# Great expectations
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Last year
2022
# fall and rise
The story of how Belgium went from no-hopers to world number one
A look at the history of Belgian football as they prepare for their first World Cup match today.
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Updated
Nov 23rd 2022, 8:25 AM
# Great expectations
Co-hosting Euro 2028 could earn Irish economy €361 million boost
Meanwhile, €135 million is the projected cost for bringing the tournament to Dublin.
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Nov 15th 2022, 8:47 PM
# Great expectations
Klopp backs Liverpool's €75 million man to realise 'incredible' potential
Darwin Nunez has had an erratic start to his career at Anfield.
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Oct 28th 2022, 3:13 PM
# Great expectations
Despite difficult start, Liverpool 'very optimistic' about €72 million man
Darwin Nunez put in his most encouraging performance in the midweek Champions League victory over Rangers.
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Oct 8th 2022, 11:57 AM
# Great expectations
Alexander-Arnold: Trophyless season would be massive failure for Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp’s side narrowly missed out on an unprecedented quadruple in the last campaign.
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Aug 5th 2022, 9:16 PM
# Great expectations
'Why not Premier League and the Champions League?' - Conte
The Italian has set high expectations for his first full season as Tottenham manager.
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Aug 4th 2022, 4:53 PM
# Great expectations
Holders Netherlands have to settle for draw in Euros opener
They earned a point against Sweden while in the other group game, Portugal drew 2-2 with Switzerland.
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Jul 9th 2022, 10:27 PM
# Great expectations
Ireland's youngsters on the verge of making history
A win against Italy would see Jim Crawford’s men become the first Irish team ever to qualify for a major tournament.
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Jun 14th 2022, 12:01 AM
# Great expectations
'If I really want to become a world-class striker and a top player, it’s got to start now'
Michael Obafemi produced an influential display in Ireland’s win over Scotland.
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Jun 12th 2022, 12:36 AM
# Great expectations
'The year we signed, Nottingham Forest had come third in the Premier League'
Keith Foy remembers a time when an influx of promising young Irish players moved to the City Ground club.
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May 29th 2022, 7:30 AM
# Great expectations
Training with Phil Foden at Man City, returning home to Ireland and learning from Damien Duff
Aaron O’Driscoll is hoping to help Shelbourne enjoy a successful season on their return to the top flight.
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Feb 17th 2022, 6:00 PM
# Great expectations
It’s time for Curtis Jones to start fulfilling his potential – Jurgen Klopp
The 20-year-old has endured a difficult time since October, with a freak eye injury in training being followed by a Covid-enforced absence.
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Jan 15th 2022, 11:23 PM
# Great expectations
5 Irish players that could make a Premier League breakthrough in 2022
Evan Ferguson and others close to getting game time in the top flight.
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Jan 14th 2022, 1:00 PM
All time

# Great expectations
‘Pep gets monthly reports on how he’s doing’ - The breakout Irish star of 2021
It’s been a phenomenal 12 months for Gavin Bazunu.
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Dec 18th 2021, 9:00 AM
# Pressure
Can Steven Gerrard become a great manager?
The Liverpool legend makes his return to Anfield as Aston Villa manager this weekend.
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Dec 10th 2021, 7:09 PM
# Great expectations
PSG still waiting for Lionel Messi to find Ballon d'Or form
With Neymar set for a spell on the sidelines, the responsibility on the Argentine star’s shoulders has increased.
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Dec 3rd 2021, 8:58 PM
# Great expectations
'I’d like to think I’d be ready now' - Kilkenny eyeing Ireland senior call-up
The 21-year-old has impressed for Bournemouth this season.
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Sep 7th 2021, 12:02 AM
# Great expectations
PSG braced for Lionel Messi arrival
The 34-year-old is seen by the French giants’ Qatari owners as the vital missing piece of their frustrating Champions League puzzle.
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Aug 9th 2021, 10:55 AM
# Great expectations
'I've never for one minute doubted his talent and I've always said he would be a senior international'
A detailed look at the rise of Shamrock Rovers’ Danny Mandroiu on the back of his recent Ireland call-up.
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May 31st 2021, 8:00 PM
# Great expectations
Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal's £72 million man is finally starting to settle
A double from Pepe kept the Gunners in the hunt for European football next season.
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May 20th 2021, 2:18 PM

# Nathan Collins
'He wants to captain Ireland': The making of a teenage star admired by Arsenal, Man United and others
Leixlip native Nathan Collins has risen through the ranks to become one of the most highly rated young defenders in English football.
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Feb 24th 2021, 2:30 PM
# Great expectations
Jurgen Klopp says managing players like Mohamed Salah can be 'challenging in a good way'
An interview published in Spanish media suggested the Egyptian star could be unhappy at Anfield.
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Dec 26th 2020, 1:59 PM
# Great expectations
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Man United face ‘vital’ period to prove title credentials
The Red Devils responded well to crashing out of the Champions League at RB Leipzig last week.
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Dec 16th 2020, 11:41 PM
# Great expectations
The Irish teen sensation who joined Liverpool in their '80s pomp
Brian Mooney chats to The42 about his early days at Anfield, becoming a cult hero with Preston and why a big move to Sunderland didn’t work out.
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Jul 12th 2020, 8:00 PM
# Great expectations
8 expectations I had about giving birth - and how the reality measured up
Visiting hours don’t apply when you have a C-section, right? Wrong.
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Nov 19th 2019, 5:20 PM
# Great expectations
Stephen Kenny backs 17-year-old Spurs striker Parrott to 'come alive' in Tallaght tonight
Ireland face Armenia in a European Championship qualifier this evening.
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Sep 6th 2019, 6:00 AM
# Great expectations
Harry Maguire gives new-look Man United plenty of cause for optimism
The Red Devils began their campaign today with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Chelsea.
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Aug 11th 2019, 9:31 PM
# Great expectations
The Southampton teenager aiming to help guide Ireland to the Euro U19 semi-finals
Kameron Ledwidge is expected to feature in his side’s crucial clash with Czech Republic later today.
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Jul 21st 2019, 7:30 AM
# talking point
'You can change the manager, but cannot change the players' - Danish taunts could inspire Ireland
Age Hareide’s men are in confident mood ahead of tonight’s game.
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Jun 7th 2019, 6:00 AM
# Great expectations
'Our main goal is to win the tournament and make history happen'
There is a positivity within the Ireland U17 squad epitomised by captain Seamas Keogh.
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May 1st 2019, 6:15 AM
# Great expectations
What has happened to Alexis Sanchez?
The Manchester United star has come under fire for his disappointing performances since joining the club.
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Sep 24th 2018, 6:30 AM
# Great expectations
'Bale will get much better' - Real Madrid boss Lopetegui
The Wales international forward is being backed by his manager to play an influential role for the Blancos in the 2018-19 campaign.
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Aug 16th 2018, 6:57 PM
# Disappointment
What happened to Robert Lewandowski?
The Bayern Munich star was poor as Poland exited the World Cup following a 3-0 loss to Cololmbia.
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Jun 24th 2018, 11:08 PM
# Great expectations
Irish Rugby says job advert for unpaid full-time intern that needed a masters or PhD was a 'mistake'
The high requirements for a position that is unpaid had been described as “totally wrong”.
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Apr 24th 2018, 9:37 AM
# Great expectations
'I don’t think I would have had the career I’ve had so far if it wasn’t for that day'
Rory McIlroy has reflected on his 2011 Masters collapse as he looks forward to this year’s event.
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Apr 3rd 2018, 10:36 PM

Voices
Experiencing mothering stress and burnout? Psychologist gives advice on steps to take
Idealistic images of motherhood on social media causes mums to feel insecure and isolated, writes Niamh Delmar.
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Jan 17th 2018, 7:00 AM
# Great expectations
Is Lukaku justifying £75m price tag at Man Utd? Premier League legend Shearer suggests not
An iconic goalscorer of the modern era believes the Belgian striker is lacking confidence and not offering enough to the collective Red Devils cause
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Dec 11th 2017, 9:05 AM
# Great expectations
Don't expect champagne football, says unapologetic England boss
Gareth Southgate tried to assuage fans’ disappointment at his side’s lacklustre performance.
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Sep 2nd 2017, 4:41 PM
# Great expectations
What position will Robbie Brady play at Burnley and will he suit their style?
The Ireland international left Norwich and finally completed his return to the Premier League on Deadline Day.
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Feb 1st 2017, 6:34 PM
# Great expectations
'I thought Tottenham had signed Zidane!'
Jermaine Jenas was so impressed by Adel Taarabt in training he compared him to the France legend.
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Dec 13th 2016, 8:38 PM