Sports Poets Society

Duvall made the smallest parts unforgettable – just look at ‘Apocalypse Now’ US actor stole the show in many films including ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and ‘The Godfather’ “As a bloodthirsty Vietnam veteran,  he delivered one of the most horribly  memorable lines in all cinema” 17 feb 2026 - Irish Independent Photo: Getty ● Oscar winner Robert Duvall, a versatile actor who made lasting impressions in a range of films from starring to supporting roles, has died aged 95. Duvall, who appeared in The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, died peacefully on Sunday, according to his wife. Robert Duvall, who has died aged 95, was a Hollywood supporting actor of distinction who, with the exception of his Oscar-winning performance in Tender Mercies in 1983, rarely graduated to leading roles. But he had a filmography more extensive than that of almost any other actor of modern times. In American television, he worked consistently. He was often the star attraction, portraying such historical figure...

Portugal captain says Hallgrimsson’s ref comments are made to take the pressure off his Ireland side 13 Nov 2025 - Irish Independent AIDAN FITZMAURICE AND DANIEL McDONNELL Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has accused Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson of trying to play mind games ahead of the sides’ World Cup qualifier in Dublin tonight after the Irish boss claimed that Ronaldo would attempt to influence the referee. Hallgrimsson had warned the match officials to stay strong in the face of the influence of Ronaldo in tonight’s tie. The Ireland camp were aggrieved by the prominent role of the Portuguese superstar in Lisbon last month where his side were awarded a controversial penalty that was saved by Caoimhín Kelleher. Criticism There’s also a bit of previous from 2021 when the performance of Slovenian referee Matej Jug in a Ronaldo-inspired 2-1 win drew strong criticism. Hallgrimsson has generally shied away from speaking negatively about match officials, but he acknowledged t...

‘Does Heimir have the same real steel?  He needs to show us that now’ GARY BREEN 12 Nov 2025 - Irish Independent I read an interview with Ray Houghton last week where he was challenging the Ireland players to “ seize the moment ” and do something special against Portugal and Hungary this week . His rallying cry has real gravitas considering his exploits in the Ireland jersey. Ray’s opinion is of value to me, like so many of my former teammates, and I’ve actually been sounding a few of them out to discover how they see this window playing out. I was doing it to see if their unique experience offered a viewpoint that’s different to what the overwhelming feeling seems to be among Ireland supporters. The general consensus among the lads I’ve spoken to is that we are short in terms of a definitive style of consistent play. Simplistic Which means we are hoping that the fans, the ‘12th man’ could somehow get us over the line tomorrow night. Incredibly, we are still in the fight for a pl...

Ireland boss not thinking about own future, insisting qualification still possible Two wins and we are there , insists defiant Ireland boss Hallgrimsson 7 Nov 2025 - Irish Independent DANIEL McDONNELL Heimir Hallgrimsson has brushed off questions about his future because his focus remains on Ireland qualifying for next summer’s World Cup. The Icelander has named his squad for what is likely to be his final camp in charge unless a depleted team can pull two big results out of the bag against Portugal and Hungary next week. As he named his squad, Hallgrimsson acknowledged that he might have to think about what comes next, but he asserted that he has not given up hope of a turnaround even though he is a “ realist’ about the situation . Pragmatism will also guide the Irish approach to those fixtures, with the manager promising a similar defensive approach to what was applied in last month’s narrow loss to Portugal and the struggle at home against Armenia . And he feels it is the only way ...

https://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/cycling/when-stephen-roche-was-king-of-cyclo-cross/a912202376.html? Mon 20 Nov 2023 at 03:30 In December 1979, the Irish cycling legend lined up in the colours of Dundrum club Orwell Wheelers and took the honours in Balbriggan against some other soon-to-be-famous headline-makers As Stephen Roche took the title by over three minutes, Raphael Kimmage took bronze ahead of brother Paul Stephen Roche was Irish national cyclo-cross champion in 1979 While Stephen Roche lost traction and time to the lead quartet on the muddiest part of the course in the early laps, he always fought his way back to the front. As Stephen Roche took the title by over three minutes,  Raphael Kimmage took bronze ahead of brother Paul Stephen Roche was Irish national cyclo-cross champion in 1979 While Stephen Roche may be best remembered for being the first and only Irishman thus far to win the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia or world professional road race championshi...

https://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/the-day-the-sky-fell-in-26553384.html Susan Daly July 25, 2009 The lavender plants lining the path to Lydia Roche's home in the south of France send up clouds of butterflies and fragrance as the visitor brushes past. From the shady terrace of her airy apartment, she takes in a view that sweeps down the rolling hillside to the town of Antibes and, beyond that, the sparkling azure sea where wealthy playboys anchor their yachts. Even on this beautiful day, a cloud passes over Lydia's face as she describes the moment two years ago when "the sky fell in". Her youngest son, Florian, then just seven years old, was diagnosed with the most severe form of leukaemia. He had complained of a tummy ache while on holiday in Ireland with his father Stephen Roche, the former cycling champion and Lydia's ex-husband. "When he came back I thought he was a bit skinny, very pale, but I think of the travelling -- I never thi...