When it comes to the best post-match interviews, there's a fine balance to be struck between comedy and earnestness.
Many touching moments have come from the emotion that can accompany an interview after a dramatic win or loss - but perhaps the most memorable are when we catch a glimpse at the characters behind the players.
We've trawled through the Irish sporting year and picked out the five best post-match interviews of 2023 - and, in all honesty, comedy ended up being the decisive factor more often than not.
READ HERE: The Balls.ie Ranking Of The 11 Best Irish Sporting Moments Of 2023
READ HERE: Eight Counties Who Changed Their GAA Kit Colours And The Reasons Why
The best interviews of the Irish sporting year
Mack Hansen's Italy blooper
Mack Hansen is one of the most popular personalities in Irish sport at the minute, with his approach both on and off the pitch winning him plenty of plaudits in recent times.
Not only is he an incredibly exciting player to watch, but he seems like a genuinely sound fella away from the field of play. His pint skulling skills caught the eye in 2023, but his most memorable moment of the year probably came after the Six Nations victory over Italy back in February.
After being named as man-of-the-match for his performance in Rome, he would drop a hilarious blooper by nearly knocking over the microphone and then accidentally swearing during his post-match interview on RTÉ.
Mack Hansen with an “Oh Fuck!” live on RTÉ! #6Nations #ITAvIRE pic.twitter.com/xPGTuv62Y5
— Bobby (@bobbysands81) February 25, 2023
We haven't thought about it that much it's been all about this week. But that's going to be a tough one away. I haven't played at Murrayfield yet, so fingers crossed I can make that - oh, fuck! OH, PARDON! PARDON! Pardon...
Sorry!
An all-time classic.
Hansen would actually swear on TV on more than one occasion this year, doing so once again after the World Cup victory over South Africa in September.
If anything, those incidents have endeared him even further to the Irish public.
Hannah Tyrrell's dream comes true at Croke Park
Dublin forward Hannah Tyrrell put in an All-Ireland performance for the ages in August, kicking 0-08 of the Dubs' 0-18 total as they brought the Brendan Martin Cup back to the capital.
Na Fianna player Tyrrell has quite the trophy cabinet, having a Six Nations medal to her name from 2015 with the Irish rugby team, as well as an FAI Cup medal from her time with St. Catherine's.
A seriously multi-talented player, Tyrrell had stepped away from the Dublin panel in 2010 to pursue other sporting opportunities, meaning she missed the period of success which saw a four-in-a-row won by the Dubs in the 2010s.
After winning Laoch na hImeartha for her immense performance against Kerry in the All-Ireland final, Tyrrell brilliantly summed up just how much the All-Ireland medal meant to her compared to the other major honours she has taken through her career.
#ProperFan Laoch na hImeartha Hannah Tyrell @dublinladiesg
'I've never been here before so it's a bloody good feeling!'@LadiesFootball| #ProperFan
BEO/LIVE ar @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/4tawikNKQF— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) August 13, 2023
Peter O'Mahony cringes at John Hodnett's F-bomb
It was a year to remember for Munster, as they brought silverware back to Thomond Park for the first time in 12 years.
A gripping URC semi-final victory over Leinster was clinched dramatically by a Jack Crowley drop-goal, before an even better contest with the Stormers in the final saw Munster crowned champions on South African soil.
The emotion of the occasion got the better of man-of-the-match John Hodnett, who slipped an F-bomb in a far more oblivious fashion than Mack Hansen.
Captain Peter O'Mahony alongside him hilariously put his head in his hands as his teammate said:
Yeah, look, fuck it, it's some win in fairness.
After a titanic performance from Hodnett, anyone could forgive him for the slip. Well, perhaps anyone but Peter O'Mahony.
Shane Lowry starring at the European Ryder Cup press conference
If there was one thing that has become apparent in the world of golf over the last couple of years, it’s that Shane Lowry feckin’ loves the Ryder Cup.
Considering the way the Offaly man is now synonymous with the event, it is mad to consider that he had never taken part in it until 2021. While Europe were on the receiving end of a heavy beating on that occasion, he was quick to point out how desperate he was to make the team again two years later.
Thankful for everyone involved, he did so.
Shane Lowry was the spiritual leader of the team in Rome. Not only did he bring a huge amount of passion during his own appearances, but he also acted as the main supporter when his teammates were on the course.
He absolutely loved every minute of Europe’s big win over the USA, including in the press conference.
Lowry would steal the show during the media event. Be it loving Rory McIlroy’s statement about retaining the trophy in 2025 or cracking a joke at his teammate’s expense, he was in top form throughout.
Shane Lowry absolutely loved this Rory McIlroy comment 🤣 #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/1CRQyLDlxc
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) October 1, 2023
This was his interjection when McIlroy was asked about that infamous car park scrap that had occurred the previous evening:
Reporter: Are you much of a car park scrapper?
McIlroy: Eh, no!
Lowry: I think I was going to have to do all the work I'd say!
McIlroy: What?
Lowry: I said I was going to have to do all the work.
We can only hope that he is given the opportunity to repeat his performance both on and off the course in two years time.
John Conlon dashes back to brother's wedding
April 29th was a busy day in the life of John Conlon. His brother Pa was getting married and he was the best man. There was also the other major matter of Clare facing Limerick in the Munster Hurling Championship the same evening.
The previous weekend, Clare had lost their opening round match to Tipperary. A result was needed against the reigning All-Ireland champions. Clare, and particularly Conlon, delivered. The Banner centre-back was named Man of the Match in a one-point victory.
"Before we finish," Conlon said during his post-match interview on GAAGO, "I'd like to give a shoutout to everyone at my brother's wedding. I had to skip on there at about four o'clock from the duties of best man, but I'm sure they're all roaring at the moment. I'm sure we will have some party tonight!"
Conlon had his suit hanging in the dressing room. He put it on and headed 20 minutes down the M7 to the Castle Oaks Hotel where he slipped in the backdoor for a pint with his cousins.
SEE ALSO: Five Controversies That Defined The Irish Sporting Year
