.6k

Dec 27th 2021, 8:00 AM

Box Office

A former Ireland U21 international's journey from Crystal Palace to a movie role at the Bernabeu

Danny Boxall looks back over a career that was tarnished by injuries.

28.8k

Dec 26th 2021, 10:00 AM

a family affair

'I'm fortunate that I had a career I can be proud of sharing with the people I care most about'

David Meyler reflects on some defining moments from his journey in football.

30.9k

Dec 24th 2021, 8:00 AM

Great expectations

‘Pep gets monthly reports on how he’s doing’ - The breakout Irish star of 2021

It’s been a phenomenal 12 months for Gavin Bazunu.

28.9k

Dec 18th 2021, 9:00 AM

grange goes global

Old friends are best: Irish internationals Ogbene and Noonan zoom in for an end-of-year catch-up

Chiedozie Ogbene and Saoirse Noonan reflect on their paths to the top, which began with ‘do-or-die’ football games against each other on their estate in Cork… and their plans for the future.

12.2k

Dec 17th 2021, 7:00 AM

you've got a friend

'You don’t ever want to go through that, wondering will or won't she live. It was traumatic'

The Connacht coach reflects on the two horrific accidents that have shaped his life and career.

35.0k

Dec 11th 2021, 8:00 AM

from russia with glove

'After they raised her hand, I asked Katie and her coaches how much her medal was worth'

Sofya Ochigava – remember her? – is back on the radar, and plans to avenge her ‘political’ defeat to Katie Taylor in their 2012 Olympic final.

71.3k

Dec 6th 2021, 7:00 AM

UNSUNG HERO

The man who discovered Joe Schmidt, got a bollocking off Cheika and transformed Leinster

Mick Dawson reflects on his 20 years as Leinster’s chief executive and their journey from leaky portakabins to one of the biggest clubs in the world.

38.5k

Dec 4th 2021, 8:00 AM

Talent

The trailblazing Irish athlete who's just become a world champion

Bray’s Amy Wall has taken the kickboxing world by storm.

49.5k

Nov 28th 2021, 12:00 PM

WNT

Tactics Board: Was Katie McCabe used to best effect?

Shane Keegan looks at the key tactical elements behind the 1-1 draw against Slovakia.

2.0k

Nov 27th 2021, 10:35 AM

Dubliners

Git and Bucko: A Cup final with the heart and soul of Dublin

Ahead of tomorrow’s FAI Cup final, The42 met Bohemians captain Keith Buckley and St Patrick’s Athletic playmaker Chris Forrester for a tour of the places closest to them in the capital.

33.2k

Nov 27th 2021, 10:00 AM

Fight of the Earls

Keith Earls: 'After going on The Late, Late, I thought 'sh**, have I given too much away?’

The Ireland international was initially nervous about speaking about his mental health issues but the public reaction to his heartfelt interview on The Late Late Show has been overwhelmingly positive.

39.3k

Nov 27th 2021, 8:00 AM