Fintan O'Toole

Dublin

MRIA. Irish Times columnist, advising ed New York Review of Books, winner European Press Prize, Orwell Prize, Robert Silvers Prize. We Don't Know Ourselves

Articles

Next set of All-Ireland SFC fixtures announced with Donegal Tyrone on GAA+

1 day ago | the42.ie | Fintan O'Toole

THE GAA HAVE announced the next set of All-Ireland senior football championship fixtures, with four games set to take place in Round One on Saturday 24 May. The games involve last weekend’s Ulster and Leinster finalists as they commence their group campaigns on the national stage. The details for the match between Leinster champions Louth and Monaghan have still not been finalised. Louth have home advantage for the game but have no home venue suitable in their county.
Here's this week's GAA inter-county schedule and TV coverage

2 days ago | the42.ie | Fintan O'Toole

HA MUNSTER HURLING double-bill is in store on The Sunday Game live next weekend. The RTÉ cameras have Tipperary against Waterford and Limerick against Cork in the round 4 clashes. GAA+ have Leinster hurling on Sunday (Kilkenny v Dublin) and on Saturday (Galway v Antrim), while there’s Tailteann Cup coverage on Sunday (Leitrim v Sligo). The opening All-Ireland football series games command the focus on Saturday for the streaming service as Kerry face Roscommon and Galway entertain Dublin.
Fintan O'Toole: Ireland is running out of priests. There is an obvious solution

2 days ago | irishtimes.com | Fintan O'Toole

Pope Leo XIV is by all accounts an excellent organiser. But, at least in Ireland, an obvious question arises: if he sticks to his stated opposition to what he calls “clericalising women”, what is there left to organise? Here, the pope is a general with lots of grandly arrayed officers, but no foot soldiers. If you’re my age, the slow vanishing of the clergy is one of those phenomena that happens so inexorably that you can lose sight of their profundity.
Ger Brennan: 'Between having kids and winning a few All-Irelands playing, this is right up there'

3 days ago | the42.ie | Fintan O'Toole

HE HAS SAMPLED Croke Park winning days as a player in both Dublin county colours and St Vincent’s club colours, but today’s sideline experience as Louth manager is a new career highlight for Ger Brennan. Before a crowd of over 65,000 people, Brennan steered his Louth team to their first Leinster senior title in 68 years as they edged out Meath by two points amidst an electric Croke Park atmosphere.
Louth claim first Leinster senior title in 68 years after dramatic victory over Meath

3 days ago | the42.ie | Fintan O'Toole

LOUTH HAVE BEEN crowned Leinster senior football champions for the first time in 68 years. Craig Lennon kicked the late winning point as they edged out rivals Meath in an absorbing clash at Croke Park. More to follow…1. Billy Hogan (Longwood)4. Brian O’Halloran (Ballivor), 3. Seán Rafferty (Na Fianna), 2. Seamus Lavin (St Peter’s, Dunboyne)5. Donal Keogan (Rathkenny), 6. Sean Coffey (Ballinabrackey), 7. Ciaran Caulfield (Trim)13. Mathew Costello (Dunshaughlin), 9. Bryan Menton (Donaghmore-Ashbourne)10.
Over 60,000 tickets sold for Sunday's Leinster final at Croke Park

5 days ago | the42.ie | Fintan O'Toole

OVER 60,000 TICKETS have been sold in advance of Sunday’s eagerly-awaited Leinster senior football final in Croke Park. The prospect of a title breakthrough in both counties has led to huge interest in Meath and Louth for Sunday’s showdown at 4.15pm. Leinster GAA have this evening announced that a crowd of over 60,000 is set to be present. General ticket sales moved past the 40,000 mark on Tuesday morning, and increased interest has continued throughout the week.
Connacht announce signing of Sam Gilbert from Highlanders

6 days ago | the42.ie | Fintan O'Toole

CONNACHT HAVE ANNOUNCED the signing of New Zealander Sam Gilbert from Super Rugby side the Highlanders, ahead of next season. The 26-year-old has made 56 Super Rugby appearances for the Dunedin-based outfit, scoring over 320 points including 13 tries. Gilbert has primarily played as a full-back, but has also featured at inside centre, on the wing or out-half. He began his provincial career with Canterbury, before his Super Rugby debut with the Highlanders arrived in 2020.
Here's your essential TV guide for this weekend's live sport

6 days ago | the42.ie | Fintan O'Toole

8.05am Fijian Drua v Blues, Super Rugby Pacific Sky Sports Mix 10am Tennis, ATP and WTA 1000 Rome Sky Sports Main Event 10.35am Waratahs v Reds, Super Rugby Pacific Sky Sports Mix 10.40am AFL, St Kilda v Carlton TNT Sports 4 11am Golf, Turkish Airlines Open – DP World Tour Sky Sports Golf 1.10pm Racing, from Chester ITV4 4pm Golf, LPGA Mizuho Americas Open Sky Sports Golf 6pm Sharks v Ospreys, United Rugby Championship Premier Sports 2 6.30pm Roscommon v Mayo, Connacht minor football final...
The factors behind Clare's struggles in 2025 and their grounds for optimism now

1 week ago | the42.ie | Fintan O'Toole

EVEN IF DEFEAT is the outcome that Clare must deal with on Saturday night, they will not be definitively ruled out of the 2025 Munster hurling qualification race. There would still be a chain of results that could enable them to potentially advance on scoring difference. But the cold truth is that the odds will be heavily stacked against them in that instance.
Here's this week's GAA inter-county schedule and TV coverage

1 week ago | the42.ie | Fintan O'Toole

THE ULSTER AND Leinster senior football trophies are both set to be handed out next weekend with the deciders scheduled for Clones and Croke Park. Both games are live on RTÉ 2, Armagh aiming for a first Ulster senior title since 2008 when they play on Saturday against the Donegal team who defeated them last season to claim the silverware.