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Chelsea claim it's 'business as usual'

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 28 Februari 2013 | 23.06

Rafael Benitez is expected to be given at least one more match in charge at Chelsea despite criticising Blues supporters and the club's decision to give him the title of interim manager.

Benitez hit out at a section of the Chelsea supporters following the holders' 2-0 FA Cup win at Middlesbrough last night, which set up a quarter-final tie with Manchester United.

His criticism sparked suggestions his tenure in caretaker charge could come to an end as soon as today, rather than as scheduled at the end of season, with the comments unlikely to have gone down well with owner Roman Abramovich and the Blues board.

Chelsea insisted it was just another day at Stamford Bridge, where reports of dressing-room unrest have been played down.

A club spokesperson said: "It's business as usual."

Press Association Sport reports that Benitez took training at the club's Cobham base this morning and is likely to be in charge for Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash with West Brom, where the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge and taunts towards Benitez could be more toxic than usual.

The 'business as usual' statement is reminiscent of comments made by one of Benitez's predecessors, following the departure of Roberto Di Matteo last November, when the Spaniard was placed in charge.

Andre Villas-Boas, now in charge at Tottenham, said: "At Chelsea, I think another sacking is just like any other day at the office."

It seems the addition of 'interim' to his title has irked Benitez since his appointment and he finally erupted following a fourth win in six games - a run which was preceded by just three wins in 10.

In 27 matches, Benitez has 14 wins and a victory percentage of 52 per cent, which - alongside Villas-Boas - is the poorest start of any of the nine managers in the Abramovich era.

The reaction of the former Liverpool boss in confirming his departure at the end of the campaign is likely to heighten speculation over his replacement, with former boss Jose Mourinho - now at Real Madrid - reported to be the top target.

Whoever replaces Benitez will become the 10th manager in 10 years under Abramovich.

Never before has the Russian billionaire had three managers preside over his team in one season, but, should Benitez depart before the end of the campaign and ahead of fulfilling his brief of Champions League football next term, that is what will happen.

With Mourinho and the most likely alternative options under employment, Abramovich could turn to a familiar face in Avram Grant, who was pictured alongside the Russian as a spectator at the recent FA Cup defeat of Brentford.

Israeli Grant guided Chelsea to the 2008 Champions League final, but departed after Manchester United won the trophy in Moscow on penalties.

The Champions League was for so long the Holy Grail for Chelsea.

Di Matteo was initially in charge on an interim basis before he guided Chelsea to a maiden title in Europe's most prestigious competition, plus FA Cup victory, and was granted the role on a permanent basis.

When the Italian departed after the holders' Champions League exit at the group stage, attention turned to Pep Guardiola, who was on a season-long sabbatical after leaving Barcelona.

Guardiola has opted for Bayern Munich, though, and attention has returned to Mourinho - the most successful manager in Chelsea's history.

The Portuguese led Chelsea to two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, two League Cups and one Community Shield, but his time in west London came to an acrimonious end following a series of disagreements with Abramovich.

Chelsea enter the weekend contest with West Brom in fourth place - the final Champions League spot - with a two-point lead over Arsenal and a deficit of two points to third-placed Tottenham.

Defending champions Manchester City are second, seven points better off than the Blues, while Manchester United are on course for the title, with 19 more points than Benitez's team.

Champions League football next term is the over-riding priority - the consequences of missing out could be cataclysmic - and Chelsea's chances of a trophy this term depend on the FA Cup and the Europa League.

Whoever the manager is when Chelsea play at Old Trafford on March 10, Victor Moses is optimistic of success.

He said in the London Evening Standard: "United are probably the toughest team (left in the competition).

"We have quality players here, they have good players, too. If we work together as a team, I can see us really going far and beating United.

"If we can play together as a team, which we have been doing, I don't see anyone stopping us.

"If we can get to the FA Cup final, that will be nice for us. It's not going to be as easy but hopefully we can beat United."

23.06 | 0 komentar | Read More

Galway changes for Westmeath clash

Galway's team to face unbeaten Westmeath in the Allianz FL Division 1B on Sunday next shows five changes from that which lost to Louth last weekend.

Alan Mulholland's side, one of the favourites to emerge from the section, went down by 0-17 to 0-11 against the Wee County and the manager has reacted swiftly.

John Egan takes over from Manus Breathnach in goals. Anthony Griffin starts in midfield, where he will form a partnership with Niall Coleman. Other changes sees Gary O'Donnell assume a half-back line berth, while John O'Brien and Mark Hehir are named in attacking set-up.

Galway XV to play Westmeath: John Egan; Johnny Duane, Finian Hanley, Joss Moore; Gary O'Donnell, Gary Sice, Gary Sweeney; Niall Coleman, Anthony Griffin; John O'Brien, Paul Conroy, Seán Denvir; Eoin Concannon, Michael Meehan, Mark Hehir.

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Trump outguns Bond at Haikou World Open

Judd Trump was again in scintillating form as he blitzed Nigel Bond 5-1 to reach the quarter-finals of the Haikou World Open.

Trump had whitewashed Mark Joyce 5-0 in the first round and picked up where he left off, firing three centuries to set up a clash with Matthew Stevens or Shaun Murphy.

It was Bond's first action of the tournament, after Ali Carter's unfortunate withdrawal due to illness handed him a first-round bye, and even then he was kept in his seat for almost all of the first two frames.

Bond played just six shots in that time, with an unlucky in-off from the only ball he potted, as world number one Trump surged ahead with breaks of 102 and 111.

An 83 kept Bond scoreless in the next but after his first scoring visit, early in frame four, stalled at 23 the senior world champion was able to win a long frame and cut the deficit to 3-1 at the interval.

That was as good as it got, though, as Trump returned with a 104 and then wrapped up victory in the next frame, scoring 564 total points to fellow English potter Bond's 107.

Australian Neil Robertson joined Trump in the last eight after a 5-0 victory over Scotland's Graeme Dott, the man he beat in the final of the 2010 World Championship.

Robertson had breaks of 78, 86 and 73 and plays world number two Mark Selby next after the Leicester cueman's 5-1 victory against Barry Hawkins.

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Ulster make wholesale changes for Treviso

Mark Anscombe has made seven changes to the Ulster team for tomorrow evening's RaboDirect PRO12 game against Benetton Treviso at Ravenhill.

Paddy Jackson and Darren Cave are named in the backline, while Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Declan Fitzpatrick, Lewis Stevenson and Mike McComish return to the pack.

Head coach Anscombe has also made three positional changes, the most notable of which sees captain John Afoa switch from tight-head to loose-head prop. It will be the first time that Afoa has started for Ulster at loose-head.

Andrew Trimble moves from outside centre to his more familiar position on the right wing, while Michael Allen switches flanks and will start at number 11.

Nigel Brady, Callum Black, Neil McComb and Ali Birch drop to the bench alongside Ricky Lutton, Paul Marshall, Niall O'Connor and Chris Cochrane.

Commenting on the selection, Anscombe said: "It is good to give the guys who are on the periphery of the international team some game time. We welcome them back and with the experience that they bring, they will only strengthen our side."

Ulster XV to play Benetton Treviso: R Andrew, A Trimble, D Cave, S Olding, M Allen, P Jackson, R Pienaar; J Afoa, R Herring, D Fitzpatrick, L Stevenson, D Tuohy, I Henderson, M McComish, R Diack.

Replacements: N Brady, C Black, R Lutton, N McComb, A Birch, P Marshall, N O'Connor, C Cochrane.

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Dunphy: Chelsea role was never right for Benitez

Eamon Dunphy believes that Rafa Benitez should not have taken the role as temporary boss at Chelsea.

His comments came after the Spaniard launched a broadside at a section of the Chelsea fans following the FA Cup victory over Middlesbrough on Wednesday.

He also expressed his disappointment at the title of 'interim manager' that he assumed following the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo and subsequently revealed that he will be leaving the London club at the end of the season.

Speaking to RTÉ Sport, Dunphy, while accepting that Benitez is a manager with a good track record, said taking the Chelsea job for a short period while the club is in transition was not the best move.

He explained: "Benitez's rant is borne out by frustration. His record as a coach, while not unblemished, is a good one. He has a strong personality.

"However, he shouldn't have accepted that job at Chelsea on the basis he'd only be doing it for seven months – it's a poisoned chalice! What's going on there is akin to a soap opera.

"Chelsea FC describe him as their interim manager and he complained about that – insofar it weakened his position. He is caught in a soap opera. The owner makes all the big decisions with regard to the players.

"Only a few weeks ago, Frank Lampard – a great servant to the club - was offered a new contract after months of speculation about his future.

"Then you have John Terry not starting against Manchester City last weekend. Benitez chose David Luiz instead – but I think it was Roman Abramovich's call."

Dunphy continued: "Quite simply, Chelsea is not a club you want to manage. Pep Guardiola snubbed them recently by opting for the Bayern Munich job. I doubt if any self-respecting coach will want the Chelsea job.

"I won't be surprised if Benitez's contract is terminated before the end of the season.

"Chelsea are a club in transition. I think the owner wants a clean sweep; a new style of play. The likes of Lampard, Terry and Ashley Cole will not be there for much longer."

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Sexton and Ryan rated 50/50 to face France

Jonathan Sexton and Donnacha Ryan have not yet been ruled out of playing against France in the RBS 6 Nations on Saturday week.

Sexton has been suffering with a hamstring picked up in the defeat to England on 10 February, while Ryan received a bruised shoulder during the frustrating loss to Scotland last Sunday. He is currently undergoing rehab.

The Irish management have said the chances of the duo playing against the French are currently 50/50.

In other news from the camp, Craig Gilroy has a groin injury. It is not a tear and he is expected to train fully next week.

Mike McCarthy's medial knee ligament injury has progressed well to the point that he is also running and he will be retested at the end of the week to assess his availability for the Aviva Stadium clash.

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Melling Chase return for Flemenstar

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 27 Februari 2013 | 23.06

Flemenstar is being prepared for a return to action at Aintree's John Smith's Grand National meeting in April after recovering from a lung infection.

Connections are eyeing the John Smith's Melling Chase over two and a half miles for the eight-year-old, who was found to be under the weather when beaten by Sir Des Champs in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown earlier this month.

The setback was enough to rule Flemenstar out of the Cheltenham Festival, but trainer Peter Casey reports the Stephen Curran-owned gelding to be back in full work.

"He's grand now, not a bother. He's been doing his work every day now for nearly a fortnight," said Casey.

"We're heading for Liverpool and the big two-and-a-half mile chase. He's in great form."

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Benitez focused on Cup progression

Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez insists nothing will deflect his focus from helping the squad secure a successful end to a turbulent season.

The Blues head to Middlesbrough on Wednesday evening for their FA Cup fifth-round clash on the back of a 2-0 Premier League defeat at Manchester City, which saw the Blues slip to fourth in the table - two points ahead of Arsenal - after Tottenham's late win at West Ham on Monday.

Benitez played down reports of a heated exchange in training between him and senior players, led by captain John Terry, insisting it was very much "normal talk", and stressed his relationship with the group was "fantastic".

Despite the negative headlines, not to mention less than warm welcome from some supporters since the former Liverpool manager replaced Roberto di Matteo in November, the Spaniard remains focused on the job in hand.

"You are professional and you know, more or less, how things are going here in terms of what happens if you lose or win, but I have to do my job, which is to beat Middlesbrough," Benitez said.

"Me and my staff have been working really hard at 100% to get the right balance and right team on the pitch" - Rafael Benitez

"I will be working hard until the end. Me and my staff have been working really hard at 100 per cent to get the right balance and right team on the pitch.

"The players know how hard we are working, that is the main thing.

"They are clever enough and realise they will be here with long contracts, so they have to perform and be ready if they want to stay at the maximum level, for example, in the Champions League."

Chelsea have dropped 13 points out of 24 this year, winning just six of their 15 games in all competitions.

Benitez accepts if Chelsea are to hold off a late challenge from Arsenal or aim to overtake Spurs, then consistency will be key.

"We have had a lot of very good games this year and we have a very good group of players. If we do the things we have to do, we can win against anyone," he said.

"This team finished sixth last year. We have to fight now for the top three.

"This is a good team with good players. Our target is to finish in the top four, top three. We will see."

Benitez added: "We have played with quality and the lads are training hard, so it is not a problem.

"I like to talk with them every day, and they are all convinced we would finish in the top three."

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James McClean closes his Twitter account

Sunderland midfielder James McClean has closed down his Twitter account after finding himself embroiled in further controversy.

The Derry-born player made the move after sparking an angry response when he tweeted about a Wolfe Tones song, the Broad Black Brimmer, at the weekend.

The song tells the story of a boy whose father is killed fighting for the IRA during the War of Independence.

McClean's post attracted criticism from DUP MP Gregory Campbell, who advised the 23-year-old to "stick to football".

McClean has previously been abused on the social networking site after opting to play for the Republic of Ireland rather than Northern Ireland, and for his decision not to wear a Remembrance Day poppy on his shirt.

He also landed himself in hot water with international manager Giovanni Trapattoni after expressing his disgust at being left out of the team for the World Cup qualifier in Kazakhstan in September, and later issued an apology to the Italian.

Club boss Martin O'Neill has also been less than happy with the player's use of Twitter and will hope his latest withdrawal from the site is permanent.

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MCC backs Twenty20 Olympic inclusion

The MCC World Cricket committee are backing the inclusion of Twenty20 cricket at the 2024 Olympic Games, believing it could lead to "a potential boost" in the profile of the sport.

Cricket would have to apply to be on the programme for future Olympics, but has got through the first stage of selection having received full Olympic recognition in 2010.

The earliest the International Cricket Council can apply to be part of the Olympics is for the 2024 Games.

The MCC World Cricket Committee - which acts as a complementary body to ICC - met in Auckland over the past two days and although they admit it would cost the game financially, feel the positives of being an Olympic sport make up for such losses.

The statement read: "The MCC World Cricket committee appreciates that a great deal of effort may be needed to lobby for the inclusion of cricket in the Olympic Games of 2024.

"The committee accepts that, were cricket to be played in the Olympics, there would be a short-term loss in income for the ICC, and therefore for dispersion to its members, but is impressed with the potential boost for the game worldwide if cricket were to be included.

"Furthermore, the committee advocates Twenty20 cricket as the format to be played at the Olympics, thereby providing the 'pinnacle' of that form of the sport."

International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge has, in the past encouraged the sport to put forward a case for its inclusion, saying in in 2011: "We would welcome an application. It's an important, popular sport and very powerful on television.

"It's a sport with a great tradition where mostly you have a respect of the ethics."

Only once before has cricket appeared in the Games - in 1900, when Britain were beaten by France, while there was also a cricket tournament at the 1998 Commonwealth Games.

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Mayo still without Dillon and O'Connor

Alan Dillon and Cillian O'Connor will both be absentees for Mayo when they face Dublin in the Allianz Football League at Croke Park on Saturday.

Dillon did come on as a late substitute in the defeat to Tyrone on 10 February, but suffered a recurrence of a long-term injury and has not trained since.

Fellow Ballintubber player, O'Connor broke his collarbone while playing a club league game last October and was only set to resume training this week.

Better news for the Connacht champions is that Donal Vaughan, Colm Boyle and Richie Feeney have recovered from injury setbacks and will line out against the Dubs.

Vaughan and Boyle make up the half-back line alongside Lee Keegan, while Feeney is named at No 12.

James Horan's side went down by a point to Tyrone, a week after they secured an opening day in the league after beating Kerry and will be looking for a third consecutive win over their Leinster opponents at the weekend.

Mayo XV to play Dublin in Allianz FL at Croke Park on Saturday 2 March, throw-in 7.00pm:

1 Kenneth O'Malley, 2 Chris Barrett, 3 Ger Cafferkey, 4 Keith Higgins, 5 Lee Keegan, 6 Donal Vaughan, 7 Colm Boyle, 8 Jason Gibbons, 9 Barry Moran, 10 Kevin McLoughlin, 11 Aidan O'Shea, 12 Richie Feeney, 13 Enda Varley, 14 Jason Doherty, 15 Michael Conroy

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Rodgers feels Sterling needs rest

Liverpool's 18-year-old winger Raheem Sterling is tired and needs to be rested after an energy-sapping breakthrough season in the Premier League according to manager Brendan Rodgers.

The Jamaican-born youngster, who signed a lucrative new contract in December, has made 35 first-team appearances this campaign but has only started one of Liverpool's last six matches.

Sterling won admiration, and a senior England cap, for his ability to skip away from tackles and leave defenders for dead with his scorching pace but has looked jaded recently.

"It's just a very physically demanding league and what you're seeing now is more tiredness of the legs when before he could go up to people and take them on," Rodgers said on the club website (www.liverpoolfc.com).

"That zip has gone and that's down to fatigue. Was that to be expected? Yes it was."

Sterling joined Liverpool as a 15-year-old from Queens Park Rangers and made his senior debut as a substitute against Wigan Athletic in March 2012.

He nailed down a regular starting spot at the start of this season and made his England debut in a friendly against Sweden in November.

"This is a kid we're talking about so we have to take a wee step back," Rodgers added.

"What he's done since he stepped onto the pitch against Leverkusen in a friendly to Manchester City, as a 17-year-old, I dare you to look around Europe and tell me a 17-year-old who has made an impact in one of the big leagues. There aren't many.

"It is so mentally and physically draining this league. It hurts experienced professionals and this boy has just stepped up from the Academy and played football and earned a contract off that.

"We have to nurture that and at times he's got to have that mentality to keep learning. I was talking to him the other day about this, and if he didn't kick another ball this season he's had a good one."

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Europe team to make late Cheltenham decision

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 26 Februari 2013 | 23.06

A decision on Sizing Europe's target at Cheltenham is set to be left until the last moment.

Henry de Bromhead's stable star holds engagements in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the longer Ryanair Chase.

Should connections opt for the Queen Mother, he would be attempting to regain the crown he won in 2011 and was second in last year.

De Bromhead told The Irish Times: "Strong cases can be made for both races and myself, and Alan and Ann (Potts, owners) will have to sit down and discuss everything much closer to the time.

"But we will leave it late. I don't want to give any indication either way because I don't know. Things can change day-to-day.

"It's looking unlikely that the ground will be soft at Cheltenham but if it did turn up soft or heavy, then that could make the two miles and five of the Ryanair less likely. So we will leave everything until closer to the time."

Sizing Europe can be backed at 7-1 for the Queen Mother behind red-hot favourite Sprinter Sacre, and 6-1 for the Ryanair.

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Wallace facing lengthy spell on sidelines

Paddy Wallace is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after it was confirmed that he has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament.

The Ireland and Ulster centre sustained the knee injury during Friday night's RaboDirect PRO12 defeat against Glasgow at Scotstoun.

The news was confirmed following a scan yesterday and Wallace will now require surgery and a significant period of rehabilitation.

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O'Sullivan will defend his World Snooker title

Ronnie O'Sullivan has ended his sabbatical from snooker and announced he will defend his world title.

O'Sullivan said in November that he would not compete for the rest of the season, ruling out another crack at the World Championship this year, but he today went back on that decision.

The 37-year-old, appearing at a press conference in central London, said he will take part in the tournament at the Crucible, which begins on April 20.

And he insists he can be a contender, despite his lack of match practice.

O'Sullivan said: "I just thought it was time to come back. I have a different perspective now.

"I am used to being written off. I know how good I am and that I can do this."

O'Sullivan, widely regarded as the most talented player in the history of the sport, has played just once since winning his fourth world title last May - a drab loss to the unheralded Simon Bedford at a minor tournament in Gloucester.

With the entry deadline for this season's World Championship falling on Thursday, he has made his choice just in time and World Snooker have confirmed he will be in the line-up, beginning his campaign on the opening morning of the tournament.

There was speculation that O'Sullivan might call it a day for good, but the Chigwell-based cueman will instead start among the favourites as he targets a fifth Crucible crown.

"This is a massive challenge but I see this as the start of a bigger picture" - Ronnie O'Sullivan

The loss to Bedford was his only competitive outing since beating Ali Carter at Sheffield in May, and despite his November address saying he needed a break, he today admitted to being bored.

"Three or four months ago I was sitting thinking that I would rather be losing 10-0 in Sheffield to be back playing, rather than going for lunch, dinner and chilling out," he said.

"I got bored and had to get back to playing, winning or losing, and it shows how big a part of my life snooker is.

"I feel refreshed, I was never out of juice. I needed to take some time out, but not too much time, and I had it in the back of my mind that I would come back to playing snooker, but I needed to come back with a clear head."

O`Sullivan has been playing on the Snooker Legends tour with long-time friend Jimmy White, but that is as far as he has gone.

With that in mind, he knows how difficult it will be for him to get up to speed for his opening match, which will come on the first morning of the tournament.

"I`ve played three or four exhibitions but I`ve played 10 days in nine months," he added.

"I`ve potted lots of balls, but I`m match rusty. I`ve not played matches in tense situations and it`s going to be a tough course with no practice.

"You can never replicate match situations anywhere else. This is a massive challenge but I see this as the start of a bigger picture."

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O'Driscoll: Ireland must be more clinical

by Brendan Cole

Brian O'Driscoll has criticised Ireland's discipline and the failure to keep the scoreboard ticking over when in the ascendancy during the RBS 6 Nations defeat to Scotland on Sunday.

Ireland dominated possession and territory but a failure to convert opportunities after Craig Gilroy's try put them eight points ahead. The concession of key penalties in the second half saw Scotland claw themselves back to grab a victory that even they could hardly believe.

Commenting on the match, O'Driscoll told RTÉ Sport's Jacqui Hurley: "It's a Test match we should never have lost. In Test rugby if you don't take those chances teams are able to stay with you.

"They grow in confidence, and that's exactly what's happened with Scotland. The indiscipline in the second half killed us. They kicked their goals, and the rest is history unfortunately."

O'Driscoll did not shy away from criticising team-mates for conceding needless penalties after Ireland had failed to turn their dominance into points, referring to the fact that the players are well aware of what to expect from referees.

He said: "It's not as though we are going into games blind. We know what to expect from referees. The stupid ones that you wouldn't see at schoolboy level are unacceptable.

"You just can't have that. I think the guys that were responsible for them know that and feel silly for having given them away."

But Ireland's problems go deeper than their indiscipline.Team captain Jamie Heaslip opted not to go for kicks at goal on two occasions in the first half, and Ireland subsequently failed to score with attempted lineout mauls, allowing Scotland off the hook.

O'Driscoll, who was Ireland captain until last November, said: "You have to keep the scoreboard ticking over when you have momentum and territory. When you have pressure on the opposition, you need to put points on the board."

Asked Ireland's decision making on the field, he added: "I can help Jamie when he needs it, that's what I'm there for. I'm a senior player, albeit not captain any more. But I'll certainly add my tuppence worth in certain situations.

"Ultimately, I have to respect that he is the captain and that he has the final call on those decisions. That's the way we are working it. I don't see how anything is going to change in that regard."

The out-half selection has also been the subject of much comment since Ireland's defeat. And while while Jackson missed three of four attempts at goal, O'Driscoll was quick to praise the impact he and fellow Ulsterman Luke Marshall had in general play.

He said: "Paddy didn't have a brilliant day with his goalkicking but I thought the rest of his game was exceptionally good. He ran it well, he took the ball to the line himself, he put people through gaps.

"Himself and Luke in the centre acquitted themselves really well. Paddy is a lovely footballer. He threatens himself and brings defenders onto him. He had a lot of really good involvements."

O'Driscoll also refused to be drawn on Declan Kidney's future, which has been the subject of much speculation since the defeat.

He said: "We have two games left in this Six Nations. I know Declan is contracted until after the summer tour. If we are looking beyond that now, we are in trouble.

"We have got ourselves in a hole having started so well, and then the last two games have been so disappointed. We need to focus on France next week and not concern ourselves with what is going to happen in future.

"We need to dig in collectively as management and as a squad and start focussing on our next game because beyond that there is not much to worry us if we continue to keep losing games."

He did, however, agree with full-back Rob Kearney that the head coach could not be blamed for Ireland's failure to take opportunities.

He said: "Declan's not responsible for us not being clinical and not taking opportunities. He doesn't have any hand or say in that. From that point of view it has to be put firmly on the players."

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Benitez playing down player bust-up

Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez has played down reports of a bust-up with his players - insisting it was business as usual ahead of tomorrow's FA Cup fifth-round tie at Middlesbrough.

Reports have emerged of a heated exchange between Benitez and the Blues squad, led by captain John Terry, in the wake of their 2-0 Barclays Premier League defeat at Manchester City.

However, the Spaniard maintained there were no issues with any of his senior men as they look to secure a positive end to the season.

"This was a normal meeting between players and technical staff, which happens after every game, it was normal talk, nothing else. You show your disappointment, that is normal," Benitez said.

"I can understand the frustrations of Terry, he is an important player for us and has been injured with his knee.

"It was very brief exchange of ideas, and that is it, nothing else. It is just a team talk after a defeat.

"We had a meeting on the pitch with my players and technical staff, which is part of our business.

"Now we have to move on and start thinking about Middlesbrough."

Asked about his relationship with the Chelsea players, Benitez said: "It is fantastic. I have no problem."

Benitez maintains everyone is united at the club to make sure they end the campaign on a positive note, having slipped down to third in the table following Tottenham's late win at West Ham last night.

"They are a good group of players, working hard and keen to learn. They were disappointed like me with the defeat, but that's it," he said.

"(We want to finish in the) top three, it is really important for us but, being a top side, we have to try and win every game.

"Middlesbrough were doing really well, but they have also had some games with problems.

"They have a good manager and a good team. They will give everything in the FA Cup, so it will be difficult."

With Chelsea continuing their progress in Europe, a replay in the FA Cup would be the last thing they need, should the Blues fail to set up a quarter-final tie with Manchester United at the first time of asking.

Benitez, though, maintains the team will only be looking to the next match on what is fast becoming a packed fixture list.

"We will try to win, for sure, that would be better, no? In my head, the only thing is just to win," he said.

"The team that has played more games in Europe is Chelsea, but we have to carry on and manage the squad as well as we can.

"It is not ideal, but it is something we have to do.

"We have done it in the past with top sides and we will do the same."

Centre-back Gary Cahill has a virus, while full-back Cesar Azpilicueta has "discomfort in his leg", so Benitez will have to make some adjustments in defence.

Terry played for the Blues against Sparta Prague in their Europa League last-32 second-leg clash last week, but Benitez warned the former England skipper must continue to be carefully managed.

"He had the plan before and we have to decide (what is best)," Benitez said.

"He was training (today) and could finish the training session today, so he could play (at Middlesbrough)."

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Conor O'Shea rules himself out of Ireland job

Conor O'Shea today removed himself from the running to become Ireland's next head coach by confirming his intention to continue as Harlequins' director of rugby.

Declan Kidney's future in a post he has held since 2008 because even more uncertain after Sunday's 12-8 RBS 6 Nations defeat by Scotland.

Kidney's contract with the IRFU expires in the summer and there are big questions over whether or not it will be renewed.

O'Shea had been installed as the favourite to succeed Kidney, who is facing calls for his removal from supporters and pundits, but the 42-year-old sees his future at Harlequins.

"I'm contracted to Harlequins until the end of the 2013-14 season. I will be honouring that commitment and hopefully continuing beyond it," the RTÉ analyst said.

Since winning the Grand Slam in 2009 in his first Six Nations as head coach, Ireland's fortunes have fluctuated under Kidney with the quarter-final defeat by Wales at the World Cup two years ago the lowest ebb.

The current championship began with a promising victory over Wales in Cardiff, but subsequent defeats to England and Scotland have raised grave concerns over the tactics, leadership and execution.

Kidney has been criticised for relieving Brian O'Driscoll of the captaincy in favour of Jamie Heaslip before the Six Nations began with the Leinster number eight struggling in the role.

The choice of Paddy Jackson ahead of Ronan O'Gara, Ireland's most capped player, as the replacement for hamstring injury victim Jonathan Sexton at Murrayfield was also condemned.

While Jackson made a solid debut in open play, he missed eight points from the kicking tee, a critical number in a four-point defeat. However, O'Gara's poor form hardly warranted his selection.

Ireland have been depleted by injury and suspension - they were missing seven guaranteed starters in Edinburgh - but even allowing for their absentees, their performances against England and Scotland were dismal.

The IRFU have remained silent to date, but there are still doubts as to whether Kidney can continue as head coach beyond the Six Nations, even if France and Italy are dispatched in the remaining two games.

Behind O'Shea in the bookmakers' running is Ireland Under-20 coach Mike Ruddock, the former Wales boss, and Leinster's Joe Schmidt.

23.06 | 0 komentar | Read More

Long not looking for move from Baggies

Written By Unknown on Senin, 25 Februari 2013 | 23.06

Shane Long has pledged his future to West Brom for next season - and hopes he can continue his successful partnership with on-loan Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku.

The Republic of Ireland international has been in fine form this season and at the centre of speculation linking him with a possible move away from the Hawthorns.

But Long, who made the £5million switch from Reading during the summer of 2011, is happy with life under head coach Steve Clarke.

"Am I committed to West Brom for next season? Yes, I'm happy here," said the striker.

"I like playing for the manager here. He is very good, and I'm learning a lot every week.

"The lads are a good bunch, the family are happy up here, so I'm not looking to move on.

"I'm concentrating on this season and hopefully getting a few more goals before the summer and kicking on from there."

"The lads are a good bunch, the family are happy up here, so I'm not looking to move on" - Shane Long

Nine-goal Long and Lukaku, who has been on target 12 times, have been key players in seventh-placed Albion's push for a Europa League spot.

Long is surprised Chelsea did not recall him during January but hopes the 19-year-old will return on loan to West Brom next season.

He said: "They paid £18million for him. I thought they'd bring him in with a view to bringing him off the bench and giving him games and forcing his way into the team.

"I suppose with Demba Ba coming in there, rather than having Rom sitting in the reserves at Chelsea it is better to put him on loan to us, playing games every week and showing what he can do.

"Hopefully he will come back next season."

Long's immediate concern is an ankle injury suffered during Saturday's 2-1 home win over Sunderland, which led to him being substituted.

He said: "In the first half I rolled it and I managed to do it two or three times afterwards, so the gaffer wanted to spare me for next week (at Chelsea).

"It didn't feel the best after the game but hopefully I can get a better assessment in the next couple of days."

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Cody content with Kilkenny attitude despite loss

Brian Cody maintained there were positives be be taken from Kilkenny's defeat to Galway in the Allianz Hurling League on Sunday.

The Cats were beaten 3-11 to 0-17 at Pearse Stadium after a flurry of first-half goals from the Tribesmen left them with a mountain to climb.

Despite a spirited showing, they failed to claw back the deficit and the Kilkenny manager said their attitude was something he could take from the match.

Cody told RTÉ Sport: "It was a very competitive game from start to finish. Obviously the difference was they got three goals and we didn't get any goals.

"That was a huge lift for them I suppose but we kept at it. We kept plugging away and pulled it back with points and that.

"At the end we were still fighting to get that equaliser. Overall we're happy with the attitude and the general run of the game but disappointed obviously not to win and to concede three goals.

"The lads themselves will be disappointed to concede three goals – that happens and at this time of the year things like that can happen when you haven't much hurling done.

"We haven't much done so we'll be hoping we can tighten up on that," he added.

WATCH HIGHLIGHTS ON LEAGUE SUNDAY (IoI)

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Monty says golf in danger over putting ban

Colin Montgomerie has warned of the dangers golf faces now that the PGA Tour in America has said it is against the proposed ban on anchored putters.

"This has opened up a whole new can of worms," Europe's former Ryder Cup captain said.

"It's a very dangerous situation we are getting ourselves into and I do hope they can sort this out very, very quickly."

The sport's ruling bodies face one of their most difficult decisions ever in the coming weeks.

The Royal and Ancient Club and United States Golf Association had announced their intentions in November after three of the last five major championships were won by Ernie Els, Webb Simpson and Keegan Bradley using long putters.

But their final decision on whether to impose the ban from 2016 was delayed, probably until next month, to allow for all interested parties to let their feelings be known.

"You can't point to one negative impact of anchoring" - Tim Finchem

Now they know, with Tour commissioner Tim Finchem revealing that 13 of the 15 members of his Player Advisory Council were not in favour of the ban.

The PGA of America has also stated objections, believing such a move is not in the best interests of the game.

"I thought, as we all did, that the rules of golf were set by the R&A and the USGA. Tim Finchem has obviously thought otherwise," added Montgomerie on Sky Sports.

"Whether the European Tour think that or not has to be debated too.

"I think we should go with what the R&A and USGA feel. Whether the long putter should have been banned 20 years ago or not, it should be banned now.

"We should abide by that. To now go against that and say 'my players aren't going to go by that' then what happens when you come to USGA events or the British Open?

"Does that mean you have to use a different club?

"He's said 'we abide by the rules of golf, but I think we are going to change this one'.

"Does that mean other rules can change as well? We want to play as one under the same rules.

"The R&A and USGA have served the game of golf for a long, long time and long may that continue."

"Does that mean other rules can change as well?" - Colin Montgomerie

What the PGA Tour has not done yet, however, is say what it will do if the ban is approved.

Finchem said: "I don't know because we have, I think carefully and intentionally, avoided at this point getting into a discussion about that issue.

"We have not even begun that discussion.

"This is a very subjective area. Everybody has an opinion about it and we certainly respect everybody's opinion.

"The PGA of America has concluded that it will hurt the game with certain numbers of amateurs. We agree with that.

"One thing we know for sure on the professional side is the professional game globally is stronger than it's ever been today and that on the heels of having anchoring as part of it for the last 30 or 40 years.

"It certainly hasn't been a negative. You can't point to one negative impact of anchoring."

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Ford expected to face Wales

Scotland hooker Ross Ford should be fit to face Wales in a fortnight despite having to have his face patched up following the side's RBS 6 Nations win over Ireland.

The Edinburgh front-row forward retired early in the second-half of yesterday's 12-8 victory over Ireland at Murrayfield after picking up a facial injury.

But the Scots' medical team say the stitched-up 66-time capped player will have his part to play when the Welsh visit Murrayfield on Saturday 9 March.

Scotland team doctor James Robson said: "Fordy suffered severe facial lacerations, we believe as a result of a collision or collisions.

"Ross was treated at Murrayfield, then one of our matchday doctors, Gerry Haggerty, took him to St John's Hospital in Livingston, where he was cared for by one of their plastic surgery specialists.

"He received multiple stitches to the wound and was able to return to the team hotel last night.

"Our expectation is that with ongoing good care and attention to the wound, Ross should be available for consideration for the Scotland v Wales game."

The Scotland medical staff, Dr Robson and physiotherapists Paul McGinley and Stephen Mutch, will continue to assess the remainder of the squad over the next 24 hours.

However, Dr Robson added: "Despite the rigours of yesterday's Test match, the rest of the squad appears in rude health today. As usual, they will continue to be medically monitored over the next few days."

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O'Callaghan: We feel ashamed

Donncha O'Callaghan admitted Ireland felt "a bit ashamed" by yesterday's 12-8 RBS 6 Nations defeat to Scotland at Murrayfield.

Four penalties from Greig Laidlaw sent the Irish crashing to their second defeat of the championship, destroying any faint hope they had of challenging for the title.

O'Callaghan insisted the players should only look at themselves for an explanation of their latest implosion.

"This will dent our confidence and we must be honest with each other. It wasn't good enough by us today. We're not at Test level to learn, but to win," the Lions and Munster lock said.

"You can look around at other people, but it's man-in-the-mirror time. No fingers are being pointed. That first win in Cardiff does feel like a long time ago.

"Playing for your country is special but you need to get results. You need that buzz, but this feeling is horrible.

"You feel like you've let everyone down and that's the worst part. You're a bit ashamed and that's the way the players were in the dressing room.

"No one was eyeballing each other, everyone's just scurrying around the place. It's a horrible way to spend the next few weeks."

Ireland dominated territory and possession by 71% and 77%, while Scotland's tackle count was 128 to their 44, yet they still left Edinburgh with a chastening defeat.

Next up are winless France, their nemesis over the past decade, in what has become a must-win encounter.

"It's a hard defeat to take, a hugely disappointing one. We're gutted and feel a bit empty," O'Callaghan said.

"When you have that much territory and possession, you have to come away with more. But we were confident at half-time that we'd knocked some of the wind out of them.

"When winning moments are there you have to be good enough to take them, but we came up short in that.

"We can take pride in our defence. We could have stayed out there all day and they wouldn't have scored a try.

"It's a hollow feeling because we implemented our game plan without getting any reward, which is down to the players because sometimes you have to find a way.

"We badly need a result and to get to the Aviva Stadium. We need to get home and find what we need."

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Kearney defends under-fire Kidney

Ireland full-back Rob Kearney insists only the players can be held accountable for a troubled RBS 6 Nations campaign that appears to be doing terminal harm to the reign of head coach Declan Kidney.

A logic-defying 12-8 defeat against Scotland yesterday meant Kidney suffered back-to-back championship setbacks for the first time and his chances of securing a contract extension beyond the summer seem bleak.

Supporters angry at seeing a team that began the Six Nations so brightly in Cardiff implode amid baffling tactics, erratic on-field leadership and general ineptitude have called for Kidney's removal.

But Kearney points to Ireland's complete dominance in virtually every department in Edinburgh - except on the scoreboard - as an explanation as why the players and not Kidney must accept responsibility

"On a day like that when we had so much possession and created so much, the blame has to be on the players," the Leinster full-back said.

"The coaches can't make that final pass for you or make that clinical decision. The players must take responsibility and must bear the brunt.

"The guys were happy with the gameplan and how we were playing the game. We created opportunities

"The stats show that we played the right way. It was just one of those days when you can't really explain things.

"It was very disappointing as we should have won and as a team we have to take responsibility for that."

"We're all in this together. We must make a statement for Declan, for ourselves and the country."

While there is justification for Kearney's defence of his coach, results alone suggest it is highly implausible that the Irish Rugby Football Union will retain Kidney.

Reports of internal divisions have surfaced and even after mitigation for the number of players lost to injury and suspension, the overall sense of confusion points to a new man being in charge for the summer tour to North America.

Ireland's fortunes could deteriorate further with winless France arriving at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday week for a showdown between the tournament's two biggest flops.

There were tentative signs of a French revival in Saturday's defeat by England - despite the best efforts of their meddling coach Philippe Saint-Andre - and it is a fixture that affects the Irish psyche like no other, having triumphed just once in 13 meetings dating back to 2003.

"It's a massive two weeks ahead of us now. We need a big statement against France for ourselves, the jersey and our country. People deserve more," Kearney said.

"It doesn't help that France are zero from three. They will come over as a wounded animal, but we have to be more of one. We really need to fight hard and win that game.

"Losing to England and Scotland has put huge emphasis on this match. A lot is riding on it.

"We're all in this together. We must make a statement for Declan, for ourselves and the country."

The return of Jonathan Sexton is viewed as critical against France, although the hamstring tear suffered against England a fortnight ago could keep him sidelined for longer.

In his absence, Ulster debutant Paddy Jackson showed promise against Scotland, but crucially he missed eight points from the kicking tee in a four-point defeat.

The 21-year-old was replaced for the last 15 minutes by Ronan O'Gara, who then served further notice that his Test career is all but over, but Kearney was encouraged by what he saw.

"Genuinely I thought Paddy did really well. It's not easy for a guy making his debut to kick when he hasn't kicked a huge amount for his province," he said.

"It's a tough ask goalkicking in front of a full stadium at Murrayfield on your debut.

"He will be disappointed with it, but there are a lot more positives to take out of his performance than just his goalkicking.

"You can't hope to win a game on kicks at goal. If we took all the chances we created but still missed our kicks, we would have won."

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Ragged McDowell knocked out by Day

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 24 Februari 2013 | 23.06

Graeme McDowell paid the price for some ragged play as he was knocked out of the Accenture World Match Play in Tucso by Australian Jason Day.

McDowell had earlier come through against the Republic of Ireland's Shane Lowry - the same man who made waves when he dumped McDowell's compatriot and world number one Rory McIlroy in the first round.

But in truth he was some way short of his best throughout the day.

Two birdies in the first three holes against Day briefly gave him hope of winning though but it was not to be.

He looked at sea at times on the back nine - a loose tee shot here, a lack of finesse at the greens there and plenty of apparent frustration.

A player in better touch than Day would have put him away earlier, but as it was he took the lead for the first time at hole 11.

McDowell got back on terms at 14, lost the next hole and then rallied again at 16.

A bogey-five at 17 was the final nail in his coffin, a missed 10-footer from the sleeve of the green representing his last chance.

Day then made a two-putt to go through.

"Every round feels like the Sunday at a tournament" - Jason Day

The 25-year-old spoke of the pressure of the format as he left the course.

"My head is in a well right now," he told Sky Sports 3.

"It's amazing how much pressure there actually is. Every round feels like the Sunday at a tournament when you're in contention and I've played four now.

"Physically and mentally I'm grinding it out there."

Ian Poulter (below) continued his irresistible form as he led the charge into the semi-finals.

Five months on from his superb Ryder Cup showing and three months since he claimed the HSBC Champions competition in China, the 37-year-old Englishman once again proved his match play prowess on a busy two-round day in Arizona.

Having stormed to a 5&3 win over Tim Clark in the last 16, the 2010 winner reached the last four with a 3&2 over Steve Stricker.

He faces reigning champion Hunter Mahan tomorrow in a mouth-watering contest.

Day's semi-final opponent is Matt Kuchar, who was first to book his place with a 3&2 victory over Robert Garrigus.

It was Poulter who caught the eye, though, making five birdies and an eagle at the par-five eighth to leave Stricker little chance on what proved to be a disappointing 46th birthday.

Poulter himself made no secret of his confidence going into championship day.

"There's lots of world ranking points to play for and a nice trophy sitting over there that I'd quite like to take back home," he told Sky Sports 3.

"The short game is on. I feel really confident round this golf course with a lob wedge in my hand.

"I've holed the right putts at the right times. I've made a couple of mistakes only and it's looking good right now."

Kuchar, who ousted Nicolas Colsaerts 4&3 in his first match of the day, ensured he would see action on the deciding day with a 3&2 success over Garrigus.

Kuchar took the lead at the first hole and did not surrender it throughout the match.

He was three up at the turn and four up after birdying the 10th and although Garrigus won back-to-back holes at 12 and 13, Kuchar was in no mood to let the result slip.

Reigning champion Mahan was the last player to confirm his place in the semi-finals.

He edged a low-key encounter with Webb Simpson with a 1-up win.

Birdies were in short supply from both men who each won a hole on the front nine and were all square again after successes after respective successes at 10 and 13.

Mahan made the decisive move with a birdie three on the 16th and sealed victory with a par on the penultimate green.

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Laverty leads way after opening Superbike race

Aprilia pair Eugene Laverty and Sylvain Guintoli lead the way in the World Superbike Championship after the opening races at Phillip Island in Australia.

Guintoli beat his team-mate to the chequered flag in the first race with his Northern Irish counterpart securing the second.

Guintoli's victory in race one was the fourth of his career, and he secured it by overtaking Laverty on lap 15 and holding off the rest of the field, leaving Laverty and another Aprilia rider, Michel Fabrizio, to battle it out for second.

Laverty waited until the last lap to make the perfect move on the Italian at Lukey Heights to secure the runners-up spot.

Ducati Alstare rider Carlos Checa - who secured pole on Saturday - exited the race after lap 14 after colliding with Marco Melandri, with his injuries forcing him out of the second race.

Laverty ended the second race strongly to join his team-mate at the top of the standings, while Melandri finished third behind Guintoli.

Laverty recorded a fastest lap of one minute 31.168 seconds on lap 20 to pass Melandri and Guintoli to move into first, where he stayed.

(L-R) Sylvain Guintoli, Eugene Laverty, Marco Melandri

23.06 | 0 komentar | Read More

Toure and Tevez on target as City beat Chelsea

Yaya Toure and Carlos Tevez took advantage of a rare Frank Lampard penalty miss to fire Manchester City to their first Barclays Premier League win in a month, as they beat Chelsea 2-0.

Lampard was a kick away from his 200th Chelsea goal when he lined up a second-half spot-kick at the Etihad Stadium but Joe Hart, who stayed on after fouling Demba Ba, saved from his England team-mate.

Yaya Toure made Chelsea pay with a fine finish from inside the area and substitute Tevez made victory certain with a long-range effort late on.

The result reduced Manchester United's lead at the top of the table to 12 points but, perhaps more importantly with the title drifting away, increased City's advantage over third-placed Chelsea to seven.

Both managers had gone into the game under considerable pressure but City boss Roberto Mancini ended it far happier than Chelsea counterpart Rafael Benitez, who suffered more abuse from fans.

Benitez again put Fernando Torres and John Terry on the bench as he looked to drag City into a battle for second place, also restoring Lampard and Ba among six changes.

City were again without captain Vincent Kompany but Mancini opted to flood midfield by handing Jack Rodwell only his third City start with Sergio Aguero alone up front.

He was rewarded with a superb performance from Rodwell, who fully justified his inclusion as he attempts to ignite his City career after injury troubles.

He played a part in a positive start by City, who had their first shot within 40 seconds as Yaya Toure took aim from the edge of the area but Petr Cech saved easily.

City controlled possession with David Silva looking to pull the strings, Yaya Toure getting forward at every opportunity and Rodwell making several powerful runs.

It was some time before Chelsea threatened, but after initially being beaten, Kolo Toure recovered well to cut off Ba's counter-attack.

Despite their early dominance, it was 15 minutes before City really tested Cech as Matija Nastasic went forward for a corner but the goalkeeper dealt with the Serbian's powerful header.

Rodwell had a shot blocked by Gary Cahill and Silva played in Aguero but the Argentinian overran the ball.

Lampard, looking to reach that double century by scoring for a fourth successive Premier League game, had his first sight of goal from a 30-yard free-kick but blazed well over.

The game became scrappy as Chelsea tried to regain some control and Ramires was booked for a late challenge on Yaya Toure.

City continued to look the more creative and another good chance came as Aguero pulled back a James Milner cross and Pablo Zabaleta's powerful volley was headed away by Cahill.

Rodwell then tested Cech twice in just over a minute, first forcing the keeper to tip over a powerful 25-yard drive and then heading into his arms from the resulting corner.

City went into the second half with the same determination but Aguero's acrobatic volley from Silva's cross went well wide.

The game's pivotal moment came in the 50th minute as City switched off at the back and Ba raced on to a long ball from deep.

Ba shrugged off Kolo Toure and clipped the ball past the out-rushing Hart but was brought down as he got tangled in the goalkeeper's legs.

Referee Andre Marriner immediately pointed to the spot but importantly felt Ba was just moving away from goal and did not show Hart a card.

Hart made the most of the reprieve to earn instant redemption by saving from Lampard, who had scored his last 10 spot-kicks, low to his right.

He was in action again seconds later to deal with the resulting corner and City set about making sure Chelsea paid for missing their chance.

Surprisingly, Mancini opted to replace the influential Rodwell with Tevez but the resulting change in shape gave Chelsea more to think about.

The game opened up as Aguero raced through from a Milner pass and chipped just over before Ramires almost exposed Kolo Toure on the counter at the other end.

City made the decisive breakthrough just after the hour.

Milner found Silva in the box with a clever reverse pass and his pull-back found Yaya Toure on the edge of the area.

The Ivorian still had much to do but his first two touches took out two defenders and gave him space to curl a superb low finish beyond Cech and in at the far post.

Chelsea made a double change in response with Lampard, after a frustrating game by recent standards, making way along with Eden Hazard for Victor Moses and Oscar.

The changes did not bear fruit and it was not long before Torres was introduced for Mikel.

But it was City's substitute Tevez who made the most dramatic impact, putting the game beyond the visitors with a superb strike from outside the area five minutes from time.

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Careless Ireland undone in Murrayfield

Despite having an abundance of possession, Ireland failed to convert numerous chances and went down to a careless defeat to Scotland on a 12-8 scoreline.

More to follow....

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Galway down Kilkenny at Pearse Stadium

Galway gained some revenge on Kilkenny for their All-Ireland final replay win with victory in their Allianz Hurling League Division 1A opener at Pearse Stadium.

Three Galway goals in the second quarter from Davy Glennon, Niall Healy and Damien Hayes – all stemming from direct ball from Joe Canning – set up the win and gave Galway a 3-04 to 0-10 lead at the break.

A scrappy start to the second-half from the All-Ireland champions saw Richie Hogan miss two relatively simple frees as Galway held on for a great win to get their season off to a flyer by winning 3-11 to 0-17.

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Magpies come from behind to lower Saints

Alan Pardew got the win he craved as Newcastle fought back to beat former club Southampton 4-2.

They fell behind to Morgan Schneiderlin's third-minute strike, but Moussa Sissoko's third goal for the club and a superb Papiss Cisse volley gave them the advantage at the break.

Rickie Lambert, a player who was given his Saints chance by Pardew, levelled five minutes into the second half, but Yohan Cabaye's 67th-minute penalty and a Jos Hooiveld own goal 11 minutes from time ensured that the points stayed on Tyneside.

It was France day at St James' Park today as Newcastle celebrated the seven-man Gallic influence within their squad, but it was an eighth compatriot who was first to make his mark on the game when Schneiderlin thumped home after Lambert had headed down Jack Cork's deep cross.

The Saints started with a high tempo as they pressed their hosts back deep inside their own half and paid particular attention to midfielder playmaker Cabaye, who was driven further and further towards his won goal by the efforts of Steve Davis and Cork.

However, Newcastle gradually forced their way into the game and might have been level with 15 minutes gone when Cisse set up Sissoko to fire a rasping shot across goal which may have been going just wide, but was too close for keeper Artur Boric not to make sure.

Cisse probably should have equalised three minutes later when the hard-working Yoan Gouffran's shot fell nicely for him on the six-yard line, but as he span, he sliced his effort well wide.

Central defender Steven Taylor saw a back-post header from a 21st-minute Cabaye corner deflected over by Maya Yoshida, but the momentum was very much with Newcastle.

They had to wait until 12 minutes before the break to restore parity, but it was worth waiting for.

Cabaye was starting to find more space and when he played a lovely ball down the line for Gouffran, the wide man twisted and turned his way past full-back Nathaniel Clyne to drill in a cross to which Sissoko applied the decisive touch.

There was better to come, however, with three minutes of the half remaining, and this time it was keeper Rob Elliot, making his Premier League debut, who was the provider.

His clearance sailed over Sissoko as he challenged for it, but sat up nicely for Cisse.

The Senegal international has been going through a difficult spell recently, but his dipping volley seared over the helpless Boruc and went in off the underside of the crossbar to rekindle memories of his glorious 13-goal streak during the second half of last season.

Pardew lost skipper Fabricio Coloccini to injury in stoppage time and sent on Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa in his place, and the newcomer found himself in the firing line within two minutes of the restart.

His foul on Lambert allowed the striker to take aim at goal from the resulting free-kick, and Elliot had to dive full-stretch to his left to save.

The Magpies failed to heed the warning and were made to pay for it three minutes later when Adam Lallana was given time and space down the right and cross for Lambert to steer home the equaliser.

Newcastle were fortunate not to fall behind within three minutes when Lambert climbed highest to meet another Lallana cross, but directed his header wide of the target.

Pardew's men were in some disarray and Elliot was relieved to see a 55th-minute effort from Lallana skid wide of the far post, but they gradually began to impose themselves once again, although without really threatening Boruc's goal.

However, they took the lead once again with 67 minutes played, although perhaps in controversial fashion.

Cabaye picked out Mathieu Debuchy with a fine ball over the top and the full-back's volleyed cross hit Danny Fox on the arm.

Referee Chris Foy pointed to the spot as Southampton's protests counted for nothing, and Cabaye stepped up to send Boruc the wrong way to make it 3-2.

Things got worse for the visitors and Fox in particular with 11 minutes remaining when Fox blasted Davide Santon's cross against Hooiveld and saw the ball fly past the helpless Boruc and into the net.

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Mullen finishes 27th in sprint qualifiers

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 23 Februari 2013 | 23.06

Eoin Mullen has finished 27th in the men's sprint qualifiers at the World Track Cycling Championships in Minsk.

The 27th place finish means Mullen won't advance to the next round, with only the top 24 of 41 riders progressing.

Mullen clocked a time of 10:32.

Ireland's Caroline Ryan will compete in the women's points race this evening at 16:30 Irish time.

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McHugh set for 'great occasion'

When Bradford defender Carl McHugh agreed to get family and friends tickets for tomorrow's showpiece Capital One Cup final against Swansea at Wembley he was not expecting a request for more than 100.

But such is the intrigue in possibly the biggest giant-killing run the game has ever witnessed, a 111-strong posse to be exact will head across the Irish Sea from County Donegal to see their boy play his part as Phil Parkinson's npower League Two side bid to fulfil the impossible dream.

The Bantams will make history tomorrow by becoming the first club from the bottom tier to appear at Wembley in one of English football's major finals.

City supporters camped out overnight in the snow last week outside Valley Parade to snap up the last remaining tickets and almost 32,000 will converge on Wembley to celebrate.

The club's incredible Capital One Cup journey began back in August with a surprise 1-0 win at Notts County in the first round and they trumped that later that same month with a 2-1 victory at Championship high-flyers Watford.

Bradford needed a last-minute goal to force extra time in the third round against Burton before defender Stephen Darby struck the winner and Premier League side Wigan were beaten 4-2 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes in the fourth round before Parkinson's side secured famous wins over Arsenal and Aston Villa, the latter in a two-legged semi-final.

McHugh, 20, who headed home a crucial third goal in the Bantams' 3-1 first-leg win over Villa at Valley Parade in January, said: "I've got 111 friends and family coming over, it's going to be a great occasion, we're all looking forward to it.

"I'm not flying them over, Jesus no! They're making their own way over. They gave me the money and I got tickets for them - I didn't pay for 111 tickets!"

"I've got 111 friends and family coming over, it's going to be a great occasion" - Carl McHugh

Boss Parkinson, installed as Peter Jackson's replacement in August 2011, was given the sole remit of ending the club's six-year stint in the basement division. It did not include a Capital One Cup final appearance at Wembley.

The enormity of his side's feat is not lost on Parkinson and while he expects players, fans and staff to immerse themselves in the unique Wembley atmosphere, the 45-year-old former Colchester, Hull and Charlton manager still has promotion very much on his mind.

Parkinson said: "It's going to be a great occasion and we've got to make sure we savour every moment.

"The fans must remember they could be supporting their club all their lives and never have anything like this.

"We should all be privileged to be involved.

"Everybody needs to understand the position we are in and soak up the atmosphere."

Parkinson, whose side lie seven points adrift of the play-offs with 15 games left, added: "If you go back through history the clubs from the lower divisions who have had good runs in cup competitions find it has a detrimental affect on their league form.

"That has happened to us since the Arsenal game when our form has dipped.

"But I'm convinced about the ability of these players and even after Sunday we still have 15 big games left and we intend to have a real good go."

Bradford will mark the occasion by remembering the fans who died in the Valley Parade fire disaster almost 28 years ago by wearing specially-made tracksuit tops with the number 56 and the words 'Always With Us' embroidered on the front.

23.06 | 0 komentar | Read More

O'Driscoll backs young guns to shine against Scots

Brian O'Driscoll expects Ireland's new caps Paddy Jackson and Luke Marshall to thrive in tomorrow's RBS 6 Nations clash with Scotland at Murrayfield.

The 21-year-old Ulster three-quarters impressed during last autumn's non-cap international against Fiji and have been called up by coach Declan Kidney to replace the injured Jonathan Sexton and Gordon D'Arcy.

It is a bold move by Kidney, but O'Driscoll is backing his midfield partners to seize their opportunity

"The proof will be in the pudding when they get out there, but they're confident guys," the 34-year-old said.

"I certainly don't envisage either of them freezing. They've played in big games.

"They're going to be big game players and lots of players have been dropped into the deep end of Six Nations rugby and survived.

"I'd imagine they'll survive as well with no problems whatsoever."

"I certainly don't envisage either of them freezing. They've played in big games" - Brian O'Driscoll

Jackson and Marshall were just seven when O'Driscoll made his Ireland debut in 1999 and, even though he has been relieved of the captaincy, the Leinster centre knows he still has a crucial role to play in leadership terms.

"I'll try and help the guys along, offering information to Paddy and Luke," he said.

"Sometimes when you come into the set-up it's hard to be vocal and start dominating things, but young need that from your fly-half.

"The more accustomed they are to being in that situation, the more confident they will be when it comes to ordering people around.

"I'll try to take a little bit of pressure off them this weekend."

Marshall revealed earlier this week that he was nine when he started watching O'Driscoll, the veteran of three Lions tours and his new centre partner.

"Luke probably didn't realise what a massive insult to me that was! It's crazy to think that you get to play with guys who were watching you at that young age," O'Driscoll said.

"That's the cycle of rugby - everyone moves on and different players get different opportunities for a variety of different reasons.

"Gordon D'Arcy is out injured for the rest of the competition and that gives Luke the chance to lay down a marker and impress the coaches.

"I've been impressed with what I've seen from him. He's a quiet, fairly unassuming lad who works hard and listens and that's all you can ask for."

Live RBS 6 Nations coverage on RTÉ Two from 2pm on Saturday 23 February and 1.15pm on Sunday 24 February (Scotland v Ireland). Live streaming Ireland only.

Live radio coverage of Scotland v Ireland on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1 from 1.50pm. Live streaming available worldwide.

23.06 | 0 komentar | Read More

Berbatov's sumptuous strike gives Fulham points

A sumptuous volley from Dimitar Berbatov was enough to settle a forgettable encounter as Fulham beat Stoke 1-0 at Craven Cottage.

Berbatov struck his ninth goal of the season on the stroke of half-time after the hosts had dominated possession without truly testing Asmir Begovic.

The volley was head and shoulders above the general quality of the match with Stoke forward Jonathan Walters missing a second-half penalty as Fulham moved to within a point of the Potters in the Barclays Premier League table.

Stoke were the first side to test the opposition goalkeeper as Peter Crouch dropped deep before threading a ball into the run of Walters, who forced Mark Schwarzer into a smart low save.

The hosts then took control of the remainder of the first half with Berbatov firing over the crossbar from six yards after being picked out by the returning Sascha Riether.

Bryan Ruiz had the ball in the back of the net after 11 minutes but was cautioned by referee Lee Probert for clearly using his hand to convert Damien Duff's free-kick.

John Arne Riise forced a decent save out of Begovic as he powered in from the left before rifling in a low shot.

Stoke were lucky to not be reduced to 10 men midway through the first half as Steven Nzonzi, who had taken a knock on the nose in an earlier collision with Berbatov, was booked for shoving Ruiz in the face. Giorgos Karagounis struck the resulting free-kick well and Begovic was forced to tip over.

Fulham remained on top and forced a number of corners which had resulted in very little as Stoke struggled to get the ball out of their own half.

Martin Jol's side almost grabbed the goal their opening 45 minutes of play deserved but Steve Sidwell's long-range effort flew just wide of Begovic's right-hand post.

That goal finally came in first-half stoppage time as Ashkan Dejagah and Riether combined down the left with Riether's cross headed into the path of Berbatov by Robert Huth and the former Manchester United man smashed home a volley of the highest quality.

Crouch almost muscled his way in to level for Stoke as Fulham's Philippe Senderos attempted to shield the ball back to goalkeeper Schwarzer.

Crouch pounced but Schwarzer got to the ball and managed to keep his side ahead.

The visitors were then presented with a great opportunity to equalise 10 minutes into a more even second half.

Probert awarded a penalty as Dejagah blocked Potters' debutant Brek Shea's cross with his arm but Walters hit a tame spot-kick that was easily kept out by Schwarzer.

Berbatov almost doubled his tally with another fantastic effort.

The Bulgarian flicked the ball away from two defenders before firing in another volley with Begovic able to parry it away.

Shea, a first-half introduction for the injured Matthew Etherington, then came close with a half-volley as Stoke started to fight their way back into the match.

Fulham responded well to Stoke's attempts to fashion an equaliser and started to play some football of their own once again.

Karagounis worked a short corner routine with Dejagah before the former Panathinaikos midfielder arrowed a shot just over the crossbar.

Ruiz then wriggled his way into the box before his cross found its way to Sidwell, whose shot was deflected around the post for Fulham's ninth corner of the game.

Nothing came of the set-piece but Fulham survived to win just their second league game since New Year's Day.

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Mullins breaks O'Brien's National Hunt record

Trainer Willie Mullins broke Aidan O'Brien's National Hunt record as an early double at Fairyhouse took his tally to 156 winners for the season.

O'Brien set the mark in the 1995/6 season before turning his attentions to dominating the Flat, but Mullins looks set to obliterate the record with nearly three months of the campaign still to go.

Mullins might have thought he was going to match O'Brien's achievement in the opening Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle but evens favourite Dogora could finish only second.

However, Glens Melody stepped up to the mark with a stylish verdict in the ITBA Fillies Scheme Novice Hurdle to equal the record before Away We Go swooped late and fast in the attheraces.com Exclusive Barry Geraghty Blog Handicap Hurdle to give Mullins a landmark victory.

Mullins said: "The wet summer we had suited us, a lot of our horses are bigger, heavier types and need a good cut in the ground, which we got all summer.

"We had a huge amount of winners by the start of October, when we are only usually starting in other years. We usually have a quiet summer and get going when the weather changes.

"We kept going with a lot of horses we would usually throw out to grass, we kept them in as the ground was right and it worked.

"The horses are in form and hopefully they can stay like that for another couple of weeks."

Paul Townend delivered Away We Go with a perfectly-timed challenge as long-time leader Dazzling Susie faded away after building up a healthy early lead.

However, she proved game enough and fought back again close to the line, but Townend was sitting pretty on the 6-1 shot, winning by half a length.

Away We Go was sporting a tongue-tie and Mullins said: "It made a huge difference, I think, today.

"He seems to like this place and we'll put him in the Irish National. He wouldn't be as well handicapped over fences, but it might be worth a shot at the kind of prize money and we can always come back for those hurdle races."

Townend always looked confident aboard 4-6 favourite Glens Melody in her two-and-a-half-mile heat and she took it up from stablemate Tasitiocht coming down to the last, with only Byerley Babe setting out in pursuit.

Her efforts proved fruitless though as Glens Melody was two and three-quarter lengths too good.

Mullins said: "She is improving away, but she didn't jump particularly well until she had to at the last two.

"She showed a good turn of foot to put it to bed and she stayed on well.

"She'll come back here for the new Grade One mares' hurdle at the (Easter) Festival."

Stocktons Wing (5-4) had earlier outpointed front-runner Dogora to claim the Grade Two Winning Fair Hurdle.

The market indicated it may turn into a two-horse race and so it proved with Mark Walsh biding his time before launching his challenge on the Charles O'Brien-trained winner.

Walsh switched out to challenge at the top of the straight and while Stocktons Wing took a little time to hit top gear, a fine leap at the last saw him edge in front and Dogora had no answer to that final push.

O'Brien is now planning a crack at the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham with his two-and-a-quarter-length winner.

He said: "He has earned his right to travel now as his form is very solid and he jumps very well.

"He is honest, tough and straightforward and the right type to bring to Cheltenham - he's not one to have a nervous breakdown and run like his tail is on fire on the way to the first hurdle!

"He'll enjoy the hustle and bustle and I presume he'll go for the Triumph Hurdle as he'll have a lot of weight in the Fred Winter."

23.06 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ireland easily beat Oman in World League 2

Ireland moved another step closer to progressing as one of the top two finishers from the World League round two in Delhi as they saw off Oman 7-2 in a scrappy affair.

It leaves the Irish in second place in the competition overnight, an outcome which if maintained after Sunday will see them advance to round three and a step closer to World Cup 2014 qualification.

Alan Sothern started their run with his seventh goal of the tournament and would later move up to eight to lead the tournament rankings while Mitch Darling's second half double helped him earn the man of the match award.

Sothern's first came 15 minutes in when he was found by a lovely reverse pass five metres out and he quickly turned in one touch and smashed home.

The green machine doubled up when Geoff McCabe's right wing cross took a heavy deflection from Salim Ali Al Zadjali. But Oman were an aggressive, lively force throughout and nicked one back via Mohamed Hubais Al Shar's heavily deflected drag-flick in the 28th minute.

It came during a particularly messy spell in which a string of sin-binnings were dished out but Ireland reasserted their control when Conor Harte dragged home the third just before half-time.

A more fluid start to the second period yielded a glut of goals, Sothern holding off a couple of rough tackles to slide home. Darling's punch shot found a gap at the near post and his second soon after made it 6-1 with 27 minutes still to play.

The game done and dusted, the tie was an exercise in frustration as Al Shar pulled one back from a penalty stroke. Davy Carson applied a delicious chip to Eugene Magee's assist for 7-2 but the closing phases saw Ireland struggle to find a route through a packed defence.

Nonetheless, Ireland meet China in their final game, tipping off at 4pm (10.30pm, Irish time).

Ireland starting XI: D Fitzgerald, J Jackson, R Gormley, A Sothern, E Magee, B McCandless, M Darling, P Maguire, C Harte, P Brown, D Carson

23.06 | 0 komentar | Read More

Spirits high in Irish camp, insists Murray

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 22 Februari 2013 | 23.06

Conor Murray insists Ireland are in a "good place" despite experiencing contrasting emotions after two rounds of their RBS 6 Nations campaign.

An encouraging opening-day victory over Wales was followed by an error-strew display of tactical naivety in losing 12-6 to England, a result that has transformed Sunday's clash with Scotland into a must-win encounter.

Injury and suspension is undermining what is a critical Six Nations in the reign of head coach Declan Kidney, whose contract expires after the tournament.

Murray, who will be winning his 17th cap on Sunday, insists spirits remain high.

"The atmosphere is good. It was tough to lose to England at home, but overall there's a good positive vibe around the camp," the Munster scrum-half said.

"One loss doesn't suddenly turn you into a bad team. We've been playing quite well. We're in a good place.

"It was a hard defeat to take because it was a tight game. When we took it back to 6-6 it could have gone either way.

"One loss doesn't suddenly turn you into a bad team. We've been playing quite well. We're in a good place." - Conor Murray.

"But we want to forget about England and concentrate on playing Scotland with a lot of confidence, like we should do.

"There are a few injuries but that means there will be some new faces in the squad, which is exciting.

"You try not to have injuries but they're part and parcel of the game. The players coming in have been around the squad a while and have fitted in seamlessly."

Ireland have won on their last five trips to Edinburgh in the Six Nations with Scotland's only victory in the fixture arriving at Croke Park in 2010.

Kidney has selected uncapped Ulster duo Paddy Jackson and Luke Marshall at fly-half and inside centre respectively to replace the injured Jonathan Sexton and Gordon D'Arcy.

Meanwhile, Ireland and Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris has suffered a setback in his recovery from an ankle problem which has seen him ruled out since November.

The 27-year-old underwent surgery in December after he sustained tendon damage to his ankle during Ulster's RaboDirect Pro12 match against Edinburgh.

Ferris had expected to be back in contention next month, but Ulster yesterday confirmed his comeback has been delayed after his recovery was reviewed earlier this week.

A statement on the club's official website said: "It was discovered that, although Stephen has made excellent progress in his recovery, some minor issues remain.

"As a result, the specialist medical-staff treating Stephen are considering several options to ensure that he makes a full and complete return to play.

"A decision on a course of action will be made in the coming weeks."

Live RBS 6 Nations coverage on RTÉ Two from 2pm on Saturday 23 February and 1.15pm on Sunday 24 February (Scotland v Ireland). Live streaming Ireland only.

Live radio coverage of Scotland v Ireland on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1 from 1.50pm. Live streaming available worldwide.

23.06 | 0 komentar | Read More

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