Pat McCarry

Ireland

Editorial Lead at JOE.ie

Sportswriter & Producer 💻 🎧 Soldier Field, Man and Ball & The New Breed author 📚 Fortuitously married dad of 4 📲 [email protected]

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Articles

The era of the hybrid player is upon us

1 week ago | rugbypass.com | Pat McCarry

The era of the hybrid player is upon us Copied to clipboard 0 3:20am, 27 May 2025 During Leinster’s recent United Rugby Championship victory over Ulster, one sequence of play signposted the way forward. Not everyone will like it, but little is being done to prevent the surge. Ulster had started with real intent but five damaging minutes, either side of half-time, put them 24-10 behind.
Why Andy Farrell's left-field call is an early Lions masterstroke

3 weeks ago | rugbypass.com | Pat McCarry

“I’m pretty chilled,” Andy Farrell joked, minutes before the British and Irish Lions squad was announced to the public. “My job is done.”The Lions head coach had left the final squad debate with his assistants until as late as he possibly could. The Champions Cup and Challenge Cup semi-finals were the last chance for players to impress or, in the unfortunate cases of Sam Prendergast, Robbie Henshaw and Darcy Graham, slip back.
Irish provinces in danger of being left further behind, in their own country

1 month ago | rugbypass.com | Pat McCarry

Records tumbled for Irish provinces at the weekend. But not for the right reasons, leaving the main protagonists searching for the right words to adequately cover the their dismay. “To say we’re a long way off it is completely wrong. I believe in this group,” said one.
Why Jacob Stockdale 2.0 is ready for an Ireland renaissance this summer

1 month ago | rugbypass.com | Pat McCarry

With James Lowe a likely Lions Tour selection lock-in, this writer set himself the task of observing the left wingers on display, at Aviva Stadium, as Ulster flung themselves in front of the Leinster juggernaut. Jimmy O’Brien and Jacob Stockdale wore 11 for their respective teams. O’Brien covers four backline positions while Stockdale is primarily a left winger that can cover fullback.
Will wounded Carbery come back to haunt former side Munster?

1 month ago | rugbypass.com | Pat McCarry |Ross Byrne

Will wounded Carbery come back to haunt former side Munster? Copied to clipboard 0 11:33am, 10 April 2025 Joey Carbery never wanted to leave Leinster. He never wanted to leave Munster, either. On Saturday, a shade over nine years since he made his senior debut, Carbery has a chance to show both sides, and Andy Farrell, what they discarded. This season’s Champions Cup Round of 16 had tournament organisers thanking their stars for La Rochelle v Munster.
Munster-ROG reunion a ‘love story’ but no return likely for La Rochelle boss

2 months ago | rugbypass.com | Pat McCarry

Munster-ROG reunion a ‘love story’ but no return likely for La Rochelle boss Copied to clipboard 0 11:41am, 03 April 2025 “People maybe under-estimate Mike, and I don’t think they should.”Ronan O’Gara and Mike Prendergast’s rugby story intertwined, for the first time, in 1995. O’Gara’s Presentation Brothers College met a Crescent College team featuring Prendergast and David Wallace in the Munster Senior Schools Cup final.
Andy Farrell is draining Ireland’s resources to benefit the Lions

2 months ago | rugbypass.com | Pat McCarry

Andy Farrell is draining Ireland’s resources to benefit the Lions Copied to clipboard 0 11:06am, 26 March 2025 “It doesn’t get any better than a Lions tour,” beamed Simon Easterby, bedecked in his resplendent new, red Canterbury kit. Easterby has stepped away from day-to-day head coach duties with Ireland, for the next five months to chase Lions glory in Australia.
Erin King on the Six Nations and her viral lift: “There’s so much more coming for this team. We’re going to surprise people”

2 months ago | independent.ie | Pat McCarry

Geared up for next weekend’s Six Nations clash against France, Erin King talks about dreaming of playing pro rugby since the age of 10, winning world breakthrough player at 21, and the lift that made her go viral sensation“I was a bit speechless,” says Ireland rugby star Erin King. “I didn’t really know how to feel. I didn’t think I’d win it because all of the other nominees there are such excellent athletes and they had such great years as well.
Was Dublin drubbing the end of an era or a bump in the road for Ireland?

2 months ago | rugbypass.com | Pat McCarry

Aside from Dublin 4 being transformed into a Montmarte mosh for a few hours on Saturday afternoon, there was an unusual atmosphere around Lansdowne Road. French fans had descended upon Aviva Stadium in their festooned thousands and out-sang the home support all day. Their team took the best Ireland could throw at them early on, and ram-raided it back. Post-match, beaten Ireland captain Caelan Doris reflected on ‘that middle 25 minutes’ of the second half, as if it was a minor blip.
Can 'great' Gibson-Park best 'freakish' Dupont in scrum-half clash for the ages?

Mar 7, 2025 | rugbypass.com | Pat McCarry

Between them, Irish photographers James Crombie and Dan Sheridan captured more than 5,000 images at the 2024 Champions Cup final. Two of the photos tell you all you ever need to know about the game. Empty, crumpled water battles strewn around him, Jamison Gibson-Park sits on astroturf in front of the Leinster bench. His boots are off and he gnaws at his fingernails. There are tears in his eyes. Twenty metres away, the stage is being set for the victorious Toulouse team.