Ireland captain Jonathan Sexton is hugged by his son, Luca, after the 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Ireland at the Stade de France in Paris, France.

Shane Lowry of Europe celebrates alongside team-mate Rory McIlroy as he lifts the Ryder Cup upon victory on the final day of the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy.

Luka Modric of Real Madrid is reflected in the trophy as he celebrates victory after the UEFA Champions League Final between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid CF at the Stade de France in Paris, France.

Shane Kingston of Cork scores his side’s first goal during the All-Ireland Hurling Final between Cork and Limerick in Croke Park, Dublin.

‘Eid-ul-Adha’, the ‘Feast of the Sacrifice’, marking the end of Hajj, is celebrated in Croke Park to allow for social distancing, attended by Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders.

James Morrison of England chips onto the 18th green as the light fades on day one of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Golf Championship at Galgorm, Northern Ireland.

On Hill 16, torches burn in remembrance of the victims of the 1920 Bloody Sunday massacre in Croke Park. On the pitch, Dublin play Meath in Leinster GAA Football Senior Championship Final.

Brendan Moran

John McGrath of Tipperary is tackled by Huw Lawlor of Kilkenny during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final match at Croke Park

Shane Lowry of Ireland celebrates as he walks onto the 18th green on his way to winning the 148th Open Championship at Royal Portrush, Co. Antrim

The 148th Open Championship at Royal Portrush, Antrim, won by Shane Lowry of Ireland, the first Open Championship to take place in Ireland since 1951

Seán Finn of Limerick celebrates at the final whistle following the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final after winning Limerick's first All-Ireland title in 45 years

Dublin players, from left, Niamh Collins, Sinéad Finnegan and Amy Connolly celebrate at the final whistle of the TG4 All- Ireland Ladies Football Senior Championship Final

European team player, Darren Clarke with the Ryder Cup, after Europe defeated the USA, in the Ryder Cup at the K Club.

Members of the Tyrone team do some warm-up exercises before their national league game against Kerry in Tralee.

Leinster scrum-half Cillian Willis puts the ball back for his teammates while at the bottom of a ruck during a game against Munster.

Shakhtar Donetsk goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov stands in the smoke caused by celebrating Barcelona fans after the first goal of the game

World silver medallist in Race Walking, Olive Loughnane, during winter training in Portugal. Henry Shefflin of Ballyhale, has his view of the ball obscured by defender Michael Ryan of Portumna, during the All-Ireland Club Final. Ma Nonu of New Zealand is tackled by Gordon D'Arcy of Ireland, during their November International. A long shadow is cast by the low winter sun as Pa Bourke, Thurles Sarsfields, shoots for a point despite the best efforts of Dean Twomey, De La Salle, during the Munster Club Hurling Final. Tipperary supporters Andy Moloney and his son Daniel look for their seats for the Kilkenny v Tipperary league game which was subsequently called off for the second time due to snow. Cora Hennessy, Tipperary, contests possession with Anna Geary, right, Cork, in the All-Ireland Camogie Championship. Russia's Aleksandr Kerzhakov, 2nd from left, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal as Irish players look on in the European Championship Soccer Qualifier at Aviva Stadium. The Cusack Stand looks on as the All-Ireland Junior Ladies Football takes place in winter sunshine at Croke Park.

Conor O'Mahony, 6, Tipperary, gains possession ahead of team-mate Michael Cahill and Kilkenny's Michael Rice and T.J Reid during the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final

Mo Farah of Great Britain celebrates winning the Men's 10000m Final in the European Athletics Championships

A general view of the seats in Croke Park under snow during the spell of bad weather in December.

Sean Cronin, St Brigid's, clears downfield as Darragh Murphy, Templeogue, closes him down during the Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Football Finals at Croke Park

Sean O'Brien, Ireland, is tackled by Andrey Garbuzov, Russia, as he breaks through in their Rugby World Cup game in Rotorua, New Zealand

Philip Duffy, St Paul's Swimming Club, in action during his heat of the Men's 200m Butterfly at the Irish National Long Course Swimming Championships

Stephen Mozia, USA, competes in the Men's Shot Putt Final at the IAAF World Junior Athletics Championships

Gymnast Kieran Behan, twice confined to a wheelchair, prepares ahead of the London 2012 Olympics, becoming Ireland second ever gymnast to qualify for the Games

Darren Townes, Neptune basketball team poses for a portrait with his portrait on an iphone at the launch of the Basketball Ireland Season

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill and assistant manager Roy Keane celebrate a goal during their first match in charge of the Irish football team

Ireland’s Lynne Cantwell sheds a tear following defeat by England in the women’s rugby World Cup semi-final in Paris

A tearful Alan Brogan, of Dublin, leaves the pitch with his son Jamie, after defeat by Donegal in the All-Ireland Football Championship Semi-Final

Annalise Murphy of Ireland is congratulated by sailing team-mate Finn Lynch after winning a silver medal after the Women's Laser Radial Medal race during the 2016 Rio Olympics

Munster's Simon Zebo sheds a tear during a minute's silence in memory of the late Munster head coach Anthony Foley before a match the day after his funeral

Actress Joanna Lumley reacts as she is presented with flowers on the occasion of her 70th birthday during a race day at the Curragh Racecourse

President Michael D Higgins meets the Kilkenny team before the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final

Patrick Hickey President of the OCI and member of the IOC leaves the Hospital Samaritano in a wheelchair accompanied by police having been arrested during the Rio Olympics

Devon Brookshire, Courtyard Liffey Celtics, poses for a portrait at the official launch of the Basketball Ireland season

Minister for Justice and Equality Alan Shatter TD and Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan, prior to their termination of office over the Garda whistle blower scandal.

Dun Aengus the prehistoric fort on the Aran Islands has emergency support work done aided by the Irish Air Corps as it supplies materials for remedial work.

Chef Kevin Thornton with a pigs head as part of his installation ‘FAT; It’s delicious’ at the Trinity Science Gallery, which explores the beauty and the stigma of fat.

George Smith, 100th birthday in The Gravediggers Bar, with his family and friends. George has been going to this pub in Dublin every week for the past 60 years.

" Sustainable clothing designer Katherine Hamnett in Buswell’s Hotel "

A collection of photographs taken on the day of the World irish Dancing Championships held at Citywest, Dublin.

Young cadets watch the 92 Cadet Class during their commissioning ceremony at the Military College, Curragh Camp, Co Kildare.

Nona O'Reilly asleep in her caravan at Kilbarry Halting Site, The house provided by the council was so appalling her family opted to sleep in the caravan.

Stranded along the banks of the Shannon River after two storms hit the country. Communities call on Bord na Mona to allow bogs to flood to relieve water pressure

Yeyang Yang and daughter Syya photographed at their home, Phonsavan, Laos. He was burning rubbish when the heat of the fire ignited a UXO in the ground and it exploded.

Lucinda Creighton leader of Renua party photographed arriving for their first 'Think-In' held at Woodquay, Dublin

Progressive Democrats Michael McDowell and Mary Harney photographed at their annual delegates' conference.

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams gets molded for a wax work to complete the 'Good Friday Agreement' installation at the Dublin Wax museum.

Liam Cosgrave age 96 former Taoiseach and leader of the Fine Gael party photographed at a 1916 commemoration.

Same sex couples gather, outside the Department of Justice, Dublin, in their hundreds to campaign for marriage equality rights.

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams gets molded for a wax work to complete the 'Good Friday Agreement' installation at the Dublin Wax museum.

Libyans joyfully rejoice the downfall of Col. Gaddafi's regime and prepare for their first democratic elections in over half a century.

Water charges protest in Dublin, where thousands gathered to protest against the privatisation of water and its charges.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen TD at the press conference where he announced his resignation as leader of the Fianna Fail Party.

President Barack Obama speaking at College Green to over 60,000 people during his one day visit to Ireland.

The bombed out former Russian Cultural Centre in Afghanistan's capital Kabul, it has now become home to many heroin addicts. Afghanistan produces over 90% of the worlds opium and its sale is alleged to be funding the Taliban.

Thousands of mourners filed past the remains of former Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald as he lay in state in the Oak Room of the Mansion House, Dublin.

First day at Cheltenham Races.

Art photographer David La Chapelle strikes a pose beside Michael Jackson during the installation of his exhibition titled 'American Jesus' at the Sebastian Guinness Gallery.

Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea T.D. at the 82nd Cadet Class Commissioning Ceremony at the Military College, Curragh, Co. Kildare.

Actor Milo O'Shea after entering the Hall of Fame at the Gaiety Theatre.

Reverend Ian Paisley DUP, photographed at Stormont Belfast during talks on devolution.

Skydiver falls towards the snowy ground in the Chateau d'Oex Valley in the Swiss Alps during the International Ballooning Festival.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern during his Leaders speech at the Ard Fheis.

Ladies Day, at Punchestown Races.

Aer Lingus airhostesses during a photocall to launch the airlines 70th anniversary celebrations.

Townsfolk get ferried to dry ground in the bucket of a digger after the river Suir burst its banks by the Old Bridge in Clonmel in October 2004.

Michael Noonan, leader of the Fine Gael party, surprises a voter and his dogs on the campaign trail in Naas, Co Kildare, in April 2002

The artist Camille Souter during a quiet moment at her home on Achill Island in March 2001

Pupils of Killaghtee National School, Co Donegal, walk to the church to rehearse for their school's Nativity play in December 2001

Young swimmers wait for their race during the National Community Games finals at Mosney, Co Meath, in August 2000

The body of three-month-old Leilah Hickey, stabbed to death in April 2000, is taken from her home in Newbridge, Co Kildare. Her father, Derek Hickey, would later plead guilty to the murder.