Jordan Norris If the government were a goalkeeper entrusted with saving a penalty to restore the hopes of the nation going into the latter stages of an arduous and trying journey, it’s fair to say they would be more of a Loris Karius than an Edwin Van der Sar. I sat down on Tuesday evening last to watch England play...
The Final Furlong
Down With The Doomsday Talk
Down With The Doomsday Talk
Jordan Norris It’s been little more than a fortnight since the return of hurling, but our national game now finds itself in ‘crisis’. Or at least some people would have you believe such. With the growing numbers of frees, the odd rule change here and there, players ‘wrapped in cotton wool’ – ‘the game’s not the...
Still reasons to feel blue
Still reasons to feel blue
Jordan Norris It’s fantastic that Waterford FC got off the mark at home with their 1-0 win against Longford Town at the RSC on Saturday night. Having been on the wrong side of many a one-goal defeat, five to date in fact – it was pleasant to see the roles reversed. But still, given the off-field drama that...
A comedy for the rich; a tragedy for the poor
A comedy for the rich; a tragedy for the poor
Jordan Norris I’ve been a Manchester United fan since I was seven years old. For the past sixteen years, it’s something I’ve said with immeasurable pride. On Sunday, when news broke of the breakaway European Super League, which United are proposed to be a part of, it was the first time in my life that I ever felt...
Hail All The Queen Of Killenaule
Hail All The Queen Of Killenaule
Jordan Norris In a week where one member of royalty departed this earth, a queen from the tiny town of Killenaule made history – leaving behind a legacy of her own unlikely to ever be eclipsed. I feel like a broken record when it comes to Rachael Blackmore, but every time she does something otherworldly, she...
Stats should be taken with a grain of salt
Stats should be taken with a grain of salt
Jordan Norris There’s no doubt that the sporting landscape of now is incredibly different to that of even five years ago. Games are constantly evolving. Football is being devoured by ideals of high pressing, working off the ball and third man runs. Golf is struggling to come to terms with the idea of heavy hitting...
It’s time Irish football stopped living in the past
It’s time Irish football stopped living in the past
Jordan Norris There’s been some bad nights following Irish football down the decades, but Saturday night’s defeat at home to Luxembourg was undoubtedly the worst of the entire lot. It doesn’t matter who the manager is, what players were available or unavailable, what tactics or formation were adopted – losing...
The Final Furlong: A week beyond the wildest of dreams
The Final Furlong: A week beyond the wildest of dreams
Jordan Norris Adversity is not always a stumbling block. At times, it proves to be a stepping stone where the only way is up – forging a path to greatness. It’s incredibly hard to find the words to sum up some of the things we’ve been lucky enough to witness in the past week, but I’m going to try to. With the...
Women’s Sport: No exposure, no funding – no excuses.
Women’s Sport: No exposure, no funding – no excuses.
Jordan Norris It was International Women’s Day on Monday last, which drew me to write about some of the wonderful sportswomen who have changed society’s general perceptions about the athletic capabilities of females, and the growing popularity of women’s sport. Then I sat down and I saw the very next day how much...
The Final Furlong: 2021 Cheltenham Festival Special
The Final Furlong: 2021 Cheltenham Festival Special
Jordan Norris Christmas is around the corner. The Cheltenham Festival is finally on the horizon – another four days of normality amidst the growing monotony of our draconian COVID society. Enough of that – racing, racing, racing. Four days, 28 races – I’ve tried my best to keep a close eye...
Livelihoods in limbo: point-to-point peril
Livelihoods in limbo: point-to-point peril
Jordan Norris Some things in life are abstruse. I often lie awake at night, pondering the difficult questions life has to offer, the ones it can never seem to provide any semblance of an answer to. This week, I found myself scratching my head at another abstruse instance. It wasn’t along the usual calibre, but I...
