Gavin Cooney
@gcooney93.bsky.social
Sportswriter and broadcaster with The42. Co-writer of THE RACKET by Conor Niland, 2024 William Hill Sports Book of the Year.
Email gavincooney@the42.ie
Email gavincooney@the42.ie
So many Irish coaches doing impressive things across European football right now.
Interview here with Liam McCartan at FC Midtjylland, who gives great insight into the set piece and data analysis emphasis now dominant in Premier League
www.the42.ie/liam-mccarta...
Interview here with Liam McCartan at FC Midtjylland, who gives great insight into the set piece and data analysis emphasis now dominant in Premier League
www.the42.ie/liam-mccarta...
Meet the Irishman working with European football's tactical trailblazers
Limerick’s Liam McCartan, the lead first team analyst at Denmark’s Europa League table-toppers FC Midtjylland, speaks to The 42 about how elite modern football actually works.
www.the42.ie
October 27, 2025 at 8:56 AM
So many Irish coaches doing impressive things across European football right now.
Interview here with Liam McCartan at FC Midtjylland, who gives great insight into the set piece and data analysis emphasis now dominant in Premier League
www.the42.ie/liam-mccarta...
Interview here with Liam McCartan at FC Midtjylland, who gives great insight into the set piece and data analysis emphasis now dominant in Premier League
www.the42.ie/liam-mccarta...
My piece, having followed Rory and Shane's hours-long public trial. I've never witnessed a better exhibition of quality and character in Irish sport. (free to read)
www.the42.ie/lowry-and-mc...
www.the42.ie/lowry-and-mc...
Lowry and McIlroy exhibit true greatness to win Ryder Cup epic in the Bethpage circus
The Irish duo beat Justin Thomas and Cameron Young in an epic fourball tussle, enduring spiteful personal abuse from the crowd.
www.the42.ie
September 28, 2025 at 10:09 AM
My piece, having followed Rory and Shane's hours-long public trial. I've never witnessed a better exhibition of quality and character in Irish sport. (free to read)
www.the42.ie/lowry-and-mc...
www.the42.ie/lowry-and-mc...
Reposted by Gavin Cooney
Why are we happy to let the NFL into Croke Park?
The 42FM · Episode
open.spotify.com
September 16, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Big read on the most dispiriting week I can remember
Inside Irish football's week of despair the42.ie/6814706
Inside Irish football's week of despair the42.ie/6814706
Inside Irish football's week of despair
Ireland’s lack of on-pitch leadership led to the fiasco in Armenia – and now their off-pitch leadership faces a huge challenge to salvage the future of the international team.
the42.ie
September 13, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Big read on the most dispiriting week I can remember
Inside Irish football's week of despair the42.ie/6814706
Inside Irish football's week of despair the42.ie/6814706
Reposted by Gavin Cooney
An article looking ahead to Ireland v Hungary. Cannot wait for this match
Ireland have said all the right things ahead of Hungary clash - Now it's time for action the42.ie/6808536
Ireland have said all the right things ahead of Hungary clash - Now it's time for action the42.ie/6808536
Ireland have said all the right things ahead of Hungary clash - Now it's time for action
We preview Ireland’s huge 2026 World Cup qualifier with Hungary.
the42.ie
September 6, 2025 at 8:32 AM
An article looking ahead to Ireland v Hungary. Cannot wait for this match
Ireland have said all the right things ahead of Hungary clash - Now it's time for action the42.ie/6808536
Ireland have said all the right things ahead of Hungary clash - Now it's time for action the42.ie/6808536
An article looking ahead to Ireland v Hungary. Cannot wait for this match
Ireland have said all the right things ahead of Hungary clash - Now it's time for action the42.ie/6808536
Ireland have said all the right things ahead of Hungary clash - Now it's time for action the42.ie/6808536
Ireland have said all the right things ahead of Hungary clash - Now it's time for action
We preview Ireland’s huge 2026 World Cup qualifier with Hungary.
the42.ie
September 6, 2025 at 8:32 AM
An article looking ahead to Ireland v Hungary. Cannot wait for this match
Ireland have said all the right things ahead of Hungary clash - Now it's time for action the42.ie/6808536
Ireland have said all the right things ahead of Hungary clash - Now it's time for action the42.ie/6808536
My column this week
Nostalgia a flimsy counter to fact VAR and controlling coaches are ruining football the42.ie/6806163
Nostalgia a flimsy counter to fact VAR and controlling coaches are ruining football the42.ie/6806163
Nostalgia a flimsy counter to fact VAR and controlling coaches are ruining football
There were two major changes to the game in the summer of 2019, both of which brought major unintended consequences.
the42.ie
September 5, 2025 at 7:06 AM
My column this week
Nostalgia a flimsy counter to fact VAR and controlling coaches are ruining football the42.ie/6806163
Nostalgia a flimsy counter to fact VAR and controlling coaches are ruining football the42.ie/6806163
My column this week - on the WTF moment of seeing the British Army sponsoring Sky's Premier League coverage
www.the42.ie/british-army...
www.the42.ie/british-army...
British Army has no place sponsoring Premier League games on Sky Sports
Sky this season announced the British Army as one of the new sponsors of their Premier League coverage, a decision which shows disregard for their Irish subscribers.
www.the42.ie
August 29, 2025 at 8:58 AM
My column this week - on the WTF moment of seeing the British Army sponsoring Sky's Premier League coverage
www.the42.ie/british-army...
www.the42.ie/british-army...
My final piece from Portrush - It's one of my favourite Rory McIlroy stories, in the sense that it's not really about Rory McIlroy at all.
(Free to read)
Rory McIlroy’s Portrush gesture completes one man’s 19-year journey to replace what was lost the42.ie/6768794
(Free to read)
Rory McIlroy’s Portrush gesture completes one man’s 19-year journey to replace what was lost the42.ie/6768794
Rory McIlroy’s Portrush gesture completes one man’s 19-year journey to replace what was lost
David Bieleski first met Rory McIlroy when they were both 16. When they met again at Portrush almost two decades later, it completed a remarkable tale of redemption.
the42.ie
July 22, 2025 at 4:09 PM
My final piece from Portrush - It's one of my favourite Rory McIlroy stories, in the sense that it's not really about Rory McIlroy at all.
(Free to read)
Rory McIlroy’s Portrush gesture completes one man’s 19-year journey to replace what was lost the42.ie/6768794
(Free to read)
Rory McIlroy’s Portrush gesture completes one man’s 19-year journey to replace what was lost the42.ie/6768794
Reposted by Gavin Cooney
My column this week - how the RTE Panel can be said to have played a role in shaping modern Ireland
The official end of a golden era - Giles and Dunphy taught us the truths England refused to acknowledge the42.ie/6749806
The official end of a golden era - Giles and Dunphy taught us the truths England refused to acknowledge the42.ie/6749806
The official end of a golden era - Giles and Dunphy taught us the truths England refused to acknowledge
With John Giles retiring from punditry, it’s time to acknowledge what he and the RTÉ Panel contributed to the making of modern Ireland.
the42.ie
July 3, 2025 at 7:06 AM
My column this week - how the RTE Panel can be said to have played a role in shaping modern Ireland
The official end of a golden era - Giles and Dunphy taught us the truths England refused to acknowledge the42.ie/6749806
The official end of a golden era - Giles and Dunphy taught us the truths England refused to acknowledge the42.ie/6749806
My column this week - how the RTE Panel can be said to have played a role in shaping modern Ireland
The official end of a golden era - Giles and Dunphy taught us the truths England refused to acknowledge the42.ie/6749806
The official end of a golden era - Giles and Dunphy taught us the truths England refused to acknowledge the42.ie/6749806
The official end of a golden era - Giles and Dunphy taught us the truths England refused to acknowledge
With John Giles retiring from punditry, it’s time to acknowledge what he and the RTÉ Panel contributed to the making of modern Ireland.
the42.ie
July 3, 2025 at 7:06 AM
My column this week - how the RTE Panel can be said to have played a role in shaping modern Ireland
The official end of a golden era - Giles and Dunphy taught us the truths England refused to acknowledge the42.ie/6749806
The official end of a golden era - Giles and Dunphy taught us the truths England refused to acknowledge the42.ie/6749806
Reposted by Gavin Cooney
My column this week
Infantino's Club World Cup: An unwanted, bloated, bizarre tournament that is somehow too big to fail the42.ie/6730029
Infantino's Club World Cup: An unwanted, bloated, bizarre tournament that is somehow too big to fail the42.ie/6730029
Infantino's Club World Cup: An unwanted, bloated, bizarre tournament that is somehow too big to fail
Fifa’s latest competition kicks off on Saturday in America – a competition nobody wanted but has enough Saudi support to ensure it will endure.
the42.ie
June 12, 2025 at 7:18 AM
My column this week
Infantino's Club World Cup: An unwanted, bloated, bizarre tournament that is somehow too big to fail the42.ie/6730029
Infantino's Club World Cup: An unwanted, bloated, bizarre tournament that is somehow too big to fail the42.ie/6730029
My column this week
Infantino's Club World Cup: An unwanted, bloated, bizarre tournament that is somehow too big to fail the42.ie/6730029
Infantino's Club World Cup: An unwanted, bloated, bizarre tournament that is somehow too big to fail the42.ie/6730029
Infantino's Club World Cup: An unwanted, bloated, bizarre tournament that is somehow too big to fail
Fifa’s latest competition kicks off on Saturday in America – a competition nobody wanted but has enough Saudi support to ensure it will endure.
the42.ie
June 12, 2025 at 7:18 AM
My column this week
Infantino's Club World Cup: An unwanted, bloated, bizarre tournament that is somehow too big to fail the42.ie/6730029
Infantino's Club World Cup: An unwanted, bloated, bizarre tournament that is somehow too big to fail the42.ie/6730029
Reposted by Gavin Cooney
This is a great, informed discussion - it articulates so well the topic of impartiality in reporting on Gaza.
Well worth a listen.
Well worth a listen.
This week's 42FM podcast - Gary Lineker's exit, why the BBC's impartiality rules are not useful when covering a horror like that in Gaza, and how this language of impartiality is helping Israel avoid a Russia-style boycott and ban from international sport
LATEST: Gary Lineker, and the UK media coverage of Israel
🎙Gavin Cooney and Sinead O'Carroll
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4jZyVdc
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YNMlAq
🎙Gavin Cooney and Sinead O'Carroll
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4jZyVdc
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YNMlAq
May 23, 2025 at 2:56 PM
This is a great, informed discussion - it articulates so well the topic of impartiality in reporting on Gaza.
Well worth a listen.
Well worth a listen.
This week's 42FM podcast - Gary Lineker's exit, why the BBC's impartiality rules are not useful when covering a horror like that in Gaza, and how this language of impartiality is helping Israel avoid a Russia-style boycott and ban from international sport
LATEST: Gary Lineker, and the UK media coverage of Israel
🎙Gavin Cooney and Sinead O'Carroll
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4jZyVdc
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YNMlAq
🎙Gavin Cooney and Sinead O'Carroll
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4jZyVdc
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YNMlAq
May 23, 2025 at 8:00 AM
This week's 42FM podcast - Gary Lineker's exit, why the BBC's impartiality rules are not useful when covering a horror like that in Gaza, and how this language of impartiality is helping Israel avoid a Russia-style boycott and ban from international sport
I am at Quail Hollow to cover the PGA Championship this week - here's a big preview piece www.the42.ie/pga-champion...
Scheffler and DeChambeau the biggest threats to McIlroy's newly-serene attitude at the majors
We preview the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow.
www.the42.ie
May 14, 2025 at 7:20 PM
I am at Quail Hollow to cover the PGA Championship this week - here's a big preview piece www.the42.ie/pga-champion...
It was so cool to be involved in this gem of a festival in Granard, despite whatever has happened to my Longford accent
We were joined by authors Conor Niland and Gavin Cooney behind the William Hill Sports Book of the Year, The Racket. Author Mark Tighe led the discussion with the co-authors where they chatted about the story of pro tennis’s 99%, the players who roam the globe in hope of climbing the rankings
April 15, 2025 at 3:48 PM
It was so cool to be involved in this gem of a festival in Granard, despite whatever has happened to my Longford accent
Piece on McIlroy winning the Masters
Come on, you knew Rory McIlroy couldn't win the Masters in any way other than that the42.ie/6677341
Come on, you knew Rory McIlroy couldn't win the Masters in any way other than that the42.ie/6677341
Come on, you knew Rory McIlroy couldn't win the Masters in any way other than that
McIlroy completed the Grand Slam with an Experience Like no Other.
the42.ie
April 14, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Piece on McIlroy winning the Masters
Come on, you knew Rory McIlroy couldn't win the Masters in any way other than that the42.ie/6677341
Come on, you knew Rory McIlroy couldn't win the Masters in any way other than that the42.ie/6677341
Reposted by Gavin Cooney
Piece previewing the Masters
Preview: McIlroy has never been better-prepared for the Masters - but still it may not be enough the42.ie/6671712
Preview: McIlroy has never been better-prepared for the Masters - but still it may not be enough the42.ie/6671712
Preview: McIlroy has never been better-prepared for the Masters - but still it may not be enough
Scottie Scheffler is the man to beat at Augusta National – though Shane Lowry comes into the week curiously underrated.
the42.ie
April 9, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Piece previewing the Masters
Preview: McIlroy has never been better-prepared for the Masters - but still it may not be enough the42.ie/6671712
Preview: McIlroy has never been better-prepared for the Masters - but still it may not be enough the42.ie/6671712
My column this week
De Bruyne's Man City exit should not have been inevitable - football's greed shortened his career the42.ie/6673073
De Bruyne's Man City exit should not have been inevitable - football's greed shortened his career the42.ie/6673073
De Bruyne's Man City exit should not have been inevitable - football's greed shortened his career
De Bruyne has arguably stayed a season too long in the Premier League – despite the fact he is still just 33.
the42.ie
April 10, 2025 at 9:22 AM
My column this week
De Bruyne's Man City exit should not have been inevitable - football's greed shortened his career the42.ie/6673073
De Bruyne's Man City exit should not have been inevitable - football's greed shortened his career the42.ie/6673073