Love and loss, pain and glory: Anna McGann’s bittersweet journey from shy hockey player to Six Nations winger Every day, often as an unwitting gesture, Anna McGann’s right hand will reach across and touch the inside of her left arm. For here lie the forever words of a beloved father, inked in red, a farewell ...

Many thanks to Ireland rugby professional Anna McGann for taking time to open her schedule, and her heart ahead of W6N game v Italy.
m.independent.ie/sport/rugby/...

Thanks!

‘Nice accolade to be given from the manager’ – Tyler Toland’s career trajectory on the up with Blackburn captaincy Sometimes leadership can be stealthily acquired with a quiet purpose. Others have it thrust upon them.

The mental health journey of Tyler Toland almost fascinates me as much as her remarkable professional career. Some more to unpack here...
www.independent.ie/sport/soccer...

FIFA silent on Saudi/World Cup row as Lily Agg reveals no response to letter demanding Aramco boycott over women’s rights Lily Agg told the Irish Independent last month just why she and over a hundred leading pros had lobbied FIFA to drop World Cup sponsors Aramco.

Most of the Irish women's squad and staff are in same-sex relationships so Lily Agg had no hesitation in joining a protest against FIFA alignment with Saudi/Aramco.
Not sure how many colleagues joined her but, regardless, the FIFA response has been predictable
www.independent.ie/sport/soccer...

How a flying Fiji visit will jog wistful memories of home for Emeli Ó hAilpín When Emeli Ó hAilpín left her birthplace 38 years ago a piece of her died. For the sake of her new family, she would never mourn the loss.

Many thanks to Seán Óg Ó hAilpín for taking time last week to speak of his remarkable mother, Emeli, Fiji and a bit of Rugby (League and Union) GRMA.
www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic...

‘I thought my time was up. I didn’t think I’d play football again’ – Julie-Ann Russell Rosie, the most famous toddler on the Irish football scene, would have shrieked with delight when waking up on Thursday morning to see the streets and fields of Galway covered in a blanket of snow.

This is great from
@fitzmaidan
and Julie-Ann Russell . Met all the family when she won her latest gong in Saturday and I believe Rosie took over Stephen's Green playground...
www.independent.ie/sport/soccer...

David Kelly: Eileen Gleeson’s future will be decided by Euro 2025 play-off fate Eileen Gleeson’s first home game in charge as permanent Ireland boss was a match against Wales last February.

Some thoughts on what Eileen Gleeson told us yesterday, why she did so and what might happen next
www.independent.ie/sport/soccer...

David Kelly: Jack Crowley delivers improved game but looming presence of new rival Sam Prendergast is now in play Jack Crowley had struggled to stop the bleeding but now his team needed him to stop theirs.

Some immediate thoughts compiled as three results jostled for attention in the final seconds....it's all about the out-half...or is it?
www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/...

Jonah Lomu’s Lost Tapes and a life spent looking for a lost boy “When your day is up, your day is up.” – Jonah Lomu

Enjoyed rewinding to an emotional meeting with Jonah Lomu as the Lost Tapes airs on TNT Sports
www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/...