Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

The Inside Track with Tony O'Donoghue

'But what message are we sending out to all the people who play and watch the game, people who love football? Play to your strengths? Eliminate mistakes? Hit it long and hope?'

Soccer • 07 Sep 09

The Inside Track with Tony O'Donoghue

'The original fixtures meeting for this group in Sofia, when Ireland had no manager, may have been the smartest bit of business done in the campaign.'

Soccer • 07 Sep 09

The Inside Track with Tony O'Donoghue

I travelled to Thomond Park for the soccer match full of hope and expectation. An opportunity to see top players in Munster and take in the atmosphere of a big game proved irresistible especially when some of my all time heroes were in action.

Soccer • 04 Sep 09

Ronaldo is coming to Dublin, but RTÉ's Soccer Correspondent won't be watching

The Inside Track

'I’d rather stick pins in my eyes than go and watch showpony Ronaldo go through his paces.'

Soccer • 09 Jul 09

The Inside Track with Tony O'Donoghue

And so, for the Republic of Ireland squad, it's time to say goodbye to London and get the heads in the right place for the final game of a long season.

Soccer • 04 Jun 09

'One thing is certain; when the fans started the Mexican Wave at Craven Cottage, Kiely would have waved back.'

The Inside Track with Tony O'Donoghue

'It’s such a pity that Dean Kiely wasn’t given a run and has left the squad, probably for the last time.'

Soccer • 30 May 09

The Inside Track with Tony O'Donoghue

'Conspiracy theorists will love the notion that the Norwegian referee was got at, although that idea seems an almost impossible absurdity.'

Soccer • 08 May 09

The Inside Track with Tony O'Donoghue

When Richie Sadlier arrived into the MNS office on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon he was tense.

Soccer • 05 May 09

‘The Spaniard has been most obliging to RTÉ over the years and to do so in defeat is a measure of the man's character.'

The Inside Track with Tony O'Donoghue

‘Did he say yes?’, asked the slightly frazzled Manchester United press lady. Alex Ferguson was in the television mixed zone after the Champions League quarter-final victory over Porto.

Soccer • 20 Apr 09

'Sligo Rovers boss Paul Cook is one of the most colourful and fascinating figures in the loopy League of Ireland.'

The Inside Track with Tony O'Donoghue

I love his passion and enthusiasm, his humour and his accent. The Scouser Sligo Rovers boss is one of the most colourful and fascinating figures in the loopy League of Ireland.

Soccer • 11 Apr 09

'Maybe it's time we all bought into the manager's ability and experience and trusted him and the players to do the right thing.'

The Inside Track with Tony O'Donoghue

'The currency of Trapattoni's squad has risen appreciably and even in a volataile market we could yet see a spectacular return on the investment.'

Soccer • 03 Apr 09

The Inside Track with Tony O'Donoghue

It was raining in Bari this morning so weather wise the thousands of Irish fans due to arrive in the Italian port will not have too much of a culture shock to deal with.

Soccer • 31 Mar 09

'What I would love to see is a season without asterisks alongside the League table'

The Inside Track with Tony O'Donoghue

Tony O'Donoghue suggests some reasons to look forward to the new season of League of Ireland football.

Soccer • 06 Mar 09

'The reason for his self imposed exile has been long spoken of, although usually on the back pages of the tabloids.'

The Inside Track with Tony O'Donoghue

Tony O'Donoghue offers his views on the seemingly never ending Stephen Ireland affair.

Soccer • 20 Jan 09

The Inside Track with Tony O’Donoghue

'Next year is, I think, the most challenging and the most crucial Irish football has ever faced.'

Soccer • 26 Nov 08

'It's still too close to call but three of the bottom four will face the trap door in less than a month with three crucial games still to go.'

The Inside Track with Tony O'Donoghue

The attrition rate in the Premier Division this year is crucifying. Imagine any other league in the world where 25% of all the teams go down?

Soccer • 21 Oct 08

'Even with two minutes of normal time remaining on the clock, I truly believed that Pat's would get the two goals needed to bring the tie to extra-time and finish off their more illustrious opponents.'

The Inside Track with Tony O'Donoghue

'The Saints' performances in Europe this season, as well as Drogheda's wonderful effort in Kiev, has put a different slant on a turbulent and troubled season.'

Soccer • 01 Oct 08

The Inside Track with Tony O'Donoghue

'Millions of euro separate the likes of Hertha Berlin from St Patrick's Athletic and, ultimately, that's always likely to prove decisive.'

Soccer • 16 Sep 08

The Inside Track with Tony O’Donoghue….Montenegro

'Trapattoni was all action and prowled the borders of his technical area for the full ninety minutes sometimes transgressing on to the field of play.'

Soccer • 09 Sep 08

The Inside Track with Tony O'Donoghue

'To tell you the truth I cannot tell you how deeply upset I am at the current situation at my home town club, my club, Cork City.'

Soccer • 29 Aug 08

'Events at Cork City, where the club stand on the verge of extinction meant that once again the state of the game here needed to be examined.'

The Inside Track with Tony O'Donoghue

'Events at Cork City where the current cup holders stand on the verge of extinction meant that once again the state of the game here needed to be examined.'

Soccer • 20 Aug 08

The Inside Track on MNS with Tony O'Donoghue

'If that had happened a couple of weeks earlier the players could have left the club for nothing as Cork City were in breach of contract.'

Soccer • 13 Aug 08

'What chance do we have when the players with undoubted talent and European pedigree are scattered among the clubs?'

The Inside Track with Tony O’Donoghue

'The AGM confirmed one thing though, Lansdowne Road will go ahead and the FAI will stump up their share of the cash.'

Soccer • 12 Aug 08

'If the oft promoted theory that Ireland's economic boom had something to do with our soccer success - then Trap listen up… 'Right now, more than ever, your (new) country needs you.'

The Inside Track with Tony O'Donoghue

In the modern football world there is no such thing as a close season. The eircom League of Ireland is, as Bill O’Herlihy might say – 'right back after this short break.'

Soccer • 10 Jul 08

A month into his reign and Trapattoni is not just a good coach, he's lucky too.

The Inside Track with Tony O’Donoghue

There is no doubt Giovanni Trapattoni's English has improved along with the Republic of Ireland results and after a month in the job it's safe to say that the new gaffer has got a handle on the gig.

Soccer • 30 May 08