Michael Scully

Michael is the Irish Daily Mirror's Chief Sports Writer. Michael covers all sports, including Rugby, Soccer and the GAA. In 2002 he was named Northern Ireland Sports Reporter of the Year.

Leo Cullen makes honest admission after Leinster labour to victory over Clermont

European Champions Cup

Skipper Caelan Doris described it was a "messy win, far from our best," and added: "We know as we get deeper in the competition, we need to be a hell of a lot better."

Leinster player ratings as the Blues grind out a victory over Clermont

European Champions Cup

There were some standout performances for Leo Cullen's side as they made it two from two in the Champions Cup

Sean O'Brien on Johnny Sexton's dilemma: 'Does he want rugby to be all-consuming again?

Sean O'Brien has watched his former Leinster and Ireland colleague come back into the fold at Andy Farrell's request during the Autumn Series, but he is also working full-time away from the game

Leinster 15-7 Clermont score recap and result from the Champions Cup clash

Garry Ringrose and Jordie Barrett scored first-half tries after Alivereti Raka claimed an early Clermont score, with Leinster fly-half Sam Prendergast adding a conversion and penalty

Munster licking their wounds and assessing big injury problems after Castres loss

Munster's two point loss to the French side will hurt the Reds as they failed to perform while Craig Casey and Thaakir Abrahams picked up significant injuries

Sean O'Brien EXCLUSIVE: Heroics v Clermont, Joe Schmidt, Leinster's Champions Cup pain, Sam Prendergast and life after playing

Tullow Tank Sean O'Brien's playing days are behind him but having won four Champions Cups with Leinster Rugby on the field, he is putting his heart and soul into earning that fifth star from the coaches' box

Leo Cullen addresses questions on RG Snyman's bench role and possible marquee signing for next year

Speaking ahead of the Champions Cup clash with Clermont, the head coach was asked if there is an agreement in place between Leinster and the IRFU about the use of second row Springbok star Snyman when the province's Ireland Test duo are available

Perpignan v Connacht: Scott Fardy understands the importance of these big European days

Connacht Rugby blasted their way into this season's Challenge Cup reckoning with a seven-try demolition of Zebre in Galway, but this trip to France will be a test of character as Pete Wilkins rings the changes

Tough Champions Cup night for Munster and Jack Crowley as they fall short against Castres

Ian Costello's Munster side did pick up a losing bonus point but they made qualification to the knock-out stages a little tougher for themselves due to an under-par, injury hit encounter in France

Felix Jones available to work with a club immediately after official RFU departure

The Dubliner, who played and coached previously with Munster before winning two World Cups with South Africa, could be a target of his former club as they continue the search for a new head coach

Olympics standout to make Champions Cup debut in good company for Ulster against Joey Carbery's Bordeaux

Zac Ward played a starring role for the Ireland Sevens at the Paris Olympics and has progressed at Ulster to making his Champions Cup bow at Kingspan Stadium, where he will face ex-Munster star out-half Carbery

Sam Prendergast urged to kick on again by Leo Cullen as Jordie Barrett makes first Leinster start

Sam Prendergast

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen, who has made five line-up changes, discusses the threat Clermont will pose at the Aviva Stadium in the second round Champions Cup tie

Laughing RG Snyman a breath of fresh air as Leinster go again for Champions Cup glory

Ahead of Saturday's Champions Cup clash with Clermont, James Ryan says his Leinster second row colleague, a World Cup winner with South Africa, has been a brilliant addition since joining from Munster

FAI ready to establish new 20-team National League

Previous plans for a third tier in Irish football failed to produce results but the FAI have called for an expression of interest from clubs, with a 20-team League split into North and South Divisions proposed

Giant Dutchman joins Premier Division club Waterford in bid to take next step

League of Ireland Premier Division

The Blues already have Padraig Amond and Matty Smith but Maarten Pouwels, the lanky hitman from Holland may provide a different kind of attacking option

Patrick McEleney linked with sensational Derry City return

League of Ireland Premier Division

The veteran playmaker joined Ballymena United after Derry City's FAI Cup final but local reports suggest he could be returning to the Brandywell in a coaching role

Leinster's Sam Prendergast learning greatly through adversity on European stage

Sam Prendergast

Leinster attack coach Tyler Bleyendaal, a former Munster out-half, was impressed by how new Ireland cap Sam Prendergast went about his Champions Cup business in Bristol and expects a more physical test against Clermont

Derry City swoop for Northern Ireland international as Tiernan Lynch continues to build squad

After Derry City secured the services of Brian Maher and Adam O'Reilly, new boss Tiernan Lynch has signed ex-Newcastle and Millwall utility player Shane Ferguson for next season's Premier Division campaign

In it to win it - Jordie Barrett seeking Champions Cup glory with Leinster in front of his folks

New Zealand star Jordie Barrett showed his ambition by turning down massive money moves to Japan to come to Leinster to learn in another top class environment and he is hoping his parents will join him next May with the province deep in the Champions Cup and URC competitions

Jordie Barrett admits he is targeting one jersey above all as he praises Leinster's new 10

Known as a top class operator across the backline, All Blacks star Jordie Barrett has revealed his favourite position and it's not great news for Robbie Henshaw and Jamie Osborne in particular

Derry City stopper Brian Maher wants to make amends for horror season finale after signing new deal

League of Ireland Premier Division

Ireland under-21 goalkeeper Brian Maher has agreed a contract extension that will take him to the end of the 2026 season and the FAI Cup winner with the club is determined to get the Foylesiders back into the silverware hunt

Leinster provide injury update ahead of Champions Cup clash with Clermont at Aviva Stadium

All Blacks star Jordie Barrett to make full debut for Leinster Rugby after star showing off the bench in his first appearance last weekend at Bristol Bears

Munster's Champions Cup hopes in Castres boosted by return of Ireland internationals

It has been a tough time for Munster Rugby in terms of front row options that prompted the short-term signings of Dian Bleuler from the Sharks and Conor Bartley from Young Munster

Ronan O'Gara on the right trajectory to get the job he wants

A lack of ambition has never been an issue for Ronan O'Gara, who went to one of France's top clubs to begin his coaching journey straight after his playing retirement with Munster, and then went to New Zealand's best club to continue his education

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