<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" version="2.0" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/"><channel><title><![CDATA[Irish Times Feeds]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com</link><atom:link href="https://www.irishtimes.com/arc/outboundfeeds/feed-sport/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><description><![CDATA[Irish Times Feeds News Feed]]></description><lastBuildDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 21:15:33 +0000</lastBuildDate><language>en</language><ttl>1</ttl><sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod><sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency><item><title><![CDATA[TV View: Clinical Kane proves the difference for ordinary England against plucky DRC]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/07/01/tv-view-clinical-kane-proves-the-difference-for-ordinary-england-against-plucky-drc/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/07/01/tv-view-clinical-kane-proves-the-difference-for-ordinary-england-against-plucky-drc/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mary Hannigan]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[‘Why has every game we’ve done together been enjoyable – then we get England, and it’s borderline unbearable’]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 20:30:49 +0000</pubDate><category>Soccer</category><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/K6SIOHXTA45OADOPTSUXD53V5Y.jpg?auth=68c525327bec0aa20b3704f385e07d73b27c7572bdfa89ce54acd6563e6abd2b&amp;smart=true&amp;width=630&amp;height=350" type="image/jpeg" height="350" width="630"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[England's Harry Kane (centre) rallies his team-mates on the pitch after the victory over DRC in Atlanta Stadium, Georgia. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA 

]]></media:description><media:title><![CDATA[England v Congo DR - FIFA World Cup - Round of 32 - Atlanta Stadium]]></media:title><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Nick Potts</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Four people die in Mexico City during celebrations after World Cup victory]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/07/01/four-people-die-in-mexico-city-during-celebrations-after-world-cup-victory/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/07/01/four-people-die-in-mexico-city-during-celebrations-after-world-cup-victory/</guid><description><![CDATA[Deaths occurred near the Angel of Independence landmark where thousands of fans had gathered to celebrate Mexico’s win over Ecuador]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 19:20:04 +0000</pubDate><category>Soccer</category><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/FTEYVMSMO5GBVPXDZQ6VW64SDQ.jpg?auth=7d4f944a7a309fe0b4a6be904f5cf7443f8e5bf12019d7033b0f36aa75228cdc&amp;smart=true&amp;width=630&amp;height=350" type="image/jpeg" height="350" width="630"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Aerial view of Paseo de la Reforma in Mexico City during celebrations after Mexico's victory against Ecuador at Angel de la Independencia. Three people died from suffocation in the area after the game. Photograph: Hector Quintanar/Getty Images]]></media:description><media:title><![CDATA[Fans Of Mexico Gather At Angel De La Independencia To Celebrate The Victory Against Ecuador]]></media:title><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Hector Quintanar</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[I had my hero moment today - Harry Kane happy to rescue England with late brace]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/07/01/i-had-my-hero-moment-today-harry-kane-happy-to-rescue-england-with-late-brace/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/07/01/i-had-my-hero-moment-today-harry-kane-happy-to-rescue-england-with-late-brace/</guid><description><![CDATA[‘It was just about pounding the rock, keep pounding the rock, and our moments will come’]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 18:59:46 +0000</pubDate><category>Soccer</category><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/7C4536NHUBTTZV6XX4PEUYGMGE.jpg?auth=95250e5f59e222d2a1d79106e2229fdc4ab7280bf7ec48d1e4c5426829f09686&amp;smart=true&amp;width=630&amp;height=350" type="image/jpeg" height="350" width="630"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Harry Kane salutes the crowd after the victory over DR Congo in the World Cup Round of 32 in Atlanta. Photograph: Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images]]></media:description><media:title><![CDATA[FBL-WC-2026-MATCH80-ENG-COD]]></media:title><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Roberto Schmidt</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ken Early: Harry Kane seizes responsibility to rescue England from shock defeat to DR Congo]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/07/01/harry-kane-double-rescues-england-after-dr-congo-threaten-huge-world-cup-shock-in-atlanta/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/07/01/harry-kane-double-rescues-england-after-dr-congo-threaten-huge-world-cup-shock-in-atlanta/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ken Early]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[England captain turned the game in his side’s favour late on after African side led through Brian Cipenga’s seventh-minute strike]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 18:11:44 +0000</pubDate><category>Soccer</category><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/NOZ36KSCP4VS2OM24NKI4RJ4IQ.jpg?auth=ea038606539db5c7abe13b794370cbe3a082d893ed99239fe9030a21a5d9c7c0&amp;smart=true&amp;width=630&amp;height=350" type="image/jpeg" height="350" width="630"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[England's Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham celebrate after the World Cup Round of 32 victory over DR Congo at Mercedez-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA Wire]]></media:description><media:title><![CDATA[England v Congo DR - FIFA World Cup - Round of 32 - Atlanta Stadium]]></media:title><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Martin Rickett</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ireland’s Under-20s look to tighten up discipline and missed tackles against Pumas]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/07/01/irelands-under-20s-look-to-tighten-up-discipline-and-missed-tackles-against-pumas/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/07/01/irelands-under-20s-look-to-tighten-up-discipline-and-missed-tackles-against-pumas/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[John O'Sullivan]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Andrew Browne’s charges must eliminate basic errors to keep World Championship hopes alive]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 18:00:01 +0000</pubDate><category>Rugby</category><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/XFNSWYRK2CWI5RLZ7USVLCKSUA.jpg?auth=e1e2591dedf07f53a520556ddd470ec34ef1a1ae1cb8632007b8ff8ec5be2afa&amp;smart=true&amp;width=630&amp;height=350" type="image/jpeg" height="350" width="630"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Ireland's Josh Neill after the England match in Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi, on June 27th, 2026. Photograph: Levan Verdzeuli/©INPHO]]></media:description><media:title><![CDATA[Josh Neill dejected after the match 27/6/2026]]></media:title><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Levan Verdzeuli</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Nottingham Forest sack Vítor Pereira and turn to Oliver Glasner as replacement ]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/07/01/nottingham-forest-sack-vitor-pereira-and-turn-to-oliver-glasner-as-replacement/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/07/01/nottingham-forest-sack-vitor-pereira-and-turn-to-oliver-glasner-as-replacement/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Will Unwin]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Premier League news round-up: Brighton agree £50m deal for Spurs’ Vuskovic, Liverpool seal Jacquet signing]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 17:11:45 +0000</pubDate><category>Soccer</category><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/P7DKCIOWSVILHPYZBCE7T5HGFM.jpg?auth=ab3c8f25667db7f9e71ac4c67eb9e6498552634d9bad6800be8c716867967682&amp;smart=true&amp;width=630&amp;height=350" type="image/jpeg" height="350" width="630"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Oliver Glasner has been named the new Nottingham Forest head coach on a three-year deal. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho]]></media:description><media:title><![CDATA[Oliver Glasner 10/12/2025]]></media:title><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Ryan Byrne</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[All-Ireland football semi-finals sell out in minutes amid ‘phenomenal’ demand from fans]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/07/01/all-ireland-football-semi-finals-sell-out-in-minutes-amid-phenomenal-demand-from-fans/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/07/01/all-ireland-football-semi-finals-sell-out-in-minutes-amid-phenomenal-demand-from-fans/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Gordon Manning]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[‘It is probably the greatest demand for tickets we have had in any given year for two semi-finals on the same weekend’]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 16:30:04 +0000</pubDate><category>Gaelic Games</category><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/VWNJXQHK6BHTXIGXX6XHAGEVIM.jpg?auth=42c5b4c6edeb5f0e0ad7248824e2d6c718e4b9d113d56ad9c9798ae3b2035d4b&amp;smart=true&amp;width=630&amp;height=350" type="image/jpeg" height="350" width="630"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Tadhg McDonnell of Louth celebrates after the All-Ireland quarter-final win over Monaghan at Croke Park. Photograph: James Lawlor/Inpho]]></media:description><media:title><![CDATA[Tadhg McDonnell celebrates after the game 28/6/2026]]></media:title><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">james lawlor</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Connacht face into ‘group of death’ on return to Champions Cup action]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/07/01/connacht-face-into-group-of-death-on-return-to-champions-cup-action/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/07/01/connacht-face-into-group-of-death-on-return-to-champions-cup-action/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[John O'Sullivan]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Stuart Lancaster’s side to take on French heavyweights Toulouse and La Rochelle, while Munster face two-time reigning champions Bordeaux-Bègles]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 15:04:27 +0000</pubDate><category>Rugby</category><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/J2XGHEFPHVGDHGZNSZ5D6676H4.jpg?auth=91ae9e9e8ba91ebb143c45969fe732147c49e34a92d06062e286458e35c2cb56&amp;smart=true&amp;width=630&amp;height=350" type="image/jpeg" height="350" width="630"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Toulouse’s Carl Axtens is tackled by Connacht’s Caolin Blade and Jake Heenan during the 2016 Champions Cup game at the Sportsground. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho]]></media:description><media:title><![CDATA[Toulouse’s Carl Axtens is tackled by Connacht’s Caolin Blade   and Jake Heenan15/10/2016
]]></media:title><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Inpho/Billy Stickland</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Super Saturday (and Sunday) for Sportaphiles]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/2026/07/01/a-super-saturday-and-sunday-for-sportaphiles/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/2026/07/01/a-super-saturday-and-sunday-for-sportaphiles/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mary Hannigan]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Sportaphobes will struggle to avoid the gluttonous offering of sport on terrestrial channels this weekend]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 14:00:00 +0000</pubDate><category>Sport</category><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/V74QSOZ325UYVRSZ5VBYV5MFLY.jpg?auth=c9ecd936780535db0929016dd45c2a4f40f44ed99530976f9e4938f4f4f49a07&amp;smart=true&amp;width=630&amp;height=350" type="image/jpeg" height="350" width="630"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Ireland head coach Andy Farrell at a squad training session in Sydney on Tuesday ahead of Ireland's opening Nations Championship game against Australia on Saturday. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho]]></media:description><media:title><![CDATA[Andy Farrell 30/6/2026]]></media:title></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[They say men have trouble expressing their feelings. Yet we all speak fluent Messi]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/07/02/dave-hannigan-lionel-messis-greatness-connects-us-in-joy-from-cork-to-new-jersey/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/07/02/dave-hannigan-lionel-messis-greatness-connects-us-in-joy-from-cork-to-new-jersey/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Dave Hannigan]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Continents may divide us, but his greatness is an enduring sporting bond, bridging oceans, obliterating time zones]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 11:02:22 +0000</pubDate><category>Soccer</category><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/VVZ7ELS6BBDEFEPQUFAFUR4Y3M.jpeg?auth=e0cfcffe93fe647b790b0a41d02530800594c0fb06daee5bff32e3e5d6081062&amp;smart=true&amp;width=630&amp;height=350" type="image/jpeg" height="350" width="630"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[A collection of Lionel Messi shirts and mementos belonging to the Hannigans]]></media:description><media:title><![CDATA[Dave Hannigan Messi shirts]]></media:title></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[France dazzle before Mexico storm forward]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/07/01/world-cup-2026-france-dazzle-before-mexico-storm-forward-on-day-of-warnings/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/07/01/world-cup-2026-france-dazzle-before-mexico-storm-forward-on-day-of-warnings/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Gavin Cooney]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[World Cup 2026: Norway victory adds to worrying augurs for World Cup’s challengers ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 06:37:15 +0000</pubDate><category>Soccer</category><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/HGCUEOSKYO67XGTAHWWQ4M2O2E.jpg?auth=2119c14d4eb62761c8ae1a6bb24318b3b3c12e80819cbd907ceba0375483cc70&amp;smart=true&amp;width=630&amp;height=350" type="image/jpeg" height="350" width="630"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Kylian Mbappé and Michael Olise combined with panache to help France to a 3-0 win over Sweden in the World Cup on Tuesday. Photograph: Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images]]></media:description><media:title><![CDATA[FBL-WC-2026-MATCH77-FRA-SWE]]></media:title><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Angela Weiss</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Mariachi time as Mexico end World Cup knockout drought with last-32 win over Ecuador ]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/07/01/mariachi-time-as-mexico-end-world-cup-knockout-drought-with-last-32-win-over-ecuador/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/07/01/mariachi-time-as-mexico-end-world-cup-knockout-drought-with-last-32-win-over-ecuador/</guid><description><![CDATA[Co-hosts secure 2-0 win over ‌Ecuador amid  euphoric scenes at a rocking Azteca Stadium]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 05:33:29 +0000</pubDate><category>Soccer</category><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/X4SO77UFRKHWMTI7XSLFKF5EQI.jpg?auth=8ded2fe9cc8f1453ea6827048927042ce4f46c098fdb73d507df6ca82f8805fc&amp;smart=true&amp;width=630&amp;height=350" type="image/jpeg" height="350" width="630"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Mexico's Raúl Jiménez (9) celebrates scoring his team's second goal with forward Julián Quiñones against Ecuador in Mexico City. Photograph: Yuri CORTEZ/AFP via Getty Images]]></media:description><media:title><![CDATA[FBL-WC-2026-MATCH79-MEX-ECU]]></media:title><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Yuri Cortez</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Declan Hannon adjusting to life on the other side as Limerick prep for another dance with Clare]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/07/01/declan-hannon-says-teams-on-high-alert-this-weekend-as-his-limerick-friends-face-clare/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/07/01/declan-hannon-says-teams-on-high-alert-this-weekend-as-his-limerick-friends-face-clare/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Gordon Manning]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Former Treaty captain adjusting to life in the stands following intercounty retirement]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 05:00:01 +0000</pubDate><category>Gaelic Games</category><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/5CAJM5AQ5ZGXZMZZKHYJLPLM54.jpg?auth=3566f015d9fe49dae7cc40477c581a0c49b72c352459d0e9a65d434e4b3a4d21&amp;smart=true&amp;width=630&amp;height=350" type="image/jpeg" height="350" width="630"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Newly opened Maldron Hotel Croke Park welcomed Declan Hannon to unveil its new GAA Fan Room. Photograph: Brian McEvoy]]></media:description><media:title><![CDATA[Decland Hannon]]></media:title></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Gordon D’Arcy: This tour could be the most useful thing to happen to Irish rugby in two years ]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/07/01/this-tour-is-the-most-useful-thing-to-happen-to-irish-rugby-in-the-last-two-years/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/07/01/this-tour-is-the-most-useful-thing-to-happen-to-irish-rugby-in-the-last-two-years/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Gordon D'Arcy]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Injuries have thrown up an inadvertent opportunity for Andy Farrell]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 05:00:01 +0000</pubDate><category>Rugby</category><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/CSCAMRU4WVEKLMXFCMWN2GYBIQ.jpg?auth=018161c87f1aeef01a801f56fc2b2deb47f2c4eb6cafdbfbd83ebb7e98f4c8cb&amp;smart=true&amp;width=630&amp;height=350" type="image/jpeg" height="350" width="630"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Ireland's Stuart McCloskey and Ciarán Frawley celebrate after Twickenham win on February 22nd, 2026. Photograph: INPHO]]></media:description><media:title><![CDATA[Stuart McCloskey and Ciaran Frawley celebrate after the match 21/2/2026]]></media:title><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">©INPHO</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Darragh Ó Sé: Louth belong at this level – they’re not the underdogs they’ve been for most of our lives]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/07/01/darragh-o-se-louth-belong-at-this-level-theyre-not-the-underdogs-theyve-been-for-most-of-our-lives/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/07/01/darragh-o-se-louth-belong-at-this-level-theyre-not-the-underdogs-theyve-been-for-most-of-our-lives/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Darragh Ó Sé]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[The scene when the hooter went on Sunday told you that this bunch of players share a real bond]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 05:00:01 +0000</pubDate><category>Gaelic Games</category><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/MI4O7VRT6MIP7UQCPAQJLTR35I.jpg?auth=9a8f521790d14d175f1bfd84b82a4ddcf7daaef8f43069fa82767d2b06839d9c&amp;smart=true&amp;width=630&amp;height=350" type="image/jpeg" height="350" width="630"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Niall McDonnell of Louth celebrates victory over Monaghan in last weekend's All-Ireland championship quarter-final. Photograph: James Lawlor/Inpho]]></media:description><media:title><![CDATA[Niall McDonnell celebrates 28/6/2026]]></media:title><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">james lawlor photos</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Kerry and Louth in the All-Ireland final would be a truly historic rematch]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/07/01/kerry-and-louth-in-the-all-ireland-final-would-be-a-truly-historic-rematch/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/07/01/kerry-and-louth-in-the-all-ireland-final-would-be-a-truly-historic-rematch/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Seán Moran]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Rivalry between the two counties captivated the public more than a century ago and led to the GAA acquiring Croke Park]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 05:00:01 +0000</pubDate><category>Gaelic Games</category><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/4PK6KGUIUFGOLOB2QOEXVELUKE.jpg?auth=7cccd15649881da2ecc6273052f4143a907761c0d74f52273f368b251ad3e279&amp;smart=true&amp;width=630&amp;height=350" type="image/jpeg" height="350" width="630"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Louth’s Donal McKenny and Paudie Clifford of Kerry. The counties have had a fractious rivalry since 1909. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho]]></media:description><media:title><![CDATA[Donal McKenny and Paudie Clifford 16/6/2024 ]]></media:title><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">©INPHO/James Crombie</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ken Early: France prove they simply can’t play boring football in sweeping aside Sweden]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/07/01/ken-early-france-prove-they-simply-cant-play-boring-football-in-sweeping-aside-sweden/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/07/01/ken-early-france-prove-they-simply-cant-play-boring-football-in-sweeping-aside-sweden/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ken Early]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Michael Olise provides a challenge to Kylian Mbappé’s status as France’s superstar]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 23:54:37 +0000</pubDate><category>Soccer</category><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/WVOFF3CQXQSWUCNDGXVBL7QPSU.jpg?auth=697b5f5b72cd0d4995dd127623cf98790a3f32374f32bd305bd719ccba687936&amp;smart=true&amp;width=630&amp;height=350" type="image/jpeg" height="350" width="630"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Kylian Mbappé celebrates scoring France's third goal against Sweden. Photograph: Al Bello/Getty Images]]></media:description><media:title><![CDATA[France v Sweden: Round Of 32 - FIFA World Cup 2026]]></media:title><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Al Bello</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[England need cool heads against DR Congo if they’re to reach ‘glamorous’ World Cup latter stages, says Tuchel]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/07/01/england-need-cool-heads-against-dr-congo-if-theyre-to-reach-glamorous-world-cup-latter-stages/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/07/01/england-need-cool-heads-against-dr-congo-if-theyre-to-reach-glamorous-world-cup-latter-stages/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jacob Steinberg]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[‘We need to get our expectations right, that we are not frustrated’]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 23:31:00 +0000</pubDate><category>Soccer</category><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/2II23BPZEDMI5B25ZPT5CGGHFY.jpg?auth=85e8deaf8af1533caa4fda3e03b1f7e14a3e9fe3a95fb6a98c56c57a562568be&amp;smart=true&amp;width=630&amp;height=350" type="image/jpeg" height="350" width="630"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Jude Bellingham after England's final group game against Panama. Photograph: Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images]]></media:description><media:title><![CDATA[FBL-WC-2026-MATCH67-PAN-ENG]]></media:title><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Angela Weiss</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Simon Easterby makes case for the defence in trying times before Wallabies clash]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/07/01/simon-easterby-makes-case-for-the-defence-in-trying-times-before-wallabies-clash/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/07/01/simon-easterby-makes-case-for-the-defence-in-trying-times-before-wallabies-clash/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Gerry Thornley]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Ireland meet Joe Schmidt’s Australia in Sydney on Saturday ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 23:00:00 +0000</pubDate><category>Rugby</category><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/SBNECND7QBQ6NO46JKE5XZBH5Q.jpg?auth=26c79726b69dfee21b13107e86624d39b61b54cddb905894842f68e519acfadf&amp;smart=true&amp;width=630&amp;height=350" type="image/jpeg" height="350" width="630"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Defence coach Simon Easterby says Ireland must be prepared for the physicality of Australia's attack. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho
]]></media:description><media:title><![CDATA[Simon Easterby 30/6/2026]]></media:title></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[‘I’m itching to get back into the green jersey’: Hugo Keenan relishing return to Australia]]></title><link>https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/07/01/im-itching-to-get-back-into-the-green-jersey-hugo-keenan-relishing-return-to-australia/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/07/01/im-itching-to-get-back-into-the-green-jersey-hugo-keenan-relishing-return-to-australia/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Gerry Thornley]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Leinster fullback puts injury woes behind him as he heads back Down Under]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 23:00:00 +0000</pubDate><category>Rugby</category><media:content url="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/AUSCJRBCCZNJGOYNV4LTPDF77Y.jpg?auth=80456257ac7506786a7e8fc1202b9dd3811d9d7211b6f4a7f09c9eb53e570252&amp;smart=true&amp;width=630&amp;height=350" type="image/jpeg" height="350" width="630"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Hugo Keenan is relishing the chance to get back in a green jersey. Photograph: Ben Brady/©INPHO]]></media:description><media:title><![CDATA[Hugo Keenan 30/6/2026]]></media:title><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu"></media:credit></media:content></item></channel></rss>