Munster tie down second row Conor Ryan until 2028
Conor Ryan has signed a two-year contract extension with Munster which will keep him at the province until at least 2028. The 22-year-old second row is the latest Munster player to take the less trodden path to professional rugby. He signed a one-year development contract last summer and featured against an Argentina XV at Thomond Park in November. He impressed to the extent that he secured a one-year development contract this season. “Our clubs are a cornerstone of Munster Rugby and Conor’s elevation is further proof of the importance of our clubs in developing players.”
Source:Irish Examiner
March 20, 2026 22:08 UTC
Concern over legal costs brings Gerry Adams’s eight-day London high court odyssey to end
On a number of occasions during eight days in the high court, Judge Jonathan Swift queried if he should hear from both legal teams as to whether the case itself was an abuse of process. In English and Welsh civil law, a judge is able to stop, stay or strike out a case if they decide the legal process – in this case a civil claim for personal injuries damages – is being used unjustly or improperly. But once the judge raised the issue of abuse of process, it was clear that the costs order would be reviewed if Swift decided to throw it out on those grounds, she said. The claimants had raised £110,000 from a crowdfunding campaign that, to quote Ganesh, received many small donations of “three quid or a fiver”. Throughout the case, the Adams side was confident, if frequently irritated by the nature of the evidence put before the court from a former IRA member, Shane Paul O’Doherty, and ex-soldiers and police.
Source:The Irish Times
March 20, 2026 22:00 UTC
Teenager Murphy the hero as Cork City continue blistering start
SSE Airtricity First Division: UCD 0 Cork City 1Cork City earned a massive three points at the UCD Bowl in an enthralling end-to-end encounter with 16-year-old Cillian Murphy being the hero as his first senior goal proved the difference. And back at the scene of when they last secured the First Division title the visitors, as expected, made a dominant start. Looked dangerous on the counter attack the Students' own flying winger, Stephen Mohan, created havoc himself and forced some bodies-on-the-line defending as the frenetic start showed no signs of slowing. The talented teenager made no mistake and swept the ball home expertly to become one of the youngest goalscorers in Cork City’s history. The longer the second half continued with just the one goal deficit, the potential for a nervy finish grew.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 20, 2026 21:59 UTC
Connacht stun Ulster to boost playoff hopes with fourth-win-in-a-row
Ulster 19 Connacht 26Connacht stunned Ulster in Belfast to fully deserve their bonus point result and make it four victories on the bounce for Stuart Lancaster’s side to boost their play-off hopes. That incident led to a penalty for Ulster which Murphy put deep into Connacht’s 22. Zac Ward got five back for Ulster on 64 minutes when he bamboozled Sean Naughton after being supplied by Stockdale. Ulster: M Lowry, W Kok, J Stockdale, B Carson, Z Ward, J Murphy, Doak; A Bell, T Stewart, S Wilson, I Henderson, J Hopes, D McCann, M Rea, J Augustus. Connacht: S Naughton, S Jennings, C Forde, B Aki, F Treacy, J Carty, C Reilly; B Bohan, D Heffernan, F Bealham, J Joyce, D Murray, J Murphy, C Prendergast, S Jansen.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 20, 2026 21:59 UTC
Teenager who sued over hospital care at birth settles action for €850,000
University Hospital Galway: The settlement, which was reached after mediation, is without an admission of liability. Photograph: Eric LukeA teenage girl who sued over the hospital care she received after her birth has settled a High Court action for €850,000. The girl, who cannot be named by order of the court, has neurodevelopmental difficulties, Judge Paul Coffey was told on Friday. Through her father, the girl sued the HSE over the care provided by University Hospital Galway. He said he had no hesitation in approving the settlement and wished the teenager the very best for the future.
Source:The Irish Times
March 20, 2026 21:56 UTC
AIL preview: In-form Terenure host Lansdowne with playoffs in sight
The race for the playoffs heats up in Division 1A, especially at Lakelands Park where Terenure host Lansdowne in a typically significant clash between two in-form sides. The losers will feel the squeeze given Cork Constitution, in fifth on 43 points, host already-relegated Nenagh Ormond at Temple Hill ahead of meeting Terenure and Lansdowne. Division 2A: Ballymena v Galway Corinthians, Eaton Park; Banbridge v Shannon, Rifle Park; Dungannon v Wanderers, Stevenson Park; Greystones v Old Crescent, Dr Hickey Park; MU Barnhall v Cashel, Parsonstown. Division 2B: Enniscorthy v Skerries, Alcast Park; Galwegians v Clogher Valley, Crowley Park; Navan v Malone, Balreask Old; Sligo v Rainey, Hamilton Park; UL Bohemian v Buccaneers, UL 4G. (5pm); Railway Union v UL Bohemian, Park Avenue, (5pm); Tullow v Cooke, Rathoe Road (5pm); Wicklow v Galwegians, Ashtown Lane (5pm).
Source:The Irish Times
March 20, 2026 21:48 UTC
'My soulmate, my safe place': Wife pays moving tribute to Ukrainian man killed in Cork stabbing incident
Mr Zhyvytskyi was attacked just metres from his home in Camden Court on Carroll's Quay in the Lower John St and Knapp’s Square area. He had left his home to get food in the nearby Shandon St area, but was stabbed as he walked the short distance home. Mr Zhyvytskyi is survived by his wife Viktoriya, and their young daughter. In a moving tribute on Rip.ie, Viktoriya wrote that her husband’s family will carry him in their hearts forever. On Thursday evening, a 42-year-old man accused of murdering Mr Zhyvytskyi by allegedly stabbing him in the chest was brought before Cork District Court.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 20, 2026 21:43 UTC
Fears of prolonged shock to global oil and gas prices deepen amid Middle East attacks
The latest attacks follow days of Iranian strikes on regional energy infrastructure that has roiled global markets. Attacks on refineries and gasfields in the Middle East have compounded fears the escalating war in Iran and the wider region may lead to a prolonged shock to global oil and gas prices, even if shipping routes are unblocked. European gas prices jumped by 35 per cent on Thursday as Iran and Israel traded strikes on sites involved in the production and supply of oil and gas. Energy prices have since steadied after Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu said on Thursday night that the “war will end sooner than people think”. Taoiseach Micheál Martin arrives ahead of rountable during the EU Summit at the EU headquarters in Brussels, on March 19th.
Source:The Irish Times
March 20, 2026 21:38 UTC
The Irish Times view on one-off housing: planning for failure – The Irish Times
The Murrays mounted series of appeals to keep the 6,220 sq ft home after ‘wilful breach’ of planning laws. Two decades ago, Chris and Rose Murray were refused planning permission to build a 283 square metre house on a site in Bohermeen, Co Meath. In recent days, Rose Murray has characterised that decision as a “mistake”, which seems something of an understatement. A substantial portion of Ireland’s “rural” population consists of urban workers who have chosen, or been priced into, dispersed countryside living, producing a level of exurban sprawl largely unseen elsewhere in Europe. That a council had to pursue proceedings through every tier of the courts over two decades gives a dispiriting measure of how underpowered Ireland’s planning enforcement regime remains.
Source:The Irish Times
March 20, 2026 21:30 UTC
Cork hurlers make seven changes, none for Rebel footballers in promotion chase
Cork have made seven changes for Saturday evening's final round National Hurling League clash with Offaly at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Niall O'Leary, Seán O'Donoghue, Robert Downey, Mark Coleman, team captain Darragh Fitzgibbon, Hugh O'Connor, and Alan Connolly are those to come in while Eoin Roche, Daire O'Leary, Ger Millerick, Micheál Mullins, Damien Cahalane, Shane Kingston and Alan Walsh are those to drop out from the team which lost to Limerick last time out.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 20, 2026 21:06 UTC
Restaurant review: I'm still reeling from my visit to the brilliant Ox in Belfast
Leslie Williams: "There is an almost austere simplicity about the room with bare brick painted white, a stained wood floor and blonde wood tables, but thanks to good lighting and friendly, efficient staff, it still feels warm and welcoming."
Source:Irish Examiner
March 20, 2026 21:05 UTC
See inside Ireland’s newest five-star hotel in Galway ahead of May opening
See inside Ireland’s newest five-star hotel in Galway ahead of May openingThe Hawthorn by Galway Bay is a €60m development bringing together luxury hospitality, championship golf and a destination-level spaInside Galway’s newest luxury hotel set to shake up the Irish five-star marketMolly Cantwell Today at 16:00The luxury hotel scene in Ireland is set for a shake-up this May, when Ireland’s newest five-star hotel located in Oranmore, Galway, opens its doors.
Source:Irish Independent
March 20, 2026 21:01 UTC
'We never leave them alone': How Cork's search and recovery group helps families find closure after tragedies
Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery group is based at the bottom of Horgan’s Quay. David Varian briefing fellow volunteers inside the Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery base on Horgan’s Quay. Dinny Kiely has been with the Search and Recovery Group for nearly 25 years, since its inception in 2001. Firefighters by day and volunteers by night, Eoghan Cahill and Ben O’Flynn prepare a search boat at the Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery base. Picture: Chani AndersonCustom dry suits hang ready for use inside the Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery base on Horgan’s Quay.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 20, 2026 21:00 UTC
Dolores Keane will forever be the sound of the second time continuity and change coincided in Ireland
But there is something more than that about Dolores Keane, as though her voice entered the groundwater of my being and circulates there still. For me, Dolores Keane is the sound of that moment where change and continuity overlapped. Running through this “world music” sound, its dominant strain that gives it structure and meaning, is the unmistakeable current of Caherlistrane. It would be more accurate to say that the old world was still alive and kicking, while a new world was already flourishing. Ireland has experienced it twice, and for me Dolores Keane will forever be the sound of the second time.
Source:The Irish Times
March 20, 2026 20:55 UTC
Niall Horan dodges Amanda Holden's question as she asks if he plans to propose to girlfriend Amelia Woolley after revealing his entire album is about her
Niall Horan dodged Amanda Holden's question as she asked if he plans to propose to his girlfriend Amelia Woolley. Niall recently announced he is releasing his fourth studio album, Dinner Party - and the entire album is about Amelia. Joining Heart Breakfast with Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden on Friday, Niall shared how the album was inspired by the night he and Amelia met at a dinner party. But he became cagey when Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda asked if he has plans to propose to Amelia anytime soon. 'No, I'm just saying just think about it,' Amanda said, with Jamie jumping in to ask: 'Amanda is saying should she buy a hat?'
Source:Daily Mail
March 20, 2026 20:53 UTC