Malachy Clerkin
@malachyclerkin.bsky.social
Sportswriter for The Irish Times. Looking up, not down.
malachy.clerkin@irishtimes.com
malachy.clerkin@irishtimes.com
Welcome back to the league, the faithful droopy-eyed hound of the GAA family. This week’s column.
www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic...
www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic...
Malachy Clerkin: Welcome back to the league, the faithful droopy-eyed hound of the GAA family
Many teams have real problems they’ll want to fix in the next two months
www.irishtimes.com
January 23, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Welcome back to the league, the faithful droopy-eyed hound of the GAA family. This week’s column.
www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic...
www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic...
Dave Hannigan with a column on, eh, Coke cans and such.
(It's actually about an NFL player's penis)
www.irishtimes.com/sport/2026/0...
(It's actually about an NFL player's penis)
www.irishtimes.com/sport/2026/0...
Dispute between former NFL player Matt Kalil and his ex-wife takes on an alarming dimension
Representatives for Hailey Kalil announced she was merely ‘exercising her sexual sovereignty’
www.irishtimes.com
January 14, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Dave Hannigan with a column on, eh, Coke cans and such.
(It's actually about an NFL player's penis)
www.irishtimes.com/sport/2026/0...
(It's actually about an NFL player's penis)
www.irishtimes.com/sport/2026/0...
Reposted by Malachy Clerkin
Just a few hours until thew American Ryder Cup captain maybe, possibly picks himself to play in the Ryder Cup. A piece on how the Yanks got themselves into such a mad muddle over a middling golfer called Keegan Bradley.
www.irishtimes.com/sport/golf/2...
www.irishtimes.com/sport/golf/2...
www.irishtimes.com
August 27, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Just a few hours until thew American Ryder Cup captain maybe, possibly picks himself to play in the Ryder Cup. A piece on how the Yanks got themselves into such a mad muddle over a middling golfer called Keegan Bradley.
www.irishtimes.com/sport/golf/2...
www.irishtimes.com/sport/golf/2...
Just a few hours until thew American Ryder Cup captain maybe, possibly picks himself to play in the Ryder Cup. A piece on how the Yanks got themselves into such a mad muddle over a middling golfer called Keegan Bradley.
www.irishtimes.com/sport/golf/2...
www.irishtimes.com/sport/golf/2...
www.irishtimes.com
August 27, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Just a few hours until thew American Ryder Cup captain maybe, possibly picks himself to play in the Ryder Cup. A piece on how the Yanks got themselves into such a mad muddle over a middling golfer called Keegan Bradley.
www.irishtimes.com/sport/golf/2...
www.irishtimes.com/sport/golf/2...
Reposted by Malachy Clerkin
Sally Hayden: Israel’s targeting of journalists is an attack on truth and history
Sally Hayden: Israel’s targeting of journalists is an attack on truth and history
Journalists’ lives are not more important than those of other civilians, but when you attack journalists you stop the world from learning about what is happening
www.irishtimes.com
August 27, 2025 at 5:07 AM
Sally Hayden: Israel’s targeting of journalists is an attack on truth and history
Great to have Conor Murray writing in The Irish Times during the Lions tour. His first piece is about Jamison Gibson-Park.
www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/...
www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/...
Conor Murray: With Jamison Gibson-Park pulling the strings, the Lions will look like Ireland in red jerseys
Our new columnist writes that the Leinster scrumhalf invariably makes right decision in possession
www.irishtimes.com
July 11, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Great to have Conor Murray writing in The Irish Times during the Lions tour. His first piece is about Jamison Gibson-Park.
www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/...
www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/...
"Only during the hour itself will Taylor discover if her body still has the capacity to endure the punishments of 10 two-minute rounds which, in their hands, are likely to be defined by a furious rate of punches thrown and a wild unpredictability."
www.irishtimes.com/sport/boxing...
www.irishtimes.com/sport/boxing...
Tuning out the noise, Katie Taylor steels herself for last dance with Amanda Serrano
Taylor and Serrano return to New York’s Madison Square Garden for the next instalment in their enthralling rivalry
www.irishtimes.com
July 11, 2025 at 10:48 AM
"Only during the hour itself will Taylor discover if her body still has the capacity to endure the punishments of 10 two-minute rounds which, in their hands, are likely to be defined by a furious rate of punches thrown and a wild unpredictability."
www.irishtimes.com/sport/boxing...
www.irishtimes.com/sport/boxing...
Reposted by Malachy Clerkin
Today's front page - Tusla and the Govt clashed over a national crisis in special care, with a senior official accusing the State agency of taking “insufficient” action to help at-risk children
There were concerns one child was at risk of dying w/out a place
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
There were concerns one child was at risk of dying w/out a place
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
July 11, 2025 at 6:09 AM
Today's front page - Tusla and the Govt clashed over a national crisis in special care, with a senior official accusing the State agency of taking “insufficient” action to help at-risk children
There were concerns one child was at risk of dying w/out a place
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
There were concerns one child was at risk of dying w/out a place
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
The worst thing was, I somehow said it twice. Even though it's obviously wrong. Stoopid.
June 26, 2025 at 12:30 PM
The worst thing was, I somehow said it twice. Even though it's obviously wrong. Stoopid.
The Mayo County Board can hire and fire who they like but there's a way to do it. This was the work of spivs. Kevin McStay deserved better.
www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic...
www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic...
Malachy Clerkin: Mayo’s decision to oust Kevin McStay was fair enough but the way they did it was foul
Understandable desire for change after three years without notable progression
www.irishtimes.com
June 26, 2025 at 12:27 PM
The Mayo County Board can hire and fire who they like but there's a way to do it. This was the work of spivs. Kevin McStay deserved better.
www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic...
www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic...
Yes! Total brain fart on my part. There have been emails...
June 26, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Yes! Total brain fart on my part. There have been emails...
Mark Paul at the Kneecap trial.
The magistrate said the court had so far been unable to find an Irish interpreter. “If anyone knows of one….” he said. A woman in the public gallery could be heard laughing as she pointed at Ó hAnnaidh’s bandmates."
www.irishtimes.com/world/uk/202...
The magistrate said the court had so far been unable to find an Irish interpreter. “If anyone knows of one….” he said. A woman in the public gallery could be heard laughing as she pointed at Ó hAnnaidh’s bandmates."
www.irishtimes.com/world/uk/202...
Kneecap case: ‘A woman pointed to a sniggering Móglaí Bap as the magistrate asked if anyone knew an Irish interpreter’
Bedlam and singing outside London court as Kneecap’s Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh appears on charge over displaying Hizbullah flag
www.irishtimes.com
June 18, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Mark Paul at the Kneecap trial.
The magistrate said the court had so far been unable to find an Irish interpreter. “If anyone knows of one….” he said. A woman in the public gallery could be heard laughing as she pointed at Ó hAnnaidh’s bandmates."
www.irishtimes.com/world/uk/202...
The magistrate said the court had so far been unable to find an Irish interpreter. “If anyone knows of one….” he said. A woman in the public gallery could be heard laughing as she pointed at Ó hAnnaidh’s bandmates."
www.irishtimes.com/world/uk/202...
Reposted by Malachy Clerkin
Jarvis Cocker paused during Pulp’s 3Arena show last week to remember their first gig in Dublin — The Rock Garden, March 1993. A £10-a-night hotel, missing gear, and one unforgettable punchline.
Read the full tale of Pulp’s curious Irish beginnings here
theblackpoolsentinel.com/2025/06/16/p...
Read the full tale of Pulp’s curious Irish beginnings here
theblackpoolsentinel.com/2025/06/16/p...
June 16, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Jarvis Cocker paused during Pulp’s 3Arena show last week to remember their first gig in Dublin — The Rock Garden, March 1993. A £10-a-night hotel, missing gear, and one unforgettable punchline.
Read the full tale of Pulp’s curious Irish beginnings here
theblackpoolsentinel.com/2025/06/16/p...
Read the full tale of Pulp’s curious Irish beginnings here
theblackpoolsentinel.com/2025/06/16/p...
Reposted by Malachy Clerkin
Ticket available for Michael Lewis's sold-out #DalkeyBookFestival event, Sunday 6pm:
www.ticketswap.com/listing/mich...
www.ticketswap.com/listing/mich...
Michael Lewis, Master Storyteller, Dalkey Book Festival 2025 (Cuala GAA Hall, A96X795)
TicketSwap is the safest place to buy and sell tickets. A simple and fair-priced marketplace for fans to buy and sell tickets for events, concerts, festivals, etc.
www.ticketswap.com
June 14, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Ticket available for Michael Lewis's sold-out #DalkeyBookFestival event, Sunday 6pm:
www.ticketswap.com/listing/mich...
www.ticketswap.com/listing/mich...
Reposted by Malachy Clerkin
Choose any metric you like - crowd size, TV audience, the closeness of the games. Cork v Limerick has become the biggest game in Irish sport. Here's how it happened.
www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic...
www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic...
How Cork v Limerick became the biggest game in Irish sport
Four years ago it wasn’t much of a contest, but an injection of pure uncut Cork has helped make this a rivalry for the ages
www.irishtimes.com
May 18, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Choose any metric you like - crowd size, TV audience, the closeness of the games. Cork v Limerick has become the biggest game in Irish sport. Here's how it happened.
www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic...
www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic...
“I’ve run three times this season and each time I was like, ‘Oh my God, I feel different. I don’t feel as sharp. I don’t feel as quick. I feel sluggish.’ And my coach is like: ‘Ray, you’re not trying to break the world record right now. Focus on the goal.’
www.irishtimes.com/sport/athlet...
www.irishtimes.com/sport/athlet...
Rhasidat Adeleke on life in the spotlight: ‘How do people like Beyoncé handle this? This is crazy!’
Rhasidat Adeleke interview: Tallaght sprinter on navigating fame at 22, building her brand and the changes she has made ahead of September’s World Championships
www.irishtimes.com
May 18, 2025 at 11:02 AM
“I’ve run three times this season and each time I was like, ‘Oh my God, I feel different. I don’t feel as sharp. I don’t feel as quick. I feel sluggish.’ And my coach is like: ‘Ray, you’re not trying to break the world record right now. Focus on the goal.’
www.irishtimes.com/sport/athlet...
www.irishtimes.com/sport/athlet...
On Daffodil Day, here's a piece I wrote about my dad a few years back. If you see a daffodil seller today, throw them a few quid. If you don't, text DAFF to 50300 to donate €4 to the Irish Cancer Society. They're amazing, amazing people.
irishtimes.com/life-and-sty...
irishtimes.com/life-and-sty...
‘Dad was only 62 when he died. My friend’s partner was only 37. Everyone’s only is their own’
He finished his 40 years of work and a year later he was diagnosed with cancer
irishtimes.com
March 28, 2025 at 11:36 AM
On Daffodil Day, here's a piece I wrote about my dad a few years back. If you see a daffodil seller today, throw them a few quid. If you don't, text DAFF to 50300 to donate €4 to the Irish Cancer Society. They're amazing, amazing people.
irishtimes.com/life-and-sty...
irishtimes.com/life-and-sty...
Reposted by Malachy Clerkin
www.independent.ie/opinion/comm... Ellen Coyne: Conor McGregor is Ireland’s most diabolically embarrassing export – and Trump may have given him his next big break
Ellen Coyne: Conor McGregor is Ireland’s most diabolically embarrassing export – and Trump may have given him his next big break
Here’s Conor McGregor’s biggest problem. His desire to leave a noble legacy is so very intense, but the moral fibre he’s relying on is so very pallid. McGregor is the living paradox of someone who is ...
www.independent.ie
March 20, 2025 at 2:28 PM
www.independent.ie/opinion/comm... Ellen Coyne: Conor McGregor is Ireland’s most diabolically embarrassing export – and Trump may have given him his next big break
What a piece of writing Ellen. Brilliant.
March 20, 2025 at 3:03 PM
What a piece of writing Ellen. Brilliant.
Reposted by Malachy Clerkin
My piece this weekend is an interview with Ruairí Keating, who was very honest about how difficult life has been since the death of his father. (Free to read)
'It's always there' - Ruairí Keating opens up on grief, and why he needed to return to Cork the42.ie/6613150
'It's always there' - Ruairí Keating opens up on grief, and why he needed to return to Cork the42.ie/6613150
'It's always there' - Ruairí Keating opens up on grief, and why he needed to return to Cork
Ruairí Keating speaks exclusively to The 42 about coming to terms with the tragic loss of his father.
the42.ie
February 8, 2025 at 9:24 AM
My piece this weekend is an interview with Ruairí Keating, who was very honest about how difficult life has been since the death of his father. (Free to read)
'It's always there' - Ruairí Keating opens up on grief, and why he needed to return to Cork the42.ie/6613150
'It's always there' - Ruairí Keating opens up on grief, and why he needed to return to Cork the42.ie/6613150
Whatever anyone thinks about Rory Gallagher, the GAA president should not be influencing Naas GAA’s coaching choices.
www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic...
www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic...
Malachy Clerkin: Whatever anyone thinks about Rory Gallagher, the GAA president should not be influencing Naas GAA’s coaching choices
Jarlath Burns has brought huge energy to the role since he took over last February, but his intervention at the Kildare club is an unprecedented overreach
www.irishtimes.com
January 8, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Whatever anyone thinks about Rory Gallagher, the GAA president should not be influencing Naas GAA’s coaching choices.
www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic...
www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic...