Derek Foley

Sports Reporter

Based inDublin

Languages SpokenEnglish, Irish, some French

Awards2025 Irish Sports Journalist of the Year (retained); 2024 Irish Sports Journalist of the Year; nominated Irish Sports Journalist of the Year 2020, 2019, 2017, 2013

2025 Irish Sports Journalist of the Year (retained); 2024 Irish Sports Journalist of the Year; nominated Irish Sports Journalist of the Year 2020, 2019, 2017, 2013 Writes all sports rugby, soccer, GAA, golf, horse racing and more for Irish Daily Mirror, Sunday Irish Daily Star Frequent news desk contributor horse racing, Ireland role in the WWII, music related news

Ireland's Nations Championship takeaways; the good, the mediocre and the need to work on

Ireland rugby union team

Were the shiny new finals this weekend, Ireland would be facing Argentina in a decidedly downtable 7/8th place play-off final.

Micheál Donoghue has brought Galway to next level

Dublin star Cian O'Sullivan full of praise for what his old boss is doing

Ireland beaten at Eden Park as New Zealand show their class

Ireland rugby union team

Ireland were beaten well enough by New Zealand at Eden Park this morning.

52-weeks a year club reserve to Ireland's three-week International star

Ireland rugby union team

If he stays longer on the field this Saturday than James Ryan - both of whom have played 80 minutes in both games to here - it is likely the Leinster 'reserve' will have clocked up the most minutes on this trip.

Ireland's Key to Winning in Eden Park was show-cased in February at Twickenham

Ireland rugby union team

Irish captain talking up his side's chances of posting a victory at All Black fortress

Tin Hats at the ready: Fears for Ireland if they don't score first against the All Blacks in Eden Park

Ireland rugby union team

"It is not rocket science that you don't want to give the All Blacks a lead, in fact it's absolutely crucial not to give them a lead," says former Ireland and Lions full-back.

Andy Farrell battens down the hatches with the tried and tested for the All Blacks game in Auckland

Ireland rugby union team

"Dave Rennie has brought a bit of steel back to them as well," admits the bosstaling of New Zealand, "it certainly makes them very dangerous on Saturday.”

Home is where the hearth is says Irish star

Ireland rugby union team

"I've been in Ireland for ten years, pretty well settled with children being born over there and everything so there's definitely a sense of home in both places.”

Ireland team to play New Zealand: Baloucoune returns, O'Toole is rolled over, Jansen on bench, Beirne at no6, for All Blacks

Ireland rugby union team

Andy Farrell selects a familiar line-up for Eden Park on Saturday

The debate that has lit up a nation down under - just who is the best 'NZ no9' in world rugby

Ireland rugby union team

Indeed Ireland's 'Mr. Invisible' had even scored an RWC 2023 quarter-final try against the Kiwis who, naturally, only had eyes at the time for their own Aaron Smith.

Winning in Eden Park would be Andy Farrell's greatest achievement

Ireland rugby union team

As stadiums go it comes with a certain something that transcends grass and blocks and it has morphed into the spiritual home of the All Blacks writes One F in Foley

Ireland pair back in the frame for selection against All Blacks

Ireland rugby union team

Ireland can finish this first half of the Nations Championship by topping the Six Nations pool

Andy Farrell must move straight to All Blacks, Japan can be unpacked when he gets home

Ireland rugby union team

Sneering at Jones—a top-end coach for 40 years—may be considered a rugby pastime, but given the 4-1 penalty count in Japan's favour at scrum-time, had he a point?

Andy Farrell knows it wasn't perfect against Japan but five points is a good return

Ireland rugby union team

We stayed in the fight and played at the right end of the field when it mattered at the end of the game and ended up coming away with a flattering scoreline.

Ireland have to work hard to see off Japan in Nations Championship clash

Ireland rugby union team

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell made nine changes from their narrow win over Australia, with Tadhg Beirne captaining for the first time and hooker Ronan Kelleher reaching a half-century of caps

The great RWC 2019 Japan 19-12 Ireland mystery

Ireland rugby union team

Not even CSI could have nailed down what happened in the last fifty minutes - One F in Foley is runnin' around lookin' for clues

Ireland look to top Northern Conference table this week - and scream 'Catch-Us-If-You-Can' from there

Ireland rugby union team

"I've played them in the past and they they like to keep the tempo of the game up but it's on us to to match that, especially physically."

Japan vs Ireland: There couldn't be a repeat of 2019 humiliation in Shizuoka, could there?

"Will we just blame the backs, Derek, might be the easiest thing, would it?"

Leinster should seriously consider ROG for job next season says Ireland rugby legend

"I don't think he'd have an issue with stepping in. He’s a very reformed character too. I know him well and get on with him very well. I have a lot of time for him."

Ireland vs Japan: Nine changes, two positional switches and a first-time captain

Ireland rugby union team

Japan's Eddie Jones, back from a four match ban, makes one change to the side that defeated Italy

Tadhg Beirne to captain a much changed Ireland side for Japan

Ireland rugby union team

Surpeise at n08 as uncapped Connacht star comes into line-up

Breakfast with Andy Farrell - just what is the pecking order at no10

Ireland rugby union team

“Japan were very good in the autumn when we played them, incredibly difficult to play against and then they've obviously just had a great win against Italy, and Italy are a great side."

Ireland warned that Brave Blossoms could take advantage of their 'inaccuracies'

Ireland rugby union team

Japan will have been buoyed by taking a Six Nations scalp last weekend

Irish golf legend points to reassuring underlying stats of 'world-class' Shane Lowry

Lowry's last PGA Tour victory was the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, which he won alongside his teammate Rory McIlroy in April 2024. His last individual PGA Tour victory was in 2019

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