Balls.ie

The Boar's Head has welcomed its fair share of famous sporting faces over the years, and three former Manchester United teammates were the latest to pay a visit to the famous Dublin pub on Saturday. Wayne Rooney was joined by former Republic of Ireland internationals John O'Shea and Darron Gibson for a night out in the capital, with the trio pictured together in the Capel Street establishment.

Shay Given couldn’t resist asking Liam Delap the question plenty of Ireland supporters would like answered during an appearance on BBC’s Final Score. The striker was speaking after scoring his first Nottingham Forest goal in Saturday’s 2–1 victory over Aston Villa.

Joe Brolly has accused Kerry of lacking the humility required to retain an All-Ireland, arguing that complacency contributed to their final defeat against Mayo. Writing in his Sunday Independent column, the former Derry forward examines why winning successive championships has proved beyond so many successful teams and managers.

Shane Lowry continued to dominate the 2026 Irish Open. He shrugged off a slight delay to his round caused by the arrival of US President Donald Trump and signed for a six birdie round if 65. He's four shots ahead of Norwegian Jacob Skov Olesen with 18 holes to play Lowry's carried his scintillating putting form from Friday - where he shattered the course record - into Saturday's round Incredibly, Lowry's back nine featured just nine putts.

Shane Lowry may be locked into some fierce competition at the 2026 Irish Open but that did not stop him sharing a wonderful moment with 9-year-old Cillian Hirst. Hirst, a young golf sensation from Galway, got the opportunity to tee off in the company of Lowry on the seventh hole in Doonbeg. He is a brilliant talent, having won the U.S Kids Golf World Championship in the USA in the U9s category in May.

Shane Lowry's blistering start at the Amgen Irish Open hit an unexpected hazard on Saturday. The Irishman's round was temporarily halted due to the arrival of Donald Trump. The Offaly native entered Saturday at 11 under par, three shots clear of his nearest challengers, Li Haotong and Jacob Skov Olsen. Lowry immediately extended his lead with a birdie on the opening hole. However, his momentum was briefly interrupted on the second as Marine One touched down, temporarily suspending play.

Gavin Bazunu has had his finest day in a Bolton shirt thus far after a well-earned clean sheet in their 1-0 win over Cardiff on Saturday. Bazunu joined up with the EFL Championship side this summer as he looks to revive his club career, having been completely frozen out at Southampton. He had a sobering start with defeats to Sheffield United and West Ham, and came in for critcism in the latter fixture after Jarrod Bowen's shot trickled past him.

The League of Ireland title race has been blown wide open after a dramatic Friday night. Last season's champions and current table-toppers Shamrock Rovers saw their lead cut to three points after losing to Stephen Kenny's St Patrick's Athletic at Richmond Park. Meanwhile, Bohemians clawed their way to victory against Galway United in Eamonn Deacy Park. Bohs completed a remarkable comeback, scoring three goals in the final 16 minutes to win 3-2.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that he will attend the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in County Limerick. Trump is on Irish shores to attend the Irish Open at his Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg, County Clare, this weekend. The tournament, which is led at the time of writing by home favourite Shane Lowry, has attracted global attention due to his visit.

Leona Maguire has added yet another Solheim Cup match win to her record to put Europe 7-5 up on Team USA ahead of Saturdays fourball action. Maguire was paired up with German Esther Henseleit in the foursomes for the second day on the spin, having tasted victory in the same format during Friday's action. Both women were bizarrely left out of the Friday afternoon fourballs, but put things right with another clutch performance.