2018 – The year in sport
2018 was another remarkable year of sport. From Ireland’s Grand Slam and win over the All Blacks to France’s World Cup win Marking the Spot has been there through it all so here’s a look back at the major sporting stories of 2018.
January
- 1st – Rob Cross storms to the World Darts Championship title to deny Phil Taylor fairytale finish.
- 6th – FC Barcelona sign Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho for €160m.
- 6th – Stoke City sack manager Mark Hughes, a move that couldn’t prevent the Potters from going down.
- 7th – Nottingham Forrest shock Arsenal knocking the Gunners out of the FA Cup in the third round.
- 15th – Ryan Giggs is named as the new Welsh national team manager.
- 15th – Ulster and Ireland star Tommy Bowe announces he will retire from Rugby at the end of the season.
- 17th – It is announced that a Unified Korean team will compete at the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang.
- 20th – Republic of Ireland and Everton midfielder James McCarthy suffers a double leg fracture against West Brom.
- 21st – Watford sack manager Marco Silva after Everton attempted to take the Portuguese to Goodison Park.
- 27th – Caroline Wozniacki wins her maiden Grand Slam title win over Simona Halep in the Australian Open.
- 28th – Roger Federer claims his 20th Grand Slam title with a win over Marin Cilic in the Australian Open.
- 29th – David Beckham is granted an MLS franchise in Miami.
- 31st – Formula 1 announces that it will scrap the use of grid girls instead using grid kids.
February
- 1st – 28 Russian athletes have their doping bans overturned by the CAS.
- 3rd – A late Johnny Sexton drop goal gives Ireland victory over France in their 6 Nations opener.
- 6th – The Netherlands appoint Ronald Koeman as their new national team manager.
- 8th – Wesley Hoolahan announces his retirement from international soccer.
- 9th – Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Liam Miller dies from pancreatic cancer aged 36.
- 10th – Ireland pick apart Italy to make it two wins from two in the 6 Nations.
- 16th – Scotland appoint Alex McLeish as their new national team manager.
- 16th – Four players from relegation threatened West Brom apologise for stealing a taxi in Barcelona.
- 24th – Ireland hold off a Welsh fightback to maintain their 100% record in the 6 Nations.
- 25th – Manchester City defeat Arsenal 3-0 to win the Carabao Cup.
- 26th – Jamie Heaslip announces his immediate retirement from rugby through injury.
- 27th – Former Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri receives a 6 month ban for doping violations.
- 28th – The IOC lifts its ban on Russian athletes after no doping violations were found at the Winter Olympics.
March
- 1st – South Africa appoint Munster’s Rassie Erasmus as their new head coach.
- 3rd – It is announced that Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will be used at the 2018 World Cup.
- 3rd – Robbie Keane begins his managerial career as a player manager in India.
- 4th – Roger Bannister, the first man to run a sub-four minute mile, dies aged 88.
- 4th – Fiorentina captain Davide Astori is found dead before a Serie A match aged 31.
- 5th – A British parliamentary committee report finds Team Sky and Bradley Wiggins crossed an ethical line.
- 9th – The FAI’s salary agreement with businessman Denis O’Brien ends.
- 10th – Ireland defeat Scotland moving closer to another Grand Slam.
- 12th – The Greek Super League is suspended after a club owner enters a pitch wielding a gun.
- 12th – Southampton sack manager Mauricio Pellegrino.
- 15th – Mark Hughes is appointed as the new Southampton manager.
- 16th – Native River wins the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
- 17th – Ireland defeat England at Twickenham to secure a Grand Slam in the 6 Nations.
- 17th – Vincenzo Nibali wins the Milan-San Remo classic.
- 22nd – Zlatan Ibrahimovic terminates his contract at Manchester United ahead of a move to LA Galaxy.
- 25th – Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel wins the season opening Australian Grand Prix.
- 27th – Three Australian cricketers are sent home from South Africa after a ball tampering scandal.
April
- 2nd – West Brom part company with manager Alan Pardew.
- 4th – Former England midfielder Ray Wilkins dies aged 61.
- 5th – AC Milan hand former midfielder Gennaro Gattuso a three year contract as manager.
- 5th – Conor McGregor causes a melee ahead of UFC 223 targeting Khabib Nurmagomedov.
- 6th – McGregor is releases on bail of $50,000 after handing himself into police.
- 7th – Manchester United delay Manchester City’s title celebrations by winning the Manchester derby.
- 8th – Sebastian Vettel secures Ferrari’s second win of the season at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
- 8th – Patrick Reed wins the Masters at Augusta National.
- 9th – Belgian cyclist Michael Goolaerts dies aged 23 after suffering a heart attacking during the Paris-Roubaix race.
- 10th – AS Roma produce an incredible comeback to knock Barcelona out of the Champions League.
- 13th – Premier League clubs vote against the introduction of VAR.
- 14th – The IRFU revoke the contracts of Paddy Jackson and Stewart Olding.
- 14th – Tiger Roll wins the Aintree Grand National.
- 15th – Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo wins a thrilling Chinese Grand Prix.
- 15th – Manchester City become Premier League champions after second placed Man United lose to West Brom.
- 20th – Arsène Wenger announces he will leave Arsenal at the end of the season after 22 years at the helm.
- 21st – FC Barcelona produce a masterclass to defeat Sevilla in the Copa del Rey final.
- 24th – Leinster’s Isa Nacewa announces he will retire from rugby at the end of the season.
- 25th – Two Roma fans are arrested after an Irish Liverpool fan Sean Cox is seriously injured outside Anfield.
- 27th – Veteran midfielder Andres Iniesta announces he will leave Barcelona after 22 years at the Catalan club.
- 27th – Team Sky’s Chris Froome announces he will race in the Giro d’Italia despite an ongoing doping investigation.
- 29th – Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton wins an amazing Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
- 29th – A Lionel Messi hat-trick in a 4-2 win away to Deportivo La Coruna secures La Liga for Barcelona.
- 30th – Dan McFarland is named as the new Ulster head coach.
May
- 1st – Real Madrid book their place in the Champions League final beating Bayern Munich 4-3 on aggregate.
- 2nd – Liverpool secure a place in the Champions League final seeing off AS Roma 7-6 on aggregate.
- 3rd – Atletico Madrid defeat Arsenal 2-1 on aggregate to secure a spot in the Europa League final.
- 3rd – Marseille overcome Red Bull Salzburg 3-2 on aggregate to book a place in the Europa League final.
- 4th – The Giro d’Italia begins with Tom Dumoulin taking the pink jersey in Jerusalem.
- 4th – Steven Gerrard is named as the new Rangers manager.
- 5th – Sir Alex Ferguson undergoes emergency surgery for a brain haemorrhage.
- 11th – Ireland’s Sam Bennett sprints to stage seven glory on the Giro d’Italia.
- 12th – Leinster defeat Racing 92 to in the Champions Cup.
- 13th – Lewis Hamilton wins the Spanish Grand Prix.
- 13th – Barcelona’s quest to go unbeaten in a La Liga season ends at the second last hurdle as they lose 5-4 to Levante.
- 14th – PSG announce that Thomas Tuchel will become the club’s new manager at the end of the season.
- 14th – Roberto Mancini is appointed as the new national team coach of his native Italy.
- 16th – Everton sack manager Sam Allardyce.
- 16th – West Ham sack manager David Moyes.
- 16th – Atletico Madrid ease to Europa League glory with a 3-0 win over Marseille.
- 17th – Legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon announces he will leave Juventus at the end of the season.
- 17th – Sam Bennett takes his second stage of the Giro d’Italia.
- 19th – Chelsea narrowly defeat Manchester United to win the FA Cup.
- 22nd – West Ham appoint Manuel Pellegrini as their new manager.
- 23rd – Arsenal appoint Unai Emery as Arsene Wenger’s successor.
- 26th – Fulham defeat Aston Villa in the play off final securing promotion to the Premier League.
- 26th – Real Madrid benefit from goalkeeping errors beating Liverpool 3-1 in the Champions League Final.
- 27th – Daniel Ricciardo battles engine errors to earn his second win of the season in the Monaco Grand Prix.
- 27th – Sam Bennett wins his third stage of the Giro d’Italia as Chris Froome wins the three week tour.
- 28th – Liverpool sign AS Monaco midfielder Fabinho for €50m.
- 31st – Zinedine Zidane announces his surprise resignation as Real Madrid manager.
June
- 2nd – Ireland beat the USA 2-1 in an international friendly as John O’Shea makes his final appearance.
- 4th – Germany coach Joachim Low makes a bold decision in omitting Leroy Sané from his World Cup squad.
- 4th – Doctors in the US confirm Liverpool keeper Loris Karius suffered a concussion during the Champions League final.
- 10th – Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel wins the Canadian Grand Prix.
- 12th – Real Madrid announce that Julen Lopetegui will take over as manager after the World Cup.
- 13th – On the eve of the first game of the World Cup Spain sack manager Lopetegui with Fernando Hierro taking charge.
- 13th – USA, Canada and Mexico win the bidding process to host the 2026 World Cup.
- 14th – Hosts Russia kick off the 2018 World Cup with a 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia.
- 18th – Brooks Koepka retains the US Open.
- 23rd – Arthur Lanigan-O’Keeffe wins Ireland’s first medal at the Modern Pentathlon World Cup taking bronze in Kazakhstan.
- 24th – Lewis Hamilton wins the French Grand Prix.
- 26th – Egypt manager Hector Cuper resigns after a disappointing World Cup campaign.
- 27th – Defending champions Germany crash out at the group stage of the World Cup losing 2-0 to South Korea.
- 28th – Wayne Rooney leaves Everton to join MLS outfit DC United.
July
- 1st – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen wins a thrilling Austrian Grand Prix
- 1st – Russia produce a World Cup upset knocking Spain out in the last 16 via a penalty shootout.
- 2nd – Team Sky’s Chris Froome is cleared by the UCI in an anti-doping investigation.
- 4th – McLaren team principal Eric Boullier resigns.
- 6th – PSG sign Gianluigi Buffon on a free transfer.
- 6th – Belgium beat Brazil to secure a World Cup semi-final spot.
- 7th – Fernando Gaviria wins the first stage of the 2018 Tour de France.
- 8th – Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel wins the British Grand Prix.
- 9th – Spain appoint former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique as their new national team manager.
- 10th – Juventus sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid for €100m.
- 10th – France secure their place in the World Cup final defeating Belgium 1-0 in the semi-final.
- 11th – Croatia produce a wonderful comeback to end England’s hopes of reaching the World Cup final.
- 12th – Ireland’s Dan Martin wins stage six of the Tour de France.
- 13th – Chelsea sack manager Antonio Conte.
- 14th – Chelsea appoint Maurizio Sarri as their new manager.
- 14th – Belgium beat England 2-0 to finish third in the World Cup.
- 15th – France prove too strong for Croatia as they claim their second World Cup title.
- 19th – Liverpool sign goalkeeper Alisson from AS Roma for €75m.
- 22nd – Lewis Hamilton win the German Grand Prix as pole sitter Sebastian Vettel crashes out. A turning point in the championship.
- 22nd – Francesco Molinari wins The Open Championship at Carnoustie.
- 22nd – Mesut Ozil retires from the German national team citing racism.
- 23rd – US swimmer Ryan Lochte is banned for 14 months for a doping violation.
- 24th – Yellow jersey Geraint Thomas and world champion Peter Sagan are among a number of Tour de France riders affected by a spray used by police to break up a farmers’ protest which caused stage 16 of the race to be stopped.
- 25th – Former Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne dies aged 66.
- 26th – Conor McGregor is sentenced to community service and anger management following his melee in April.
- 29th – Lewis Hamilton wins the Hungarian Grand Prix.
- 29th – Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas wins the Tour de France.
August
- 3rd – Daniel Ricciardo announces he will leave Red Bull to join Renault at the end of the season.
- 4th – Ireland’s Women book their place in the Hockey World Cup final following a thrilling penalty shootout against Spain. They would go on to lose the final 6-0 to the Netherlands.
- 5th – Manchester City defeat Chelsea 2-0 to win the Community Shield.
- 7th – Force India come out of administration after they are rescued by a consortium of investors.
- 8th – Chelsea sign Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga for €80m.
- 8th – Real Madrid sign goalkeeper Thiabaut Courtois from Chelsea.
- 9th – Thomas Barr wins a bronze medal in the 400m hurdles at the inaugural European Championships in Berlin.
- 10th – The Premier League kicks off as Manchester United beat Leicester 2-1.
- 12th – Rhys McClenaghan is the first Irish gymnast to win a European medal, winning gold in the pommel horse at the European Championships in Glasgow.
- 12th – Brooks Koepka wins the US PGA Championship.
- 13th – David Silva announces his retirement from the Spanish national team.
- 14th – Two time World Champion Fernando Alonso announces his retirement from Formula 1 at the end of the season.
- 16th – McLaren announce that Carlos Sainz will race for the team next season.
- 19th – Limerick survive a comeback from Galway to win their first All-Ireland hurling title since 1973.
- 25th – Rohan Dennis wins the first stage of the 2018 Vuelta a Espana.
- 26th – Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel wins the Belgian Grand Prix.
September
- 2nd – Lewis Hamilton wins the Italian Grand Prix as Ferrari capitulate on home soil.
- 2nd – Dublin defeat Tyrone to secure their fourth All Ireland title in a row.
- 3rd – McLaren announce that Stoffel Vandoorne will be replaced by Lando Norris next season.
- 6th – Ireland’s UEFA Nations League campaign begins with a 4-1 loss in Cardiff.
- 11th – Ferrari announce that Kimi Raikkonen will drive for Sauber next season with Sauber’s Charles Leclerc taking his place.
- 15th – Gary and Paul O’Donovan take gold at the World Rowing Championships in the men’s lightweight double sculls.
- 16th – Lewis Hamilton wins the Singapore Grand Prix.
- 16th – Simon Yates wins the 2018 Vuelta a Espana.
- 17th – The Irish eventing team claim silver to become the first ever Irish team to win a medal at a World Equestrian Games and in the process secure qualification for the 2020 Toyko Olympics.
- 20th – The World Anti-Doping Agency votes to reinstate Russia after a three year suspension.
- 21st – Conor McGregor signs a six fight deal with the UFC.
- 24th – Luca Modric wins the FIFA Best award.
- 25th – Sauber announce that Antonio Giovinazzi will drive for the team next season.
- 27th – Germany win the vote to host EURO 2024.
- 30th – Lewis Hamilton wins the Russian Grand Prix.
- 30th – Team Europe defeat Team USA 17.5 – 10.5 to win the Ryder Cup.
October
- 6th – Conor McGregor loses his UFC Lightweight Championship bout by submission to Russian fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov but events afterwards overshadow the result. The Dubliner is attacked from the behind by members of Nurmagomedev’s entourage while the Russian leaps out of the Octagon and into the crowd.
- 7th – Lewis Hamilton wins the Japanese Grand Prix.
- 12th – Williams announce that Geroge Russell will race for the team in 2019.
- 13th – Thierry Henry is appointed as the manager of AS Monaco.
- 13th – Ireland and Denmark play out a dull 0-0 draw in the Nations League.
- 16th – Wales defeat Ireland 1-0 in Dublin in the Nations League.
- 21st – Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen wins the United States Grand Prix.
- 27th – A helicopter carrying the Leicester City owner crashes outside the King Power killing all five occupants.
- 28th – Max Verstappen wins the Mexican Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton clinches his fifth World Championship.
- 28th – FC Barcelona rout Real Madrid 5-1 in El Clasico.
- 29th – Real Madrid sack manager Julen Lopetegui after a poor start to the season.
November
- 7th – Formula 1 announces that Vietnam will host a Grand Prix in Hanoi in 2020.
- 11th – Lewis Hamilton wins the Brazilian Grand Prix after race leader Max Verstappen is spun by a back marker.
- 13th – Real Madrid appoint Santiago Solari as their new manager.
- 14th – Fulham sack Slavisa Jokanovic replacing him with Claudio Ranieri.
- 15th – It is announced that VAR will be used in the Premier League next season.
- 17th – A stunning year for Irish rugby crowned with a first ever home win over New Zealand in Dublin.
- 19th – Irish football’s depression deepens with a goalless draw against Denmark in which the side fail to threaten a goal. The pressure mounts on Martin O’Neill.
- 21st – Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane leave their management roles by mutual agreement.
- 22nd – Robert Kubica completes a fairytale return to Formula 1 as Williams announce he will drive for the team next year.
- 23rd – Phil Mickelson defeats Tiger Woods in ‘The Match’ claiming $9m in prize money.
- 24th – Kellie Harrington wins gold at the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in New Delhi with a split decision victory over Thailand’s Sudaporn Seesondee.
- 25th – Lewis Hamilton wins the season ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
- 25th – Mick McCarthy is named as the new manager of the Irish national team until 2020. Stephen Kenny will take over for the 2022 World Cup campaign.
- 25th – Johnny Sexton wins the World Rugby Player of the Year. Joe Schmidt adds the Coach of the Year award while Ireland are honoured as the Team of the Year at the ceremony in Monte Carlo.
- 26th – Joe Schmidt announces he will leave his role as Irish head coach after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
- 26th – Toro Rosso announce that Alexander Albon will drive for the team next season.
- 28th – Robbie Keane announces his retirement from soccer.
- 30th – Lance Stroll is confirmed as Sergio Perez’s teammate at Force India for the new Formula 1 season.
December
- 2nd – Ireland will face familiar faces in their qualifying group for EURO 2020.
- 3rd – Southampton sack manager Mark Hughes.
- 5th – Southampton appoint Ralph Hasenhuttl as their new manager.
- 11th – Johnny Sexton extends his contract with the IRFU to 2021.
- 12th – Team Sky’s future in cycling is cast into doubt as Sky announces it is to end its investment in professional cycling.
- 13th – New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen announces he will leave his position after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
- 15th – Katie Taylor defends her WBA and IBF lightweight titles, moving to 12-0 following a dominant display against Eva Wahlstrom at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
- 18th – Manchester United sack manager Jose Mourinho.
- 19th – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is named caretaker manager at Manchester United.
Throughout the year Marking The Spot publishes longer form articles that are related to current and historical sporting events. In case you missed these articles here they are:
- Examining the deeper problems at FC Barcelona following their shock Champions League exit.
- The story of how Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa won the hearts of fans around the world.
- The scarcely believable tale of how Russia won the right to host the 2018 World Cup.
- Discussing if anti-football was at risk of ruining the World Cup.
- A review of the Group Stage of the World Cup.
- A detailed review of the sensational 2018 World Cup.
- Examining the disparity of Italian soccer.
- The relatively unknown story of Jose Mourinho’s route to management.
- A profile of Óscar Ortega the secret weapon of Atletico Madrid.
- The rise of Maurizo Sarri from amateur coach to Chelsea manager.
- The tragic tale of Il Grande Torino, the greatest club side Italy has ever seen.
2018 was a truly memorable year. In 2019 Marking The Spot will take you every step of the way as the world of sport weaves move wonderful stories.
Thank you for all your support in 2018 and I wish you all a Happy New Year.