Throughout history, there have been a vast array of good Irish rugby union players. But, while many fall into the category of being good, some were a level above and deemed great, while others have been labelled as icons and legends. And for anyone in two minds over who makes the cut, we have a list of the greatest rugby union stars who hail from Ireland below.

Johnny Sexton

Brian O’Driscoll

In the eyes of a lot of people, Brian O’Driscoll is the greatest ever rugby player to come out of Ireland, and possibly the greatest ever sportsman too. It’s quite the tag but one that O’Driscoll earned as a professional in a career that spanned sixteen years, in which he only turned out for Leinster at club level. One hundred and eighty-six appearances led to three hundred and eleven points between 1999 and 2014 for the outside centre, and his achievements for Ireland and the British and Irish Lions remain unmatched.

Paul O’Connell

Some great Irish rugby players had all the ability in the world, but Paul O’Connell had the ability combined with fantastic leadership qualities, which helped him stand out globally for Munster between 2001 and 2015 and Ireland from 2002 to 2015. The lock, who made close to one hundred and eighty appearances for Ireland, was a huge fan favourite and the man that took over the reins when O’Driscoll’s time with his country was over. While hampered by injuries, O’Connell goes down in history as one of the greats.

Keith Wood

We’re going to wrap up this list with Keith Wood, not only because like the three who went before him are greats, but because he brought a uniqueness to the table. Wood, who starred for Munster and Harlequins between 1999 and 2000, and 2000 and 2003, respectively, was fast and agile, but alongside that, he had an incredibly high work rate. There aren’t many Irish players named World Rugby Player of the Year, but it was a feat achieved by Wood in 2001, and rightly so.

When you talk about greats, you’re usually talking about players from the past, which is primarily the case with Irish rugby union stars. However, with Sexton still playing, it will be interesting to see in a few years if any other players have made that jump from being good to great

Sports in Ireland have always been popular and will always be. It’s one of the best ways for people to pass the time as they cheer for their favorite sports teams. Sports themselves have also gained a relationship with gambling. Many people like to place a bet while watching a match to see if they can win some extra money on the side. So it is only natural for some big names in Irish sports to spend some time gambling. It is not out of the question to see some of them sitting down at the blackjack table to try their luck.

Irish sports and gambling

Irish sport has had a long relationship with gambling. While sports such as football and hurling are deeply embedded in Irish culture and history, they have also become intertwined with gambling over the years.

In Ireland, sports betting is legal and regulated, and numerous bookmakers and online betting sites allow people to place bets on sporting events. This has led to a significant amount of money being wagered on sports betting in Ireland. Popular sports such as football, horse racing, and Gaelic games are all betted on.

In particular, horse racing has a long history of association with gambling in Ireland, with many people betting on races both in person and online. The Irish Grand National and the Irish Derby are two of the most popular horse racing events in Ireland, and they attract large crowds of spectators and bettors.

Overall, while Irish sports and gambling are certainly intertwined, it is important to ensure that the integrity of sports is protected and that measures are in place to prevent problem gambling and corruption.

You will spot many Irish sports stars playing gambling games recreationally. There is no shortage of money spent in the casino after a match or before it, either by them or their fans. Slots are very popular as they are quick and easy to do. Just sit down and pull the lever. Another popular choice of game is the ever-present card game Blackjack.

Every casino has at least one table for the game. There is a good reason for it. The game is simple to learn, and there are many strategies to use when playing. Enough to fill entire charts. For a detailed blackjack chart, check this website to see for yourself.

Who’s playing at the tables?

Connor McGregor- One of the most famous Irish people today, if not the most famous. The MMA star has won accolades all over the world and has built his brand around his persona. But between intense matches, he has been spotted going to casinos to play a few blackjack games.

There are many members of the Gaelic Athletic Association. Young players, in particular, are reported to go join players in a casino for a few games. It’s so popular among its members that it’s seen as an integral part of the experience by many of its members. There are fears that many are being exposed to a harmful lifestyle, but the GAA has taken steps to tighten rules and regulations to prevent harm from coming to its members.

Conclusion

The connection between Irish sports and gambling, particularly sports betting, is rather strong. And the big names in the different sports will partake in gambling for their own leisure. It’s reasonable to assume that blackjack is going to be a popular choice because of its ease of learning and depth of strategy.

However, it’s also important to practice safe and responsible play. That’s why you wont see many of them outright advertise what they’re playing.

Developed in the mid 1990s, Slingo bingo was Sal Falciglia’s attempt to amalgamate the best elements of slots and bingo. By taking bingo as the core game, the San Franciscan gaming enthusiast hoped to create something both new and familiar.

Slingo bingo was originally released on AOL, a dial-up internet provider that dominated the early internet age. The game’s simple yet ingenious premise found near instant success, becoming AOL’s most popular title within days.

More than 20 years on, Slingo bingo’s popularity has endured and continues to reach new heights, and here’s why.

Playing Slingo Bingo

Key to Slingo bingo’s success and universal appeal is its simplicity and ease of play. Almost everyone is familiar with bingo and slots as separate entities, and Slingobingo isn’t any harder to grasp.

Although there are plenty of Slingo variations available online, the majority follow the same core structure. There are usually 75 or 90 balls in-play, with numbers presented on a 5×5 grid.

Spinning the slot reel reveals a number that, if matching, can be crossed off a player’s card. Marking five numbers in either a horizontal, vertical or diagonal line will move the player up the reward ladder.

The prizes corresponding to each rung of the ladder vary hugely, and reaching the very top can provide a huge payout.

Many variations also feature Wild, Super Wild and Blocker symbols that add a different dynamic to the game and enhance gameplay.

The Wild symbol allows the player to place a marker on any space on the corresponding reel. The Super Wild is an upgrade, allowing a marker to be placed anywhere.

Finally, Blockers stop any symbol from appearing in a particular place.

Variety

As with the two games that it amalgamates, there is almost endless variety when it comes to Slingo bingo. Slingo Advance, Extreme, Showdown and Riches all have slight variations on the classic formula to cater to different players.

Slingo Advance allows players to hold or discard numbers after a spin, giving the player more control than the solely luck-based original.

Slingo Extreme has a faster pace and is catered towards players seeking the greatest challenge. Fewer spins and more difficult winning patterns make the extreme version decidedly more difficult.

Slingo Showdown is the most competitive variant as it pits players against each other in a similar manner to conventional bingo. Players compete with their own cards, with the winner crowned based on who garners the most points.

Finally, Slingo Riches is for those looking to win big and offers the best potential for returns. Completing a full house within a set number of spins can sometimes return upwards of 20,000x the player’s stake.

Thematic variety is as important and more abundant than the gameplay tweaks just listed. The Deal or No Deal and Britain’s Got Talent Slingo games are hugely popular due to the popularity of their inspirations.

Slingo Racing is another beloved Slingo theme, especially for sport fans. This variation adds a horseracing element into the mix, as the player can bet on a horse prior to starting.

Jackpots

The immense popularity of slots has inevitably resulted in large jackpots, and many versions have great prizes on offer. Sites such as Rainbow Riches Casino also offer free spins to new players on their classic Slingobingo game.

Progressive jackpots are another staple of Slingo that have undoubtedly contributed hugely to Slingo’s growth. Rather than standing at a set figure, these pool players’ stakes and grow based on the amount they’re being played.

These can sometimes reach life changing amounts upwards of seven figures.

Slingo is a Social Game

Another factor that has impacted Slingo bingo’s growth is the social aspect of the game and its multiplayer base. Slingo bingo fosters the same strong social element which is especially present in bingo.

There is a bustling online community that is very welcoming to new players, making it ideal for both new and existing players. Almost every Slingo game has an integrated chat feature that allows players to communicate and interact throughout a game’s duration.

It’s not uncommon for veterans to share tips with their less experienced counterparts and congratulate each other on wins. The chat features also allow Slingo to be played with friends.

Competitiveness is instilled by the fact that people are competing in real time and that there can be only one winner. Leaderboards are common to celebrate the best players and incentivize others to continue improving.

Slingo’s Popularity Will Only Increase

Sal Falciglia’s ingenious combination of slots and bingo is the perfect winning formula. It’s new, yet familiar and mixes two of the world’s most beloved games.

Slingo bingo was an almost instant success, and the digital age has catapulted the game’s popularity to new heights. It’s little surprise that Slingo is a certified internet classic with an ever-growing player base.