Mikey Stafford

RTÉ Online Sport Editor

Ireland's forward #07 Troy Parrott celebrates his 2-3 during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F European qualification football match betweem Hungary and Republic of Ireland at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary on Novemeber 16, 2025. (Photo by Attila KIS

The most-read sports stories of 2025

As is now tradition, we have captured the top 10 stories on RTÉ.ie and the RTÉ News app for each month, to give you a sense of what made you click this year.

2025 in Review • 28 Dec 25

Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike scores their side's second goal of the game during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Saturday December 13, 2025.

Premier League recap: Liverpool 2-0 Brighton

Hugo Ekitike scores twice as Mo Salah returns to the Liverpool team off the bench. Here is how it happened.

Soccer • 13 Dec 25

21 November 2021; Luke O'Farrell of Midleton in action against David Dooling of Glen Rovers during the Cork County Senior Club Hurling Championship Final match between Glen Rovers and Midleton at Páirc Ui Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

Cork clubs coping with city ageing and population booms

RTÉ Gaelic Games Correspondent Marty Morrissey examines rural depopulation and migration in the GAA, visiting Cork city's north side and Midleton, in the second of a three-part series.

App • 04 Dec 25

Ireland's forward #07 Troy Parrott (Bottom) celebrates his 2-3 during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F European qualification football match betweem Hungary and Republic of Ireland at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary on November 16, 2025. (Photo by At

Generation of starved fans finally see nation stopped

It has been a long nine years since Robbie Brady put the ball in the Italian net, too long for a generation of Irish football fans, writes Mikey Stafford.

Soccer • 17 Nov 25

28 September 2025; Linebacker TJ Watt #90 of Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after an intercept during the 2025 NFL International Game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

NFL recap: Pittsburgh Steelers 24-21 Minnesota Vikings

Croke Park was the venue as the Pittsburgh Steelers held on for a 24-21 win over the Minnesota Vikings.

NFL • 28 Sep 25

20 July 2025; Jake Morris of Tipperary celebrates after his side's victory in the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship final match between Cork and Tipperary at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Morris the main man as 7 Tipp stars on Team of Year

Jake Morris is crowned hurler of the year as seven Tipperary players named on The Sunday Game team of the season.

Hurling • 21 Jul 25

Joy at last on a US Masters Sunday for Rory McIlroy

McIlroy exorcises 2011 ghosts in true McIlroy fashion

By the time Rory McIlroy rolled in that birdie putt on the first play-off hole to beat the irrepressible Justin Rose, we had all been through the wringer. Finally, the ghosts of 2011 had been exorcised.

Golf • 14 Apr 25

Super Bowl LIX: Kansas City 22-40 Philadelphia recap

The Philadelphia Eagles won their second Super Bowl with an emphatic defeat of the three-in-row huting Kansas City Chiefs.

Kansas City Chiefs • 10 Feb 25

FRC changes: Proposed new look for Gaelic football

RTÉ Sport has spoken to Football Review Committee chairman Jim Gavin and FRC member Éamonn Fitzmaurice in detail around the proposed rules that will impact almost every aspect of the game.

Football • 22 Jan 25

Rory Gallagher claims he was set to be appointed by Naas before Jarlath Burns' intervention

Gallagher threatens legal action against Burns

Rory Gallagher has threatened to take legal action against GAA President Jarlath Burns if he does not retract the contents of an email he sent to Naas GAA club.

Football • 09 Jan 25