Peter Branigan

RTÉ Sport journalist

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Conor Bradley of Liverpool battles for possession with Brenden Aaronson of Leeds United during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leeds United at Anfield on January 01, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan

Premier League recap: Liverpool 0-0 Leeds

Liverpool host Leeds United in the teams' first matches of the New Year.

Soccer • 01 Jan

29 June 2025; Mark O'Shea of Kerry in action against Armagh players Paddy Burns, left, and Andrew Murnin during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship quarter-final match between Armagh and Kerry at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Shauna Clinton/

Five football talking points ahead of 2026 campaign

The 2026 football season is nearly upon us with the return of the pre-season competitions, as well as the start of the National League, due in January. Peter Branigan takes a look at some of the big talking points ahead of the new campaign.

Football • 27 Dec 25

30 November 2025; Gearard Davoren of Maigh Cuilinn in action against Brian Stack of St Brigid’s during the AIB Connacht GAA Football Senior Club Championship final match between St Brigid's and Maigh Cuilinn at King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park in Roscommon. Ph

Connacht final: Brigid's 1-16 Maigh Cuilinn 1-14 recap

A Connacht title is on the line at King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park where Galway's Maigh Cuilinn are set to face St. Brigid's of Roscommon.

Football • 30 Nov 25

9 November 2025; Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley celebrates with the FAI Cup after the 2025 Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup Final match between Shamrock Rovers and Cork City at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Bradley hails 'special' Hoops after ending 38-year wait

Stephen Bradley hailed Shamrock Rovers' double as "special" as the Hoops landed the League of Ireland and the FAI Cup in the same season for the first time in 38 years.

Soccer • 09 Nov 25

Roberto Lopes of Shamrock Rovers lifts the FAI Cup after the 2025 Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup Final match between Shamrock Rovers and Cork City at the Aviva Stadium

Gaffney seals the double for Hoops against 10-man Cork

Shamrock Rovers completed a first League of Ireland and FAI Cup double since 1987 with a 2-0 victory over 10-man Cork City at Aviva Stadium.

Soccer • 10 Nov 25

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 05: Erling Haaland of Manchester City celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 2-0 during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund at City of Manchester Stadium

Champions League recap: Manchester City 4-1 Dortmund

Manchester City beat Borussia Dortmund on another busy night in the Champions League.

Soccer • 05 Nov 25

10 November 2024; Adam Foley of Drogheda United, centre, and teammates celebrate with the FAI Cup after the Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup Final match between Drogheda United and Derry City at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

FAI Cup final preview: Rovers looking to secure legacy

The biggest day in the domestic soccer calendar has arrived and it's the dominant club of the era, Shamrock Rovers, taking on big outsiders Cork City.

Soccer • 09 Nov 25

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - MARCH 03: Rafael van der Vaart draws out Republic of Ireland during the UEFA Nations League Draw at Beur van Berlage on March 03, 2020 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Lukas Schulze - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Republic of Ireland to learn World Cup qualifying fate

After last week's impressive play-off victory over Belgium, Ireland will learn their 2027 World Cup qualifying fate tomorrow.

Soccer • 04 Nov 25

BRENTWOOD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Aaron Hill of Ireland reacts in the Quarterfinal match against Jak Jones of Wales on day 9 of 2025 BetVictor English Open at the Brentwood Leisure Centre on September 19, 2025 in Brentwood, England. (Photo by Tai Chengzh

Impressive Hill finds form to advance in Belfast

Aaron Hill was close to top form as he booked his place in the last 32 of the Northern Ireland Open this afternoon with a 4-1 win over Lei Peifan at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.

Snooker • 20 Oct 25

TIANJIN, CHINA - NOVEMBER 10: Jordan Brown of Northern Ireland reacts in the Semi-final match against Tom Ford of England on Day 6 of the 2023 International Championship at the Tianjin People's Stadium on November 10, 2023 in Tianjin, China. (Photo by VCG

Brown roars past world champion Zhao in Belfast

Jordan Brown gave the home crowd the perfect opening Sunday afternoon at the Northern Ireland Open as he whitewashed world champion Zhao Xintong.

Snooker • 19 Oct 25