Written By Unknown on Rabu, 31 Oktober 2012 | 23.06
Updated: Wednesday, 31 Oct 2012 11:21
O'Dwyer set for a return to the sideline as he hopes to revive the fortunes of Clare
Mick O'Dwyer looks set to take over as manager of the Clare senior footballers at a county board meeting next week.
Speculation in the last number of weeks had linked the Waterville legend to the post and he now looks poised to succeed Micheal McDermott in what will be his sixth stint as an inter-county manager.
Clare will begin 2013 in Division 4 of the Allianz League and will be expected to challenge for promotion.
In the summer they will face either Limerick or Cork in the Munster SFC semi-final.
O'Dwyer's last job in management was with Wicklow from 2006-2011 and there he enjoyed some notable championship victories.
He guided his native Kerry to eight All-Ireland wins between 1975 and 1986, while his spells with Kildare and Laois saw overdue provincial success and an All-Ireland final appearance for the former.
O'Dwyer will turn 77 by the time Clare make their championship bow next June.
Brian O'Driscoll, supported Keith Earls, evades Scotland's John Barclay
by Brendan Cole
The announcement that Brian O'Driscoll will miss the Guinness November International Series gives head coach Declan Kidney an unwelcome chance to examine what life will be like for Ireland once his captain does exit international rugby for good.
What impact will O'Driscoll's absence have?
While some continue to focus on age and a perceived lack of pace, it should be remembered that O'Driscoll's ability to do the extraordinary has never been based on pure speed. Acceleration, timing and supreme reading of the game at close quarters are what make him special and those qualities have not diminished.
In any case, Kidney is now in the uncomfortable position of having to plan for the future while at the same time needing to protect Ireland's position in the World Rankings, something he must do to ensure a seeding in the second group of nations for the Rugby World Cup in 2015.
Kidney must also fill the huge void left by the injuries to Rob Kearney and Sean O'Brien, and hope that the back trouble which has kept Stephen Ferris out of Ulster's recent matches does not develop into anything more serious.
Ireland retain a strong core group in the shape of Mike Ross, Paul O'Connell, Ferris and Jonathan Sexton. But the margins are likely to be very tight this November and getting it right in the centres could ultimately be the difference between success and disaster in these vital games.
Here, we examine 10 of the options in the centres ahead of the November Series:
1. Keith Earls (age 25, caps 32)
Earls' long-term goal has been to establish himself as an outside-centre with both province and country and he has had significant strides in that direction this season. The Limerick man would bring huge pace to the position, but must allay concerns about his defence to nail it down in the short and long term. Earls orchestrated a superb try for Munster during their narrow defeat at Ravenhill which highlighted the qualities he can bring as a 13 and has generally looked comfortable on the dry days when the ball is zipping about quickly. But there is an argument that in winter conditions against direct and physically powerful opponents, he might be best suited to the wing. The strong favourite to directly replace O'Driscoll against South Africa.
Earls orchestrates from the centre:
2. Gordon D'Arcy (age 32, caps 69)
D'Arcy is virtually certain to play but the question is whether he will remain at 12 or shift out one to outside centre. He has rarely featured in the 13 jersey since coming to prominence there on the international stage during O'Driscoll's injury enforced absence from the 2004 Six Nations Championship and the pair have forged an effective partnership. But the 32-year-old was voted Player of the Tournament on that occasion and remains a highly effective broken field runner. There is still a suspicion that he could even prosper with a bit more space. He is not as effective at linking with team-mates as the man he would replace, but if Ireland do decide on a more radical overhaul a shift is not out of the question. Most likely, D'Arcy will start alongside Earls.
3. Tommy Bowe (age 28, caps 49)
Bowe played at outside-centre on occasions for Welsh club the Ospreys before returning to Ulster last year and showed his versatility by lining out at full-back for his native province last week. The Monaghan man brings plenty of size and speed to any position, and can time a run as well as anyone. But his defensive decision making, along with balance and footwork, would be severely tested in the outside centre spot. Could he do a job for Ireland at 12 some day (see video)?
Bowe and O'Driscoll link up for the Lions:
4. Jonathan Sexton (age 27, caps 32)
Ireland have experimented with Sexton at inside-centre in the past and moving him over one, with D'Arcy shifting out, Big and physically powerful, Sexton would not weaken the defence and would give Ireland additional kicking options. His excellent passing would change Ireland's threat in the centres for the first time in many years.
5. Darren Cave (age 25, caps 3)
A centre in the O'Driscoll mould, at least as far as size and style go, Cave has tenaciously established himself at an Ulster side that has been in excellent form this season. At 25, his elevation could be presented as a legitimate piece of planning for the long term.
6. Fergus McFadden (age 26, caps 14)
Despite his impressive haul of caps, McFadden is not guaranteed to start for either Leinster or Ireland, though O'Driscoll's injury will result in more game time at provincial level. Blessed with pace, his style in the centre is direct, but less subtle and elusive than some other contenders, and it may be that Kidney sees him as a better option on the wing. Versatility gives him excellent prospects of getting on the bench.
7. James Downey (age 31, caps 0)
Not in the current Ireland squad having been underused in attack even when on the pitch at Munster, who have favoured a touchline-to-touchline style instead of using his trademark crash ball. Could potentially bring a direct quality to the Irish midfield in a backline that has lacked size for quite some time and the nature of the opposition in this series - South Africa and Argentina – mean Ireland could benefit from a hard edge in defence.
Downey hits Shontayne Hape:
8. Andrew Trimble (age 28, caps 48)
First emerged as a centre but long established as a physically confrontational winger for both club and country. If pressed into service, Trimble might well make a more effective 12 than 13 at this stage.
9. Luke Marshall (age 21, caps 0)
A bright young talent who flashed into the national consciousness with an outstanding performance in the under-19 clash between Munster/Connacht and Ulster/Leinster, Marshall is not yet fully established for Ulster. More of a 10 or 12 than a slashing outside break merchant and remains one for the future.
10. Paddy Wallace (age 33, caps 30)
Disastrously called up from holiday in Portugal and dropped into the starting team for the third Test thrashing against the All Blacks in June, Wallace was left out of the initial Ireland November squad. A contemporary of O'Driscoll's, another call up would be a surprise and it looks like his distinguished Ireland career is at an end.
McMenamin was a no nonsense defender in a period when Tyrone finally made the breakthrough at national level.
Tyrone defender Ryan McMenamin has called time on an inter-county career that has spanned 13 years.
The 35-year-old informed manager Mickey Harte of his decision on Monday night. However, he will continue to play for his club Dromore.
McMenamin won three All-Ireland titles with The Red Hand and collected his only All Star in 2005. He also picked up five Ulster championship medals and captained Tyrone back in 2006.
Surprisingly he did not play at minor or U-21 level for his county.
McMenamin does predict a bright future for Tyrone. Speaking to the Irish News, he said: "There is a lot of talent coming through but at the same time a lot of the younger boys still have to step it up and realise that just talent will win you nothing at senior.
"Okay, maybe at minor and under-21 it won them All-Irelands, but at this level a lot of it comes down to sheer hard work.
"It comes down to honest graft and who wants to make the sacrifices when required. I do think the lads realise that and they are all willing to put that massive effort in."
Paul Nicholls has confirmed that the legendary Kauto Star has run his final race.
The winner of two Cheltenham Gold Cups and five King George VI Chases, Kauto Star was pulled up on his final start in last season's Gold Cup.
Connections have taken their time to make a final decision over whether the 12-year-old should race on, but the champion trainer and owner Clive Smith have decided to call time on a brilliant career.
Speaking in his Betfair column, Nicholls said: "The end of an era has finally arrived. Clive was here this morning and we have taken the decision to retire Kauto Star."
Nicholls revealed in September connections would consider giving the legendary chaser one last run in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day, but after seeing him on the gallops in recent weeks, he feels now is the right time to call time.
"We have had nine superb years with the horse but, after seeing him in his work these past few weeks, myself, Clifford (Baker, head lad) and Dan (Skelton, assistant trainer) were of the opinion that the time had arrived to retire him," Nicholls said.
"Of course, as owner, the final decision rested with Clive, but he agreed that the horse had done enough.
"Don't get me wrong, Kauto looks and feels as vibrant as ever, as those who saw him at our owners' Open Day last month would testify to. He was mad fresh that day and continues to be as alert as ever and very, very well in himself.
"But I suspect Kauto will be like that when he is 20 years old.
"Sometimes you have to look to the future" - Paul Nicholls
"And, deep down, we know he has done enough - and in some ways I think we have to protect him from himself. And maybe ourselves, too. If he did go to Kempton and win or run well, would you really want to run him - or be able to resist the temptation - in the Gold Cup?
"I am not so sure."
Similar questions about whether Kauto Star should be retired were asked last summer, after he was pulled up in the 2011 Punchestown Gold Cup.
But he proved all the doubters wrong with a scintillating comeback win in the Betfair Chase at Haydock before claiming the King George yet again.
"Kauto is signing off in full health and after a season in which he proved so many people wrong by winning a fifth King George and a fourth Betfair Chase, to add to his two Cheltenham Gold Cups and Tingle Creeks," said Nicholls.
"Who wouldn't want to train a horse of this quality any more? He is a once-in-a-lifetime horse, after all.
"Ever since he won on his debut for me at Newbury on December 29, 2004, the horse has consistently proved himself a class apart. And a £1m Betfair Million bonus in 2007 and 16 Grade One wins later, who would bet against him going to Kempton in December and making it number 17?
"But sometimes, you have to listen to your head and your heart, and both told me that retirement was the only option.
"You are a long time retired - as a certain Sir Alex Ferguson soon realised after stating his intention to step down as United manager some 10 years ago - and particularly if you are as naturally exuberant, intelligent and inquisitive as this great horse.
"I get that.
"Who else is going to put the up-and-coming youngsters in their place on the five-furlong gallop now, and put a smile on Clifford's face every morning - no mean feat that! - if he is retired?
"But, knowing Kauto, he would still be coming back in after grass at the age of 14 still looking and working brilliantly, and giving us that burning question to answer.
"And delaying my honest take on the retirement question would have probably been just selfishness and stubbornness on my part too - the equivalent of a football manager desperately clinging on to his best, if ageing player - and sometimes you have to look to the future and at the bigger picture.
"But at the end of the day Kauto is Clive's horse, not mine. And he made the call this morning. And a brave and difficult one it would have been, too, so all credit to him.
"But Kauto is also a public horse now, every bit as much as Desert Orchid, and to us here at Ditcheat that had to be a factor in the decision to retire. And while it would have been brilliant to go out on a winning high - remember Dessie's last race was a fall at Kempton - I don't think anyone present at Cheltenham last March would view Kauto's final appearance on a racetrack as a failure.
"The spontaneous applause he got from the crowd when he was pulled up genuinely lifted the spirits of all the team here - and it is the team here, from Clifford down, and Clive, that made Kauto what he became - at what was a low moment.
"Disappointment was immediately replaced by pride, and that is the overwhelming emotion I feel when looking at the horse.
"Ever since then, Clive and I have discussed retirement at regular intervals.
"But now the decision has been made it will be very strange to look out of my office window and not see Kauto's head and Denman's arse sticking out the main two boxes - or indeed Clive's Master Minded, for that matter.
"Because Kauto Star will be the hardest of acts to follow.
"He has given me my best days in the sport and, even though the Gold Cups and King Georges are the pinnacles for any staying chaser, with his 2009 Kempton win breathtakingly impressive, the raw emotion that followed his Haydock win last November will live longest in my memory.
"I had to hold myself together to stop myself being in floods of tears that day, and I just about managed it.
"But whatever the future holds, I am certain that Clive and all us here at Ditcheat will reflect on a magnificent past and I am sure we will both go on searching for the unattainable in the future.
"Namely, a horse to replace the irreplaceable legend that was, and is, Kauto Star."
Ireland star Brian O'Driscoll was due to undergo surgery today on the ankle ligament trouble that has sidelined him for his country's autumn Tests.
O'Driscoll, full-back Rob Kearney and hooker Rory Best will all miss forthcoming games against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina because of injuries.
And with lock Paul O'Connell's training currently restricted, it could be that Declan Kidney will require a new skipper for the November 10 appointment with South Africa in Dublin.
"We will assess all that now," Kidney told www.irishrugby.ie.
"Paul (O'Connell) has his own niggles with his back. He was hoping to get a bit of pitch-time this weekend.
"Captain can be an onerous position. We will let him recover first, we will look after the person first and then see what is right for the team."
Number eight Jamie Heaslip could emerge as the captaincy favourite if O'Connell is sidelined.
Assessing O'Driscoll's situation, Kidney added: "You just don't hold back on these things. If it (surgery) needs to be done, you get it done, and we are very lucky with the medical back-up that we have.
"He is frustrated. Everybody likes putting on a green jersey, but nobody more than Brian.
"He is frustrated. Everybody likes putting on a green jersey, but nobody more than Brian" - Declan Kidney.
"We will miss him - we missed him during the Six Nations last season. That makes it all the more precious when he is around.
"The prognosis for him is eight to 12 weeks. I don't want to put pressure on Brian, but he's usually on the shorter side of that.
"If he manages to get in a few games towards the latter stages of the Heineken Cup (pool stages), and then to be ready for the Six Nations. We wish him well and God speed for a quick recovery."
New Zealand-born prop Michael Bent, meanwhile, has been drafted straight into Ireland's squad ahead of the autumn series.
Bent, who qualifies for Ireland through his maternal grandmother, could play for Leinster against the Ospreys next Sunday and then be under consideration to face the Springboks six days later.
"He will work with Leinster on Wednesday, come back to Carton House (Ireland's training base) Thursday and Friday, and then a decision will be taken on whether he will have an involvement in Leinster's game on Sunday," Ireland team manager Michael Kearney said.
"For us, he could play in one or two or all three games in November. It depends on what happens in the next week or two. Declan (Fitzpatrick) has just returned from injury, and we are keeping our options open."
Bent, 26, has arrived in Ireland after playing for Taranaki in New Zealand's ITM Cup. He also made five Super 15 appearances for the Hurricanes earlier this year.
Kidney added: "It's our job to assemble the best Irish-qualified group together. In fairness to Leinster, they did a lot of groundwork in finding him.
"With the game-time the rest of the tighthead props have around the place, he's probably one of the most qualified in terms of being match-fit."
Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has named his provisional squad for the upcoming international friendly against Greece.
Robbie Keane has been left out of the squad, as has striker Shane Long, who is suffering from a hamstring strain.
Norwich striker Wes Hoolahan is included, with Trapattoni saying he will play at least one half of the tie.
The 26-man Ireland squad will be shortened to 23 before the players meet up on 11 November.
Ireland squad to play Greece on 14 November at Aviva Stadium: Keiren Westwood, David Forde, Darren Randolph, Seamus Coleman, John O'Shea, Darren O'Dea, Stephen Kelly, Paul McShane, Stephen Ward, Shane Duffy, Ciaran Clark, Damien Delaney, Keith Andrews, James McCarthy, Keith Fahey, David Meyler, Glenn Whelan, Conor Clifford, Andy Keogh, Aiden McGeady, James McClean, Robbie Brady, Wes Hoolahan, Kevin Doyle, Simon Cox, Jon Walters.
"As we have a break from competitive games for a few months, I am using this fixture as an opportunity to try out new players and view their potential" - Giovanni Trapattoni
Speaking today, Trapattoni said: "I have decided to choose a provisional 26-man squad for this game due to injury doubts over players.
"As we have a break from competitive games for a few months, I am using this fixture as an opportunity to try out new players and view their potential.
"Greece are currently tenth in FIFA's World Rankings, and will provide a very difficult opposition for us.
"Players like [Giorgos] Samaras, [Theofanis] Gekas and [Giorgos] Karagounis are extremely talented. I am looking forward to setting our squad up for this challenge."
Written By Unknown on Selasa, 30 Oktober 2012 | 23.06
Updated: Tuesday, 30 Oct 2012 10:37
The latest bragging rights battle on Merseyside was an absorbing affair
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard emerged from another controversial Merseyside derby dismissing Everton as "similar to Stoke".
The midfielder claimed Brendan Rodgers' side were the only ones who played football in the 2-2 draw at Goodison Park and praised his teammates - the team included three teenagers and five derby debutants - for standing up to their near-neighbours.
And despite the Toffees being six points and seven places above them Gerrard insisted David Moyes' side were not the superior team in the city.
"I thought we were fantastic and stood up to a team that are very similar to Stoke," said the 32-year-old.
"Every single time they get the ball to the goalkeeper it comes in long.
"Everton are effective because they have some big, physical lads in the team.
"We had a young, small team out there who were men and stuck together.
"There was only one team who came to play football and that was us.
"Everton are not better than us."
Gerrard was full of praise for 17-year-old Raheem Sterling after coming through the taxing experience of his first derby, which included Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard racing out of his goal in what looked like an attempt to get the youngster sent off for a second bookable offence.
"Sterling was fantastic. He has been a revelation for us," added the England captain.
"Seventeen years of age away in a derby against a big, physical long ball team I thought he was outstanding.
"The way he stands up, wants the ball and doesn't hide is a credit to him and he's got some bottle.
"That's what you look for in young lads. You wonder whether they have the bottle to play away from home against tough teams and difficult situations and he handled it superbly.
"I don't think the Everton players would have known much about Raheem before Sunday but they are going to be seeing an awful lot more of him in future.
"He's going to be playing in many, many Merseyside derbies and he's going to have a major impact in them."
Excelebration and Joseph O'Brien surging clear to win the QEII on 20 October
Excelebration has hardened as favourite for the Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita after being handed stall six of nine in Monday's draw.
Aidan O'Brien's four-year-old touched down in California as many people's idea of the European 'banker' of the meeting following his brilliant display in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.
French star Moonlight Cloud fared less well in the draw and will break widest of all in stall nine.
Trainer Freddie Head is aiming to win the race for the sixth time in all, having ridden Miesque to two wins in 1980s before saddling the incredible Goldikova to win the race three times.
Both Sky Bet and Ladbrokes cut Excelebration to 5-4 from 6-4 following the draw.
Sky Bet's Richard Horner said: "There should be no excuses from stall six. He is this year's European banker after his impressive Ascot victory and the bookmakers' evening will be made if he is beaten."
The chief American hope is multiple Grade One winner Wise Dan.
His trainer, Charles Lopresti, was satisfied after his charge drew stall two.
"It seems like he's won from every hole there is," Lopresti told ESPN.
"I would have rather had probably (stall) four to six if I could get it, but I'm glad there's only nine horses in there.
"He's going to have to run the race of his life, I'll tell you, but then whoever wins the race will have run the race of their life. There's some really nice horses in there and you've got to consider all of them."
The Graham Motion-trained Animal Kingdom (stall five) makes his first appearance since February having suffered a fractured ilium.
"Animal Kingdom being in the middle like that is perfect," said Motion.
"I can't wait to run him again; I'm just excited to have him back on the track. When you have a horse like that, to have him on the sidelines is very frustrating.
"The reason we're running is because everything up to this point has gone so smoothly.
"It's a very competitive race but I'd made up my mind to point for this race and it's not like I'm going to change my mind just because of the competition."
Farrell says three inter-county players have sought help from GPA
Gaelic Players Association Chief Executive Dessie Farrell has warned that gambling addiction is on the increase among GAA players.
The problem has become more acute in the last six months, according to Farrell, who also claims that three inter-county players have sought help from the GPA in relation to their gambling habits.
Speaking in the Irish Independent, the former Dublin footballer added: "It's that severe and that widespread. But we're starting to ask more questions about it now. Gambling is so accessible."
"It's become a big, big problem" - Dessie Farrell
He went on: "You can have fellas on a coach going to a Championship game and they're on the iPhone, making bets. It's become a big, big problem. We're trying to get people who are dealing with these mental health/addiction issues back on their feet and give them a plan.
"But we're finding that a lot of players are on this merry-go-round, just ghosting through their lives.
They mightn't necessarily be the extreme cases where there is depression or alcohol abuse, but a lot of them are on this carousel and don't know what it is they want to do or where they want to go.
"There's this chaos in their heads and it's camouflaged by their inter-county career."
"The extreme level is where players have to engage with our counselling service. We have a network of clinical psychologists around the country, which our players can access free."
Clattenburg has offered to fully co-operate with any investigation arising from the Stamford Bridge clash
Police have launched a formal investigation into allegations Mark Clattenburg used "inappropriate language" towards John Obi Mikel and Juan Mata during Chelsea's Premier League defeat to Manchester United.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they had acted on what they described as a "complaint" made by the Society of Black Lawyers after the Blues accused referee Clattenburg of using comments that are understood to have been interpreted as racist remarks.
Clattenburg completely rejects the allegations against him, which are also the subject of a FA investigation.
"It is appropriate that the MPS independently see if a racially-aggravated offence has occurred" - Met Police
The police probe came less than 24 hours after the later launched its own investigation, which it must now decide whether to continue or postpone until after potential criminal proceedings are concluded.
The British game's governing body came under fire for the way the John Terry case was allowed to drag out and will be desperate to avoid a similar saga with Clattenburg.
It is understood the referee had yet to be interviewed by the FA on Tuesday but was ready to formally deny any wrongdoing having vowed to co-operate fully with any investigation.
He was said today to be shocked and angered at the allegations made against him and confident of clearing his name.
Should the FA continue with its probe, it is expected to interview Clattenburg, possibly after requesting a written account from him about what took place on Sunday.
Clattenburg has already filed what is known as an 'extraordinary incident report', which is understood mainly to deal with an alleged meeting that took place in the referees' room after full-time.
Sources have told Press Association Sport that Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo, assistant manager Eddie Newton and chief executive Ron Gourlay were all present as Mikel angrily accused Clattenburg of abusing him.
The referee, his assistants and fourth official are understood to have been stunned by the claims, with Michael McDonough, Simon Long and Michael Jones denying hearing anything of that nature via the officials' microphone link-up.
Clattenburg's fellow professional referees were today thought to be as shocked and angered as their colleague over the allegations against him and were rallying around him.
It was unclear whether Clattenburg would elect to continue refereeing or take a break from the game while any investigation was pending but he accepted being stood down yesterday from officiating in the coming week.
Police became embroiled in a second high-profile football racism case last night after the man behind the mooted black players' breakaway union, Peter Herbert, sent a letter to the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), which read: "The Society of Black Lawyers wishes to record the incident that took place at Chelsea FC.
"Although this matter may be investigated by the FA, it is appropriate that the MPS independently see if a racially-aggravated offence has occurred."
It was unclear whether Mikel, Mata or Chelsea welcomed police involvement but they could be forgiven for being wary of it in the wake of the Terry case.
Clattenburg, who says he will co-operate fully with any investigation, was yesterday promised the "full support" of referees' union Prospect.
Herbert this afternoon defended his decision to involve the police.
"What we don't want is for it to be swept away under the carpet," he told Sky Sports News.
"It must be subject to a full and proper investigation.
"It is to lend some seriousness and some weight behind what is happening in football."
Herbert admitted his complaint was based on reports rather than first-hand evidence but added: "We weren't there but we don't need to be there in order to report an incident.
"This appears to have had some cogency and so it needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.
"I think the Met Police have huge resources, expertise, and I have no doubt that this matter will be resolved and the truth will come out.
"If we've got this completely wrong then, of course, the police will tell us."
Herbert also confirmed he planned to make a formal complaint to the Serbian government over alleged racist abuse suffered by England Under-21 players in the country earlier this month.
Brian O'Driscoll (left) and Rory Best (right) have been ruled out of the Ireland's November Test matches
Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll and Ulster hooker Rory Best have both been ruled out of the November international Test matches.
Leinster's O'Driscoll picked up an ankle injury in the game against the Cardiff Blues, and following further scans and a specialist review by the Ireland medical team, it has been decided that the injury will require surgery to repair ligament damage, ruling the second centre out for eight to 12 weeks.
Best has also been ruled out of the games against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina, due to a neck injury he sustained last Friday playing in the RaboDirect PRO12 against the Dragons.
Following a scan and medical review, it was confirmed that Best has sprained ligaments in his neck, which will require a rest and rehabilitation period of between 4-6 weeks before a further assessment of the injury.
Ireland coach Declan Kidney will talk to the press at 4.30pm, possibly announcing further call ups to replace the injured duo.
Could Michael Bent be the answer to Ireland's tighthead issue?
Munster and Leinster have been boosted by the arrival of southern hemisphere players CJ Stander and Michael Bent over the last week.
Bent is Irish-qualified through his grandmother and was immediately drafted into the Ireland squad and is training at Carton House this week.
The 26-year-old has played most of his rugby with New Zealand provincial side but has also featured in the Super 15 for the Hurricanes. Though capable of playing on either side of the scrum, his ability to play in the crucial tighthead position is of most interest to Ireland.
The Irish scrum was dismantled in Twickenham in Ireland's last international after first choice tighthead Mike Ross departed due to injury early in the match.
Back-row forward Stander will arrive in Munster later on. His Blue Bulls team were knocked out of the Currie Cup by the Natal Sharks 10 days ago.
The 22-year-old was a second-half substitute in that clash, but scored five tries over the course of the season and was seen as a key player in a highly competitive back-row.
Stander is not currently Irish qualified but could potentially follow in the footsteps of his fellow South African Richardt Strauss and become eligible to play for Ireland through residency after the three years.
Leinster hooker Strauss was included in the Ireland squad selected by Declan Kidney last week.
Written By Unknown on Senin, 29 Oktober 2012 | 23.06
Updated: Monday, 29 Oct 2012 11:51
San Francisco players celebrate in the tenth inning after clinching the all important winThe World Series trophy is handed over
The San Francisco Giants capped a wild post-season ride by beating the Detroit Tigers 4-3 in 10 innings on Sunday to complete a four-game sweep and be crowned World Series champions for the second time in three years.
Marco Scutaro, the most valuable player in the Championship Series, was again the hero for the Giants, cracking a sharply hit single into shallow center to bring in Ryan Theriot with the winning run.
As the Giants celebrated after the final out in the bottom of the 10th, a sullen home crowd turned away and quietly exited Comerica Park.
Giants slugger Pablo Sandoval, who slammed three homers in Game One, had added reason to celebrate after being voted the Series most valuable player.
Having survived six do-or-die elimination games in the National League Division and Championship Series, the Giants closed out the season in ruthless fashion, reeling off seven consecutive wins to secure their seventh world championship.
"What made them so special was they were such an unselfish group, they just loved each other and played for each other and the fans and had a never say die attitude," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said at the trophy presentation.
"It's amazing what a group of guys who play like a team can accomplish. I'm numb that we have won two World Series in the last three years."
Tigers manager Jim Leyland was also left feeling dazed as he watched his team swept from the World Series just days after breezing past the New York Yankees in a minimum four games in the American League Championship Series.
Detroit's failure to win a game marked the 21st time a team had been swept from a World Series.
"I'm a bit flabbergasted to be honest with you," Leyland said. "I never would have thought we would have swept the New York Yankees and I never would have thought the Giants would have swept up but it happened. It's a freaky game."
Certainly one of the freakiest elements of the series was Detroit's lack of production at the plate.
The only thing colder than the Michigan weather was Detroit's bats with triple crown winner Miguel Cabrera and slugger Prince Fielder going a combined 4-for-27 over the four games.
"We got beat, you can't sit up here and try and find some reason or excuse," Leyland lamented. "They beat us, they earned it. We didn't hit enough."
After back-to-back shutouts and 20 scoreless innings, Detroit's batters finally woke from their slumber with Cabrera and Delmon Young both slamming homers off Giants starter Matt Cain, but it was too little too late.
No team has ever erased a 3-0 deficit to win a World Series and the Tigers dug the hole a little deeper when they fell behind 1-0 in the second inning.
Hunter Pence doubled to the wall in deep centre for Giants first hit then trotted home when Brandon Belt drilled a triple into the right field corner to silence a shivering sellout crowd.
However, Tigers fans were back on their feet cheering wildly in the third when Cabrera took a 1-1 offering from Cain and crushed a towering two-run homer into the right field bleachers to give Detroit their first lead of the series.
Buster Posey answered with a two-run blast in sixth that slipped just inside the left field foul pole but the fireworks continued in the bottom of the inning with Young launching a solo shot over the right field wall to tie the game at 3-3.
The Tigers had a glorious opportunity to take control in the eighth when Avisail Garcia was issued a lead off walk with their big bats lined up to drive in the go ahead run.
But Giants reliever Jeremy Affeldt defused the threat by striking out Cabrera, Fielder and Young in quick succession.
Cain allowed the Tigers three runs on five hits in seven innings of work before handing the ball over to the bullpen, Santiago Casilla coming on in the ninth to get the final out of the inning and the win while Sergio Romo struck out the side in the 10th to record the save.
"I definitely thought it was going to be down to the wire," said Cain, who adds an World Series title to a resume that includes a perfect game earlier in the season. "It just so happens that we got kind of hot and scored some runs at the right time.
Hughes is still without league win as boss of Rangers this term
QPR owner Tony Fernandes has dismissed speculation that manager Mark Hughes has one game to save his job.
Reports have suggested Hughes, whose side are bottom of the Premier League, will be facing the axe if the R's do not record their first top-flight victory of the season next Saturday by beating Reading at home.
But writing on Monday on his Twitter account, Fernandes has described such claims as "rubbish" and insists the club's hierarchy are behind Hughes.
"Mark has my backing and the shareholders," Fernandes said.
"We need a little luck and no injuries. What's written in the press is all rubbish.
"I honestly believe we have one of the best managers in the premier league. And we are in for the long term. Whatever happens. We love QPR.
"Ill be there at reading so rangers fans ill be available to meet and chat.
"Trust me on this one. Keep the faith. Stability is the key."
"I honestly believe we have one of the best managers in the premier league." - Tony Fernandes
Hughes succeeded Neil Warnock as QPR manager in January and the team avoided relegation from the Premier League on the final day of the 2011-12 campaign.
The Welshman recruited a raft of new players over the summer, but so far this term the London outfit have lost six and drawn three of their nine top-flight fixtures, with the latest defeat being Saturday's 1-0 reverse at Arsenal.
After sampling life in the Airtricity League - Laws returns to his old stomping ground
Scunthorpe United have comfirmed the appointment of Brian Laws as their new manager with effect from Tuesday.
The 51-year-old was until last temporary Friday Director of Football with Shamrock Rovers - a position he assumed following the sacking of Stephen Kenny as Hoops manager on 9 October.
Laws, who previously managed Scunthorpe in two terms between 1997 and 2006 takes over from Aln Knill who was dismissed following last weekend's defeat to the MK Dons. Russ Wilcox will be his assistant at Glanford Park.
A statement from the board of Scunthorpe United expressed delight at Laws' return as manager and their belief that he is the man to restore confidence to the squad.
Scunthorpe have lost five of their last seven matches in npower League One.
Shamrock Rovers also issued a statement in the aftermath of Laws' departure from the club in which they thanked him for his contribution over the last six weeks.
John Obi Mikel has a word with Clattenburg as Juan Mata looks on during the clash with Manchester United
The referees' union Prospect has pledged its "full support" to Mark Clattenburg after Chelsea accused him of using "inappropriate language" towards John Obi Mikel and Juan Mata.
Clattenburg is waiting to hear whether the FA would launch an investigation into allegations he made comments towards Mikel and Mata.
Such comments are understood to have been interpreted as racist, during the Blues' Premier League defeat to Manchester United on Sunday.
The 37-year-old from Gosforth was given the full backing of Prospect, who said in a statement: "Prospect is committed to helping to eradicate racism in football and in society generally.
"In the context of that commitment, Prospect is offering full support to Mark Clattenburg in relation to the allegations made against him.
"It is now important that the allegations are fully investigated through the proper process as quickly as possible.
"We will be making no further comment at this stage."
Ndungu breaks the winning tape to record another success on the streets of DublinThe elite runners go past Trinity College in conditions that were ideal throughout
Video
Audio
Geoffrey Ndungu has won the Dublin City Marathon for the second year running in a time of 2 hours 11 minutes and 9 seconds. The time was outside last year's course record time of 2:08.33.
Paul Pollock from Belfast was the first Irish man home in ninth place in 2:16.30, ahead of Sean Hehir who finished in 2:17.50.
Magdalene Mukunzi was the first woman home in a time of 2:30.46 which was outside the course record of 2:26.13. Maria McCambridge was the first Irish woman through the finishing line in 2:35.28. Luke Jones from Wales won the wheelchair section.
A record total of 14,300 people registered for this year's race in near perfect conditions.
For the first time in 20 years the event was without a major sponsor and was not televised live this year.
Quito De La Roque got the better of Sizing Europe in a tight finish to last year's Down Royal feature
Last year's winner Quito De La Roque remains on course to defend his title in the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal on Saturday.
Colm Murphy's eight-year-old has not been seen since finishing third to the ill-fated Synchronised in the Lexus Chase in December.
Owner's Gigginstown House Stud are well represented with First Lieutenant, who is also entered at Wetherby, Magnanimity and Roi Du Mee all among the 12 remaining entries.
Sizing Europe remains a possible for Henry de Bromhead. He looked all over the winner last year before being headed close home.
Colin Tizzard's Cannington Brook and Paul Nicholls' Kauto Stone, a winner on the card last year, are the British entries.
Joncol, Follow The Plan, Bob Lingo, Realt Dubh and Chicago Grey are also still engaged.
Written By Unknown on Minggu, 28 Oktober 2012 | 23.06
Updated: Saturday, 27 Oct 2012 22:37
Brian O'Driscoll was taken off in the victory over Cardiff but the injury is not too serious
Leinster coach Joe Schmidt believes that Brian O'Driscoll's latest injury is unlikely to rule him out of the upcoming Autumn Internationals.
O'Driscoll picked up an ankle injury in Saturday evening's emphatic 59-22 RaboDirect PRO12 victory over Cardiff Blues at the RDS.
The Ireland skipper was keen to play on, however, the Leinster bench chose to replace O'Driscoll as a precaution.
Speaking after the game Schmidt confirmed that O'Driscoll's injury was not too serious and that the substitution was made with O'Driscol's upcoming international commitments in mind.
Schmidt said: "He sprained his ankle. He was going to play on. In the end, we measured up the responsibilities that he has got coming up and we replaced him. We don't think at this stage that it is too serious."
"He sprained his ankle. We don't think that it is too serious" - Schmidt
And Schmidt was not getting carried away with the hammering that his side dished out on the Welsh side at the RDS, despite his side romping home with nine tries and a bonus-point victory.
Schmidt added: "I think it shows the evidence of an extra day's recovery. We had a seven-day turnaround, they had a tough six-day after a tough game with Toulon.
"So I certainly wouldn't read as much into it that the nine tries may suggest, but I do think that the first half was really good value from us."
Leinster must plan for next week's league clash without their international contingent but Schmidt is keen to maintain the momentum that his side has garnered over the last few matches.
"That's a tough time for us (without our internationals)," said the Leinster boss."We play Ospreys next Sunday and that will be a tough match, but they will also be missing their internationals.
"But we would like to keep building on our recent results. We've managed to string a few wins together so we would like to keep that going."
Peter Hanson and Rory McIlroy duelled down the back nine in Shanghai
Just a month after failing to win a point at the Ryder Cup - and being left on the sidelines for three of the five sessions - Peter Hanson had the sweetest win of his career today.
The 35-year-old Swede just held off world number one Rory McIlroy to take the BMW Masters title in Shanghai against a field that also included nine more of his European team-mates from Medinah.
With Luke Donald coming third and Ian Poulter fourth it was a week dominated by members of Jose Maria Olazabal's side, but Hanson was the one to come out on top.
By claiming a first prize of over €720,000 he has also given himself a chance to deny McIlroy the same European and PGA Tour money list double achieved by Donald last season.
With four more weeks to go he leaps from seventh to second in the standings.
McIlroy's runner-up finish means he still has a lead of more than €650,000, the winner's cheque is more than that in this week's World Championship event at Mission Hills in Shenzhen - and McIlroy is not playing.
"I'm going to try to keep this form going," Hanson said after a closing bogey gave him a one-stroke victory on a smoggy day when both of the front two shot five-under-par rounds of 67.
He was five clear after a hat-trick of birdies from the 11th, but McIlroy also made four on the long 13th, eagled the 15th from 18 feet - Hanson birdied - and then cut the difference to two with a five-foot putt at the next.
World number 25 Hanson's par save from 15 feet preserved the gap, but there was still a possibility of a play-off when Hanson's approach to the 471-yard last came down in rough above a bunker.
He thought he might be entitled to a free drop because of a plugged lie, but was refused it and after doing well to chip to 10 feet he breathed a sigh of relief when McIlroy's 15-foot birdie attempt just missed.
That left Hanson with two putts for his sixth European Tour win - the last came with a closing eagle in Holland last month - and he took them.
"Rory made a tremendous effort and put quite a bit of pressure on me - his second to the 15th was true class," Hanson added.
"He gave me a bit of a cushion early on (McIlroy missed two four-foot par putts) and I was maybe a little too defensive at the end, but it all worked out.
"My short game used to be my weak part, but I've been working on it and my putting has really improved."
In Chicago Hanson was angry to be left out all day Saturday and he said the following week that he might not be sending captain Olazabal "that many Christmas cards".
But the pair chatted last week and are back on good terms.
"I was a bit disappointed," Hanson said, "but there's no feeling of revenge or wanting to show everyone now. It's a team effort and we ended up winning it."
McIlroy is staying in China, but only for a one-day head-to-head against Tiger Woods - joint fourth in Malaysia today after a closing 63.
The rest of the week is being spent with his tennis star girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki in Bulgaria - she is playing a tournament there - but he returns to Asia for the Singapore Open and his defence of the Hong Kong Open.
Those events will give the 23-year-old the opportunity to clinch the money list double before the race-ending World Tour Championship in Dubai on November 22-25.
"I'm happy with how I played, but a little disappointed," McIlroy said. "I missed a few opportunities on the front nine and it was too little, too late.
"I wanted to make him work for it and it would have been nice to hole the putt on the last, but it wasn't to be and Peter deserved it."
A closing birdie by Donald for a 66 enabled him to deny Poulter, who had a 65, a share of third place, while there were no fewer than nine of the Ryder Cup side in the top 15.
Justin Rose, now down to third on the 'Race to Dubai', tied for sixth, Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell were joint 11th and Lee Westwood and Nicolas Colsaerts finished in joint 14th.
"It just shows we had a strong team," Donald said.
Poulter added: "The board is full of Ryder Cup players, which you would expect.
Jorge Lorenzo celebrates reclaiming the MotoGP world title
Jorge Lorenzo was crowned MotoGP world champion for the second time after finishing second at the Australian Prix Grand at Phillip Island.
The Yahama rider was beaten by home favourite Casey Stoner, who won on home soil for the sixth time in succession, but the Australian's Repsol Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa, the only man who could deny the Portuguese the title, crashed out.
Britain's Cal Crutchlow finished third.
Lorenzo's second place helped him win back the title he first claimed in 2010 with one race of he season remaining.
Lorenzo, who went into the race with a 23-point advantage over Pedrosa at the head of the standings, started from second on the grid, but got the jump on pole-sitter Stoner into turn one.
Pedrosa, starting third, was hot in his rival's tail after also passing the Australian, who will retire at the end of the season.
The Spaniard soon passed Lorenzo and Stoner moved up to second on the home straight heading into lap two, but Pedrosa then paid the price for pushing to hard as he lost control of the back of his bike.
He was able to get back on, but the bike was too badly damaged and he was forced into the pits.
That left Lorenzo just needing to avoid any mistakes to take the title.
Stoner, looking to sign off in front of his home fans in style, pulled away to win by more than nine seconds ahead of Lorenzo.
Crutchlow won an entertaining battle for third place to take his second podium-finish of the season, with Italy's Andrea Dovizioso and Spain's Alvaro Bautista fourth and fifth respectively.
Lorenzo described the title win as "so sweet".
He told BBC Sport. "I've been very patient and concentrating hard for so long and now the title has come. I was nervous in the last few laps. I almost crashed in turn two, but I brought it home."
Pedrosa added: "I was trying hard to win. Sometimes it goes your way, sometimes it doesn't."
Sebastian Vettel celebrates his victory in the Indian Grand Prix
Sebastian Vettel made it four consecutive wins for the first time in a season in his Formula One career to strengthen his grip on securing a third successive world title.
Vettel led the Indian Grand Prix from lights to chequered flag to open up a 13-point lead over Fernando Alonso with three races remaining as the Ferrari star was forced to settle for second, albeit his best finish since a win in Germany in July.
Not since Jenson Button in 2009 has a driver chalked up four wins in a row, with Vettel's run to the championship finish line seemingly perfectly timed.
Mark Webber just managed to hold on to third in his Red Bull ahead of McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, who trails by 75 points with only 75 to play for.
The hope, from anybody other than a Vettel fan, that the German would suffer some sort of mishap or other never materialised.
Once the five red lights disappeared to signal the start of the 60-lap race at the Buddh International Circuit, Vettel was faultless for the third consecutive grand prix, leading from stat to finish.
Since inheriting the lead from Hamilton in Singapore on lap 23 when the 27-year-old's car suffered a gearbox failure, Vettel has led every single lap since.
Vettel's running total is now 206 after lights-to-flag wins in Japan, Korea and India, leaving him just 58 adrift of the all-time record set by Ayrton Senna.
More importantly, of course, Vettel is closing in on becoming a three-time champion ahead of Alonso, and but for some sort of failure or incident over the final three races, it seems improbable anyone can stop him.
There was no danger off the line, certainly not from team-mate Webber alongside him following a third consecutive front-row lock-out from Red Bull, the first in their history.
The battle, instead, saw Alonso, Hamilton and Jenson Button dice wheel-to-wheel for the places behind, which was as enthralling as the action got because there was precious little to entertain afterward.
Come the end of that first lap Hamilton had lost two places, dropping from third to fifth as Button and Alonso diced their way by.
It did not take too long for Alonso to make a move on Button, with Hamilton doing likewise shortly after.
Given how easily the McLarens were at the mercy of Alonso over those opening laps, the suggestion was the Woking-based marque had erred as to their gear ratios to assist with top speed on the straights.
With the running order Vettel, Webber, Alonso, Hamilton, it remained that way for 43 laps until a KERS issue affected the second of the two Red Bulls.
Webber radioed in at one stage that he had no KERS, the power-boost system, only to be told it would return by his engineer. It did eventually, but not soon enough as Alonso took second on lap 45, and, whilst Hamilton closed in, he ran out of laps as he trailed by 0.6secs come the death.
The minor placings went to Button, Ferrari's Felipe Massa, with Kimi Raikkonen seventh in his Lotus, the Finn now 67 points adrift.
Force India's Nico Hulkenberg was eighth, followed by Romain Grosjean in his Lotus and Williams' Bruno Senna.
Michael Schumacher, soon to be retiring for a second time, suffered a first corner puncture after a minor collision with Toro Rosso's Jean-Eric Vergne.
That dropped him to the back of the field, with embarrassment to follow as the seven-times champion is under investigation for ignoring blue flags, waved to backmarkers to allow the leaders by.
Following a second successive win in India, Vettel said: "Everything has been incredible, from getting pole on Saturday to winning the race on Sunday.
"I don't know what it is about this circuit, but I really like the flow of it. A big thanks to the team. Every single person is pushing very hard, we're all working hand-in-hand together, either at the track or back at the factory in Milton Keynes, and that makes the difference."
Vettel, however, dismissed the notion he had one hand on the title, adding: "If you think about the world championship this is a good step for us. But we've a long way to go, and we've seen how quickly things can change.
"I'm just very proud and very happy. Now we have to focus on Abu Dhabi next week. We just have to take it step by step."
Alonso, though, will not rest as he said: "It's not easy at the moment fighting Red Bull, but we will never give up.
"We're happy today. We lost minimum points, which was the plan because we were not quick enough, but better races will come. I'm sure we will do it."
Webber was happy enough with third, despite his struggles towards the end, as he said: "I enjoyed the fight. It was difficult for me to get into a rhythm, I had a few issues to manage inside the car, and it was a tough old GP.
"Lewis and Fernando were very strong on the hard tyre, and without KERS it was difficult, but I was happy with the way I drove."
South Africa have named five uncapped players in their squad for the upcoming European tour, although star winger Bryan Habana misses out through injury.
The 29-year-old hurt his knee playing for Western Province in the Currie Cup final victory over the Sharks, with scans revealing he will not be fit in time for the three-Test tour, which begins against Ireland on 10 November.
Habana's is the latest in a series of injuries to hit Heyneke Meyer's squad, with the likes of Bismarck du Plessis, Pierre Spies, Frans Steyn, Schalk Burger and Juan Smith among those sidelined.
The list of absentees has, however, opened the door for five new faces - wingers Raymond Rhule and Lionel Mapoe, loose forward Arno Botha, lock Franco van der Merwe and scrum-half Jano Vermaak.
Full-back JP Pietersen and hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle have also returned to the squad following injury.
After the match with Ireland, the Springboks take on Scotland on 17 November before meeting England a week later.
Meyer said of the tour: "Although the Springboks won on their last visit to Dublin (in 2010), they lost three in a row before that.
"In 2010, we lost to Scotland in Edinburgh. They beat the Wallabies in Australia earlier in the year, so it won't be easy there.
"And in June we've experienced first-hand how difficult an opponent England are. They will be fired up at Twickenham and it will be a challenging Test to end the tour with.
"Our aim is to end the season on a positive note. The Rugby World Cup in 2015 also takes place in England, so we will use this tour to see how our players adapt to the conditions as we look ahead to that very important tournament."
The squad will gather in Cape Town in midweek before flying out on Saturday.
South Africa squad: Alberts, Botha, Brits, Cilliers, Coetzee, De Jongh, De Villiers (captain), Du Plessis, Etzebeth, Hougaard, Jantjies, Kirchner, Kruger, Lambie, Louw, Mapoe, Mtawarira, Mvovo, Pienaar, Pietersen, Ralepelle, Rhule, Steenkamp, Steyn, Strauss, Taute, Van der Linde, Flip van der Merwe, Franco van der Merwe, Vermaak, Vermeulen.
Everton displayed all the qualities which have kept them in the top four this season as Liverpool blew a two-goal lead in the 219th Merseyside derby.
When Luis Suarez headed in his sixth goal in eight league matches in the 20th minute, after Leighton Baines had earlier turned the Uruguay international's cross-shot into his own net, the Reds appeared in control at Goodison Park.
However, in a pulsating first half Leon Osman pulled one back almost immediately before Steven Naismith equalised 10 minutes before half-time as it 2-2.
The remaining 55 minutes subsequently failed to match what had gone before, and although both sides could have won it after the break, the point was enough to keep Everton in fourth, six points ahead of their near-neighbours.
Liverpool fielded five derby debutants - Raheem Sterling, Andre Wisdom, Nuri Sahin, Suso and Joe Allen - with Everton having just two in Kevin Mirallas and Naismith.
That may have contributed to what was a first 45 minutes so open it belied its history of being the oldest and longest-running cross-city rivalry in English football.
Suarez opened the scoring in the 14th minute. Steven Gerrard's pass sent Jose Enrique, on his first start since October 2, racing down the left and although his cross flashed through the six-yard area it was collected by the Uruguay international, whose drilled cross-shot return was deflected in by Baines.
His reaction was to race to the dug-out and dive full-length - in a celebration reminiscent of Jurgen Klinsmann's for his debut goal in English football in 1994 - in front of Toffees boss David Moyes after his pre-match comments about players going to ground easily.
Ironically, later in the half, it was one of Moyes' own players Phil Neville who was booked for diving on the edge of Liverpool's penalty area.
That prompted a swift retort from injured Reds defender Glen Johnson on Twitter.
"Haha classic P Neville battering Luis for diving, then what does he get booked for....?! Haha," he wrote.
"Worst dive ever.... Looked like someone tied his laces together while he weren't looking haha."
Six minutes later Osman's slight trip on Sterling presented Gerrard with the chance to curl in a free-kick and Suarez's deft header helped the ball past Tim Howard and into the far corner of the net.
For a team whose problems in scoring were well documented, things seemed to be going better than expected for Brendan Rodgers' side.
But Everton have not forced their way into the top four this season on a wing and a prayer, and they produced an instant response.
When goalkeeper Brad Jones, still deputising for the recovering Jose Reina who was on the bench, could only punch a corner to the edge of the area, Osman controlled and volleyed home.
The game, surprisingly, became even more open with Suarez shooting just wide before Marouane Fellaini, back from injury after two matches out, ran the ball out of play as he bore down on goal when teed up by Nikica Jelavic.
Derbies can do strange things to people - highlighted by Neville's diving aberration - and the sight of Tim Howard, one of football's genuine nice guys, hurtling out of his goal in an attempt to get 17-year-old Sterling sent off for what he thought was a second bookable offence was ungentlemanly and unnecessary.
But the hosts soon put the focus back on football when Fellaini's cross was left by Martin Skrtel and Naismith nipped in front of Enrique to equalise from close range.
Everton poured forward with the excellent Mirallas marauding down the left against the inexperience of Wisdom and Sterling.
The Belgian had one shot turned away by Jones and another blocked by Skrtel after a brilliant turn took him past Wisdom, reluctant to make a challenge in the penalty area, while Seamus Coleman also blazed over.
After such a rousing 45 minutes, the second half failed to live up to those standards.
Everton suffered a blow when Mirallas failed to appear after the break and was replaced by Magaye Gueye while Rodgers made a tactical switch by bringing on Sebastian Coates, another derby debutant, and Jonjo Shelvey to go 3-4-1-2.
Chances continued to be created with Sterling clipping an excellent chance wide having been put through by Enrique while Jelavic, surprisingly quiet in such an open game, just failed to connect in the six-yard box before heading wide Leighton Baines' free-kick wide.
Suarez, never far from the action, was fortunate to escape with a yellow card after standing on Sylvain Distin's Achilles after the ball had gone.
Gerrard had a shot blocked by Phil Jagielka before Suarez was incorrectly denied an injury-time winner by a linesman's flag.
Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 27 Oktober 2012 | 23.06
Updated: Saturday, 27 Oct 2012 10:20
McIlroy has the momentum ahead of the final round
Peter Hanson has world number one Rory McIlroy breathing even more down his neck with a day to go at the BMW Masters in Shanghai.
A third-round 70 took Hanson to 16 under par, but his Ryder Cup teammate shot 69 and is now only one behind as he chases a fifth victory of the season.
South African George Coetzee's 66 brought him only three behind and then comes a further two-stroke gap to a chasing pack which includes the Irish pair Michael Hoey (68) and Shane Lowry (69). Graeme McDowell is a further shot back on 10 under after a 66.
Hanson was caught first by McIlroy and then by Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts - another of the European stars in Chicago last month - when he followed a birdie on the second with three bogeys by the eighth.
But the Swede regained control with birdies at the ninth, 11th, 13th and 15th.
McIlroy matched two of those, made a 14-foot putt to narrow the gap to one again on the 16th and then lipped out from nine feet at the next.
"The wind was blowing from the opposite direction, which made some of the holes trickier," Hanson said. "It was not as easy to go low and my driving was not great, but it was still a good round.
"I need to play better, but if I can get back to how I was the first two days I think I have a good chance.
"To win would mean a lot. This is the start of a big stretch and it's nice to find a bit of form."
He was the only member of Jose Maria Olazabal's side at Medinah not to contribute anything to the points total and was angry not to be given more than two games in the week.
McIlroy, winner of the Shanghai Masters on the course a year ago, dropped his only shot at the long third and had to wait until the 11th for his second birdie of the day, but he remains favourite for a first prize of over £720,000.
Norwich did more on the pitch to warrant the three points
Norwich defender Michael Turner denied Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert victory against his former club with a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Villa Park.
Christian Benteke justified Lambert's decision to axe Darren Bent from his starting line-up for the third time in four matches with Villa's 27th minute opener.
But Villa were forced to defend desperately after left-back Joe Bennett's sending-off early in the second period before Turner earned the Canaries a deserved share of the spoils.
Fittingly the Norwich goal was created by Wes Hoolahan who was the most creative player on either side.
Villa have now won only one of their last 19 league matches and they were indebted to a trio of fine saves from keeper Brad Guzan for earning them a share of the spoils.
Norwich fans greeted the arrival of Lambert into the dug-out with a chant of 'there's only one Chris Hughton' but there was no verbal animosity directed at their former manager.
Norwich, fresh from last weekend's win over Arsenal, knocked the ball around in confident fashion in the early stages.
But it was Villa midfielder Brett Holman who produced the first attempt on goal.
He exchanged passes with Karim El Ahmadi before firing a low drive which Canaries keeper John Ruddy got his body behind.
Norwich looked full of confidence but Elliott Bennett dragged his shot well wide from the edge of the box.
It needed a fine save by Guzan to keep his side on level terms after 22 minutes.
Grant Holt threaded the ball through to Hoolahan who was left with only Guzan to beat but the United States international managed to block the shot with his left foot.
Guzan then cut out an attempted knock back across goal from Holt aimed at the unmarked Anthony Pilkington.
But then against the run of play Villa went ahead through Benteke's second goal since his #7million summer move from Genk after 27 minutes.
Gabriel Agbonlahor held the ball up before releasing the overlapping Holman and his cross found Benteke completely unmarked.
The Belgian international had time to pick his spot before sliding the ball past Ruddy into the corner of the net.
Villa defender Joe Bennett became the first player to be yellow carded for a challenge on Elliott Bennett.
A long pass from Fabian Delph was brought under control by Benteke inside the Norwich box but his eventual shot was deflected wide.
Norwich made a half-time change with defender Russell Martin replaced by Ryan Bennett.
Villa were reduced to 10 men after 52 minutes when Joe Bennett collected a second yellow card for another offence against Elliott Bennett.
It led to Lambert bringing off Agbonlahor and replacing Joe Bennett with Eric Lichaj at left-back.
Norwich had more of the possession with their numerical advantage but Elliott Bennett's poor touch let him down after a probing ball over the top of the Villa back four from Bradley Johnson.
Villa defender Chris Herd was booked for persistent fouling after 62 minutes.
Guzan made his second crucial save of the game when he blocked a rising close range attempt from Hoolahan after Pilkington had supplied the telling pass.
Herd then made a crucial block on a Hoolahan header after Holt headed back across goal into his path before Bent replaced Benteke after 69 minutes.
Guzan was again Villa's saviour when he saved Holt's low drive after he broke clear but he had no chance of preventing Turner's equaliser after 79 minutes.
Pilkington's quickly taken corner picked out Hoolahan and his inswinging cross was met by Turner whose glancing header flew into the far corner of the net.
For Non Stop could not have won the Betfred Monets Garden Old Roan Chase at Aintree with any more authority.
The Nick Williams-trained seven-year-old oozed class from the outset on his first start for 226 days.
A Grade One winner as a novice in February, the 4-1 joint-favourite jumped swiftly and accurately for Noel Fehily en route to a 23-length romp in the Grade Two limited handicap over two and a half miles.
Wishfull Thinking stayed on for second, while Stagecoach Pearl was third.
It was a particularly sweet result for Fehily, who has only just returned to action after suffering a broken leg in the John Smith's Grand National in April.
He said: "I've been back riding two weeks today. It does take time to return to your peak, but I feel good.
"It's hard to believe that the last time I came here I left in an ambulance.
"This horse did it really well and has probably improved."
Williams said: "Each year he seems get better and I think the course and the strong pace suited him.
"The Paddy Power Gold Cup closes on Tuesday and is an option, we'll have to have look at it."
Joseph O'Brien rode Kingsbarns to victory in Doncaster
Kingsbarns staked his claim for Classic glory in 2013 with a clear-cut victory in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster.
Having only his second career start after easily winning a Navan maiden 17 days earlier, the 15-8 favourite led over a furlong out to give trainer Aidan O'Brien his seventh success in this Group One race.
Van Der Neer stayed on well for second, beaten a length and three-quarters, with Steeler third.
Jockey Joseph O'Brien said: "He relaxed and travelled very well.
"I might have got to the front too soon, but my momentum took me there.
"He was very green, but I think he is going to be a very good horse.
"Soft ground or quick ground, he'll have no problem."
Another Irish challenger, Trading Leather, was first into the lead, but Steeler was soon upsides before taking the advantage.
Kingsbarns then quickened in good style to seal the race, and had enough in hand to hold the late charge on the stands side of Van Der Neer.
Ballydoyle's inmate was roundly cut in the betting as favourite for the 2013 Investec Derby.
Aidan O'Brien said: "We're obviously thrilled.
"When he won his maiden a little under three weeks ago, he'd just arrived and won very nicely.
"After that we were half-thinking of leaving him alone.
"He's a lovely horse and had done great through the year.
"We did one little bit of work with him and it was lovely.
"Then the final exam for the Racing Post Trophy was there.
"He came through it with flying colours."
O'Brien snr added: "We had Camelot last year and then this horse has come along.
"The boys (Coolmore) will sit down and talk over the winter what they want to do with him but he has all the options open to him.
"They made the decision to let him come here and run by himself.
"He'll canter during the winter, we'll train him in the spring, and then they will decide.
"He's a great traveller and has loads of natural speed."
Mark Allen and Ronnie O'Sullivan may share a few unpleasant words following the former's latest Twitter outburst
Mark Allen has asked the first questions of Ronnie O'Sullivan's withdrawal from World Snooker's new flagship tournament in China.
The International Championship in Chengdu, which offers world ranking points on a par with the UK Championship and a first prize of £125,000, gets under way tomorrow.
O'Sullivan yesterday withdrew on medical grounds, prompting World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association chairman Jason Ferguson to say it would mean "huge disappointment" for the Chinese supporters.
Northern Irishman Allen, among the likely title contenders after overcoming a passport blunder to travel out, wrote on Facebook: "So ronnie pulls out of china again!! Thoughts?"
The 26-year-old added in a later post: "Don't understand why he enters though. If he doesn't wanna play don't enter. It affects draws, rankings, sponsors, seedings and all."
O'Sullivan's condition was not disclosed - he was able to play an exhibition match against Jimmy White in Liverpool on Thursday.
Last year he suffered badly with glandular fever and pulled out of the Haikou World Open in China and the PTC finals in Ireland.
The Chigwell man has expressed a dislike for the heavy schedule and travel demands on players in the game, with the ranking system in its present guise placing an emphasis on the importance of players turning out each week.
Despite winning the German Masters and World Championship this year, by taking a four-month break from competition following his Crucible triumph O'Sullivan has drifted out of the world's top 16 players.
His ranking - currently 17th - will continue to slide for not travelling to China.
While the 36-year-old recovers at home, Allen will be looking to claim his second major ranking title, having won his first also in China at the Haikou Open earlier this year.
That came after Allen, on arrival in Haikou, launched a fierce attack on the tournament and local people which saw him reprimanded by World Snooker.
He almost missed the trip this time, having taken his wrong passport initially, leaving behind his visa.
But Allen is a player full of confidence and form, having recently won a minor tournament in Belgium by defeating world number one Mark Selby in the final.
"That win has been a long time coming," Allen said.
"I was really struggling earlier in this season, but I've spent a lot of time with my coach Terry Griffiths up at South West Snooker Academy.
"He's helped me get my mind right. And I've practised hard leading into this event. I had a good attitude throughout.
"I'm really pleased to be playing well again. We've got some very big tournaments coming up, the International in China next week and the UK Championship is not far away."
A dark horse for the eight-day Chengdu tournament is Stuart Bingham, who enjoyed 6-0 wins over both Selby and Neil Robertson in the Premier League in Guildford on Thursday, firing in four century breaks.
He and fiancee Michelle are due to marry next year, and Bingham's £16,000 one-night winnings will cover the cost.
"We're getting married in Cyprus in May so that pays for everything," Bingham said.
"In practice everyone can play like that but to do it on the main stage was unbelievable.
"I've beaten the world number one and former world champion - well I hammered them."
Absent from China along with O'Sullivan will be Stephen Lee. The world number seven has been suspended pending the outcome of an investigation by the WPBSA into betting matters.
Tomorrow's action in Chengdu sees former world champions Shaun Murphy, Robertson and Ken Doherty all start their campaigns.
Justin Tipuric touches down for one of Ospreys' four tries
Ospreys completed a comfortable 26-9 bonus-point victory over Connacht in the RaboDirect PRO12 at the Liberty Stadium.
It was the region's fourth straight league win with tries coming from wing Eli Walker, flanker Justin Tipuric, number eight Jonathan Thomas and scrum-half Kahn Fotuali'i. Dan Biggar kicked three conversions.
All Connacht could manage were three Dan Parks penalties.
Ospreys, who were without British and Irish Lions duo Adam Jones and Ryan Jones, included Biggar after his call-up to the Wales autumn Tests squad this week and the outside-half was in the thick of the action as the hosts enjoyed plenty of possession, with Walker looking particularly dangerous.
But despite plenty of ball the Ospreys failed to turn pressure into points in the opening minutes.
It eventually told, however, as the region spread the ball with full-back Richard Fussell putting over Walker for the opening try. Biggar converted to make it 7-0 after 15 minutes.
Walker was in the thick of it again as he put Ospreys back in a good territorial position with a kick and chase to the left corner.
Connacht had the chance to break their duck when their first meaningful attack ended with Parks putting over a penalty after 30 minutes. Three minutes later Parks was on target again after another Ospreys transgression to cut the home lead to 7-6.
But the Welsh side responded with a second try two minutes from the break. Biggar found Fussell with a long pass and the full-back turned provider again to put Tipuric over in the right corner. Biggar failed with the conversion as Ospreys led 12-6 at the break.
Ospreys opened up a 13-point lead two minutes into the second half when Thomas picked off Parks' pass and ran in unopposed from 30 metres out, and Biggar converted.
Connacht did cut the deficit to 10 points as Parks converted his third penalty in the 52nd minute.
Walker nearly scored a spectacular try bursting out of his own 22 and into Connacht's before deciding to pass outside him rather than head to the line himself, with the move breaking down because of a knock-on.
But as time elapsed the Ospreys struggled to get close to grabbing the bonus-point try.
That try, however, came eight minutes from time when Fotuali'i went over from a tapped penalty after a collapsed five-metre scrum by Connacht. Biggar put over his third conversion as the Ospreys extended their lead to 17 points.
Written By Unknown on Jumat, 26 Oktober 2012 | 23.06
Updated: Friday, 26 Oct 2012 11:16
Rory McIlroy grabbed seven birdies for a 65 that lifted him to 12 under
Audio
Rory McIlroy turned on the style, yet still could not catch Swede Peter Hanson in the second round of the BMW Masters in Shanghai today.
With Welshman Jamie Donaldson struggling badly after his opening course record 62 - he crashed from four clear to six behind with a 74 - it was two of Europe's Ryder Cup stars who took over at the top.
World number one McIlroy grabbed seven birdies for a 65 that lifted him to 12 under, but he trails Hanson by two after the 35-year-old's nine-birdie 64.
They have opened up a gap with the rest of the star-studded field. Hanson's compatriot Robert Karlsson is three strokes further back in third after he also shot 64 to burst out of the pack.
Hanson, the only member of Jose Maria Olazabal's side not to have something to show for his efforts in Chicago last month, actually began his day's work with a bogey.
But then came a birdie at the long third, four in succession from the fifth and then three more in a row from the 11th.
The five-time European Tour winner added another at the 612-yard 15th, but now he faces a head-to-head battle with a player who won the Shanghai Masters on the same Lake Malaren course 12 months ago and is seeking his fifth victory of the season.
McIlroy turned in 32, picking up shots at the second, third, eighth and ninth, and then had a hat-trick of birdies from the 13th on another day of low scoring.
Ireland's Shane Lowry, winner of the Portugal Masters two weeks ago, also recorded a 64 and leapt from 48th to joint fourth with Justin Rose, another of the Medinah heroes, Donaldson and another Swede, Alex Noren.
Luke Donald, Martin Kaymer and Nicolas Colsaerts - three more of the European side - are among those one further back on seven under, but Olazabal himself slipped from fourth to 21st with a disappointing 72.
Michael Hoey shot a 70 to move to seven under, Graeme McDowell is on four under, while Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley finished on plus five after their second rounds.
On facing McIlroy in the third round, Hanson said: "It's going to be fun. He's going to be tough to beat and I'll play 30 to 40 yards behind him, but hopefully I can give him a game.
"It's always nice to follow up a good 66 with an even better round. The greens are beautiful and the course is still pretty soft."
Dave Kearney has overcome his hip injury in time to face Cardiff
Dave Kearney returns to the Leinster starting XV to face the Cardiff Blues in Saturday's RaboDirect PRO12 clash in the RDS, kick-off 6.30pm.
Jonathan Sexton partners Eoin Reddan at half back, while Gordon D'Arcy links up with Brian O'Driscoll in the midfield. David Kearney starts his first game of the season on the right wing after recovering from his hip injury.
Up front; Devin Toner locks down at second row alongside captain Leo Cullen.
Hooker Richardt Strauss, who was named in the Ireland panel for the first time earlier this week for the forthcoming November series, is named in the front row alongside Cian Healy and Mike Ross.
Back-row forward Rhys Ruddock takes his place on the panel for the first time this season and is named on a bench which includes Isaac Boss and Sean Cronin.
Leinster XV: 15: Ian Madigan, 14: David Kearney, 13: Brian O'Driscoll, 12: Gordon D'Arcy, 11: Fergus McFadden, 10: Jonathan Sexton, 9: Eoin Reddan, 1: Cian Healy, 2: Richardt Strauss, 3: Mike Ross, 4: Leo Cullen (cpt), 5: Devin Toner, 6: Kevin McLaughlin, 7: Jordi Murphy, 8: Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: 16: Sean Cronin, 17: Heinke van der Merwe, 18: Jamie Hagan, 19: Damian Browne, 20: Rhys Ruddock, 21: Isaac Boss, 22: Brendan Macken, 23: Fionn Carr.
It's the battle of the Rovers at The ShowgroundsSligo are champions-elect while the Dublin side have an outside chance of a Europa League spot
Audio
Sligo Rovers will be presented with the Airtricity League Premier Division trophy after their final game of the season against Shamrock Rovers, while Waterford United and Longford Town play off in the First Division.
It's the final week of league fixtures and Drogheda United and St Pat's are both looking to secure runners-up spot, while Shamrock Rovers maintain a very slim chance of securing a place in next season's Europa League.
Sligo Rovers v Shamrock Rovers
Sligo Rovers will be presented with the Airtricity League Premier Division trophy after tonight's clash with reigning champions Shamrock Rovers at The Showgrounds, kick-off 7.45pm.
Watch Sligo Rovers take on Shamrock Rovers live on RTÉ TWO and live worldwide on RTÉ.ie
Ian Baraclough's side secured the title with victory over St Patrick's Athletic in their last clash at home and this will be the first time the champions flag flies over the Sligo stadium for 35 years.
Sligo remain unbeaten at home all season in the league and will be looking to match Shelbourne's similar feat in 2006 by avoiding defeat to The Hoops.
Mark Quigley returns to the squad after recovering from a calf injury, although Danny Ventre is suspended.
Alan Keane, Iarfhlaith Davoren, Danny North and Seamus Conneely are out injured.
Sligo boss Baraclough said: "They (the players) never give up and it is something that comes from within. We want to go out on a high and create history and create landmarks for this team.
"There is nothing riding on the game for us, it will not effect the league position or the context of the season. We said it after the game in Drogheda that we will give ourselves the best possible preparation for the game and try to finish off the season in style."
Brian Laws' Rovers will be looking to take three points from the game as they cling on to an outside chance of finishing third in the league to secure a Europa League spot.
Ciaran Kilduff (throat infection) and Tommy Stewart (thigh strain) are both ruled out of the game through injury, while Shane O'Connor will undergo a fitness test ahead of the game.
Laws said: "I am very much looking forward to the game on Friday. It will be good to get a chance to personally congratulate Ian Baraclough on his great achievement in winning the championship.
"But we won't be there just to make up the numbers. We will be looking to spoil their party by picking up a win and we also want to give our supporters who are travelling down something to cheer about on the night. We also want to end our season on a positive note."
Bohemians v Drogheda United
Drogheda United will be looking to secure runners-up spot as they travel to face Bohemians at Dalymount Park, kick-off 7.45pm.
Paul Crowley is available for selection for Mick Cooke's United, having served his suspension.
Declan O'Brien is suspended following his red-card against Sligo, while Gavin Brennan and Peter Hynes are also suspended. Eric Foley is injured and unavailable.
United boss Cooke said: "It's been a much longer season that we initially anticipated and we still need to go out and get a result.
"We have to either match Pat's or do better to make sure we finish second. Bohs are still fighting for sixth and a place in the Setanta Cup, so there's a lot to play for.
"We needed to win last week, we wanted to wrap up Europe before the final game of the season. And I thought our first half performance warranted more than a one goal lead. But the way we fought back says so much about this team.
"It's been an amazing season, I'm delighted that we at least got a trophy (winning the EA Sports Cup), for all the work the lads put in they deserve nothing less. And in going forward, we won't have to bring in as many players as I feel the lads that are here have really showed that they are capable of doing the job."
For Bohemians, Owen Heary (hamstring), Derek Pender (back) and Adam Martin (ankle) are all out injured. Andy Mulligan, Luke Byrne and Michael Barker are also ruled out.
The Gypsies can still qualify for the Setanta Cup and manager Aaron Callaghan is delighted that there is something to play for.
Callaghan said: "I wouldn't want it any other way. You don't really want a meaningless game with nothing at stake.
"This situation puts a bit of an edge on the game which is always good. I believe there's a twist in this somewhere and I just hope the twist goes our way."
Dundalk v Bray Wanderers
Dundalk will have one eye on their upcoming play-off for Premier Division survival ahead of their clash with Bray Wanderers at Oriel Park, kick-off 7.45pm.
Derek Foran (groin), John Mountney (appendix), Stephen Maher (suspension), Gary Shanahan (ankle) and Paul Walsh (groin) are all certain absentees for Dundalk, while Bob McKenna (shin splints) is doubtful. Left-back Eoghan Osborne is available again following suspension.
Caretaker manager Darius Kierans will rest some players with the play-off clash coming just four days after the final league game of the season.
Kierans is focussing all his attention on the must-win two-legged play-off against either Waterford United or Longford Town next Tuesday and Friday, however he maintains that his side will "approach the game in a positive manner".
Kierans said: "We will play some players who haven't played in a couple of weeks and need game-time and then other players we will be leaving out and resting with a view to Tuesday's playoff game, which is the most important thing.
"We will play some of the younger players, give them an opportunity and see what they can do.
"At the same time, in an ideal scenario, you would like a positive result to bring forward into the playoff.
"But the starting team will be a different one to that that will play on Tuesday, so I don't know if the result would have any real significance. In saying that, it would give everyone around the place a boost."
Bray defender Dave Webster is suspended for the trip to Oriel, while central defender Adam Mitchell and left-back Dane Massey return to the squad.
Bray will have to plan for Friday night without Conor Earley (knee), John Mulroy (ankle) and Ismahel Akinade (groin).
Bray boss Pat Devlin said: "We need to finish on a strong note. It won't be easy, it will be tough but we are looking forward to it."
St Patrick's Athletic v Cork City
St Patrick's Athletic can secure a place in next season's Europa League as they take on Cork City at Richmond Park, kick-off 7.45pm.
Cork boss Tommy Dunne has no fresh injury concerns with Garry Buckley (knee) and Brian Lenihan (back) still sidelined.
Dunne said: "It is simple. If we want to finish fifth, then we have to win. We have played well against St Pat's this season; I think they have been evenly matched games.
"Obviously Pat's have been more consistent over the course of the season, but there has not been a lot between the teams when we have met.
"We are capable of getting a result at Richmond Park, but St Pat's are a good side, so we will have to perform well to get the result we want."
Sean O'Connor is ruled out for St Pat's as he is serving a suspension, while Mark Rossiter remains out injured.
UCD v Shelbourne
UCD and Shelbourne go head to head at The UCD Bowl, kick-off 7.45pm.
Shels return to league action after their idle week last week and they will look to finish the season on a high having beaten Cork City in their last match.
Alan Mathews' side were 2-0 down at half-time but scored three times through David Cassidy, Philly Hughes and Conan Byrne to win the tie 3-2.
Mathews travel with a strong squad to Belfield knowing that a win could see his side finish sixth in the final league standings.
Gareth Matthews and Brian Shortall are ruled out for Shelbourne as they are serving a suspension.
UCD can call on Graham Rusk and Cillian Morrison, however, Dave O'Connor (hamstring) misses out.
Division 1 play-off 2nd leg
Waterford United v Longford Town
Jamie Cross is suspended for Waterford and Gary Dunphy is a long-term absentee.
Tigers manager Jim Leyland was also left feeling dazed as he watched his team swept from the World Series just days after breezing past the New York Yankees in a minimum four games in the American League Championship Series.
No team has ever erased a 3-0 deficit to win a World Series and the Tigers dug the hole a little deeper when they fell behind 1-0 in the second inning.
