2019 Review of the Year

6 January

Historic penalty shoot-out helps Mayo beat Leitrim

Mayo book a FBD semi-final date with Galway following a historic 4-1 penalty shoot-out victory over Leitrim after the sides finished level after 70 minutes.

Both sides finished 2-13 a piece, with Leitrim's Damien Doran claiming the leveling score four minutes into injury-time.

With the semi-final penciled in for next weekend, the game had to be concluded on the day and supporters were treated to the novelty of a penalty shoot-out.

8 January

Padraig Harrington confirmed as 2020 Ryder Cup captain

Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington is confirmed as Europe's captain for the 2020 Ryder Cup.

He said: "I'm thrilled. It's not something I went into lightly. You could look at this as being a natural progression, a move on from player to vice-captain to captain but it's not something that I take on without a certain amount of trepidation."

19 January

Shane Lowry wins Abu Dhabi Championship in tight finale

Shane Lowry wins his first tournament in three and a half years with victory in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

Lowry seals victory with a birdie on the par-five 18th to beat South African Richard Sterne by a single shot, finishing on -18 at the end of the four days.

The victory came comes the end of a rollercoaster day in which Lowry initially appeared to have blown his chances with his South African opponent leading by four strokes at one point.

3 February 

Wreckage of plane carrying missing footballer Emiliano Sala found

Wreckage from the plane which disappeared with Cardiff City footballer Emiliano Sala and pilot David Ibbotson on board is found in the English Channel.

Sala was travelling from France to join up with his new club, Premier League side Cardiff City, in a light aircraft on 21 January when it went missing close to the Channel Islands.

13 February

Declan Rice declares for England

Declan Rice informs the FAI of his decision to pursue an international career with England, despite earning three senior caps for the Republic of Ireland.

Rice's international future had been the subject of much speculation and England manager Gareth Southgate held talks with the midfielder, in an effort to get him to switch from Ireland.

Rice, who qualified for Ireland through his grandparents, played three senior international friendlies for Ireland in 2018 having previously represented the country at underage level.

18 February 

Leeds fined £200k for spying on opponents training

Leeds United are fined £200,000 (€228,000) and given a severe reprimand by the EFL after an investigation into spying.

The Championship side had been placed under investigation after boss Marcelo Bielsa admitting to sending someone to spy on Derby at their training ground ahead of their match against Leeds last month.

24 February

Ireland unconvincing in victory over Italy

A nervy Ireland avoid a massive shock as they scraped past Italy 26-16 to keep their slim Six Nations chances alive.

Tries from Quinn Roux, Jacob Stockdale, Keith Earls and Conor Murray undid a spirited Italy, whose losing Six Nations run now stretches to 20 matches.

Ireland's performance was riddled with mistakes as they conceded 15 turnovers and lost five lineouts.

March: McGregor Miami meltdown and tennis at the Aviva

11 March

Consistent Corcoran's Countdown conundrum

Bohemians striker Dinny Corcoran made a surprise appearance on Countdown.

"My mother was a big fan growing up and I watched it with her," he said. "She thought I was very good so she applied for me and I just happened to make it."

13 March

Conor McGregor released after arrest in Miami

Conor McGregor was arrested and charged with robbery and criminal damage in Miami after allegedly smashing a fan's phone.

According to a Miami Beach Police report, the Irish MMA star was leaving the Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel when the fan attempted to take a picture of McGregor on a mobile phone.

The charges were subsequently dropped.

16 March

Wales beat Ireland to claim Grand Slam

Ireland's stuttering Six Nations campaign came to a messy end as they failed to trouble Wales, who claimed the Grand Slam. Joe Schmidt urged fans to believe, promising that the side would come good.

"We would certainly encourage the genuine supporter not to lose faith in the team. The team will definitely turn up in Japan and we'll grow a bit from this," he said. The Under-20s fared much better, sealing their own Grand Slam and a first tournament win in nine years.

28 March 

UEFA charge Republic of Ireland over tennis ball protest

Disciplinary proceedings were opened by UEFA following the throwing of tennis balls onto the pitch at the Aviva Stadium during the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2020 qualifier against Georgia.

The interruption in the 33rd minute was part of a planned protest following recent developments in the FAI, where John Delaney had stepped down as chief executive for a newly created executive vice-president position in the wake of revelations around a 'bridging loan' he paid to the FAI.

The game was delayed by four minutes, and when play resumed, Conor Hourihane curled home Ireland's winning goal from a free-kick.

31 March 

Mayo for the Irish National insurance Cup

Mayo produced a superb second-half comeback to pip Kerry to the Allianz Football League Division 1 crown at Croke Park.

The Connacht side had been to HQ for finals on 10 occasions since 2001 (three League deciders, six All-Irelands and one replay) but left empty-handed every time.

6 April

Special Tiger Roll makes history with second Grand National win

Tiger Roll raced into the history books as he became the first horse since Red Rum to win back-to-back renewals of the Grand National at Aintree.

Davy Russell had the 4-1 favourite, trained by Gordon Elliott, well positioned throughout the four-and-a-quarter-mile journey and after moving to the front, found plenty on the long run-in to claim an historic victory.

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8 April

Maguire earns first professional win in California

Leona Maguire sealed her first professional win after a play-off in the Windsor Golf Classic in California.

The 2016 Olympian then made a birdie in a play-off to win in style.

The Cavan golfer said: "What a feeling. Absolutely delighted to get my first professional win."

13 April

Aviva turns green and red for Sean Cox charity game

A Liverpool fan who was attacked in the city before a Champions League game against Roma in April 2018 was honoured at the Aviva Stadium as a Republic of Ireland XI and Liverpool legends team met.

Sean Cox suffered severe brain injuries but had recovered sufficiently to take his place in the crowd.

"We've seen the devastation the family have gone through," Jason McAteer told RTÉ Sport afterwards. "The crowd didn't let us down, the Irish people didn't let us down.

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14 April

Tiger roars

Tiger Woods held his nerve on a wonderfully chaotic final day at Augusta National to win his 15th major title, and a first in 11 years, in the 83rd Masters.

It was the first time Woods had won a major when trailing after 54 holes and came 3,954 days since he won the 2008 US Open.

11 May

Leinster miss out 

Leinster's bid to retain the Heineken Champions Cup falls short in the final against Saracens. The English club wear down Leo Cullen's side to emerge victorious 20-10 at St James' Park in Newcastle.

12 May

City win the league against strongest test 

Man City wrap up a second successive Premier League after the most thrilling title race in recent memory. Liverpool are edged out after losing just once all season – away to City – but make up for the disappointment three weeks later when they defeat Spurs 2-0 in the Champions League final.

19 May

Koepka continues to shine 

Brooks Koepka's impressive form at majors continues as the defending champion beats compatriot Dustin Johnson by four strokes to land the US PGA Championship. 

The world number one becomes the first player to simultaneously hold the last two titles of two different major championships (US PGA and US Open).

25 May 

Rossies are celebrating 

Roscommon end a 33-year wait for a championship victory over Mayo in Castlebar, sending James Horan's side once again down the qualifier route.

June: Wexford kings of Leinster as Katie survives a fright

1 June

O'Brien wins at Epsom again

The 240th staging of the Epsom Derby is won by the Aidan O'Brien trained Anthony Van Dyck, ridden by Seamie Heffernan.

2 June

Controversial win for Katie

Katie Taylor makes history by unifying all four world lightweight titles with a hard-fought, narrow victory over Delfine Persoon at Madison Square Garden in New York. Persoon described the decision as "scandalous" and "a shame for the sport."

16 June

Woodland upsets the field

Gary Woodland wins his first major by holding off the challenge of Brooks Koepka and John Rahm to win the US Open by three strokes at Pebble Beach. Ranked 25th in the world and having never previously finished in the top 20 of the competition, the 34-year-old is a surprise winner.

23 June

Stroll for the Dubs

It's business as usual for Dublin in the Leinster championship as they romp to victory over a Meath side that registered just four points in Croke Park. The day previous, a Kerry side that would march on to meet the Dubs in the final survived a scare from Cork to reel off a sixth successive provincial crown.

24 June

Keano moves on

Roy Keane leaves his role as Nottingham Forest assistant manager after just five months in the job. Four days later Martin O'Neill is sacked by the Championship club after 167 days in charge. Forest finished the season outside the play-off spots in ninth place.

30 June

Limerick and Wexford celebrate

All-Ireland champions Limerick down an out-of-sorts Tipperary in the Munster hurling final, while in Leinster, an outpouring of emotion in Croke Park as Davy Fitzgerald leads Wexford to a first provincial crown in 15 years at the expense of Kilkenny.

July: Lowry is the Champion, as are the USA, Halep and Djokovic

7 July

Laois shock Dublin in All-Ireland SHC

The Laois hurlers pull off a huge upset at O'Moore Park to dump Dublin out of the race for the Liam MacCarthy Cup. Leading from start to finish, Aaron Dunphy's goal proves decisive in a 1-22 to 0-23 win which sets up a quarter-final against eventual winners Tipperary.  

7 July

Rahm continues love affair with Irish Open

Spain's Jon Rahm follows up his 2017 Irish Open success at Portstewart with a two-stroke win over Andy Sullivan and Bernd Wiesberger at Lahinch. 

Rahm's final round includes an eagle, eight birdies and two bogeys as he finishes on 16 under par. Cormac Sharvin causes quite the surprises by usurping a whole host of more illustrious rivals to finish as the highest-placed Irish golfer on nine under.

7 July

USA win Women's World Cup

The United States win the Women's World Cup for a record fourth time after inflicting a 2-0 defeat on the Netherlands. Donald Trump's favourite player - that'd be one Megan Rapinoe - scores from the penalty spot in Lyon, with Rose Lavelle ensuring the victory in the second half after a defiant defensive display from the Dutch in the opening 45 minutes.

13 July

Halep wallops Williams in Wimbledon final

In sport, as in life, timing is everything. Simon Halep picks the perfect time to play the best match of her career, leaving Serena Williams and the Centre Court crowd gasping. The Romanian's mesmerising display sees her wrap up a 6-2 6-2 triumph in just 56 minutes as she gets her hands on the Venus Rosewater Dish for the first time.

14 July

Federer snatches defeat from the jaws of victory

Less than 24 hours after one crowd favourite came up short at SW19, another comes a cropper – but in far more dramatic fashion. Swiss maestro Roger Federer fails to capitalise on two match points as Novak Djokovic prevails 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 13-12 (7-3) in the longest Wimbledon singles final in history, clocking in at four hours and 57 minutes.

14 July

Irishman captains England to World Cup glory at Lord's

Dubliner Eoin Morgan hoists the Cricket World Cup aloft as England win their first World Cup. The final against New Zealand was decided by a super over after Ben Stokes' heroics got the hosts back in to the game. The Black Caps matched England's 15, but lost on fewer boundaries scored after am extraordinary finale.

21 July

Lowry lands the Open at Portrush

Shane Lowry realises a childhood dream as he wins The Open on home soil. Offaly's most famous son can even afford to soak up the atmosphere on the back nine at Royal Portrush as he canters to a six-shot success over Tommy Fleetwood. Wind and rain fail to dampen a raucous crowd's enthusiasm as the Clara man becomes the fifth Irish competitor to claim the famous Claret Jug.   

August: Tipp are top as Dubs march on

10 August

Dublin reach another final after devastating second-half display

Dublin lay waste to Mayo in the second half of their All-Ireland SFC semi-final, coming from two points down at the interval to record a 3-14 to 1-10 victory. The Metropolitans' ruthlessness is exemplified by Con O'Callaghan, who clinically dispatches two goals from as many chances. Mayo finish with 14 men as Cillian O'Connor sees red.  

14 August

Adrian thwarts Abraham as Liverpool secure Super Cup

What is it about Liverpool and penalty shootouts in Istanbul? Fourteen years on from the famous win over AC Milan, the reigning European champions defeat Europa League winners Chelsea 5-4 on penalties in Turkey's largest city after the game ends 2-2 following extra-time. 

With the first nine penalties all converted, Chelsea forward Tammy Abraham sees his spot-kick blocked by the legs of Liverpool keeper Adrian to hand another cup to Jurgen Klopp's charges.

18 August

Premier County crush Cats in hurling decider

Tipperary go into overdrive in the second half of their All-Ireland SHC final against Tipperary to run out winners on a 3-25 to 0-20 scoreline. Richie Hogan's dismissal for a high tackle on Cathal Barrett just before the break proves pivotal - and deeply contentious, with Tipp leading by just a single point at half-time.

31 August

Double delight for Irish rowers

Paul O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy team up to scoop gold in the lightweight double sculls at the World Rowing Championships in Austria. The duo leave Italian and German boats trailing in their wake in pretty Linz as O'Donovan wins a fourth successive gold at world level.

5 September

McGoldrick ensures Ireland aren't rolled over

David McGoldrick scored his first ever international goal as Ireland fought back to snatch a 1-1 draw with Switzerland at the Aviva Stadium.

The visitors came for all three points but only left with one in this vital Euro 2020 qualifier, despite taking the lead in the 74th minute with a fine Fabian Schar strike.

14 September

A weekend to celebrate in the capital

Dublin have made history and become the first adult men's team to win five straight All-Irelands after a 1-18 to 0-15 win over old rivals Kerry.

The impossible no longer impossible. The final undoable in the GAA has finally been done.

15 September 

Ladies follow it up

Twenty four hours later, Mick Bohan's Dublin ladies side battled past Galway in testing conditions to secure their third All-Ireland on the trot and fourth overall in front of a record crowd of 56,114 at Croke Park.

23 September

Lilywhites bloom again

Dundalk were crowned SSE Airtricity League Premier Division champions for the fifth time in six seasons after overcoming nearest rivals Shamrock Rovers 3-2 at Oriel Park. Dundalk's third goal was thumping strike from Michael Duffy.

28 September

This wasn't meant to happen

After accounting for Scotland in their opening game at Rugby World Cup 2019, Ireland were then left stunned after Japan triumphed 19-12 in Shizuoka.

The hosts held their opponents scoreless from the 22nd minute to claim the victory. Joe Schmidt's side struggled badly in the sauna-like conditions of the Stadium Ecopa during the second half as the hosts, driven on by wonderful support, finished strongly to put a severe dent in the pool favourites' World Cup hopes.

28 September

End of an era at the FAI

John Delaney resigns from his position of Executive Vice President of the Football Association of Ireland with immediate effect. Mr Delaney had agreed in April to voluntarily step aside following revelations of a €100,000 loan he gave to the association.

October: Time for two tiers as World Cup ends in tears

5 October

'I'm grateful to be able to wear this vest'

Ciara Mageean ran a personal best in the 1500m final at the Athletics World Championships in Doha, finishing in 10th place in a time of 4:00.15.

The Down native more than held her own in a final which was won by Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands, who clocked a championship-record time of 3:51.36.

5 October

Delight on the double for Connolly

Aaron Connolly rounded off a dream day in the Premier League by being called up to Mick McCarthy's Republic of Ireland squad.

Connolly made an almost perfect first Premier League start for Brighton as he scored twice and was named man-of-the-match in his side's 3-0 victory over Tottenham.

7 October

McClenaghan is Tokyo bound

Rhys McClenaghan says he realised his dream by securing his place at the 2020 Tokyo Games at the World Gymnastics Championships in Stuttgart.

The 20-year-old has become the first ever Irish gymnast to make a world final following his impressive performance on Sunday on the Pommel Horse, and in doing so has clinched a place at the Olympics.

19 October

A bridge too far yet again

Ireland's World Cup campaign came to a juddering halt as they were out-classed 46-14 by New Zealand in Tokyo. The quarter-final hammering spells the end of Joe Schmidt's time in charge

Schmidt had set a target of getting the team to a first-ever World Cup semi-final. In the end they were, once again, miles off the required standard.

19 October

Green light for secondary competition

The All-Ireland senior football championship will have two tiers from 2020.

The three-year trial period will begin next year after the Central Council motion got 75.5% support a at Special Congress in Cork. It means that counties competing in Division 3 and 4 of the Allianz League will not contest Sam Maguire, unless they reach their respective provincial final.

31 October

Keogh dismissed on grounds of 'gross misconduct'

Derby terminated the contract of captain Richard Keogh "for gross misconduct" following an internal disciplinary hearing.

The 33-year-old Republic of Ireland defender suffered a serious knee injury after he was involved in a car crash with Wales international Tom Lawrence and Mason Bennett on 24 September.

Lawrence and Bennett, who later admitted to drink-driving charges, were both fined the equivalent of six weeks' wages - the maximum contractual limit - by Derby but not dismissed.

3 November

Hoops finally end their wait for FAI Cup glory

Gary O'Neill hit the winning spot-kick as Shamrock Rovers are crowned FAI Cup champions for the first time in 32 years, beating Dundalk 4-2 on penalties at the Aviva Stadium.

Two goals inside the final five minutes took a tense clash to extra-time as Aaron McEneff's penalty handed the Hoops an 89th-minute lead, before Michael Duffy rifled home an injury-time equaliser. Nothing could separate the teams in extra-time as the match finished 1-1, with O'Neill's spot-kick proving crucial.

10 November

Sean Cox makes emotional return to Anfield

Jurgen Klopp pays tribute to the 'inspirational' Sean Cox ahead of the clash with Manchester City at Anfield.

It was Meath man Cox's first time back at the ground since he was brutally assaulted outside the stadium in April 2018. "Sean's name and that of his wife Martina and his

wider family makes me think of courage, spirit and renewal," says Klopp. "Sean is an inspirational figure in the club's story now."

12 November

McCarthy delivers World bronze

Niamh McCarthy wins bronze in the discus in the F41 category at the World Para-Athletics Championships in Dubai.

It's a third World medal for McCarthy following bronze in Doha in 2015 and silver in London two years ago.

18 November

Ireland fall short against the Danes

Ireland's Euro 2020 qualifying campaign comes up just short as Mick McCarthy's side are held to a 1-1 draw by Denmark in a pulsating contest at the Aviva Stadium.

Matt Doherty cancels out Martin Braithwaite's opener but the hosts can't find the winner they need to make it to the finals. They instead head for a play-off semi-final against Slovakia in March.

20 November 

Jose makes his Premier League return

Jose Mourinho is named as Mauricio Pochettino's successor at Tottenham Hotspur.

"I look forward to the challenge and the responsibility to bring happiness to everyone that loves the club," says the former Chelsea and manchester United boss at his unveiling.

"I always told about the magnificent work the club was doing. I really like this squad."

11 December

Limerick FC facing oblivion

Limerick FC are on the verge of extinction after the examinership process to try to keep their trading company afloat ended unsuccessfully .

The club do not have a League of Ireland licence next season and court protection has been removed.

Conor Noone, of Baker Tilly Chartered Accountants, told the South Western Circuit Court in Ennis that while an investor had been identified, "the party did not engage with him in the manner required in recent weeks" to secure the licence or provide funding necessary to come to agreement with the club's creditors.

12 December

Dessie is at the wheel

Dessie Farrell confirmed as the new manager of the Dublin senior football team following the shock resignation of Jim Gavin in November following the five in a row.

The appointment marks Farrell's first first foray into inter-county management at senior level, having previously brought the Metropolitans to All-Ireland success at minor (2012) and under-21 level (2014 and 2017).