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Monday 2 October 2023 Dublin: 13°C

# Analysis

February
February 2023
Token gestures, subterfuge, and fear: how hurling's development is being frustrated
Decision to give Kerry a place in the Munster championship should they win the Joe McDonagh is symbolism.
Tom Clonan: 'Putin's aggression is going nowhere as this war reaches its first anniversary'
The security analyst says Putin’s back is to the wall and the global community must redouble efforts to bring an end to this war.
Man United fans' feelings about potential Qatari takeover should not be complicated
Current owners the Glazers announced in November they were open to a sale or investment.
Ringrose's subtle skills and big moments make him one of the best in the world
The 28-year-old outside centre is an intelligent, effective player.
Eyewitness: One man had seen the bodies of his wife, kids and parents brought out of the rubble
There was also a huge shortage of coffins and body bags, writes midwife Aisha Harbalieh from Azaz in northern Syria.
Analysis: Protocol deal seems to be within reach but will DUP say 'No'?
There has been a flurry of activity in Northern Ireland and Brussels in recent days, with a new Protocol deal in sight.
Anthony Nash: Davy Fitz was not wrong to test the boundaries with man behind the wire
Managers need to be able to get messages onto the field, and the current system does not make that straightforward.
Micheál Houlihan may be the exception that proves the rule on Limerick's production line
The 25-year-old has taken an unusual route to the fringes of John Kiely’s team, which is backboned by academy graduates.
Kinsella on rugby: How Ireland backed up Lowe's big words
The winger said Ireland’s conditioning would be key against France.
Bealham's classy touch, Schmidt's classic loop, and Ireland's inspiration
Andy Farrell’s men scored a brilliant try off a goal-line drop-out against France.
Analysis: Sinn Féin's mortgage interest relief proposal is a terrible idea
Mortgage interest relief is anti-poor, almost by definition, writes Ciarán Casey.
Analysis: Why news headlines about Irish GDP are still irritatingly misleading
Economist Ciarán Casey says that Ireland’s GDP often generates news headlines which do nothing for his emotional stability.
This year
2023
Kinsella on Rugby: Munster's wonder try against Toulouse points to good coaching
The offloading, passing and pace of the move shows the progress being made under attack coach Mike Prendergast.
Kinsella on rugby: How Leinster's '11' and '21' plays got them out of trouble in Swansea
The lineout attack was the key weapon for the province against Ospreys.
Last year
2022
Donn McClean: Lessons learned from a Christmas of Willie Mullins dominance
Closutton trainer asserted his strength by winning 13 of the 28 races at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival.
5 key questions to consider as the Premier League restarts
After a World Cup-enforced break, the top tier of English football resumes on Monday.
Tom Clonan: Russia cannot ‘win’ this war on Ukraine - so what can we expect in 2023?
Escalation won’t alter the fact that a Russian victory is not possible, security analyst Tom Clonan writes.
Thrilling World Cup highlights the biggest difference between club and international football
The many surprise results in Qatar 2022 are in stark contrast to the consistently predictable outcomes elsewhere.
Hurling styles contrast: The key areas for Ballygunner and Ballyhale's showdown
Hurling analyst Sean Flynn takes a closer look at tomorrow’s Croke Park showdown.
Cooney on Soccer: How Lionel Scaloni salvaged Messi's dream
Our latest members newsletter looks at how Argentina have turned their World Cup around.
Cooney on Soccer: How England stopped Mbappe but couldn't stop France
Why Olivier Giroud and Didier Deschamps are due a bit more respect.
Mr Reliable: Why Josh van der Flier won World Player of the Year
Ciarán Kennedy breaks down some of Van der Flier’s standout moments in green this year.
Donn McClean: State Man not quite at Hurricane Fly's level yet but has serious potential
Five-year-old won well at Punchestown yesterday.
Twitter's survival is about more than just Elon Musk getting his way - here's why
Twitter has been shaken to its core since Elon Musk acquired it – does it matter?
Has Cristiano Ronaldo changed or is it football that has moved on?
The Portuguese star has come under fire recently after refusing to come on against Tottenham.
Chaos and fury in Westminster: The impact for Northern Ireland's voters
Originally from Derry, Christina McSorley is a journalist with the BBC based in Westminster and has had a ringside seat to the recent political drama.
'Agen represents the whole town. There's so much pain if the team lose'
Rugby analyst Brian Fitzpatrick is home running BF Sports Analysis after a season in the French Pro D2.
Brian Rowan: Can the parties of Northern Ireland truly make it work this time?
The former BBC correspondent says the signs of compromise are not good as another deadline looms for Stormont.
Tom Clonan: Putin's running out of conventional military solutions to impose his will on Ukraine
The security analyst writes that on the other hand, the Ukrainian motivation to fight is high.
19-year-old James Culhane impresses in Emerging Ireland back row
The Leinster academy man scored two tries in a narrow Irish victory over the Pumas.
Top scorer? Most appearances? Analysing Ireland's last 8 games under Stephen Kenny
The Boys in Green have had some mixed results in recent times.
How 23 seconds of apathy was catalyst for a fragile Ireland meltdown
Examining the build-up to a reckless two-minute spell that has raised yet more questions about this side.
Analysis: How Jason Jenkins has made an immediate impact at Leinster
Much of the towering lock’s best rugby comes in the darker corners of games: mauls, scrums and rucks.
Ireland lose initiative with no room for error to avoid relegation
There is no time to sulk – Ireland need to deliver a performance and a win against Armenia.
'Historic' shift for Northern Ireland but what do the Census findings tell us about its future?
The concept of a Protestant State for a Protestant people has ‘evaporated’, one expert said.
Munster's biggest frustrations and what's their best centre pairing?
Eoin Toolan and Murray Kinsella did a deep dive on Munster’s defeat to Cardiff on The42 Rugby Weekly Extra.
Tom Clonan: Putin has made another strategic blunder but this is a dangerous moment
The security analyst looks at the Russian president’s latest move and the level of threat he now poses.
From the energy crisis to the never-ending Brexit saga - the challenges facing the new UK PM
Christina McSorley of the BBC’s politics Westminster team on what lies in store for the new occupant of Number 10 Downing Street.
Casey on Boxing: The duality of Anthony Joshua, and his exciting-looking third act
Gavan Casey explores what might be next for Joshua following back-to-back defeats to Usyk.
Analysis: Ireland's promising young guns show instinctive skills in Japan
Dannah O’Brien, Méabh Deely, Aoife Dalton, and Natasja Behan all started the big win over Japan.