1. Better off abroad: 10 misfits who had better luck on the continent (17 February)

Views: 165,263

What was it about? Footballers who endured tough spells at certain clubs. Includes the likes of Diego Forlan, Albert Luque and Stephane Guivarc’h.

Sample comment: “eh, where’s Winston Bogarde on this???” – Shane Cafferty

Credit: Phil Noble/PA Archive/Press Association Images

2. Immortalise this: 13 possible poses for a Brian O’Driscoll statue (17 February)

Views: 163,295

What was it about? When a campaign was started to immortalise Irish rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll with a statue, we picked out some of BOD’s favourite poses to use.

Sample comment: “the one of him bending down to pick up ball against new Zealand in test series,not many other players could do it,and at that pace..great image” – Colm Coughlan.

Credit: David Davies/PA Archive/Press Association Images

3. The 10 highest paid soccer players in the world right now (18 August)

Views: 93,131

What was it about? As the headline suggests, we list the footballers with the biggest wage packets.

Sample comment: “Ronaldo sponsored by castrol. Does he know your not supposed to put it in your hair…” – Brian Les

Credit: Manu Fernandez/AP/Press Association Images

4. Galway hurling star Niall Donoghue dies suddenly, aged 22 (24 October)

Views: 86,434

What was it about? The tragic news that 22-year-old Galway hurler Niall Donoghue had passed away in October.

Sample comment: “RIP niall,brilliant young hurler gone too soon.” – Marty Grenham

Credit: INPHO/Cathal Noonan

5. As it happened: Real Madrid v Manchester United, Champions League (13 February)

Views: 83,735

What was it about? Our minute-by-minute liveblog of Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Real Madrid in last season’s Champions League.

Credit: Daniel Ochoa de Olza/AP/Press Association Images

6. Off The Ball team leaves Newstalk (4 March)

Views: 78,378

What was it about? The news that Eoin McDevitt, Ken Early, Ciaran Murphy, Simon Hick and Mark Horgan had parted company with Newstalk’s hugely-popular Off The Ball show.

Sample comment: “Wow. For sports coverage it is the best thing going by a million miles. Maybe it was a dispute over money; certainly they should have been getting well paid for the quality show they provided.” – Petr Tarasov

Credit: Twitter

7. As it happened: Ireland v Poland, international friendly (6 February)

Views: 74,821

What was it about? Giovanni Trapattoni’s side took on Poland in a friendly at Lansdowne Road back in February — winning 2-0 on the night thanks to goals from Ciaran Clark and Wes Hoolahan.

Sample comment: “Oh god help us Paul Green is on…” – Ciaran McMahon

Credit: INPHO/Donall Farmer

8. 6 Nations: Only 2 fly-halves required as Ireland call up extra cover (17 February)

Views: 69,469

What was it about? Declan Kidney, then Ireland’s head coach, decides not to call up any additional cover at number 10 ahead of the Six Nations meeting with Scotland.

Sample comment: “How could kidney not call up extra fly halfs. Ogara was so bad in the last to games it’s unbelievable. How is he still in the squad?” – Colm Cunningham

Credit: INPHO/Morgan Treacy

(Ian West/PA Wire)

9. Agent: Oscar Pistorius has received ‘overwhelming support’ from around the world (17 February)

Views: 68,816

What was it about? Olympian Oscar Pistorious remained in custody after being charged with the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Credit: Themba Hadebe/AP/Press Association Images

10. Dublin Marathon runner, 27, dies after finish-line collapse (21 November)

Views: 66,985

What was it about? Ricki Savage passed away after taking part in the Dublin Marathon in October.

Sample comment: “Absolutely heart breaking. RIP” – Ciara Walsh

(Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)

Here are the 10 most read stories on TheJournal.ie this year