# Xs and Os

Last year

2022

# Xs and Os

Analysis: Scotland's superior midfield makes the difference in game of fine margins

We take a closer look at Ireland’s 2-1 Nations League defeat at Hampden Park.

3.9k

Sep 26th 2022, 7:00 AM

'What Paddy Tally does now is very intense' - Kerry's quest for balance

Shane Enright believes Kerry have improved their ability to protect the full-back line during the league.

14.5k

Apr 3rd 2022, 7:00 AM

# Xs and Os

Tactics Board: Ziyech flourishes for Chelsea as Spurs' change in shape fails to deliver

Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic had joy as two number eights at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, writes Shane Keegan.

10.4k

Jan 25th 2022, 8:00 PM

# Breakdown

Tactics Board: Rashford and Greenwood fail to capitalise as Rangnick restores width

Man United came away with a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa in the FA Cup last night, but they were fortunate to do so.

17.5k

Jan 11th 2022, 9:26 PM

# enthralling

Tactics Board: Ludicrously high defensive lines lead to chances galore as Kelleher shines again

Shane Keegan breaks down Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

24.6k

Updated

Jan 4th 2022, 5:00 PM

All time

# Breakdown

Tactics Board: Ruthless Ireland show extra attacking intent and blow minnows Georgia away

Shane Keegan looks at the senior women’s team’s record-breaking performance at Tallaght Stadium.

1.4k

Dec 2nd 2021, 5:52 PM

# Work to be done

Tactics Board: Despite Chelsea result, Rangnick faces a massive challenge at Man United

Shane Keegan breaks down Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge, ahead of the arrival the Red Devils’ newly-appointed interim manager.

3.9k

Nov 30th 2021, 11:08 AM

# relentless

Tactics Board: Liverpool suffocate the Gunners with gegenpressing masterclass

Shane Keegan examines how Jurgen Klopp’s side dismantled Arsenal at Anfield on Saturday.

28.5k

Updated

Nov 22nd 2021, 9:34 PM

# Xs and Os

Tactics board: Ireland hunted Portugal cleverly - and then used the ball confidently

Shane Keegan breaks down more encouraging signs of progress in Ireland’s performances under Stephen Kenny.

13.8k

Updated

Nov 13th 2021, 12:32 PM

# red v blue

Tactics Board: Hapless Man United have no answers for Man City's fluidity in one-sided derby

Shane Keegan analyses the brilliance of Pep Guardiola’s side in their 2-0 win at Old Trafford.

3.2k

Nov 9th 2021, 9:50 AM

# one sided affair

Tactics Board: Man United's press goes from bad to worse as Liverpool show them how it's done

Shane Keegan breaks down where it went wrong for the increasingly under pressure Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Sunday.

8.1k

Oct 26th 2021, 12:10 PM

# Analysis

Tactics Board: It's Robinson's movement that makes him such a key player for this Ireland team

Shane Keegan breaks down the first competitive win of the Stephen Kenny era.

7.1k

Oct 11th 2021, 4:35 PM

# Analysis

Tactics Board: The genius of Salah and Man City target Milner as Anfield serves up a classic

Shane Keegan breaks down the standout Premier League game of the weekend, between title rivals Liverpool and Man City.

6.2k

Oct 4th 2021, 6:09 PM

# Analysis

Tactics Board: Tuchel gets it badly wrong as pressing game pays off for Man City

Shane Keegan breaks down Saturday’s meeting of two title contenders at Stamford Bridge.

3.9k

Sep 27th 2021, 3:28 PM

# Xs and Os

Tactics Board: Greenwood becomes Ronaldo's new Rooney at Man United

Shane Keegan takes a close look at Saturday’s 4-1 win over Newcastle United at Old Trafford.

7.3k

Sep 13th 2021, 5:32 PM

# Xs and Os

Tactics Board: Ireland had the upper hand against Azerbaijan - why didn't they make it count?

Shane Keegan reviews a frustrating evening for the Boys in Green.

5.3k

Sep 6th 2021, 10:20 AM

# Xs and Os

Give us your questions for our rugby experts and win tickets to Ireland v Italy this weekend

We’ll be going through the phases in a Dublin city centre venue on Thursday.

12.7k

Feb 7th 2018, 12:05 PM

# Xs and Os

Analysis: Your favourite NFL team is rubbish... 2-point conversion edition

2-point conversions are becoming increasingly important so why are so many teams bad at them?

4.7k

Dec 6th 2016, 2:35 PM

# Xs and Os

Analysis: Tricky Titans show why you should always expect the unexpected

Here’s how running back Demarco Murray threw a touchdown pass on Sunday.

3.6k

Nov 15th 2016, 12:05 PM

# Xs and Os

Analysis: How the Falcons dialed up the perfect play to beat the Packers at the death

Kyle Shanahan can take a lot of credit for exploiting the Green Bay defence on the game-winning play.

3.0k

Nov 1st 2016, 2:12 PM

# Xs and Os

Analysis: How one simple move caused total confusion in the Jags defence

The Oakland Raiders caught the Jags off guard on Sunday, though it should not have been that easy.

4.4k

Oct 25th 2016, 4:59 PM

# Xs and Os

Analysis: How the Bengals' brutal blocking allowed the Patriots a safety dance

The Cincinnati offensive line is terrible and Dont’a Hightower took full advantage.

3.2k

Oct 18th 2016, 2:01 PM

# Xs and Os

Analysis: Ezekiel Elliott's 60-yard TD run shows why the fat guys up front are so important

Dallas has the best run-blocking offensive line in the league and they showed their worth on Sunday.

4.5k

Oct 11th 2016, 12:25 PM

# NFL

Analysis: The Washington sleight of hand that gave them a much-needed NFL win

It wasn’t a pretty win, but Washington head coach Jay Gruden showed a lot of nerve against the Giants.

4.2k

Sep 27th 2016, 12:33 PM

# Xs and Os

Analysis: Jimmy Garoppolo gives the Patriots a glimpse of their Brady-less future

The loss of the backup QB will be felt over the next two games says Steve O’Rourke.

4.8k

Sep 20th 2016, 11:20 AM

# Xs and Os

Analysis: Carson Wentz shows the traits that could soon have the Eagles flying high

Steve O’Rourke takes a closer look at the number two overall pick’s first NFL touchdown.

3.2k

Sep 13th 2016, 11:47 AM

# killing time

Have some time to kill? You can now play Solitaire on Google search

And relive those days where Windows 95 was cutting edge.

13.9k

Aug 27th 2016, 11:30 AM

# Xs and Os

Which offence has the advantage going into Super Bowl 50?

We take a closer look at Manning, Newton and the weapons that surround them.

5.0k

Feb 7th 2016, 7:00 PM

# Xs and Os

Everyone raves about the Denver defence but the Panthers' could decide the Super Bowl

We take a closer look at what the Carolina defence will bring to San Francisco.

2.9k

Feb 5th 2016, 8:30 AM

# Xs and Os

It's very difficult to find a weakness in the Denver defence

We continue our in-depth look at the areas that might make or

2.8k

Feb 4th 2016, 8:30 AM

# Xs and Os

Why special teams might just be the Carolina Panthers' Achilles heel

We take a closer look at the unit that could cost Carolina a Super Bowl.

3.0k

Feb 3rd 2016, 1:10 PM

# Xs and Os

Could the Broncos' special teams be a potential Super Bowl weakness?

We take a closer look at the third side of the game ahead of Super Bowl 50.

5.7k

Feb 2nd 2016, 6:40 PM

# Coaches Film

Analysis: Hail Marys are great, but a bread and butter pass won the day for the Cardinals

We take a closer look at the 75-yard gain that helped Arizona into the NFC Championship game.

4.8k

Jan 19th 2016, 12:52 PM

# Coaches Film

Analysis: Where has it all gone wrong for the Green Bay Packers offence?

We take a closer look at why one of the NFL’s best offences has broken down.

4.5k

Dec 3rd 2015, 12:41 PM

# Coaches Film

Breaking down the play that won the Super Bowl for the New England Patriots

We break down the most important play of the Super Bowl

8.4k

Feb 3rd 2015, 3:05 PM

# Xs and Os

Pete Carroll explains why the Seahawks ran what is being called the worst call in Super Bowl history

He ignored Beastmode at the vital time.

13.2k

Feb 2nd 2015, 8:35 AM

# Coaches Film

Breaking down the NFL: Marshawn Lynch shows why he's one of the league's best running backs

We take a closer look at the Seattle Seahawks star.

4.9k

Jan 29th 2015, 9:14 PM

# Xs and Os

Coaches Film: Why Gronk will be the Patriots' not-so-secret weapon in the Super Bowl

He’s big, he’s bold and he’s a very easy redzone target.

3.7k

Jan 27th 2015, 11:59 PM

# Xs and Os

Coaches Film: How Russell Wilson's perfect pass sent the Seahawks back to the Super Bowl

We take a closer look at the NFC Championship’s decisive play.

6.1k

Jan 20th 2015, 9:00 PM

# Xs and Os

Coaches Film: Here's one way the Packers could beat the Seahawks on Sunday

It’s time for Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay offence to be brave.

5.0k

Jan 15th 2015, 10:00 PM