The Irish Women’s Rugby team will play a Six Nations game in Galway for the first time next year. The newly renovated Dexcom Stadium will the venue for Ireland’s game against Italy in April. The Irish women open their 2026 Six Nations campaign with a trip to London to play England at the Allianz Stadium (Twickenham) on April 11, before their first home game when they welcome Italy to Galway on April 18 in what will be another milestone occasion for Irish Rugby. The women are away to France on April 26 and Ravenhill in Belfast, which is now known as the Affidea Stadium, is the venue for the visit of Wales on May 9 and then the campaign ends with a first-ever women’s international at the Aviva against Scotland on May 17. Ireland women’s team only previous game played in Galway was in April 2006 when they beat Canada 15-8; so this will be a first competitive game for the women in the Dexcom Stadium.
CHRISTMAS SEMIS
A week before Christmas is hardly the perfect time to be playing All-Ireland hurling semi-finals, but this new GAA split season means games have to be played in winter time as the intercounty action resumes on Jan. 2. On Sunday next we will have the two All-Ireland club semi-finals. Galway champions Loughrea will play Ulster champions Slaughtneill at Parnell Park in Dublin at 1.30pm and later that afternoon it’s the clash of the big two from the South East, Ballygunner from Waterford and the recently crowned Leinster champions St Martin’s of Wexford at Semple Stadium. Both venues have excellent playing surfaces and there should be no problem about playing the games, unless we get a fall of snow before Christmas.
BRADLEY REJECTS
‘RIDICULOUS PLAN’
Speaking in Iceland last week, prior to their Conference League game against Breidablik, Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley accused Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson of showing a lack of respect to League of Ireland managers by failing to let them know about a proposed January camp for home-based players before speaking about it in the media. The Hoops manager said he will not be allowing his players to take part in the “ridiculous plan” if it goes ahead. Bradley said he was shocked to read at the weekend that the concept was on the agenda again with Hallgrimsson, who had previously mentioned an idea that is popular in Nordic countries, i.e. a training camp which includes national players and players from the domestic league.
MURRAY NEW
BARRS BOSS
Former Cork camogie manager Paudie Murray has been named as the new St Finbarr’s senior hurling manager. Murray, who guided the Cork ladies to All-Ireland wins in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018, fills the void left by former Cork goalkeeper Ger Cunningham, who delivered a first Cork senior hurling title to the famous city club in 29 years in 2022. The new manager will be assisted by his brother Kevin who will also coach the team. A MacCarthy Cup winner with Cork in 1999, Kevin will also serve as a Cork football selector under John Cleary next year.
Also in Cork last week hurler Patrick Horgan was given a civic reception by Cork Lord Mayor Fergal Dennehy to honor his ‘‘extraordinary contribution to Cork sporting life.’’ Horgan, who is 37, is widely considered to be the greatest hurler of the modern era not to win an All-Ireland senior hurling medal. The Glen Rovers star, who is the all-time top scorer in the senior hurling championship and National League, played on four Cork teams that were beaten in All-Ireland hurling finals: 2013, 2021, 2024 and 2025. Now retired from inter-county hurling, Horgan will coach the Cork under 20 hurling team next year.
DINGLE STAR
OUT OF SEMI
Newly-crowned Munster club football champions Dingle are resigned to being without dual star Mark O’Connor for their All-Ireland semi-final against Leinster champions Ballyboden St Enda’s on Jan. 3. O’Connor was given permission by his AFL club Geelong to play for Dingle in the Kerry senior football champions semi-final and final as well as the Munster semi-final and final, but is due to return to Australia shortly for pre-season training ahead of the start of the 2026 AFL campaign in March. However, the player cannot miss pre-season training.
DEVLIN QUITS BRAY
Pat Devlin has left Bray Wanderers, bringing the curtain down on his association with the club which began 40 years ago. Devlin, who is 72, was head of football at the Wicklow club for the last three seasons, having been manager over five spells, first as player-manager back in 1985. He also held a director of football role and famously led the club to two FAI Cup final wins in 1990 and 1999. Devlin moved to the role of head of football in 2022 with Paul Heffernan currently their head coach. The Seagulls came close to promotion this year but lost to Waterford a play-off final. Bray were taken over by a consortium of businessmen in September. Devlin played for several Leinster League clubs and also for St Pat’s and Bray in the League of Ireland. He was one of Steve Staunton’s assistants when ‘Stan’ was the Irish senior manager.
EVANS STEPS DOWN
FROM UNITED JOB
Former Manchester United and Northern Ireland footballer Jonny Evans has stepped down as United’s head of Loans and Pathways after just five months in the role. The 37-year-old retired at the end of last season and took up the post in June, but has now quit to spend more time with his family. It’s understood the departure has been amicable and Evans will now take time out before deciding on his next role.
ALL IRELAND
DATES FOR ‘26
For any GAA fans planning a trip home to Ireland next summer dates have now been confirmed for the 2026 All-Ireland finals. The hurling final will be played in Croke Park on July 19 and the football final is scheduled for July 26.
