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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Dave McKenna

Supporters watch on from the Cusack Stand during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship final match between Kerry and Donegal at Croke Park in Dublin.

Gaelic Football

Gaelic Football Season Opens With Contested Gaza Protest Scoop


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 30: Charlie Smyth #39 of the New Orleans Saints attempts an onside kick against the Miami Dolphins during the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Charlie Successfully Kicks Football

Billy Haisley

Ireland's forward #07 Troy Parrott celebrates his 2-3 during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F European qualification football match betweem Hungary and Republic of Ireland at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary on November 16, 2025.

Soccer

The World Cup Is The Best, Even When It’s Not The World Cup

Fianna Fail presidential candidate Jim Gavin leaving the first presidential debate on The Tonight Show, at Virgin Media Television Studios in Dublin. Picture date: Monday September 29, 2025.

Politics

Small-Time Political Scandals Still Have Consequences In Island Nation Called Ireland

PROVO, UT - JANUARY 28: Boxer Conor McGregor sports a Brigham Young hat during the second half of the Brigham Young Cougars game agaisnt the Baylor Bears at the Marriott Center on January 28, 2025 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

Conor McGregor’s Irish Presidential Campaign Was Brief And Humiliating

U.S. Vice President JD Vance shows off his shamrock themed socks as he delivers remarks at a St. Patrick's Day breakfast for Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin at the vice president's residence on March 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. Martin is visiting the United States for the Irish leader's annual St. Patrick's Day visit where he will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump and attend a St. Patrick's Day lunch with congressional leaders.

Life's Rich Pageant

Is JD Vance Irish? Be Careful Who You Ask

Meath players Seán Coffey, left, and Keith Curtis celebrate after the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship quarter-final match between Meath and Galway at Croke Park in Dublin.

The All-Ireland Football Quarterfinals Were A Real Hoot

Kilkenny players return to the changing room before the Leinster Senior Camogie final match between Wexford and Kilkenny at Netwatch Cullen Park in Carlow. The women had to return to the locker room because they wore shorts. There are no action pictures from this game at the request of the players.

Hurling

Ireland To Consider Ending Sexist Dress Code For One Of Its Most Popular Sports


<p>Jasper Hutson is a lapsed journalist.</p>


Jasper Hutson

Fitness

Any “Halfway Decent Person” Can Join And Own Ireland’s Oldest Gym

France's wing Damian Penaud (C) holds the trophy while France's players celebrate winning the Six Nations international rugby union tournament at the end of their match against Scotland, at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Paris' suburb, on March 15, 2025.

Rugby

France Deposes Ireland As Six Nations Champs While Disappointing Failed Imperialist Country Where Rugby Was Invented

Antoine Dupont of France breaks to score a try that is later disallowed due to a knock on during the Guinness Six Nations 2025 match between Ireland and France at the Aviva Stadium on March 08, 2025 in Dublin, Ireland.

Ireland Stumbles In Six Nations, Rekindles Title Hopes For Failed Imperialist Country Where Rugby Was Invented

Sam Prendergast of Ireland is tackled by Matt Fagerson and Rory Darge of Scotland during the Guinness Six Nations 2025 match between Scotland and Ireland at Scottish Gas Murrayfield on February 09, 2025 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Ireland Continues Moving Toward Historic Rugby Threepeat With Assist From Failed Imperialist Nation Where Game Was Invented

Dublin , Ireland - 29 June 2024; Paul Mannion of Dublin in action against Jack Glynn of Galway during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship quarter-final match between Dublin and Galway at Croke Park in Dublin. (Photo By Harry Murphy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Internationals

Galway Boots Dublin Out Of All-Irelands With Historic Upset

Kelsey McKinney

Zillowing Out

A €4.5 Million Home Where We Can Live in Opulent Disgust

Ireland players celebrate with the trophy after their side's victory in the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Scotland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Ireland Wins Six Nations Rugby Championship While Team From Imperialist Nation Where Rugby Was Invented Finishes Way Back In Third

RTÉ analyst team, from left, Jackie Tyrell, Dónal Óg Cusack and Joanne Cantwell at half-time during the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Group A match between Cork and Kilkenny at SuperValu Páirc Ui Chaoimh in Cork.

The Wasting Of The Green: A Hurling Commentator’s Righteous Stadium Rant

Katie Taylor during her undisputed super lightweight championship fight with Chantelle Cameron at the 3Arena in Dublin.

The Fights

Katie Taylor Always Lives Up To The Hype

Sinead O'Connor singing at a recent UFC fight

Music

Sinead O’Connor Was A Rebel With A Cause

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<div>Abigail Segel is a contributing writer at Defector. She is also an editor for The IX Soccer and the Equalizer. Her work has been published in the Guardian and the Montreal Gazette.</div>
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Abigail Segel

Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe at amid heavy rain during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Group B match between Republic of Ireland and Canada at Perth Rectangular Stadium in Perth, Australia.

It’s Too Bad Canada Was Better Than Ireland

Alanna Kennedy of Australia celebrates the team's 1-0 victory in the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group B match between Australia and Ireland at Stadium Australia on July 20, 2023 in Sydney / Gadigal, Australia.

Australia Beat Ireland And Bought Time

Tom Ley

Irish players pictured at the warm up on the field ahead of a friendly women's soccer game between Belgium's national team the Red Flames and the Republic of Ireland, Sunday 11 April 2021 in Brussels. BELGA PHOTO DAVID CATRY (

Ireland Is Ready To Keep Singing At Their First World Cup

Cows stand behind a fence, but in front of a picturesque view of County Mayo in Ireland.

Things We Actually Like

A Yank Walks Into A Pub

1916: Soldiers survey the interior of the completely wrecked Post Office in Sackville Street, Dublin, during the Easter Rising of 1916. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Irish Rebel Song Sneaked Into MNF Broadcast Hours After Queen’s Funeral; ESPN Claims Coincidence

Country music star Garth Brooks during his first night of a series of concerts at Croke Park, Dublin. Picture date: Friday September 9, 2022. (Photo by Brian Lawless/PA Images via Getty Images)