Brendan Cole

RTÉ Sport journalist

Paul O'Connell during Ireland's captain's run in Cardiff

Preview: Ireland to beat Canada & eye semi-finals

Surprising to say it, but Ireland arrive at this Rugby World Cup with reasonable expectations, writes RTÉ Sport's Brendan Cole.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 19 Sep 15

Sam Warburton's 'tip' tackle on Vincent Clerc was decisive in the 2011 semi-final

Column: Officials could supercede the stars again

Ideally, a brilliant team or superstar player will decide the destiny of this Rugby World Cup but the uncomfortable reality is that referees are again likely to take up more than their share of the limelight, writes Brendan Cole.

Rugby • 17 Sep 15

Jeff Hendrick's mazy run from the left flank was crucial for Ireland against Georgia

O'Neill delighted by 'magnificent' Jeff Hendrick

Martin O’Neill was full of praise for Jeff Hendrick and Jon Walters after the Republic of Ireland’s 1-0 victory over Georgia in a vital Euro 2016 qualifier at Aviva Stadium.

Soccer • 08 Sep 15

Craig Joubert awards Wales the opening try

Ireland left with much to ponder after defeat

An odd afternoon at the Aviva Stadium saw Wales beat Ireland by 16-10 in an oddity of a match that will have given both coaches food for thought as they finalise their Rugby World Cup 2015 squads.

Rugby • 29 Aug 15

Column: The crucial calls facing Joe Schmidt

RTÉ Sport's Brendan Cole analyses the key factors Joe Schmidt must consider before announcing his 31-man World Cup squad on Sunday.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 31 Aug 15

Joe Schmidt's Ireland face Wales under a closed roof at Millennium Stadium

As It Happened: Wales 21-35 Ireland

Read our liveblog of Ireland's comprehensive victory over Wales in the first RWC 2015 warm-up match.

Rugby • 11 Aug 15

Jim Gavin's Dublin will play Mayo or Donegal on August 23

Gavin: Dublin performance will not be good enough

Jim Gavin wryly admitted he ‘didn’t realise you could tackle the goalkeeper’ in Gaelic football after Dublin's victory over Fermanagh but also conceded that a similar performance will not be good enough in the semi-final.

GAA • 03 Aug 15

A Fermanagh supporter after watching his team's journey come to an end in the All-Ireland quarter-final

McGrath: Fermanagh can be proud after Dub defeat

Fermanagh manager Pete McGrath has said that his young team can be proud of their performance after refusing to lie down and take a beating against Dublin.

GAA • 03 Aug 15

James O'Donoghue was forced off with a shoulder injury

O'Donoghue suffers injury against Kildare

James O’Donoghue’s participation in the later rounds of the All-Ireland championship could be in doubt after the Kerry star suffered what appeared to be a shoulder injury during his county’s quarter-final clash with Kildare this afternoon.

GAA • 02 Aug 15

Robbie McNamara with the RTÉ team at Galway

McNamara: JT's attitude is an inspiration

Robbie McNamara has credited first cousin JT McNamara for helping him to cope with becoming paralysed from the waist down after a fall in Wexford in April this year.

Racing • 30 Jul 15