Johnny Ward

RTÉ Sports reporter

Michael Noonan of Shamrock Rovers celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick's Athletic at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Paul Phelan/Sportsfile

Rovers get their belated season off to a winning start

The Rovers' return was worth the wait and more as the champions, powered by youth, edged a slow-burning thriller against a somewhat unlucky Saint Patrick's.

Soccer • 20 Feb

6 February 2026; Drogheda United goalkeeper Luke Dennison celebrates after a penalty by David Hurley of Galway United, right, goes wide during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Galway United and Drogheda United at Eamonn Deacy Park i

Godden answers Drogheda prayers with dream debut winner

Galway talisman David Hurley is up there with Eric Cantona and Matt Le Tissier when it comes to converting penalties and it was Drogheda's luck that they caught him on an off-night in Terryland with the visitors nabbing all three points late on.

Soccer • 06 Feb

11 December 2025; Óli Valur Ómarsson of Breidablik, centre, celebrates with teammate Arnór Gauti Jónsson, left, after scoring their side's second goal during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 league phase match between Breidablik and Shamrock Rovers at L

Hoops see Conference League hopes go cold in Iceland

After the heroics of reaching the knockouts last year, Shamrock Rovers' Conference League story in 2025 has become a forgettable one after a frustrating night in Iceland.

Soccer • 11 Dec 25

AZ Alkmaar players celebrate their side's second goal scored by Isak Jenson, hidden, during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 league phase match between AZ Alkmaar and Shelbourne at AFAS Stadion in Alkmaar, Netherlands.

More regrets for Shels as AZ Alkmaar take victory

Troy Parrott was kept out but AZ Alkmaar still had the requisite class to condemn plucky Shelbourne to 2-0 defeat in the Conference League.

Soccer • 28 Nov 25

20 October 2025; Simon Power of St Patrick's Athletic Ross Tierney and Cian Byrne, right, of Bohemians during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Bohemians and St Patrick's Athletic at Dalymount Park in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Spor

Stalemate secures valuable point for Bohs and St Pat's

With a draw suiting both sides, it was perhaps no surprise that Bohemians and St Patrick's Athletic struggled to create a chance, let alone score, at Dalymount Park.

Soccer • 21 Oct 25

18 April 2025; Cian Kavanagh of Sligo Rovers celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Waterford and Sligo Rovers at the Regional Sports Centre in Waterford. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Super-sub Kavanagh gives Sligo crucial derby victory

Substitute Cian Kavanagh's header decided a massive game in the West, with a big crowd present to see Galway's struggles deepen and Sligo edge nearer to safety.

Soccer • 22 Sep 25

Jay McClelland reacts after plundering the equaliser for St Patrick's Athletic

St Pat's and Galway share spoils at Richmond Park

Just as in the FAI Cup on Sunday, 90 minutes could not separate these two sides back in league action, and these could prove two costly points dropped by St Patrick's Athletic as they were held 1-1 by Galway United.

Soccer • 19 Sep 25

Chris Forrester of St Patrick's Athletic celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup quarter-final match between St Patrick’s Athletic and Galway United at Richmond Park in Dublin.

St Pat's find extra gear to reach FAI Cup semis

St Patrick's Athletic are through to the Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup semi-finals after a 3-1 win over Galway United after extra time at Richmond Park.

Soccer • 14 Sep 25