Where to Watch & Full Irish Schedule – 2025 World Athletics Championships

The wait is almost over! The 20th World Athletics Championships land in Tokyo from 13–21 September 2025, and Ireland is sending its largest ever squad to compete on the global stage. From marathons at sunrise to primetime finals under the lights at Japan’s National Stadium, fans are in for a feast of athletics action.

Where to Watch

Irish fans won’t miss a moment thanks to RTÉ’s wall-to-wall coverage. Catch every race, jump, and throw live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, with daily highlights and expert analysis across all nine days of competition.

Team Ireland Schedule

All times listed are Irish Time (with Tokyo local time in brackets).

This year’s Irish team is packed with medal contenders and rising stars – from Sarah Healy and Sarah Lavin on the track to Kate O’Connor in the heptathlon and Mark English over 800m. Make sure to set your alarms and tune in for what could be Ireland’s biggest medal haul yet.

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Munster Name 38-Man Squad for Pre-Season Clash with Bath at Virgin Media Park

Munster Rugby have announced a 38-man squad for Friday’s highly anticipated pre-season clash against English Premiership champions Bath at Virgin Media Park.

Kick-off is 7pm, with tickets available now via munsterrugby.ie. Fans unable to attend can catch all the action live on Access Munster, with exclusive live streaming.

Five Ireland internationals — Tom Ahern, Craig Casey, Gavin Coombes, Alex Kendellen and Michael Milne — are set to make their first appearances of the new campaign. Ahern, Kendellen, and Milne will wear the red jersey for the first time since making their Ireland debuts this summer.

This fixture will be an extended 90-minute contest, with breaks after 30 and 60 minutes instead of a traditional half-time.

Two separate Munster line-ups have been named to split the game-time evenly, with a further eight players listed as replacements.

Supporters will also get their first look at new signings JJ Hanrahan, Dan Kelly, and Conor Ryan in their first home appearance since joining during the summer.

Young talents Conor Bartley and Academy flanker Michael Foy are in line for their senior Munster debuts, while Ben O’Connor, Fionn Gibbons, Gordon Wood, and Ronan Foxe will make their first appearances of the 2025/26 campaign.

Six Munster Rugby Academy players are included: Michael Foy, Ben O’Connor, Gordon Wood, Ronan Foxe, Max Clein, and Seán Edogbo, highlighting the province’s commitment to developing homegrown talent.

Veteran hooker Niall Scannell will once again captain Munster, as he did against Gloucester, while Craig Casey will lead the side for the first time when he takes the field.

The squad will also showcase Munster’s brand-new adidas home jersey, giving fans a first look ahead of the United Rugby Championship campaign.

Munster Teams for Bath Clash

Team 1:
Shane Daly; Andrew Smith, Seán O’Brien, Dan Kelly, Diarmuid Kilgallen; JJ Hanrahan, Ethan Coughlan; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell (C), Oli Jager; Evan O’Connell, Tom Ahern; Ruadhán Quinn, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.

Team 2:
Mike Haley; Ben O’Connor, Fionn Gibbons, Gordon Wood, Thaakir Abrahams; Tony Butler, Craig Casey (C); Michael Milne, Lee Barron, John Ryan; Conor Ryan, Fineen Wycherley; Jack O’Donoghue, John Hodnett, Brian Gleeson.

Replacements:
Max Clein, Mark Donnelly, Conor Bartley, Ronan Foxe, Michael Foy, Seán Edogbo, Paddy Patterson, Shay McCarthy.

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The agreement will see TG4 show 50% of URC games live each season, with the remaining fixtures broadcast on Premier Sports. RTÉ will not feature in coverage of the upcoming campaign.

TG4 has been a long-standing supporter of rugby in Ireland, and this latest deal ensures free-to-air access for half of all URC fixtures until at least 2029. The full list of televised matches for the 2025/26 season will be confirmed in the coming days.

This is a significant boost for rugby supporters nationwide, particularly those without access to subscription-only platforms. It also continues TG4’s strong tradition of covering Irish sport, from grassroots action to the international stage.

The new URC season promises another year of high-quality rugby, with Leinster, Munster, Connacht, and Ulster all targeting strong campaigns. Fans can look forward to top-class clashes, intense rivalries, and plenty of drama — all available live on TG4.

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The FAI and the Republic of Ireland: A Story of Chaos and Decline

The last two years have been nothing short of a shambles for Irish football. From boardroom resignations to disastrous performances on the pitch, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has presided over one crisis after another. The result? A game in freefall, a fanbase alienated, and players struggling to find form under the national jersey.

Managerial Instability

• Stephen Kenny was sacked in November 2023.
• John O’Shea filled in with four friendlies as caretaker, essentially auditioning for the role.
• It took seven months for the FAI to appoint Heimir Hallgrímsson as their “first-choice” manager, on a reported €650,000 salary.

Boardroom Chaos

• CEO Jonathan Hill resigned in April 2024.
• Marc Canham, the FAI’s Director of Football, stepped down in April 2025.
• The FAI launched a voluntary redundancy programme in August 2025, with compulsory job losses looming as part of restructuring.
• Debt stands at a staggering €43 million.

Controversies and Legal Battles

• RTÉ aired a documentary in July 2024 exposing the mistreatment of female players by coaches.
• Colin Healy claimed he was dismissed despite reassurances he’d stay with the WNT staff (December 2024).
• Eileen Gleeson has launched legal action against the FAI for gender discrimination (August 2025).

On the Pitch: A Shattered Identity

• The team survived in Nations League B only by beating Bulgaria home and away.
• They were humiliated by Armenia and went 2–0 down inside 15 minutes at home to Hungary with Matt Doherty bizarrely played at left-back.
• No clear structure, no defensive solidity, and a reliance on ineffective long throw-ins.
• Irish players consistently perform better for their clubs than for the national side.
• Heimir’s team has conceded first in nine of his ten competitive games.

Domestic Neglect

• League of Ireland champions still only receive €125,000.
• FAI Cup winners earn €32,000 plus gate receipts.
• Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne’s success in Europe this season has come in spite of their governing body, not because of it.
• Will Clarke’s August 2025 Academy Report revealed glaring issues with facilities and infrastructure nationwide.
• The proposed “summer soccer” plan was defeated in August 2025, leaving no clear strategy for development.
• Damien Duff, the headline act of the domestic league and one of the most respected young managers, has departed Shelbourne—an enormous blow for the LOI’s profile.

Fans Left in the Cold

• Supporters can only buy tickets in restrictive three-match bundles until shortly before games.
• Meanwhile, performances on the pitch offer little incentive to attend.

Conclusion

The FAI has failed Irish football. Between staggering debts, broken governance, failed structures, and embarrassing performances on the pitch, it is clear that the Republic of Ireland’s game is suffering at every level. With Damien Duff’s departure from Shelbourne further weakening the League of Ireland’s appeal, Irish football risks losing not only its next generation of talent but also its connection with the fans who care most. Until the association faces real reform—root and branch—the chaos will continue.

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NFC Players of the Week – Kickoff Weekend 2025

NEW YORK — Sept. 10, 2025 — Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, Los Angeles Rams linebacker Nate Landman, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Kameron Johnson have been named the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played on Kickoff Weekend (September 4–5, 7–8).

Offense: QB J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings

• McCarthy accounted for three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) as Minnesota rallied from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat Chicago, 27–24.
• Became the first QB to erase a 10+ point deficit in the 4th quarter of an NFL debut and win in regulation since Hall of Famer Steve Young (1985).
• First player with at least two TD passes and a rushing score in an NFL debut since Cam Newton (2011).
• Third Vikings quarterback to earn Week 1 Player of the Week honours (Daunte Culpepper, 2004; Sam Bradford, 2017).
• Joined Tom Brady as the only former Michigan quarterbacks to win the award over the last 15 seasons (2011–25).

Defense: LB Nate Landman, Los Angeles Rams

• Registered 10 tackles and a game-sealing forced fumble in the Rams’ 14–9 victory over Houston.
• The decisive forced fumble came with 1:51 left as the Texans entered the red zone.
• Earned his first Defensive Player of the Week Award.
• Fourth Ram to claim Week 1 honours (Robert Quinn, 2013; Aaron Donald, 2015; Trumaine Johnson, 2017).
• First Colorado alum to win since Chad Brown in 2003.

Special Teams: WR Kameron Johnson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Delivered a 54-yard punt return in the third quarter of Tampa Bay’s 23–20 win at Atlanta — the longest return in the NFL during Week 1.
• Contributed on 12 special teams snaps as both a returner and a gunner.
• Earned his first career Player of the Week award.
• Second Buccaneer to win Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 1 (Bradley Pinion, 2021).
• First Barton College player ever to secure a Player of the Week honour.

Source: NFL Compute – Week 1 Awards (2025 Season)

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In more good news for Munster fans

Shane Daly, Jeremy Loughman, Ethan Coughlan, Oli Jager and Lee Barron all made successful returns from injury.

With almost three weeks until the URC campaign kicks off away to Scarlets, the following players are increasing their training load and beginning to reintegrate to team training: Jean Kleyn (knee), Diarmuid Barron (shoulder), Edwin Edogbo (back) and Roman Salanoa (knee).

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NFL — Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers: Three Defensive Players Injured in Opener vs Jets

Update

Coach Mike Tomlin on injuries:
Derrick Harmon – knee – out
DeShon Elliott – knee – out
Malik Harrison – knee – out

Joey Porter Jr. – optimistic about availability
Nick Herbig – optimistic about availability

Pittsburgh edged New York 34–32 on a Chris Boswell 60-yard FG with 1:03 left, but Joey Porter Jr. (hamstring), DeShon Elliott (knee) and Malik Harrison (knee) exited injured. Evaluations ongoing, per Mike Tomlin.

Week 1

Final: Steelers 34–32 Jets

Game Recap

The Steelers opened the season with a dramatic victory over the New York Jets, sealed by a clutch 60-yard field goal from Chris Boswell. Head Coach Mike Tomlin praised the resilience but admitted there’s “room for improvement,” citing the defense’s struggles to contain Justin Fields in his Jets debut.

Player	Line
Justin Fields (Jets)	16/22, 218 yds, 1 TD; 48 rush yds, 2 TD
Aaron Rodgers (Steelers)	22/30, 244 yds, 4 TD
Chris Boswell (Steelers)	GW FG from 60 yards (1:03 left)

What Tomlin Said

“Our slip was showing in some areas… We didn’t put enough pressure on Justin. There were instances we weren’t good enough.”

Rodgers’ Statement Debut

Aaron Rodgers made a point against the organisation that moved on from him last season, tossing four touchdown passes. “There were probably people in the organisation that didn’t think I could play anymore… nice to remind them I still can,” he said.

Key Takeaways

• Clutch factor: Boswell remains elite from distance; special teams deliver the winner.
• QB bounce: Rodgers’ command and red-zone precision lift a new-look Steelers offense.
• Defensive concern: Edge/contain issues vs QB run; explosive plays allowed.
• Health watch: Secondary depth tested if Porter Jr./Elliott miss time.

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Academy News

Josh Neill to join Leinster Rugby Academy in early 2026

Irish-qualified back-row added to the Year One intake; arrival scheduled after he completes his school year in South Africa.

Academy 2025/26
Back-row Forward
Irish-qualified

Announcement

Leinster Rugby Academy Manager, Simon Broughton, has confirmed that Josh Neill has been added to the Year One Academy intake and will link up with Leinster Rugby in the early months of 2026. Neill, an Irish-qualified back-row, currently attends Rondebosch Boys’ High School in Cape Town and was recently named in the South Africa U-18 squad for their summer series against France, England and Ireland.

Neill plays his club rugby with Western Province. His older brother, Jordan, is already based in Ireland and currently plays cricket with the Northern Knights. Jordan has represented Ireland U-19s and made his senior Ireland debut in a One Day International against the West Indies earlier this summer.

Leinster Rugby Academy 2025/26

Year One

Player	AIL Club
Tadhg Brophy	Naas RFC
Jack Deegan	Blackrock College RFC
Connor Fahy	Clontarf FC
Páidí Farrell	Old Wesley RFC
Lee Fitzpatrick	Blackrock College RGC
Todd Lawlor	Lansdowne FC
Ciarán Mangan	Blackrock College RFC
Alex Mullan	Blackrock College RFC
Josh Neill	TBC
Mahon Ronan	Old Wesley RFC

Year Two

Player	AIL Club
Oliver Coffey	Blackrock College RFC
Billy Corrigan	Old Wesley RFC
Caspar Gabriel	Terenure College RFC
Hugo McLaughlin	Lansdowne FC
Ruben Moloney	UCD RFC
Alan Spicer	Clontarf FC
Andrew Sparrow	St Mary’s College RFC
Stephen Smyth	Old Wesley RFC

Year Three

Player	AIL Club
Henry McErlean	Terenure College RFC
Liam Molony	Lansdowne FC
Conor O’Tighearnaigh	UCD RFC

All clubs listed are Energia All-Ireland League (AIL) affiliates where applicable.

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