Sports Books | Thursday, 1 October 2026

William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2026: The 12 Books Chasing Sport’s Biggest Writing Prize

Rory McIlroy, Bradley Wiggins, Tadej Pogačar, Formula One, football referees, cricket, running and even Finnish skittles feature on a fascinating 2026 longlist.

The 2026 William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award longlist has been announced, with 12 titles competing for one of the most prestigious prizes in sports writing.

Established in 1989, the William Hill Sports Book of the Year is the world’s longest-established literary sports-writing prize and has developed a reputation for rewarding books that go well beyond results, match reports and conventional sporting autobiography.

This year’s selection covers Formula One, football, cricket, cycling, golf and ultrarunning, alongside books about sporting obsession, motherhood, refereeing, identity and the pressures surrounding elite competition.

2026 Award

Winner: £25,000 and the William Hill trophy

Other shortlisted authors: £2,500 each

Shortlist announced: Thursday, 29 October

Winner announced: 24 November 2026

An award with serious sporting pedigree

Previous winners include some of the most respected writers in sport, among them Nick Hornby, Duncan Hamilton, Michael Holding, Jeremy Wilson and Lauren Fleshman.

Last year saw Scottish cyclist Pippa York and Irish sports journalist David Walsh win with The Escape: The Tour, the Cyclist and Me.

The 2026 judging panel is made up of Adrian Durham, Elis James, Mark Lawson, Christine Ohuruogu and Michelle Walder. Their first task is to cut the 12-title longlist down to the final shortlist.

The 2026 Longlist

What are the 12 nominated books actually about?

Formula One

F1 Racing: Drive

Rachel Brookes

Sky Sports F1 presenter and reporter Rachel Brookes examines one of the central questions in Formula One: how can 20 of the world’s best racing drivers compete on the same circuits and still produce such dramatically different results?

Rather than simply retelling famous races, Brookes looks at the ingredients behind success — racecraft, engineering, psychology, wet-weather driving and the crucial relationship between a driver and the wider team.

She draws on interviews with figures including Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Nico Rosberg, Toto Wolff, Guenther Steiner and Martin Brundle. That access gives the book a strong insider quality and makes it particularly appealing to fans who want to understand what separates a very good Formula One driver from a world champion.

BUY F1 RACING: DRIVE AT KENNY’S →

Athletics

This Is Not About Running

Mary Cain

Mary Cain was one of the biggest teenage talents American athletics had produced when she joined Alberto Salazar’s Nike Oregon Project.

The expectation was that she could become one of the great middle-distance runners. Instead, her memoir examines the damaging pressures that can surround a young athlete when success, body weight and performance become more important than long-term wellbeing.

Cain’s story moves beyond her own career and into a wider discussion about coaching, female athletes, power and how elite sporting environments can be improved without removing the ambition required to succeed at the highest level.

BUY THIS IS NOT ABOUT RUNNING AT KENNY’S →

Cricket

Ball of the Century

Brendan Cooper

One cricket delivery provides the foundation for Brendan Cooper’s entire book — Shane Warne’s first ball in Ashes cricket to Mike Gatting at Old Trafford on 4 June 1993.

Warne pitched the ball outside Gatting’s leg stump before producing extraordinary turn to hit off stump. It became instantly known as the “Ball of the Century”.

Cooper uses that extraordinary moment to examine Warne’s influence, the rebirth of leg-spin and a difficult decade for English Test cricket. It is an unusual and clever concept: using a single delivery to tell the story of an entire cricketing era.

BUY BALL OF THE CENTURY AT KENNY’S →

Football

HH: Helenio Herrera – Football’s Original Master of the Dark Arts

Richard Fitzpatrick

Long before modern football became fascinated with celebrity managers, Helenio Herrera was building the template.

Nicknamed Il Mago — The Wizard — Herrera won league titles in Spain before transforming Inter Milan into one of the great European teams of the 1960s.

Richard Fitzpatrick explores both the tactical innovator and the much darker, controversial side of Herrera’s career. The book examines his obsessive preparation, psychological techniques, relentless pursuit of victory and the controversies that followed him.

Three-time William Hill winner Duncan Hamilton has described it as a compelling biography, while Guillem Balagué praised the depth of Fitzpatrick’s research.

BUY HH AT KENNY’S →

Cycling

For A Yellow Jersey

Paul Maunder

Paul Maunder tells the complicated history of the women’s Tour de France — a story that stretches back to 1955 and includes repeated attempts to establish a lasting women’s version of cycling’s biggest race.

The book covers false starts, financial problems, media indifference and institutional barriers, but its real focus is on the riders themselves.

From Marianne Martin’s victory in 1984 to the rivalry between Jeannie Longo and Maria Canins and the modern development of the Tour de France Femmes, Maunder gives women’s racing a history on its own terms rather than treating it simply as an appendage to the men’s sport.

CHECK KENNY’S AVAILABILITY →

Cycling

Tadej Pogačar: Unstoppable

Andy McGrath

Tadej Pogačar’s career already looks extraordinary enough for a rider considerably older than the Slovenian superstar.

Andy McGrath follows Pogačar’s development from a talented young Slovenian through Tour de France victories, Grand Tour success, Monument wins and World Championship glory.

The biography draws on teammates, coaches and rivals in an attempt to explain not just what Pogačar has won, but why his racing style and attacking instincts have made him such an unusual figure in modern cycling.

McGrath is also the only previous William Hill winner on this year’s longlist, having won the award in 2017 for Tom Simpson: Bird on the Wire.

BUY TADEJ POGAČAR: UNSTOPPABLE AT KENNY’S →

Football / Psychology

Till I Die: Why Football Means Everything (Even When It Shouldn’t)

Damien Pearse

Why can a football match destroy someone’s mood for an entire weekend?

Psychologist and Wolves supporter Damien Pearse applies his professional background to the strange emotional world of football fandom.

The book explores belonging, loyalty, tribalism, identity and obsession, asking why otherwise rational people become anxious, furious or euphoric because of the actions of 11 players representing their club. It is ostensibly a football book, but its real subject is the supporter.

CHECK KENNY’S AVAILABILITY →

Ultrarunning

The Power Within

Sophie Power

Sophie Power became internationally known after a photograph of her breastfeeding her three-month-old son during the 2018 Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc was seen around the world.

That image sparked a much wider conversation about pregnancy, motherhood and the barriers faced by women in endurance sport.

Power’s book mixes ultrarunning with motherhood, resilience and campaigning. She has since founded SheRACES and pushed for greater equality for women in endurance events. The result is as much a book about changing sporting structures as it is about running extraordinary distances.

CHECK KENNY’S AVAILABILITY →

Football

The Impossible Job

William Ralston

Football supporters discuss referees every weekend, yet relatively few people have any real understanding of what elite officiating involves.

William Ralston was granted access to football officials and organisations including UEFA, FIFA and PGMOL, following referees through training, assessment and matchdays.

He also trained as a referee himself, experiencing how difficult it can be to make decisions instantly while players, managers and supporters are reacting around you.

With VAR supposed to make decisions clearer but seemingly making refereeing an even bigger part of football’s weekly conversation, the subject could hardly be more timely.

BUY THE IMPOSSIBLE JOB AT KENNY’S →

Irish Interest

Rory

Alan Shipnuck

The most obvious title of interest to Irish readers is Alan Shipnuck’s biography of Rory McIlroy.

Shipnuck examines McIlroy’s journey from a hugely talented youngster in Northern Ireland to one of the most recognisable players in world golf.

The book is not an authorised autobiography. Instead, Shipnuck builds his portrait through reporting and conversations with people from across McIlroy’s career, including figures from golf, coaching and business.

It covers the major victories and painful near-misses, his relationships within the sport and his prominent role during the PGA Tour-LIV Golf upheaval.

McIlroy’s victory at Augusta in 2025, finally completing the career Grand Slam, also provided an extraordinary new chapter to a story that had appeared unfinished for more than a decade.

BUY RORY AT KENNY’S →

Sporting Adventure

The Fall and Rise of the Mölkky Bar Kids

Neil Squires

This may be the most unlikely sporting story on the entire longlist.

Former sports writer Neil Squires and a group of middle-aged friends wondered whether there might still be a sport in which they could represent Great Britain.

Their search led them to Mölkky, a Finnish throwing game involving numbered wooden pins.

What started as a pub conversation eventually took them thousands of miles to Japan to compete at the Mölkky World Championships in Team GB colours. Underneath the comedy is a warm story about friendship, getting older and refusing to accept that sporting adventures belong only to elite athletes.

CHECK KENNY’S AVAILABILITY →

Cycling / Memoir

The Chain

Sir Bradley Wiggins

In 2012, Bradley Wiggins became one of the biggest sporting figures in Britain.

He became the first British cyclist to win the Tour de France and then won Olympic time-trial gold in London just days later.

The Chain is very different from the conventional celebration of those achievements. Wiggins writes about identity, isolation, the pressure created by success and the difficult periods that followed retirement.

The reviews have reflected the seriousness of the subject matter. The Times called it a difficult but brilliant read, while David Walsh described the memoir as searing, insightful and compelling.

It is another example of what much of this year’s longlist does particularly well: looking beyond sporting success at the human being underneath it.

CHECK KENNY’S AVAILABILITY →

More than books about winning

What stands out most about the 2026 longlist is how few of these books are simply about who won a match, race or championship.

Mary Cain explores what can happen when an elite sporting environment fails a young athlete. Damien Pearse examines why supporters allow football clubs to control their emotions. William Ralston looks at the people expected to control football matches while almost everyone watching believes they could do a better job.

Sophie Power uses ultrarunning to explore motherhood and sporting equality. Neil Squires turns an obscure Finnish game into a story about friendship and ageing. Bradley Wiggins strips away much of the image attached to one of Britain’s most celebrated sporting careers.

Even the biographies of Rory McIlroy and Tadej Pogačar are less interested in simply cataloguing victories than in understanding the personalities, relationships and circumstances behind extraordinary sporting careers.

“

We were once again struck by the originality of this year’s longlist titles, which provide a range of unique and often challenging perspectives on elite competition.

Neil Foggin

Media Manager, William Hill

What Happens Next?

From 12 books to one winner

Adrian Durham, Elis James, Mark Lawson, Christine Ohuruogu and Michelle Walder will now select the final shortlist.

The shortlist will be announced on Thursday, 29 October.

The winner of the 2026 William Hill Sports Book of the Year will then be announced at the awards ceremony on 24 November.

About the William Hill Sports Book of the Year

First awarded in 1989, the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award recognises excellence in sports writing. The 2026 winning author will receive the trophy and £25,000, with the remaining shortlisted authors receiving £2,500 each and a specially bound copy of their book.

SportsNewsIRELAND | Sports Books & Culture

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The two-mile contest, worth €275,000 to the winning connections, was the feature of an eight-race card on day two of the Autumn Racing Weekend at flat racing’s headquarters.

in 2025
in 2026

Chally Chute makes amends for an unlucky defeat in last year’s Irish Cesarewitch by defying a 5lb higher mark this time around.

A cracking result for the @rosullivan82 team pic.twitter.com/I5dTbZzlDR

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 27, 2026

Chally Chute, the top-weight with 9 stone 11 pounds, is owned by Julie White, one of the joint-breeders, with Dominic O’Neill, of the son of Fast Company, and was improving on last year’s runner-up spot in the race.

The eight-year-old won by a half-length from the Willie Mullins-prepared Sirius (28/1), with Galileo Dame (25/1), a neck further back, followed home by Madbadanddangersous (80/1) in fourth place.

Soul Love Wins Group 3 Renaissance Stakes

Karl Burke, a prominent visitor to Irish shores, claimed the Group 3 Qatar Racing Renaissance Stakes over six furlongs with Soul Love (5/2 joint-favourite). Ridden by French jockey Pierre-Louis Jamin, the chestnut filly had three-quarters-of-a-length in hand on The Curragh specialist, Big Gossey (12/1) at the line.

The nine-year-old grey runner-up was four lengths ahead of the other joint-favourite, Power Blue in third.

Made all, made all

It’s yet another successful Irish raid for @karl_burke as Soul Love makes every single yard in the G3 Renaissance Stakes.

Lovely ride, @pljamin25 pic.twitter.com/fK9yGu3OYk

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 27, 2026

Curracloe Remains Unbeaten

Johnny Murtagh’s Gowran Park maiden winner Curracloe (13/8 joint-favourite) remains unbeaten after two career starts following today’s victory. Successfully stepping up directly from a maiden to Group 3 company, the Qatar Racing-owned juvenile filly ran out a length-and-three-quarters winner for Ben Coen.

A filly going places

Curracloe, a daughter of first-season sire Baaeed, makes it 2-2 with a dominant success in the G3 @DarleyStallions Fillies Stakes.@JohnnyMurtagh | @BenCoen2 | @Qatar_Racing pic.twitter.com/BT2KyUSNBI

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 27, 2026

The runner-up, Alpine Wedding (7/2), for Saturday’s successful Goffs Million-winning combination of Paddy Twomey and Billy Lee, had two-and-a-quarter lengths to spare over Damsel In Distress (13/8 joint-favourite) in third.

Doubles for O’Brien and Coolmore

Aidan O’Brien and the Coolmore partners opened the day with a quick-fire double, taking both maidens.

Raging Bull (1/2 favourite), bred by Whisperview Trading, had a head to spare over the John Murphy-handled Overhead Drive (14/1) in the Army Equitation Centenary Irish EBF Maiden. The juvenile son of Wootton Bassett was ridden by Ryan Moore.

JUST

Raging Bull backers were made to sweat but the son of Wootton Bassett eventually got the job done under Ryan Moore.@curraghrace | @coolmorestud pic.twitter.com/3RkSkAPA21

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 27, 2026

It was Inishannon, Co Cork, jockey Wayne Lordan who was in the saddle for the second Ballydoyle winner, Capability Brown (4/1), in the Izuzu Ireland Irish EBF Maiden over a mile and one furlong. Drawn on the rail, and prominent throughout, the Coolmore-bred son of Dubawi out of the Gailieo mare, Maybe, held off the late challenge of Colin Keane on Juddmonte’s Cluster (2/1) by two-and-a-quarter lengths.

Joseph O’Brien and Joey Sheridan teamed up to take the penultimate race on the card, the Kwiff More Bang For Your Bet Nursery, with 5/2 joint-favourite Moon Sand, while the finale of the weekend went to Fianna (4/1) for jockey Oran McGill and trainer Aidan Howard.

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The winner, who had finished fourth in a Group 1 in his last race, found trouble travelling this afternoon and his rider Billy Twomey had to wait patiently until he found his way through a wall of horses in front of him.

When he got his break, the son of Bayside Boy held off the challenge of his stable companion, Hi Corbett Court (80/1), who had made progress along the stands’ side throughout, under Siobhán Rutledge.

What a result for @ptwomeyracing

Trean leads home a stable one-two from Hi Corbett Court in the @Goffs1866 Million @curraghrace! pic.twitter.com/A9hNyyM8cO

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 26, 2026

Third home was Ballinea Star (33/1) for Donagh O’Connor and Robson De Aguair, with Bayside View (17/2), a half-brother of the winner, next home in fourth place, in the hands of Ben Coen for English handler Michael Bell.

The winner, Tréan, bred by Ballylinch Stud, was third to the Aidan O’Brien-trained Haffner at York last month.

Today’s win was a second success in the race for Paddy Twomey and Billy Lee, who also claimed the top prize with One Look in 2023.

“I think he’s a highly talented horse.”@ptwomeyracing has had more frustrating days, with Trean and stable companion Hi Corbett Court bringing up a 1-2 for the yard in the @Goffs1866 Million @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/jc7wbHJv0o

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 26, 2026

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BKT URC • ROUND 1

CONNACHT v STORMERS

THE SEASON STARTS HERE

Missing internationals, Mack Hansen’s return, a dramatic handicap move from Connacht -1 to -8 and two of last season’s play-off sides going head-to-head in Galway.

CONNACHT

V

DHL STORMERS

Kick-Off 19:45

Date 25 Sept

Venue Dexcom

Live TG4

There probably isn’t a stranger game to open Connacht’s season. Two of last season’s URC play-off teams meet at Dexcom Stadium, but the sides actually taking the field are very different to the full-strength versions of Connacht and the Stormers.

Connacht finished eighth in the 2025/26 URC before losing away to Glasgow in the quarter-finals, while the Stormers finished third and reached the semi-finals.

International commitments have ripped through both squads, particularly the visitors, and the impact can be seen clearly in the betting market.

THE MARKET HAS MOVED

CONNACHT -1

→

-8

Connacht opened at around -1 on the handicap. By match day that had moved all the way to approximately -8 as the scale of the Stormers’ absences became clear.

1. The Missing Internationals

Both teams are significantly below full strength, although the Stormers have been particularly badly hit by Springbok duty.

CONNACHT MISSING

International / summer involvement:
Bundee Aki, Ciarán Frawley, Cian Prendergast, Sean Jansen, Darragh Murray, Sam Illo and Billy Bohan.

Also unavailable:
Will Connors, Hugh Gavin, Dylan Tierney-Martin, Dave Heffernan and Harry West.

STORMERS MISSING

Springbok duty:
Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian Willemse, Paul de Villiers, Deon Fourie, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Zachary Porthen and Cobus Reinach.

Injured:
Cheslin Kolbe – broken jaw.

2. Connacht By The Numbers

There was plenty to like about Connacht’s underlying numbers during the 2025/26 season. They wanted the ball, played at a high tempo and generated plenty of attacking opportunities.

2025/26 URC PERFORMANCE

53.6% Possession

38:41 Ball In Play

24.4 Points / Game

3.4 Tries / Game

178.9 Passes / Game

134.3 Carries / Game

111.5 Rucks / Game

3.5s Ruck Speed

197.2 Tackles / Game

89.7% Tackle Success

93.4% Scrum Success

85.6% Lineout Success

8.5 22 Entries / Game

9:03 Time In Opp. 22

Connacht averaged 53.6% possession, the highest figure of the four Irish provinces, while their average ball-in-play time of 38 minutes 41 seconds was also the highest.

They averaged 178.9 passes, 134.3 carries and 111.5 rucks per game, with an average ruck speed of just 3.5 seconds.

Their defensive workload was enormous too. Connacht averaged 197.2 tackles per game while maintaining an excellent 89.7% tackle success rate.

The scrum operated at 93.4%, although an 85.6% lineout success rate leaves obvious room for improvement.

44.8%

THE NUMBER CONNACHT MUST IMPROVE

Connacht averaged 8.5 entries into the opposition 22 and spent 9:03 per game there, but successfully converted only 44.8% of those opportunities.

Against a depleted Stormers side, Connacht cannot afford to dominate possession and territory without turning that pressure into points.

3. Why Galway Matters

5 Straight Home Wins

1/5 Stormers Wins On Last 5 Irish Visits

33–24 Connacht Win In Cape Town

4–2 URC H2H To Stormers

Connacht enter Round 1 having won their last five home matches in all competitions, while the Stormers have won just once on their last five visits to Ireland.

The overall URC head-to-head favours the Stormers by four victories to two, but the most recent meeting went Connacht’s way.

18 APRIL 2026 • CAPE TOWN

DHL STORMERS

24 – 33

CONNACHT

Connacht ended the Stormers’ four-match winning run in the series.

4. Mack Hansen Is Back

CONNACHT • NUMBER 14

MACK HANSEN RETURNS

One of the biggest positives for Connacht is the return of Mack Hansen on the right wing, giving the backline an established international attacking threat.

There is also a Connacht debut for loosehead Francois van Wyk, while Academy back-rower Max Flynn is in line to make his senior debut from the bench.

With Ciarán Frawley unavailable, Josh Ioane starts at out-half alongside Ben Murphy, while Cathal Forde’s return gives Connacht another powerful option in midfield.

5. Connacht Starting XV

CONNACHT RUGBY

BACKS

15 Sam Gilbert
14 Mack Hansen
13 John Devine
12 Cathal Forde
11 Finn Treacy
10 Josh Ioane
9 Ben Murphy

FORWARDS

1 Francois van Wyk
2 Eoin de Buitléar
3 Finlay Bealham
4 Niall Murray
5 Josh Murphy
6 Sean O’Brien
7 Shamus Hurley-Langton
8 Paul Boyle (C)

REPLACEMENTS

16 Matthew Victory
17 Jordan Duggan
18 Fiachna Barrett
19 David O’Connor
20 Max Flynn
21 Caolin Blade
22 Seán Naughton
23 Shayne Bolton

6. DHL Stormers Starting XV

DHL STORMERS

BACKS

15 Warrick Gelant
14 Seabelo Senatla
13 Ruhan Nel (C)
12 Jonathan Roche
11 Leolin Zas
10 Jurie Matthee
9 Andre Warner

FORWARDS

1 Vernon Matongo
2 André-Hugo Venter
3 Neethling Fouché
4 Riley Norton
5 JD Schickerling
6 Evan Roos
7 Louw Nel
8 Hacjivah Dayimani

REPLACEMENTS

16 Vernon Paulo
17 Olly Reid
18 Sazi Sandi
19 Connor Evans
20 Adré Smith
21 Marcel Theunissen
22 Ezekiel Ngobeni
23 Yaqeen Ahmed

7. Three Areas That Could Decide It

KEY BATTLE 01

The Connacht Scrum

A 93.4% scrum success rate last season gives Connacht a platform they should look to exploit against a Stormers pack missing several Springboks.

KEY BATTLE 02

Tempo & Breakdown

Connacht averaged 111.5 rucks per game at 3.5 seconds. If Ben Murphy and Josh Ioane can generate that sort of tempo, the reshuffled Stormers defence could face an enormous workload.

KEY BATTLE 03

Take The Chances

The 44.8% successful 22-entry figure is the obvious area for improvement. Connacht cannot spend long periods on top and allow the Stormers to escape without conceding points.

Don’t Mistake This For A Weak Stormers XV

Warrick Gelant, Seabelo Senatla, Leolin Zas, Ruhan Nel, Evan Roos, Hacjivah Dayimani and JD Schickerling give the visitors plenty of experience and attacking quality.

Roos is a particularly obvious danger after scoring 12 URC tries last season.

8. Match Officials

REFEREE Sam Grove-White

AR1 Eoghan Cross

AR2 Tomas O’Sullivan

TMO Dave Sutherland

SPORTSNEWSIRELAND PREDICTION

CONNACHT TO MAKE HOME ADVANTAGE COUNT

The move from Connacht -1 to -8 tells its own story. Once the actual teams are considered rather than the overall strength of the two squads, Connacht have a significant opportunity.

The Stormers still have enough individual quality to make this uncomfortable, particularly through Gelant, Senatla, Zas, Roos and Dayimani.

But Connacht have won five straight at home, beat the Stormers 33-24 in Cape Town in April and welcome Mack Hansen back into a starting XV containing plenty of experience.

Connacht to start the new URC season with a win.

CONNACHT 29–20 STORMERS

HANDICAP: CONNACHT -8 ✓

Broadcast: TG4, Premier Sports, SuperSport, URC.tv and FloRugby. Betting markets can move before kick-off. Gamble responsibly.

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Irish boxing will make history in Cork on Friday, October 9, when Christina Desmond and Louise Creaven meet in the first-ever Irish women’s professional title fight – with Galway Bay FM sports broadcaster John Mulligan set to be on commentary for the landmark occasion.

The historic contest takes place at the Parochial Hall Arena in Cork City, bringing together two Irish fighters whose careers have taken very different routes to this groundbreaking night.

Desmond will have home advantage, while Galway’s Creaven will return from Australia for what will be her first professional fight on Irish soil.

Christina Desmond Brings Outstanding Amateur Pedigree

Christina Desmond has made an impressive transition to professional boxing and brings a wealth of international experience into the historic contest.

The Macroom fighter has won her opening five professional contests and enters the showdown with an unbeaten 5-0 record.

Her latest victory came in Spain, where she stopped England’s Sherie Barnes in the second round as she continued her rapid progress through the professional ranks.

Desmond’s professional success follows an outstanding amateur career in which she won six Irish Elite titles, claimed a European Championship silver medal and also secured European bronze.

She represented Ireland internationally for more than a decade and competed at the Youth Olympic Games before eventually making the move into professional boxing.

The possibility of Desmond competing in an historic Irish title fight had previously been discussed in connection with the proposed Katie Taylor Croke Park event. Instead, Desmond will now get the opportunity to make history in front of a home Cork crowd.

Louise Creaven Returns Home From Australia

Standing in Desmond’s way will be Killimordaly’s Louise Creaven, who has established her professional career thousands of miles away in Australia.

Creaven enters the contest with a 6-2 professional record and returns to Ireland following another important victory in Australia.

In August, the Galway fighter defeated Thailand’s experienced Thanchanok Phanan at the Gold Coast Convention Centre, forcing a stoppage in the third round of their scheduled six-round contest.

That victory came during a significant year for Creaven, who also challenged for an Australian title in 2026.

She will now swap Australia for Cork and, remarkably, the October 9 contest is set to be Creaven’s first professional fight in Ireland.

That makes an already historic night even more significant for the Galway boxer, who has spent much of her professional career building her reputation on the other side of the world.

John Mulligan to Call Historic Fight

There will be another strong Galway connection at ringside, with Galway Bay FM sports broadcaster John Mulligan set to provide commentary on the historic contest.

Mulligan has followed Creaven’s progress closely, including speaking with the Killimordaly boxer following her recent victory in Australia.

Confirming that he will be heading to Cork for the fight, Mulligan spoke of his excitement at being involved in such a significant occasion for Irish boxing.

“SO EXCITED to be going to this fight and more importantly to have the honour and privilege of commentating on two LEGENDS going toe to toe who are making history! Well done to all for making it happen.”

For Mulligan, it will be the opportunity to call the action as a new chapter in Irish professional boxing is written.

A Landmark Night for Irish Women’s Boxing

Ireland has produced some of the greatest female boxers in the history of the sport, with Katie Taylor’s achievements helping transform the profile of women’s boxing both in Ireland and internationally.

However, despite that extraordinary success, an Irish professional women’s title had never previously been contested.

The possibility of crowning an Irish women’s professional champion has been discussed for a number of years, but Desmond and Creaven are now set to finally make it happen.

When they step through the ropes in Cork, they will become the first two women to contest an Irish professional boxing title.

Desmond v Creaven – An Intriguing Match-Up

Beyond the historical significance, the fight itself provides an intriguing clash between two boxers with very different backgrounds.

Desmond possesses enormous amateur experience, having represented Ireland at major international championships before beginning her unbeaten professional career.

Creaven, meanwhile, has gained valuable professional experience in Australia, experiencing both championship boxing and the demands of building a career away from home.

It leaves an intriguing contest between Desmond’s extensive international amateur pedigree and unbeaten 5-0 professional record against Creaven’s 6-2 record and greater experience in the professional ranks.

But whatever happens when the bell rings, both women will already have secured their places in the history of Irish boxing.

Christina Desmond v Louise Creaven – Fight Details

• Fight: Christina Desmond v Louise Creaven
• Date: Friday, October 9, 2026
• Venue: Parochial Hall Arena, Cork City
• Occasion: First Irish women’s professional title fight
• Christina Desmond record: 5-0
• Louise Creaven record: 6-2
• General Admission: €60
• Gold Front Rows: €90
• Commentary: John Mulligan

October 9 will therefore be about much more than another professional boxing show in Cork.

For Christina Desmond and Louise Creaven, it is an opportunity to become the first winner of an Irish women’s professional title.

For those inside the Parochial Hall Arena – and for John Mulligan behind the microphone – it will be the chance to witness and document a genuine piece of Irish sporting history.

SEO Title: Christina Desmond v Louise Creaven: Historic Irish Women’s Title Fight

Meta Description: Christina Desmond faces Louise Creaven in Cork on October 9 in the first Irish women’s professional boxing title fight, with John Mulligan on commentary.

Focus Keyphrase: Christina Desmond v Louise Creaven

Suggested URL Slug: christina-desmond-louise-creaven-irish-womens-boxing-title

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Former Ireland and Munster star Simon Zebo believes the BKT United Rugby Championship has improved “ten-fold” and has named Leinster as the team to beat heading into the new season.

The 35-cap Ireland international says the variety of playing styles and growing number of international players across the competition have helped transform the URC into one of rugby’s most entertaining leagues.

Zebo, who retired from professional rugby in 2024 and is now part of the Premier Sports punditry team, believes defending champions Leinster remain the benchmark as the new campaign gets underway.

Simon Zebo: URC standard has gone up ‘ten-fold’

Now entering its sixth season in its current format, the BKT URC brings together teams from Ireland, South Africa, Scotland, Wales and Italy.

Zebo believes that mix has become one of the competition’s biggest strengths.

“How it’s evolved is how attractive it is to watch on the eye. I think the standard of the league across the board and the style we are being treated to, there’s a lot of quality on the pitch.

“That’s why there’s such a good connection with a lot of the supporters who are mad keen to go to the stadiums and watch live matches.

“It all boils down to the quality of the product. We are being treated to some amazing games, great cross culture matches.”

The former Munster and Racing 92 star believes the contrasting approaches across the competition provide both entertainment for supporters and an important test for players.

“There are loads of different styles that we are able to watch on view instead of just one country specifically. You’ve got the South African style versus the Irish style, the Italians, Scots and Welsh.

“It’s a great crossover and the difference in styles naturally prepares you for international rugby.”

Why the BKT URC is so difficult to win

Zebo believes the variety teams encounter from one weekend to the next is a major reason why winning the United Rugby Championship is such a difficult challenge.

“I think the difficulty in the league is that it’s so hard to win. That’s connected to the crossover in styles, the different cultures and different tests that come at you from week to week.

“It’s preparing for a Scottish team like Glasgow who can run at you from everywhere and then the following week playing the Bulls who are going to scrum you off the pitch to then maybe playing Munster or Leinster who can bring the aerial game into it.

“There are just so many different styles and lots of crossover and so many international players who are on display in the BKT URC now.

“They are nearly like smaller international matches with the quality of player on the field.”

Zebo feels the overall standard of the competition has increased dramatically.

“The competition is continuing to grow. The standard of rugby we are being treated to has gone up ten fold. That’s why I think it’s continuing to drive engagement, get people talking and there is a lot of excitement around now for the new season.”

Simon Zebo names Leinster as the URC team to beat

When it comes to the title race, Zebo believes Leinster remain the side everyone else has to catch.

Leinster enter the campaign as defending champions and will be looking to add another URC crown during Leo Cullen’s final season as head coach.

“I would say that Leinster are still the team to beat,” said Zebo while speaking at a BKT URC Round Table.

“Yes, there’s a lot of quality in South Africa in particular. The size and tactics of their teams can be a bit of an Achilles heel for the Irish sides at times.

“But given what Leinster have done to the Bulls in previous finals, their squad is so deep, they have so much quality.

“There’s a confidence there as well when you are champions. It’s tough to knock over the current champs.

“With the South African sides, Glasgow and Munster, there are plenty of teams in the mix.

“But, as of now, Leinster are probably still favourites going in by the bookies. It’s hard to begrudge them that.

“I think they are still very much the team to beat.”

Why a fast start matters in the URC

Zebo believes the opening rounds can have a major influence on a team’s title challenge, particularly in a competition where the battle for the play-off positions can quickly become congested.

“Finding a rhythm early on is probably the hardest part,” he said.

“Getting an early start breeds confidence for the rest of the season.

“Then other factors come into play about squad health, fatigue and all other things.

“But if you can get out early ahead of the pack, avoid that mosh pit and stay top three, top four, it just has a massive bearing on the rest of your season.

“You are not chasing points as heavily in the later rounds. The knock-on effect is huge.

“You are far better off getting a good early start and getting that confidence in your game plan early doors.”

Simon Zebo enjoying life after rugby

The 36-year-old has moved into broadcasting since calling time on his playing career in 2024.

Having represented Ireland 35 times along with spells at Munster and Racing 92, Zebo says remaining close to rugby has helped with the transition from playing.

“I love it. I’m incredibly fortunate to work with Premier Sports and get to stay up close with the action and remain in contact with the current players and past buddies that you played with.

“It’s nice to give insight and have a bit of fun at the same time. It comes back to the rugby we are being treated to. The product is so good at the moment.

“It’s always a joy. I wouldn’t call it work to be honest. It’s a privilege to be involved in the game still. It’s a nice transition out of playing the game.”

Munster v Glasgow Warriors

Zebo will be part of the Premier Sports team at Thomond Park on Saturday for Munster Rugby v Glasgow Warriors.

He will be joined by Ross Harries, Ryan Wilson, Darren Cave, Ryle Nugent and Paul Marshall.

Premier Sports will show every BKT United Rugby Championship game live throughout the season.

Simon Zebo was speaking as part of a BKT United Rugby Championship Round Table.

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Four unbeaten teams remain in each conference, with Buffalo, Kansas City, Cincinnati and Las Vegas leading the way in the AFC, while Seattle, Minnesota, San Francisco and Philadelphia are all 2-0 in the NFC.

Bills and Allen chasing NFL history

Los Angeles Chargers (0-2) at Buffalo Bills (2-0) – Sunday, 6pm Irish time

Buffalo have made an explosive start and can become just the fourth team in NFL history to score at least 35 points while producing 400 or more yards of offence in each of their opening three games.

The previous teams to achieve the feat were the 2013 Denver Broncos, 2007 New England Patriots and 2000 St. Louis Rams.

Josh Allen has been at the centre of Buffalo’s start. The Bills quarterback is the first player in NFL history to record five touchdown passes and four rushing touchdowns across the opening two games of a season.

Allen could make further history against the Chargers by becoming the first quarterback to record multiple rushing touchdowns in three consecutive games.

Chiefs offence setting the pace

Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) at Miami Dolphins (0-2) – Sunday, 6pm Irish time

Kansas City enter Week 3 leading the NFL in total offence at 457.5 yards per game.

Running back Kenneth Walker has been one of the biggest stories of the opening fortnight, leading the NFL with 369 scrimmage yards.

That is the most scrimmage yardage ever recorded by a non-rookie in his first two games with a new team.

Walker has produced at least 175 scrimmage yards in both games, becoming only the fifth player in NFL history to open a season that way.

Kansas City can improve to 3-0 for the sixth time in the past 10 seasons.

Bengals eye first 3-0 start since 2015

Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) at Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) – Sunday, 6pm Irish time

Cincinnati can win their opening three games for the first time since 2015, with Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase continuing to establish themselves among the NFL’s most productive quarterback-receiver combinations.

Burrow and Chase have now connected for 50 touchdowns.

They are one of only four combinations in NFL history to reach 50 touchdown connections while both quarterback and receiver were under the age of 30.

Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers also has history within reach.

Rodgers has 164 regular-season victories and another would move him level with former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on 165, fifth on the NFL’s all-time list.

Cousins has Raiders dreaming of 3-0

Las Vegas Raiders (2-0) at New Orleans Saints (1-1) – Sunday, 9.25pm Irish time

Las Vegas can begin a season 3-0 for the first time since 2021.

Kirk Cousins leads the AFC with six touchdown passes and has thrown at least three in each of the Raiders’ opening two games.

At 38, Cousins joined Tom Brady and Peyton Manning as the only quarterbacks aged 38 or older to throw three or more touchdown passes in each of their team’s opening two games.

New Orleans quarterback Tyler Shough has also made a remarkable start statistically, leading the NFL with 62 completions and 662 passing yards.

Super Bowl champions Seattle remain perfect

Seattle Seahawks (2-0) at Washington Commanders (0-2) – Sunday, 6pm Irish time

The reigning Super Bowl champions are attempting to become the third consecutive champions to begin their title defence 3-0.

Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald has compiled a 29-10 record, including the playoffs, since taking charge in 2024. Victory in Washington would make him only the sixth head coach since 1970 to win at least 30 of his first 40 games.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba has carried his outstanding 2025 form into the new campaign.

After leading the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards last season, Smith-Njigba again tops the league with 277 yards through two games.

McCaffrey joins NFL’s 100-touchdown club

Arizona Cardinals (1-1) at San Francisco 49ers (2-0) – Sunday, 9.05pm Irish time

San Francisco can begin 3-0 for the third time in four seasons.

Brock Purdy produced a remarkable performance in Week 2, completing 20 of 22 passes for 287 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing score.

He became the first player in NFL history to complete at least 90 per cent of his passes while throwing for at least 285 yards and two touchdowns and adding a rushing touchdown in the same game.

Christian McCaffrey also reached a significant milestone.

His two rushing touchdowns took him to 100 career scrimmage touchdowns in just 114 games, making him the fourth-fastest player to reach the landmark during the Super Bowl era.

Jefferson continues historic pace

Minnesota Vikings (2-0) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2) – Sunday, 9.05pm Irish time

Minnesota’s defence has made a huge impact through two weeks.

Linebacker Dallas Turner has three sacks while leading the NFL with 20 quarterback pressures and 11 quarterback hits, according to Next Gen Stats.

The Vikings have eight sacks as a team, tied for the NFL lead with Cincinnati and Las Vegas.

Justin Jefferson, meanwhile, continues to climb the record books.

Jefferson now has 8,627 career receiving yards, the second-most ever accumulated by a player before turning 28. Only Randy Moss, with 9,142, recorded more.

Eagles head to Chicago for Monday Night Football

Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) at Chicago Bears (1-1) – Tuesday, 1.15am Irish time

Philadelphia produced one of the dramatic finishes of Week 2 when Jalen Hurts found Darius Cooper for the winning touchdown with just nine seconds remaining in a 24-20 victory over Tennessee.

Hurts has now engineered eight fourth-quarter comebacks since 2023.

Saquon Barkley has another opportunity to extend an impressive Monday Night Football run. The Eagles running back has recorded at least 100 scrimmage yards in five consecutive Monday night appearances.

Philadelphia can now win their opening three games for the fourth time in five seasons.

Stafford and Nix meet on Sunday Night Football

Los Angeles Rams (1-1) at Denver Broncos (1-1) – Monday, 1.20am Irish time

Two of last season’s four Championship Game participants meet in Denver after both recorded their first victories of the campaign in Week 2.

The Rams are set to become the first NFL team since 1970 to begin a season with three consecutive primetime games.

Matthew Stafford threw four touchdown passes in Week 2, moving to 427 regular-season touchdown passes for his career and overtaking Philip Rivers for sixth on the NFL’s all-time list.

Denver quarterback Bo Nix has also compiled an impressive record since entering the league in 2024.

Nix has 25 victories over the past three seasons, placing him alongside Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, Jared Goff and Jalen Hurts among starting quarterbacks with at least 25 wins during that period.

Eight teams chasing perfection

Week 3 could significantly reshape the early NFL standings.

Buffalo and Kansas City are attempting to continue their recent tradition of fast starts, Cincinnati are chasing their first 3-0 opening in more than a decade and Las Vegas are looking for their first since 2021.

In the NFC, reigning champions Seattle are joined by Minnesota, San Francisco and Philadelphia in trying to preserve perfect records.

With Josh Allen chasing unprecedented quarterback numbers, Aaron Rodgers closing in on another career milestone and several of the league’s leading offensive players already producing historic statistics, Week 3 has no shortage of storylines.

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Ireland are scheduled to face Argentina at Aviva Stadium on 6 November, Fiji on 14 November and South Africa on 21 November, giving you three different Tests to assess in Dublin.

These fixtures also have added significance, as the Nations Championship forms part of World Rugby’s revised international calendar. Ireland enter November with two wins and one defeat from the opening July block, having beaten Australia 33-31 and Japan 36-20 before losing 40-21 to New Zealand. That record gives you useful form data before November.

Understanding rugby betting markets

If you are new to rugby betting, it helps to understand what each market is actually measuring before you look at prices. Match-result markets focus on the winner while handicap markets adjust the starting margin between the teams. Total-points markets concern the combined score while player markets can focus on tries or other individual statistics where available.

You can compare recent performances, home advantage and each opponent’s tactical profile before considering any market. Ireland’s November opponents offer three contrasting tests, so one recent result tells you little on its own. Argentina finished the July block with one win and two defeats, Fiji lost all three matches while South Africawon all three and currently lead their half of the competition.

Look closely at recent form

Recent form gives you a useful starting point, but you need to look beyond the final score. Ireland’s 33-31 victory over Australia showed their ability to win a close contest, while the 36-20 success against Japan produced a more comfortable margin. The 40-21 defeat to New Zealand highlighted the challenge posed by a side capable of creating repeated attacking opportunities.

Argentina also produced mixed results, losing to Scotland and England before beating Wales, while Fiji struggled across their three matches. South Africa provide the strongest recent record, as they beat England, Scotland and Wales in the July Nations Championship block before defeating New Zealand twice in August and September. Those results give you useful context when you examine rugby betting around Ireland’s November fixtures.

Consider the match-up

Team rankings and win-loss records are useful, but rugby is built around specific tactical contests, so look at how strengths and weaknesses interact. Ireland’s ability to control possession, protect the ball and create pressure through phases can look different against Argentina’s physical approach, Fiji’s open attacking style or South Africa’s powerful forward game.

Set-piece performance also deserves attention, as scrum stability and lineout efficiency can influence territory and scoring opportunities. You can also examine defensive numbers, turnover rates and points conceded across recent matches. World Rugby’s current Nations Championship table has South Africa and New Zealand unbeaten after three matches, as Ireland sit on two wins from three. That wider picture gives your rugby betting research more substance than a ranking comparison.

Selection and injuries matter

You should also keep an eye on team selection as November approaches because international rugby squads can change significantly between matches. A new half-back pairing can alter tempo, while front-row changes can affect scrum performance. Ireland already rotated heavily during the July campaign, with Andy Farrell resting several established players against Japan before recalling many of them for the New Zealand match.

That approach showed how selection can depend on fixture sequence and player workload. For rugby betting, confirmed starting XVs ultimately provide more useful information than early assumptions about who will take the field. Injury updates matter too, as one late withdrawal can alter a team’s balance before kick-off.

Home advantage and scheduling

Playing three November Tests at Aviva Stadium gives Ireland a familiar setting although each opponent arrives with different preparation and travel demands. Argentina’s visit comes first on 6 November, Fiji follow eight days later and South Africa arrive one week after that, so the sequence creates a demanding run of matches.

South Africa also have their own autumn schedule, with Ireland travelling to Cape Town on 24 October before the Dublin meeting later in November. That earlier fixture provides another reference point for rugby betting, as you can compare both meetings without treating either result as definitive. Scheduling can affect selection, recovery and tactical planning, so consider the full calendar when assessing November internationals.

Responsible rugby betting

Rugby betting is best approached as entertainment with financial risk, so you should decide what you are comfortable spending before placing any wager. Strong rugby knowledge does not remove uncertainty, as injuries, refereeing decisions and tactical changes can alter a match quickly.

If you notice that gambling is becoming difficult to control, support is available in Ireland through services such as Problem Gambling Ireland, while the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland is the statutory regulator for gambling in the Republic. Keeping spending separate from essential household costs can help you maintain perspective throughout the international window. The November Tests offer plenty to analyse, so the sport remains the focus. 18+ only.

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