Raf Diallo

RTÉ Sport Journalist

Jude Gallagher of Two Castles OBA in Tyrone, right, after victory over Martin McDonagh of Avona BC in the 60kg quarter-final at the 2026 National Elite Boxing Championships

Returning Gallagher stands out after defeating McDonagh

On the opening night of boxing at the 2026 IABA National Elite Championships its was the Paris Olympian Jude Gallagher that produced the most polished performance in the 60kg category.

Boxing • 3 hrs

Neil Farrugia of Barnsley looks on during the Emirates FA Cup Second Round match between Peterborough and Barnsley at London Road in Peterborough, England, on December 6, 2025.

Hourihane's Barnsley lead weekend's FA Cup Irish watch

A number of Irish players are in line to be involved as English lower league sides prepare to face the Premier League elite in this weekend's FA Cup third round.

Soccer • 18 hrs

An RTÉ television microphone before the Allianz Hurling League Division 1A match between Tipperary and Cork at FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles, Tipperary.

Sport in 1926: Radio advent and Five Nations near miss

As we move into 2026, RTÉ Sport's Raf Diallo looks back at the sporting landscape of 1926 in GAA, soccer and rugby.

Football • 31 Dec 25

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 league phase match between Shelbourne and Crystal Palace at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin.

Palace boss Glasner surprised by Shels' early approach

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner admitted he was surprised by the way that Shelbourne were willing to play out from the back in the first half of Thursday night's Conference League clash at Tallaght Stadium.

Soccer • 12 Dec 25

John Martin of Shelbourne reacts after his side concede a second goal scored by Eddie Nketiah of Crystal Palace, not pictured, during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 league phase match between Shelbourne and Crystal Palace at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin

No Palace coup as Eagles pick apart Shels in Tallaght

It was the tie that jumped off the page when the draw was made for Shelbourne's maiden UEFA Conference League campaign but in the end, the challenge of taking on an established Premier League opponent proved a bridge too far as Crystal Palace ran out 3-0 winners at Tallaght Stadium.

Soccer • 12 Dec 25

Head coach Joey O'Brien during a Shelbourne training session at the AUL Complex in Clonshaugh, Dublin.

'Getting to know him in the squads, he was a great lad'

As Joey O'Brien gets ready to pit his wits against Oliver Glasner at Tallaght Stadium tonight, Shelbourne v Crystal Palace will mark his 27th match as a manager.

Soccer • 11 Dec 25

Head coach Joey O'Brien during a Shelbourne media conference at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin.

Palace privilege and Big Sam's ire fuel O'Brien's fire

When the draw was made for Shelbourne's maiden UEFA Conference League campaign, Crystal Palace coming to Dublin two weeks before Christmas jumped off the page. But for manager Joey O'Brien, he is keen for his side not to look at it as a pressure game.

Soccer • 11 Dec 25

Pole position qualifier Oscar Piastri of Australia and McLaren Second placed qualifier Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren and Third placed qualifier Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing during qualifying ahead of the F1 Gran

Stage set for rare treat of a three-way title decider

As championship leader Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri head into Sunday's Formula One drivers' title decider in Abu Dhabi, RTÉ Sport's Raf Diallo sets the scene.

Motorsport • 07 Dec 25

Brett Robinson, World Rugby Chair and former Australian international, James Slipper, Morgan Turinui and Phil Waugh pose at the broadcast desk during the Men's Rugby World Cup 2027 Draw at Channel Nine Studios on December 03, 2025 in Sydney, Australia.

2027 RWC pool draw recap: Ireland to face Scotland

Andy Farrell and his Ireland team have been drawn against Scotland, Uruguay and Portugal in Pool D of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Rugby • 03 Dec 25

Troy Parrott of Republic of Ireland celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F Qualifier match between Hungary and Republic of Ireland at Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary.

Player Ratings: Perfect Parrott provides the impossible

The Republic of Ireland faced Hungary in Budapest with a potential World Cup play-off place at stake. Here's how we rated Heimir Hallgrimsson's players after an extraordinary victory.

Soccer • 17 Nov 25