Written By Unknown on Minggu, 31 Maret 2013 | 23.06
Updated: Sunday, 31 Mar 2013 11:03 | Comments
Martin O'Neill managed Aston Villa, Celtic and Leicester before Villa
Former England international Alan Shearer has described the timing of Sunderland's decision to part company with manager Martin O'Neill as "bizarre."
The Black Cats announced the move last night after their 1-0 defeat by Manchester United saw the club sitting just a point clear of the Premier League relegation zone with seven games left to play.
The Wearside club's next game sees them face Chelsea before a north-east derby against fellow strugglers Newcastle.
Shearer expressed astonishment that Sunderland had released O'Neill with just seven matches left to retain their top-flight status.
Speaking on BBC1's 'Match of the Day', the former Newcastle striker and manager said: "It's bizarre. They have gone down the route that Reading have (sacking Brian McDermott).
"I look at him in the last few weeks and normally he comes on telly, we see him upbeat, looking forward to things.
"To me he's been down, he's not been his usual, energetic self - whether he's known that something is going on behind the scenes I don't know.
"They are on a terrible run of form but it is the timing of it I find hard.
"I think he might have missed his right-hand man John Robertson, who for the first time hadn't been with him at his side."
"I think they are in massive trouble" - Alan Hansen
"For whatever reason he didn't choose to go to Sunderland like he'd been with all his other clubs with him so I think he has probably missed him as well."
Fellow pundit Alan Hansen added: "The rewards for success and the penalties for failure have never been greater.
"Next season the new Premier League deal - if you are left behind, if you go down a division you are in massive trouble.
"You've got QPR, you've got Reading, you've got Southampton and now Sunderland: there are seven games to go.
"Are they better with Martin or without him? I always thought Sunderland would be safe... for the first time today they were really poor.
Paul McGowan's late penalty earned St Mirren a 1-1 draw against 10-man Celtic in a controversial Clydesdale Bank Premier League encounter in Paisley.
Kris Commons headed the Parkhead side into the lead in the sixth minute before he was carried off on a stretcher just before the break with what looked like an ankle injury after clashing with team-mate Beram Kayal.
Hoops midfielder Victor Wanyama, back from suspension, was shown a straight red card 10 minutes into the second-half for a challenge on Paul McGowan, who levelled from the spot with 10 minutes remaining after Parkhead defender Emilio Izaguirre was adjudged to have fouled Esmael Goncalves inside the box.
While Celtic will contend that the sending-off and penalty were both harsh, Saints could claim they were unlucky not to have all three points.
The Paisley side had the ball in the net in the first half from a Gary Teale cross only to have it ruled out for Paul Dummett's challenge on Fraser Forster and then had a decent penalty appeal turned down moments from the interval when the ball appeared to hit the arm of Hoops stand-in skipper Georgios Samaras.
However, at the end of an exhausting afternoon perhaps a share of the spoils was fair to both sides on a day when the officials were less than convincing.
In tribute to St Mirren's Scottish Communities League Cup final win over Hearts at Hampden a fortnight ago, the visitors gave a guard of honour to the Buddies players.
Neil Lennon made two changes to his side, Wanyama and Samaras were reinstated with Anthony Stokes dropping to the bench and Mikael Lustig out altogether.
Buddies boss Danny Lennon kept the same starting XI which won at Hampden while new signing, Estonia midfielder Sander Puri, was on the bench.
With Rangers chief executive Charles Green watching from the main stand, Celtic, playing in all black, started with purpose and even before they got the opener the Saints goal was threatened.
In the third minute Kayal played in Gary Hooper but the Celtic striker's drive from inside the box cleared Craig Samson's crossbar by a yard.
Even so early in the game there was an air of inevitability about Commons' goal which came when Saints failed to clear properly a corner and the midfielder leapt to head in Efe Ambrose's lobbed cross past Samson.
The goal shook the home side out of their early slumber.
Forster had to rush out in the eighth minute to save from Paisley defender Dummett, who had been sent through by McGowan, but the corner was easily defended.
Moments later St Mirren midfielder Conor Newton's speculative drive from 25 yards flew over the bar before Commons missed the target at the other end with a header.
In the 13th minute Kayal was perfectly placed to clear Marc McAusland's header from a Teale corner off the line and moments later, Thompson headed a Teale cross past the far post.
Still Saints kept coming forward with growing confidence, with Teale the danger man.
In the 27th minute his looping cross from the left saw Dummett challenge with Forster at the back post with Izaguirre in close attendance.
The ball ended up in the net but referee Bobby Madden blew for an infringement on the keeper, to the anger of the home crowd.
A competitive encounter continued apace and almost 10 minutes later Celtic had another chance but Hooper fired over the bar from 12 yards under pressure from McAusland and Dummett.
Celtic suffered a blow just before the interval when Commons was taken off the field on a stretcher after injuring himself in a clash Kayal under pressure from Goncalves.
There was time for an unsuccessful but valid Saints penalty appeal when Teale's deep corner from the left hit Samaras on the arm and the half-time whistle blew with the Buddies players and fans raging.
Saints supporters were appeased to an extent when the cup was paraded at the interval but Celtic, with Stokes having replaced Commons for the start of the second-half, showed renewed vigour when play resumed.
That enthusiasm made way for a sense of injustice when Wanyama was sent packing for his challenge on McGowan in the centre of the park.
The game was in danger of boiling over for a few minutes but Celtic re-organised as St Mirren pushed for the equaliser.
Dylan McGeouch replaced Hooper in the 70th minute but 10 minutes later Saints got the chance to level from the spot when Izaguirre challenged Goncalves and McGowan confidently knocked the spot-kick past Forster.
With three minutes remaining and St Mirren sensing a victory was there for the taking, the impressive Teale drove just over from the edge of the box.
In injury-time Forster caused a moment of panic in the Celtic defence when he fumbled substitute Graham Carey's cross but there was to be no more scoring.
Steven Gerrard scores the penalty that gives Liverpool victory
Aston Villa remain in the Barclays Premier League bottom three after Liverpool came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory and keep alive their faint hopes of securing a Champions League spot.
Villa looked on course for a third successive win after leading at the interval through Christian Benteke's 18th goal of the campaign.
But the Reds equalised through Jordan Henderson early in the second period and then skipper Steven Gerrard's penalty sealed victory for the visitors.
The home side, who yesterday slipped into the relegation zone for the fifth time this season, are level on points with Wigan but have an inferior goal difference.
Villa posed plenty of threat to Liverpool in the first half with Benteke and Gabriel Agbonlahor linking well and Ashley Westwood pulling the strings in midfield.
But Liverpool upped their game a gear in the second period as they closed the gap on sixth-placed Everton to three points.
Luis Suarez was a handful throughout the 90 minutes, despite his World Cup qualifier exertions in Uruguay in midweek, and came close on several occasions to notching his 30th goal of the season.
Villa were the first to threaten and a probing pass from Westwood found overlapping left-back Joe Bennett in plenty of space.
He delivered a teasing cross to the near post which Benteke just failed to make contact with as it flew across the six yard box.
Andreas Weimann had a volley blocked but Agbonlahor should have put Villa ahead after 17 minutes.
Matt Lowton delivered a superb curling cross into the danger area which picked out the run of Agbonlahor.
But the England striker turned his shot straight at Jose Reina when it looked easier to score.
Brad Guzan was called into meaningful action for the first time when finger-tipping a shot from Suarez over the bar after good play by Glen Johnson.
Then Nathan Baker had to be alert to nick the ball off the feet of Suarez inside the Villa area.
Benteke had scored twice in the 3-1 win at Anfield earlier in the season and after 31 minutes he put Villa ahead.
Westwood's cross was turned back by Agbonlahor to Benteke who drilled a fierce shot past Reina who got a hand on the ball but could not keep it out of the net.
It was the 18th goal of the season from the Belgian international.
Liverpool tried to retaliate and a misdirected pass from Barry Bannan allowed Suarez a free run at goal but Brad Guzan managed to keep out his low drive.
The Villa keeper then fingertipped aside a long-range drive from Liverpool skipper Gerrard.
Liverpool needed only three minutes of the second half to get back on level terms.
Philippe Coutinho's defence-splitting pass was seized on by Henderson who flicked the ball past Guzan into the corner of the net for his fourth goal of the season.
Gerrard became the first player to be booked for a foul on Agbonlahor.
Coutinho should have put Liverpool ahead in the 56th minute after beating the offside trap to run onto a pass from Suarez but he dinked his shot wide of the post.
But Liverpool were not to be denied and went ahead three minutes later.
Suarez was brought down in the box by Baker and the resulting spot-kick was converted by Gerrard.
Weimann could have made it 2-2 but scooped his shot over the bar from 10 yards.
Then Gerrard headed Benteke's header off the line at full stretch from a Westwood corner.
But Liverpool had succeeded in taking much of the string out of Villa's attacking threat and quietening the Holte End.
Suarez had a shot on the turn saved by Guzan after some trickery inside the Villa box.
Benteke had the ball in the net in injury time but was clearly a yard offside.
An experimental Dublin outfit claimed a comfortable Allianz NHL Division 1B win over Carlow at Parnell Park.
Anthony Daly's side now qualify to play Limerick in the Divisional decider as two first half goals from Kevin Byrne and Niall McMorrow helped them claim a 2-05 to 0-07 interval lead.
Dublin, who were firmly in control, added a third goal in the 57th minute with an opportunistic finish from the lively McMorrow.
Carlow's John Michael Nolan was sent off for a second bookable offence on 65 as Dublin, with substitute Paul Ryan outstanding, cruised to a victory that was emphatic as the scoreline suggests.
Carlow were determined throughout the opening period with two Marty Kavanagh frees edging them 0-02 to 0-01 ahead by the sixth minute.
But Dublin had an extra bit of class up front with David Treacy crafting an eighth minute opportunity for Byrne to bat a goal.
Again Carlow responded with Kavanagh sharp from frees, while Dublin were wasteful for a spell shooting several bad wides.
The underdogs had the deficit trimmed to a point when Dublin pounced for a second goal in the 20th minute.
McMorrow scampered around a cluster of defenders before drilling a splendid effort past Carlow custodian Brian Treacy.
That major had Dublin 2-02 to 0-04 in the ascendancy, but Carlow were efficient in the first half with Kavanagh prominent.
Scores from Kavanagh and Nolan narrowed the gap once more, but Dublin replied as Treacy and Liam Rushe rifled over cute points.
After the restart the game followed a similar pattern with Carlow earnest without ever seriously troubling the hosts.
McMorrow struck a nice point from play, while Treacy clipped over a few frees as Dublin had a 2-08 to 0-8 cushion by the 50th minute.
Replacement Ryan announced his arrival into the contest with three crisp frees on the spin as Dublin continued to punish Carlow's errors.
Carlow were now very much in damage limitation mode as Dublin nicked a third goal in the 57th minute courtesy of McMorrow.
With Ryan accurate inside Dublin were dominant and Carlow's cause wasn't aided by the 65th minute dismissal of Nolan.
Dublin: A Nolan; R Trainor, P Schutte, O Gough; S Hiney, C Keaney, S Durkin; S Lambert (0-01), L Rushe (0-01); R O'Dwyer, N McMorrow (2-01), K Byrne (1-00); C McCormack, D Treacy (0-04, 4fs), E Dillon (0-01).
Subs: D O'Callaghan for McCormack (50 mins), P Ryan (0-07, 2fs) for Dillon (50 mins), S McGrath for Treacy (55 mins), M O'Brien for Keaney (59 mins), G Whelan for O'Dwyer (63 mins).
Carlow: B Treacy; H O'Byrne, E Nolan, D Shaw; A Corcoran, R Coady, J Corcoran; D English (0-01), E Coady; J Kavanagh, M Kavanagh (0-07, 6fs), J Nolan (0-01); P Shaw, S Kavanagh (0-02, 1f), D Roberts.
Subs: P Coady for Shaw (36 mins), D Byrne for J Corcoran (44 mins), A Gaule for Roberts (49 mins), C Doyle for J Kavanagh (49 mins), J Rodgers for Coady (65 mins).
Offaly condemned Antrim to a relegation play-off with a 0-21 to 0-19 win in Division 1B at Casement Park.
The sides were level seven times in the first half, including 0-11 apiece at the break, with Antrim's Neil McManus and Shane Dooley of Offaly sharing the majority of the scores.
Antrim led by four points midway through the second period, but they failed to score from the 55th minute onwards as Dooley, Ciaran Slevin and Rory Hanniffy shot Offaly home.
Kilkenny's Michael Fennelly scored late on to help his side to a narrow win
Kilkenny qualified for the Division 1A Hurling semi-final thanks largely to four second-half points from Richie Hogan in a rip-roaring battle with Cork at Nowlan Park.
A late Conor Lehane goal pulled the Rebels within one point of the All-Ireland champions, but man of the match Michael Fennelly pointed late on to seal a third consecutive win for Brian Cody's side.
Luke O'Farrell's goal in the 46th minute had give Cork the upper hand as Kilkenny's poor finishing looked likely to cost them, but the Cats hit nine of the last ten points to accelerate to the win and the spot in the last four.
Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 30 Maret 2013 | 23.06
Updated: Saturday, 30 Mar 2013 10:56 | Comments
Craig Bellamy: 'I just clammed up, didn't want to know. Typical'
Craig Bellamy has expressed regret over his departure from Manchester City two years ago, admitting he "messed up" his time with the Barclays Premier League champions.
The Welshman was signed for City by compatriot Mark Hughes for a reported £14million in 2009 but fell out of favour after Roberto Mancini's arrival and left in 2011 after 51 appearances for the club.
"I don't understand why he managed me the way he did," Bellamy said of Mancini in an interview with the Daily Mail.
"I worked with people like Bobby Robson at Newcastle who taught me how to be a footballer and a man. He did that even though I was a selfish kid back then, a kid who let a great man down with some things I did.
"He wanted us to come in and cherish what we were doing.
"Mancini was different but there was stuff I could have done differently, too.
"I could have been more open but when Sparky (Hughes) went, I shut down. I just wanted stuff to stay the same for me but I got a change of manager and routine.
"I just clammed up, didn't want to know. Typical.
"Mancini didn't have to persevere with me because he could just go and get someone else and that's what happened.
"But I regret that. I could have made that work. That's one I messed up."
Steve Wheatcroft had to come through Monday qualifying for this event
Unheralded American Steve Wheatcroft carded another five-under-par 67 to take a one-shot lead after the second round of the Houston Open, while major winners Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson fought hard to just make the cut at Redstone Golf Club.
35-year-old Wheatcroft only earned a start for the event through Monday qualifying but now sits at 10-under, holding the 36 hole lead over fellow Americans Jason Kokrak (69) and D.A. Points (71) who are tied second at nine-under.
England's Brian Davis (70) and former British Open winner Stewart Cink (66) are joint fourth at seven-under.
World number two McIlroy will get the chance to continue to hone his wayward game before the U.S. Masters after he ground out a two-under-par round of 70 to make the cut on the number at one-under.
McIlroy, a week from being deposed by Tiger Woods from golf's rankings summit, managed three birdies and just the lone bogey in a more accomplished effort than his opening round of 73. Shane Lowry failed to make the cut.
"It could have been a couple better, but, you know, it was an improvement on yesterday" - Rory McIlroy
"It was okay. It was definitely more consistent today than yesterday," McIlroy told reporters.
"I gave myself quite a few chances. It could have been a couple better, but, you know, it was an improvement on yesterday."
The Northern Irishman's season has been less than stellar, with the twice major winner adding next week's Texas Open in San Antonio to his schedule as he seeks form ahead of the year's first major at Augusta National which starts on April 11.
Since signing a new equipment deal with Nike in the offseason, he has missed the cut in Abu Dhabi, lost in the first round of the WGC Match Play Championship and walked off mid-round at the Honda Classic when headed for another missed cut.
Mickelson needed three back nine birdies to also make the cut on the number.
Wheatcroft, who has been a PGA Tour member three previous times but currently has just conditional status on the secondary Web.com Tour, was excited to be in unfamiliar territory.
"Bogey-free so far, excited with where I'm at obviously," Wheatcroft told reporters.
"I just have to approach the weekend the same as I have through the first 36.
"I don't have to worry about the money list out here. I don't have to worry about my status out here.
"If I win, it's great. It's kind of a win or nothing. I just get to go play golf this week. Everybody else can worry their status on the PGA Tour.
"Hopefully I can make enough money to get either temporary status out here or if I win, that's obviously the goal."
Mark Selby will face either Neil Robertson or Stephen Maguire in the final
Mark Selby built on his return to number one in the world rankings by hammering Shaun Murphy 6-2 to reach the final of the Bank of Beijing China Open.
Neither player hit top form in a match where the highest break was 68, but Selby would have few complaints as he set up a clash with either Neil Robertson or Stephen Maguire.
He had already ensured, simply by reaching the quarter-finals, that he would replace Judd Trump as world number one.
And his run through the tournament continued as he stormed into a 3-0 lead today, with the help of that 68 break in frame two.
Murphy took a close fourth frame but a 63 break stretched Selby's lead back to three frames and he closed out the win, dropping only one more frame.
Titus Bramble's unfortunate own goal allowed Manchester United to tighten their stranglehold on the Barclays Premier League title with a narrow 1-0 victory at Sunderland.
The luckless defender unwittingly turned Robin van Persie's 27th-minute shot past keeper Simon Mignolet after it had also clipped Phil Bardsley on its way to goal.
It proved enough to hand United a seventh successive league victory on a day when they were far superior to their relegation-threatened hosts for long periods, but were unable to make their superiority tell.
The Black Cats were barely in the game before the break, but buoyed by United's failure to build upon their lead, rallied after it without ever testing keeper David de Gea as they extended their run without a league win to eight games in front of a crowd of 43,760.
United probably should have killed the game off long before the final whistle, but they did enough to extend their lead at the top of the table, for a few hours at least, to 18 points, the perfect preparation for Monday night's FA Cup quarter-final replay at Chelsea.
It was Nelson Mandela Day at the Stadium of Light with the club celebrating its recent collaboration with the former South Africa president's foundation at a time when the 94-year-old is battling a lung infection in hospital.
The omens for a Sunderland change of fortune were hardly promising - the had beaten United only once in 23 previous Premier League encounters - and they proved depressingly accurate before the break.
Sir Alex Ferguson did not even include Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney in his 18 with Monday's trip to Stamford Bridge looming large, but his side eased their way through the first half without ever having to find top gear.
There were 12 minutes gone when full-back Alex Buttner embarked upon a determined run which took him past both Craig Gardner and Bardsley and deep into the penalty area, where Mignolet managed to block his close-range effort.
The Belgian had to be equally alert three minutes later as the Dutchman threatened to get on the end of a through-ball, and he then had to claw an Ashley Young cross out of his top corner as the visitors found their rhythm.
However, even he could do nothing about the chain of events which led to the opening goal with 27 minutes gone.
Van Persie picked up possession on the left side of the penalty area, but found himself confronted by Bardsley.
The striker patiently worked himself into a position to shoot, but when he unleashed his drive, it flew off Bardsley's boot on to Bramble's knee and inside the far post.
It was a devastating blow for the Black Cats, who had earlier seen appeals for a penalty for Rafael da Silva's challenge on Gardner waved away, and they visibly wilted as they sensed the game slipping away from them.
Van Persie forced a smart near-post save from Mignolet with a 38th-minute snapshot and then prompted him to tip over a fiercely-struck free-kick four minutes later with the points seemingly there for the taking.
Sunderland mustered only two attempts of note, both from Gardner and both off his weaker left foot, but first Nemanja Vidic and then Chris Smalling made blocks.
The home side returned knowing they had to go for broke if they were to get anything out of the game, but United retained possession at will with the movement of Shinji Kagawa and Van Persie, and Michael Carrick's composure simply too much for their hosts, who were seeing too little of the ball to bring wide men Adam Johnson and James McClean into play.
However, the former Manchester City winger finally got the bit between his teeth with 59 minutes gone when he burst into the penalty area.
His cross was blocked, but Bardsley latched on to the loose ball, only to fire harmlessly over the top.
The home side threatened once again seconds later when striker Danny Graham crossed from the right towards Stephane Sessegnon, who was only just beaten to the ball by substitute Jonny Evans.
The mood inside the Stadium of Light lifted instantly as Martin O'Neill's men belatedly forced United on to the back foot.
They mounted a sustained spell of pressure for the first time in the game and it took another good clearing header, this time by Smalling, to prevent Graham from opening his Sunderland account 19 minutes from time.
Johnson smashed a left-foot effort from distance just wide two minutes later, but Buttner forced a solid save from Mignolet and Vidic headed wide from a corner as United saw time out with few further scares.
Van Persie should have made sure deep into injury-time after Ashley Young had evaded Bramble's lunge and squared, but Mignolet made a remarkable stop to deny him.
Meydan hosts the world's richest race, the Dubai World Cup, this evening
Paul Hanagan and Soft Falling Rain defied stall 13 to win the Godolphin Mile.
Cavalryman showed a devastating turn of foot to roll back the years in winning the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan.
Lines Of Battle, ridden by Ryan Moore, gave trainer Aidan O'Brien back-to-back victories in the UAE Derby.
Favourite Shea Shea landed the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint under a very confident ride from Belgian rider Christophe Soumillon, for trainer Mike de Kock.
Reynaldothewizard, ridden by Richard Mullen, held off the late challenge of Eddie Lynam's Balmont Mast to land the six-furlong Dubai Golden Shaheen.
Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) - Reynaldothewizard
Eddie Lynam's Balmont Mast nearly pulled off a 33-1 surprise in the Golden Shaheen at Meydan but just failed to catch Reynaldothewizard.
The Satish Seemar-trained winner, ridden by Richard Mullen, had won twice at the Carnival already but was stepping up markedly in class.
Tom Hogan's Gordon Lord Byron met trouble on the rail but when the gap came he could not quicken and Godolphin's red-hot favourite Mental never threatened to get involved at any stage.
Al Quoz Sprint (G1) - Shea Shea
Mike de Kock's Shea Shea came with a devastating late burst to land the Al Quoz Sprint in real style.
The six-year-old was produced to perfection by Christophe Soumillon inside the furslong pole, readily picking up Hong Kong raider Joy And Fun, who had briefly asserted two furlongs out.
Streaking clear from there, the son of National Emblem never looked in any danger of being caught.
Joy And Fun held on for second, with Eagle Regiment third and the Edward Lynam-trained Sole Power running on for fourth under Johnny Murtagh.
De Kock, bagging his second winner of the night, revealed the winner will be aimed at the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Asked about a possible clash with Black Caviar at the Royal meeting, Soumillon said: "You never know, I hope that if we did we could beat Black Caviar and we will certainly try."
De Kock added: "I don't know about making statements like that, I think Christophe was speaking with his tongue in cheek.
"We will send him over for the King's Stand at Ascot.
"Tonight is great for South African breeding with two winners, it's a great way to showcase our talents."
Lynam said of Sole Power: "He's run very well and we are very proud of him. He'll go to Haydock for the Temple and then the King's Stand."
UAE Derby (G2) - Lines Of Battle
Aidan O'Brien's Lines Of Battle held of Elleval to lead home an Irish one-two in the UAE Derby.
Just 12 months on from O'Brien's win in the race with Daddy Long Legs, Ryan Moore made a positive move off a slow early pace to track Snowboarder into the straight.
Lines Of Battle kicked a couple of lengths clear but David Marnane's Elleval emerged from the pack as his most serious challenger.
He could never get on terms, though, and Lines Of Battle was a decisive winner. Snowboarder clung on for third.
O'Brien said: "He doesn't like being in front too soon, but he quickened well and stayed well in the end. Ryan gave him a great ride."
Victory in the Group Two event earned Lines Of Battle significant points under the qualification criteria for the Kentucky Derby, and O'Brien confirmed: "Absolutely, that (Kentucky Derby) was the plan coming here."
Moore said: "It was a farce of a race, they went so slow and I was saying to Hughesie (Richard Hughes, on Law Enforcement) down the back that this was too easy and one of the problems was that my horse is idle.
"But he'd won around Dundalk and had a US pedigree, experience of travelling and the draw helped."
Dubai Gold Cup (G3) - Cavalryman
Cavalryman showed a devastating turn of foot to roll back the years in winning the Dubai Gold Cup.
Settled at the rear of a sedate early pace set by Declan McDonogh on John Oxx's Saddler's Rock, the challengers were queuing up two furlongs out.
Tenenbaum looked a threat in the Godolphin second colours while Imperial Monarch was struggling to find racing room, but once Silvestre de Sousa asked Cavalryman to quicken the race was over as a contest.
Saeed bin Suroor's seven-year-old sprinted clear to win impressively from the Kieren Fallon-ridden Ahzeemah.
De Sousa said: "He's a proper stayer and I knew he would come on from his last race.
"The horse felt full of confidence and he gave his best tonight. It is really great to have my first World Cup meeting winner in my new job (retained rider to Godolphin)."
Bin Suroor said: "Things didn't work out for him when he went to Australia when he ran in the Melbourne Cup (12th).
"Tonight I thought Kieren Fallon did a great job setting the pace for us and Cavalryman was in the right place to cash in."
Godolphin Mile (G2) - Soft Falling Rain
Paul Hanagan and Soft Falling Rain defied stall 13 to win the Godolphin Mile.
Sent off the 9-4 favourite, the Mike de Kock-trained four-year-old was trapped wide throughout and Haatheq got first run on him in the straight, with his unbeaten record looking in serious danger.
However, despite connections harbouring stamina doubts, Soft Falling Rain quickened up very impressively and Hanagan drove him home for a superb victory by three-quarters of a length, with a further length back to Moonwalk In Paris.
David O'Meara's Penitent ran a blinder holding every chance turning for home before just being run out of the places. Charlie Hills' Red Jazz was well beaten.
Hanagan, bagging a 10th winner at this year's Dubai Carnival, said: "They went so quick and I was a little bit wider than I wanted to be, but he is so genuine and he kept finding extra when I needed it.
"I really couldn't have wished for things to have gone any better for me out here. I've had a great season."
De Kock said: "I was blown away by the form he showed tonight - I haven't seen too many horses under pressure like he was, he was pushed out deep but he still saw it out to claim the win. Champions get through it. It's great for Sheikh Hamdan.
"If it was my choice I would rather come back in trip with him than move up in distance, but he is a fantastic prospect to look forward to."
It appears that Soft Falling Rain could get the chance to advertise his capabilities in Britain this summer.
De Kock said: "I think we'll definitely take him to Royal Ascot, he'll have at least one entry and the Queen Anne, the race Frankel won last year, would be the one for him."
Galway and Cork go into the final day of Division 1A separated by just a point
The Allianz Hurling league reaches a climax tomorrow and it couldn't be more finely balanced going into the last round of matches.
It's been a fantastic league, no arguments there. Cork opened it in scintillating fashion when Tipp were beaten out the gate in Pairc Ui Rinn.
Kilkenny lost their first two games which breathed some more life into the notion that just maybe the aura of invincibility is slipping a little more.
In narrowly avoiding relegation last year, Galway saw their season turn on the back of two very competitive play-off games which they eventually came out on top at the expense of Dublin.
It looks like they could have to do something similar this year with the odds stacked against them going to Walsh Park.
It's been a strange league campaign for Clare, with losses at home to Waterford and Kilkenny in games they could have and maybe should have won - they certainly had chances to do so. But then they went to Cork and shot the lights out, particularly in the second half.
Tipperary fell flat on day one, in Cork, but a victory over Kilkenny the following week rectified that. And what of Waterford? A team which has been written off more times than an Anglo cheque, yet they keep coming back each year reinvigorated and refreshed by new blood. And it is they who sit atop the league as it prepares for its very own all-or-nothing super Sunday.
So every team has gained something with entries on both sides of the ledger for management heading into Sunday but at what cost?
During the week a number of senior officials from within the Munster counties expressed reservations about the current structure. They have a point.
While it's been very competitive and very entertaining, is it serving the game of hurling as well as it should?
A couple of years ago the format was eight teams in the top division with one up and one down in terms of promotion and relegation. The top two went straight through to a final.
And it was as simple as that. It worked too. It had one or two minor flaws but overall it had all the criteria you need for a proper league competition.
This system had the right balance, between plenty of competitive matches, affording managers the opportunity to try out players.
The only change should have been two up and two down as opposed to one up and one down in terms of relegation and promotion.
This would've kept Offaly, Wexford, Clare (at the time) et al happy as they would've had a genuine chance of mixing it with the big guns.
If it didn't work out they went back down to Division 2 to regroup before having another cut off it.
Offaly and Wexford won't see Division 1A hurling for 10 years under the current format. If ever.
Should Dublin and Limerick be added to make up an eight-team top division, I'm not sure if it would weaken the quality of overall games you get.
And by increasing the round-robin stage from five to seven only enhances hurling by giving the general public more chances to see the game, fringe players more opportunities to play, and decreases the pressure on managers at a time of year when teams are generally undergoing a lot of heavy training.
There's also a possibility (remote, but possible) if Galway beat Waterford tomorrow and the other two matches end up a draw, all 6 teams would have 5 points. Does anyone really deserve to be relegated in that case?
How does it serve hurling for instance if Cork (and I'm being slightly parochial here, to be fair) are playing the likes of Carlow and Antrim next year. And what will it do to the gates?
There's a good chance of around 10,000 in Nowlan Park tomorrow. You had a huge crowd in Pairc Ui Rinn for Cork's home games against Tipperary and Clare.
The likes of Carlow and Wexford in the same venues next year? Tumbleweed springs to mind.
And I'm only using Cork as an example. The same could be applied to Tipp or Kilkenny if they were to go down.
It's brilliantly competitive and tomorrow is going to be hugely exciting, but are we ignoring the bigger picture to the detriment of hurling?
I guess we will find out.
Rory O'Neill Series Editor League Sunday @downdepairc
Written By Unknown on Jumat, 29 Maret 2013 | 23.06
Updated: Friday, 29 Mar 2013 14:55 | Comments
Rory McIlroy is nine shots behind the leader
Rory McIlroy was left cursing silly mistakes as his woes continued at the Shell Houston Open, where he finished round one nine shots behind leader DA Points.
Points shot an eight-under-par 64 to lead by one from fellow Americans Cameron Tringale and John Rollins, while English trio Brian Davis, Lee Westwood and Greg Owen were all in the top 10.
But there was no upturn in fortunes for McIlroy, whose poor form this year has seen him surrender the world number one spot to Tiger Woods.
He was one over today for a share of 88th, nine strokes off the lead and in danger of failing to make the weekend once again.
"I kept in good spirits," McIlroy said. "I didn't get too down on myself. It would have been great to finish at even par."
McIlroy was three over at the turn after finding water at the eighth and carding a double-bogey seven.
A superb approach for birdie at 10 got him back on track and he birdied the 12th and 13th to recover to level par.
But he found a bunker at the 14th and, though he clawed back the resulting dropped shot at the first attempt, another bogey at the 17th left him one over.
He told Sky Sports 3: "I think if I just eliminate the stupid mistakes, you know, I made double on a par five on the front nine and made a couple of silly bogeys.
"I'm still a bit tentative out there on the golf course and perhaps not committing to my shots fully.
"It takes time, it takes rounds, and hopefully another three rounds this week and some good scores will set me up well."
Shane Lowry is in the frame to make the cut after a round of 71 left him on one-under.
Lowry made four birdies and three bogeys to place in a tied of 43rd so far.
Much has been made of McIlroy's change of equipment this season, something with which leader Points may be able to identify.
Points began his tournament with five successive birdies after starting his round at the 10th, and added another before the turn.
Three more followed on a front nine marred only by a bogey at the fifth as he finished one shot ahead of Tringale and Rollins, who each carded seven birdies in unblemished rounds.
Afterwards, Points revealed he had been using his mum's old putter - which he used when he first turned pro - in an attempt to turn around some bad form on the green.
He told www.pgatour.com: "It's just a really good-looking putter, and I brought it with me this week because I just had been putting so bad, I thought maybe I'll pull this old putter out of the garage and maybe it will have some magic in it.
"Sure enough, today it did."
Jason Kokrak and Argentina's double major winner Angel Cabrera shared fourth on six under with David, former Ryder Cup player Jeff Overton and Steve Wheatcroft a shot further back.
Westwood and Owen were among a large group sharing ninth place on four under.
Westwood found the water twice at the eighth - one of three bogeys in his round - and said: "I must have the worst par fives of anyone this year.
"It was like dropping four shots really. A 68 is as high has I could have shot."
Phil Mickelson shot a level-par 72 while defending champion Hunter Mahan was two over.
Waterford's Shane O'Sullivan in action against Cork on 10 March
By Rory Houston
Waterford and Galway meet in a top versus bottom clash on the final day of the Allianz Hurling League, but both sides are in contention for the semi-finals and the relegation decider.
The final set of Division 1A fixtures brings about a massive number of permutations and the likely conclusion is the three winners this weekend will advance to the semi-finals.
The Deise have a one-point advantage at the top and it should be enough to keep them out of the bottom two places.
A win can guarantee a meeting with the Division 1B winners in the semi-finals, while Galway know that would mean they are condemned to a play-off with the side finishing directly above them.
But a win will could propel them into the top three, providing they make up the seven point deficit in scoring difference against their opponents.
"We're in a great position going into the final round" - John Mullane
Draws will throw that situation out the window, but in effect all the teams can do this weekend is win and hope and for suitable results elsewhere.
Whether the league can be considered competitive, lackadaisical or even irrelevant sometimes, this weekend serves up a treat that will mirror Championship fare.
Waterford great John Mullane told RTÉ this week that even he is surprised to see the Deise head the standings: "It is great to see Waterford at the top. I am shocked to see it as many others are across the country and across the county as well. Great credit has to go to Michael Ryan, his management team and the lads.
"We're in a great position going into the final round. Michael has introduced an awful lot of young lads. There is a lot of young lads around the county coming off of decent minor success and college success.
"He has freshened the whole thing up and given some of these young lads a chance. Some of the young lads are fearless in approaching games.
"It is all looking well leading into the game with Galway."
Galway boss Anthony Cunningham said a lack of concentration in the closing stages cost his team dearly last week against Cork.
Paudie O'Sullivan's goal helped the Rebels earn a point and they must win to have any hope of a successful outcome to the league.
Cunningham has reminded his team to learn from the mistakes against Cork and rescue their hopes:
"This league is extremely competitive. There isn't any team that has qualified yet and definitely there is everything to play for on the last Sunday."
Much has been made of a reliance on Joe Canning but there are other areas where Sunday's game can be won and lost, such as the lapses that cost them against the Rebels, almost let Kilkenny back in and allowed Tipperary to run riot two weeks ago.
Scoring has not been the problem, Canning is producing the goods but defensive errors have proven their downfall so far.
If they can address it this weekend, there might be a very different outcome to the current standing in the table.
Darragh Burke, David Burke, James Regan and Conor Cooney remain out of Cunningham's thinking after prolonged duty with St Thomas' and some extra matches, whether they are semi-finals or play-offs, will help find a better formula for later in the year.
It is going to be the match that can decide most this Sunday and it's hard to see past Waterford after seeing off Tipperary in such an encouraging manner.
Clare gave Kilkenny a scare but lost by a single point
By Rory Houston
Clare's league campaign has highlighted the small differences between the top and bottom place in the Allianz Hurling League Division 1A as they clash with Tipperary on Sunday.
Davy Fitzgerald's men came so close to beating Kilkenny and securing a place in the semi-finals, but fell short by the minimum score.
They face a journey to Semple Stadium on Sunday now, probably needing a result to avoid the relegation play-off.
It was tough on the Banner as they produced a performance to match the Cats and created so many chances to score more than the 1-15 they put on the board.
The disappointment of defeat can be tempered with the knowledge that this league campaign is giving growing Clare the chance to compete against the top sides and they've done so admirably.
Matches like last time out against Kilkenny will benefit them later in the year.
Clare's biggest loss has been by one point and it would be a shame to see good work unravel on Sunday.
The alternating goalkeeper policy utilised by Eamon O'Shea continues as Darren Gleeson takes over from Brendan Cummins for Tipperary.
Paddy Stapleton, Conor O'Mahony, Brendan Maher, John O'Dwyer and Eoin Kelly come into the team instead of Donagh Maher, Thomas Stapleton, James Woodlock, Brian O'Meara and Adrian Ryan as the Tipp boss make multiple changes for their final match.
The Premier saw a five-point advantage slip away against Waterford and leaves them, like the five other teams in the division, needing a result at home against the Banner.
O'Shea has freshened up his team but was not too displeased with the result last week.
He said: "I wouldn't be too hard on my team. We had a poor first half, we battled back and we had the initiative. We just didn't hold it until the end, but I thought the team battled hard.
"We just couldn't seem to get our hands on the ball in the last few minutes, but they (Waterford) were fully deserving of something out of the game."
There are big names back for Tipp and they'll welcome a return to home turf after much of the league on the road.
Andrew Trimble starts on the wing for Ulster in Saturday's trip south to the RDS
Ulster head coach Mark Anscombe has made six changes to the side that lost to Edinburgh last weekend for Saturday evening's RaboDirect PRO12 game against Leinster at the RDS, kick off 6.15pm.
Ruan Pienaar and Chris Henry return to the side having recovered from injury. Number 8, Nick Williams, who played the second half at Murrayfield last weekend, starts his first game since suffering a knee injury in January.
Ireland internationals, Rory Best and Craig Gilroy return to the Ulster side following the RBS 6 Nations.
With John Afoa in New Zealand for the birth of his third child, there is a first Ulster start for tighthead Ricky Lutton. The 27-year-old, who was named club player of the year at last year's Heineken Ulster Rugby Awards, signed a development contract with the province at the start of this season.
Robbie Diack who started at Number 8 against Edinburgh switches to blindside flanker for the game, while Dan Tuohy reverts to his usual position in the second-row.
Rob Herring, Lewis Stevenson and Paul Marshall drop to the bench. They are joined by back-row forwards Roger Wilson and Iain Henderson who have both recovered from injury.
Callum Black and Peter Nelson retain their places among the substitutes, while Academy prop, Kyle McCall, who has represented Ireland at Under-20 level, is in line to make his first appearance for Ulster.
Rob Kearney is one of seven internationals to return to the starting line-up following the province's victory over the Glasgow Warriors last weekend.
The Louth man joins his brother Dave and Isa Nacewa in the back three, while Dubliner Brendan Macken, on his 24th senior appearance, gets the chance to form a midfield partnership with Leinster's most capped player Gordon D'Arcy who will line out for the 219th occasion on Saturday.
Isaac Boss continues at half back alongside the league's top points scorer Ian Madigan who has scored 149 points in 18 games to date.
Hooker Richardt Strauss will make his 75th Leinster appearance after recovering from injury and takes his place in the front row alongside fellow international colleagues Cian Healy and Mike Ross. Devin Toner, a second half replacement last weekend, partners Quinn Roux at lock.
Jamie Heaslip, meanwhile, leads the team and features in an experienced back-row alongside Shane Jennings and Kevin McLaughlin.
Ireland trio Sean Cronin, Leo Cullen and Rhys Ruddock are named amongst the replacements.
Ulster XV: Payne, Trimble, Cave, Olding, Gilroy, Jackson, Pienaar; Court, Best, Lutton, Muller, Tuohy, Diack, Henry, Williams. Replacements: Herring, Black, McCall, Stevenson, I Henderson, R Wilson, P Marshall, P Nelson.
Kilkenny and Cork face off in another make-or-break clash in the Allianz Hurling League.
The Rebels fought back to earn a point against Galway in their last match but know a win is vital to avoid the relegation play-off and it can help secure a semi-final spot.
There are four changes to their team that started the drawn game against Galway and that has been the story for much of the league.
Jimmy Barry Murphy has brought a new look and feeling to this Cork team and he will see more options available to him against the Cats, including a move for Patrick Cronin to midfield.
Lorcán McLoughlin slots in at wing back, while Stephen White replaces the injured William Egan, who sustained damage to a finger in the Galway match, but fortunately scans have shown no serious damage.
Daniel Kearney comes back in to partner Cronin in the middle of the park.
Stephen Moylan replaces Adrian Mannix in another change from the Galway game, while Stephen McDonnell and Jamie Coughlan remain on the sidelines because of injury.
The league started off on a fantastic note for Cork as they hammered Tipperary but it has been a case of slowly building since.
Two draws have left them with an opportunity on Sunday against Kilkenny but whether they can rediscover the groove they found against the Premier that saw 0-26 scored on the night remains to be seen.
Kilkenny looked in big trouble after two losses but as always they took it in their stride and have warmed to the task nicely.
While much was made of Clare's wide tally and an opportunity lost against the Cats, it was another battling win for Brian Cody's men and the return of Michael Rice was another boost.
There are more returning stars to the Cats side forthcoming, and Kieran Joyce and Ger Aylward's development will please Cody with bigger days ahead.
Cody told the Kilkenny People that his players had to dig deep to establish this position ahead of the final set of games: "If we win next Sunday - and it'll be a huge task to win - we could make the semi-finals.
"We're getting an opportunity. Our panel is being tested seriously. Our backs were to the wall so it was essential that we came out and beat Waterford and Clare.
"It was going to be tough to beat both of them, but we've done that. Now we'll see where we can go from here."
With home advantage and improving performances, that semi-final place should be Kilkenny's.
Sligo Rovers are looking to maintain their 100% start to the 2013 league campaign
By Ed Leahy
League champions Sligo Rovers travel to Dalymount Park for tonight's Airtricity League Premier Division clash with Bohemians, kick-off 7:05pm.
The Phibsboro clash is Sligo's first trip to Dublin this season and they will be confident of maintaining their 100%t start to the season after picking up seven points from the three games with Bohemians last season.
But Ian Baraclough's side may not have it all their own way at the Dublin venue as they will have to battle against a very well-organised and hard-working Bohs side, as well as a pitch that is far from conducive to the free-flowing football that the visitors will endeavour to pursue.
The normally carpet-like Dalymount pitch was in a shocking state for the clash with Shamrock Rovers on 18 March and the weather has actually been worse since that clash so the long studs may be needed for tonight's encounter.
With four wins from four, Sligo have already made their intentions clear as they attempt to defend their title, and they have opened up a four-point gap at the top of the table.
And it could be argued that Baraclough's side have yet to hit top gear, which is a dangerous sign to the rest of the league as the champions are winning matches without playing well.
But the Bit O'Red are well able to mix it in difficult conditions and should still have enough to overcome tonight's hosts who are just lacking the class to compete at the top level.
Danny North and Joseph Ndo remain out with knee and hand injuries respectively for the visitors, while Danny Ventre is still recovering from a leg injury.
Gavin Peers should come back into the starting eleven after missing out on last week's win over Limerick and it will be interesting to see who the manager drops after Jeff Henderson scored the winner last week.
Bohemians will be anxious to get back in action after their last league game against St Patrick's Athletic fell foul to the bad weather in the capital over the past seven days.
In fact, the Gypsies haven't played since that 0-0 draw with Shamrock Rovers almost two weeks ago and manager Aaron Callaghan will be hoping his side can replicate the performance and the result against the unbeaten champions.
Callaghan said: "Sligo have had a great run in the league and they have had a good Setanta Cup so far but we're looking for a result."
New Gypsies signing Stephen Paisley is fit and available for selection but it might be a surprise to see Callaghan change his back four as they have looked a very competent unit with Owen Heary in the central role.
And Roberto Lopes has also stepped up to the challenge of filling the void since the departure of Evan McMillen, while Dave Mulcahy should add a bit of steel to the midfield as he returns after missing the Rovers clash.
However, Chris Lyons remains out for Bohemians after hurting his ankle against the Hoops, while Shane Fitzgerald has returned to training after an ankle injury.
While the Gypsies competed with Shamrock Rovers in their last home game, they played the majority of the game against 10 men and with the form Sligo have shown so far this season, there can only really be one winner tonight. It might be the pitch but it should be the league champions.
Verdict Sligo Rovers
Live television coverage of Bohemians v Sligo Rovers from 7pm on RTÉ Two and RTE.ie (Worldwide excluding GB & NI). Highlights and analysis of all the weekend's action on MNS from 7pm on Monday 1 April on RTÉ Two and RTE.ie (Worldwide).
Shamrock Rovers v Cork City
Shamrock Rovers will look to kick-start their season when they take on Cork City at Tallaght Stadium tonight, kick-off 8.00pm.
Rovers centre-half Jason McGuinness remains out with a hamstring problem, while David Elebert is also ruled out as he recovers from a groin injury.
Sean O'Connor and Conor Winn have both been sick this week and are doubtful, while Mark Quigley has a slight ankle problem and is also a doubt.
Hoops boss, Croly said: "It's nice to be back at home; it feels like we haven't had a home game in ages as we've been playing away in the last few weeks.
"Cork have a very good side this year, with a good blend of youth and experience. They have plenty of players that are used to winning games and winning trophies, and so we know it will be a tough encounter. But I am expecting a good, if hard fought, game on the night."
After a late penalty gave Derry City all three points at Turner's Cross last Sunday, Cork City will be looking to get back on track as they travel to face Rovers.
City boss Tommy Dunne said: "It doesn't get any tougher than going to Tallaght. Rovers have had three draws, so they will be looking to get a win. We are in a similar position after the defeat to Derry which took our unbeaten record from us, so we are looking to bounce back."
"I don't see us being under that much pressure going up there, but maybe for Rovers there is a little bit of pressure. Both sides will want to win, so I think it is going to be an interesting game.
Dunne is still without long-term absentee Brian Lenihan, while the knee injury that kept Neal Horgan out of the game against Derry means he is a doubt for the tie.
There is also a doubt over Daryl Horgan who was substituted in the Derry match with a hamstring strain, Dan Murray will definitely miss the tie due to work commitments, but John Dunleavy has recovered from the knock that he picked up against Derry and will be available.
Verdict: Shamrock Rovers
Derry City v Shelbourne
Derry City will welcome Shelbourne to the Brandywell for tonight's Airtricity League Premier Division clash, kick-off 7.45pm.
Derry will be without the services of Stewart Greacen (knee) Paddy Kavanagh (hamstring) and Kevin Deery (knee).
City boss Declan Devine said: "We had a great result last week in Cork but for that to mean anything we must follow it up this week with a similar performance at home.
"At this moment, I'm delighted with the work rate and application of the entire squad. We have been missing a couple of players due to little knocks and the players that have come in have stepped it up and given their all.
"So far we have only conceded two goals in four games and they have come against last season runners up (Drogheda United) and the current league champions (Sligo Rovers) but most importantly we have been creating chances and in the most part we have finished the ones that have come our way."
Shelbourne travel north without the suspended Graham Gartland, who received an additional two game suspension, following the red card against Dundalk.
On the injury front, both Glenn Cronin and Ger Hanley are some weeks away from a return to full fitness.
Verdict: Derry City
Bray Wanderers v UCD
Bray Wanderers and UCD go head to head in tonight's Airtricity League clash at the Carlisle Grounds, kick-off 7.45pm.
Adam Mitchell will once again be an absentee for Wanderers, while there is a doubt about striker Jason Byrne who limped off with an ankle injury against Drogheda United.
Defender Shane O'Connor, who has yet to make an appearance this term, has recovered from a hamstring injury and is included in the squad.
Mick Leahy remains out for UCD with a knee injury, while Robbie Benson is also ruled out for Martin Russell's side as he recovers from a hamstring strain.
Russell said: "The game against Bray is one we look forward to. The Dundalk game was one that got away a bit as we had chances to win it.
"But as ever we look to progress our young squad's experience and these games against Bray and Sligo at home on Monday are invaluable for them."
College defender Mark Langtry said: "It's a big game for us and we feel we can get the much needed three points. Training has gone well this week and we want Friday to be the kick-start to the season. We have a tough run of fixtures coming up and we are eager to pick up points.
"The lads all have ability but experience goes a long way in this league as we have learned. I think all the more experienced players are trying to add something."
Written By Unknown on Kamis, 28 Maret 2013 | 23.06
Updated: Thursday, 28 Mar 2013 16:01 | Comments
Jesse Ryder in action for the Black Caps
New Zealand cricketer and former Ireland player Jesse Ryder was in an induced coma after being the victim of a serious assault, police said.
The 28-year-old all-rounder was admitted to Christchurch Hospital in the early hours of the morning having suffered multiple injuries including, according to reports, a fractured skull.
According to police, Ryder was involved in an altercation with up to three people outside Aikmans bar in the suburb of Merivale shortly after 12.30am local time.
He was then assaulted by one of the group who followed him towards the car park of a nearby McDonald's, police said.
Ryder played for Ireland in the summer of 2007 as the side's overseas player in the Friends Provident Trophy.
"The hospital advise that Jesse is in a critical condition," Detective Senior Sergeant Brian Archer said.
"He is in an induced coma as a result of suffering multiple injuries.
"It was an initial incident involving at least two to three people. As Jesse has gone towards the car park at McDonald's he's been followed by two of the three people, we believe, and one of those two has assaulted Jesse."
He added: "It appears Jesse has been the victim of a serious assault and has suffered head injuries as a result."
Archer said he expected to have "reasonable footage" of the people available from CCTV cameras.
Ryder had been drinking with his Wellington team-mates in the bar, though it appears this was not a factor in the incident.
Archer said there were "at least 10 or more witnesses" and while the people involved had not been identified there were "positive lines of inquiry".
Ryder, a controversial figure whose career has been plagued by off-field incidents, is on an indefinite break from international cricket and has not played for New Zealand since February last year.
He has admitted in the past that alcohol has contributed to his off-field problems.
New Zealand Cricket Players' Association chief executive Heath Mills said today: "Jesse has been fighting some demons over the years and he has struggled with them. It will be an ongoing battle for Jesse and we need to do all we can to help him.
"He's got those demons so it shouldn't be a surprise if in the future if we have to deal with isolated incidents.
"What I will say - and it's been made very clear to us by the police today - is that Jesse was having a few drinks with his team-mates at the conclusion of their season. The actual assault was not an alcohol-fuelled incident."
New Zealand Cricket offered its support to the player.
"We are all shocked by what has occurred and extremely concerned for Jesse. New Zealand Cricket's thoughts are with him and his family," NZC chief executive David White said.
Black Caps batsman Ross Taylor tweeted: "Thinking of you mate @DijaRyder."
Former England captain Michael Vaughan posted: "Devastating news regarding Jesse Ryder... Just hope he can pull through... Thoughts are with him and his family..."
Ryder has played 18 Tests and 39 one-day internationals for the Black Caps, his last appearance an ODI against South Africa.
He played yesterday for the Wellington Firebirds in the major preliminary final against Canterbury Wizards at Hagley Oval and was due to fly out to India this week to compete for the Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League.
The first Louth derby of this year's Airtricity League campaign takes place tonight as Dundalk welcome Drogheda United to Oriel Park, kick-off 7:45pm.
Stephen Kenny's new-look Lilywhites can move to within two points of league leaders Sligo Rovers with victory over their Wee County rivals.
Skipper Stephen O'Donnell looks set to miss out for the home side as he is recovering from a calf injury.
Dundalk have two wins and a draw in their opening four games of the season with their only defeat coming against champions Sligo.
Tonight's fixture should be a tight affair with the home side a completely different proposition from the struggling side of last season.
Manager Kenny has his side playing neat attractive football and they will get goals from all over the pitch with John Dillon, John Mountney and Kurtis Byrne all showing impressive early season form.
Drogheda keeper Gabriel Sava was the hero as Cooke's side held on for a point in Derry and the keeper may need to be at his best at the Dundalk venue tonight.
The visitors have plenty of firepower in their ranks and will be keen to hold on to the bragging rights after dominating their near neighbours last season.However, Alan McNally, Gary O'Neill and Derek Prendergast remain out for Mick Cooke's side for the trip to Oriel.
And despite losing their opening league game at St Pat's, Drogheda have remained unbeaten in their three subsequent league games, drawing with impressive Derry and Limerick sides, before beating Bray Wanderers on Sunday.
Cooke said: "It's always nice to get the first win on the board but I was particularly pleased with how the team played. We dominated the majority of the game and created a lot of chances, which is something we have been working on in training. But we now have to put that to one side and try and build on it with another win on Thursday night.
"The games against Dundalk are always big occasions and weather permitting I hope there will be a big turnout, especially as both of us won at the weekend.
"We hold the upper hand from last season, but form does go out the window in derby games. Stephen has put together a new squad and there are new faces in our team also."
Ireland concede the late equaliser against AustriaIreland concede the late equaliser against AustriaConor Sammon was pleased with his performance against Austria
Conor Sammon is refusing to admit defeat in Ireland's quest for World Cup qualification.
The 26-year-old striker made his first competitive start for his country in Tuesday night's clash with Austria, and was within seconds of marking his bow with a precious victory when the visitors snatched a 2-2 draw at the death.
That denied Ireland the chance to climb into second place in Group C and left them knowing they now have little margin for error if they are to stand a chance of making it to Brazil via the play-offs.
However, while disappointed to have emerged from the trip to Sweden and the Austrians' visit to Dublin with just two points, Sammon is adamant that the return is not fatal.
He said: "It's definitely disappointing to come away with just a point, and two points from the two big games.
"Obviously, the league is very tight. We know we still have to play Austria away and Sweden here as well, so there are still lots of points to play for.
"As a group, we just need to try to be positive and just take it one game at a time and try to move forward."
Asked if Ireland could still qualify despite the setback, he said: "I definitely think so. There's no reason why we can't."
Sammon was manager Giovanni Trapattoni's surprise choice to replace injured skipper Robbie Keane for the clash with Austria amid a growing clamour for Wes Hoolahan to be given a chance to bring his invention to the team.
The 74-year-old Italian manager opted for the former Kilmarnock and Wigan man's brawn and pace, and his partnership with West Brom's Shane Long caused the visitors problems at times.
Sammon said: "I was pleased with how I did. I tried to put myself about.
"The manager obviously had said to me before the game to try to be a physical presence and win flick-ons for Shane's pace in behind, and I really enjoyed it, and then dropping on and trying to help the team out in the second half.
"I was delighted to make my first competitive start like that, it's just unfortunate that it ended in a disappointing way.
"Coming into the game after getting such a great result out in Stockholm, everyone in the camp wanted to get the three points and we went out on to the pitch with that aim.
"It didn't go to plan when they scored so early on, but credit to the lads for going in at half-time 2-1 up.
"It's just disappointing and hard to swallow just now that it is only two points instead of four."
Simon Zebo has been out injured since he played for Ireland in the Six Nations win over Wales on 2 February
Following excellent rehab under the care of the Munster medical and strength and conditioning team, Simon Zebo is in the frame for consideration for the Heineken Cup quarter-final against Harlequins.
The international wing took an active part in training on Wednesday though a spokesperson said that it's how he comes through the sessions next week that will determine his availability.
Others on the injury list include Sean Dougall who damaged knee (left) ligaments in the game against Connacht last weekend that will see him sidelined for up to six weeks while Luke O'Dea is expected to be out for a further three to four weeks following a wrist injury in the A game against Leinster.
Dave O'Callaghan returns to action for his club at the weekend and internationals Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray and Donnacha Ryan are all expected to sign in for Munster's squad training session in UL on Easter Monday ahead of the trip to London on Friday, 5 April.
Coach Rob Penney has named the Munster XV that will face Glasgow at Scotstoun in the RaboDirect Pro 12 on Friday evening.
In the back line Johne Murphy comes onto the wing in place of the injured Denis Hurley while this time around Duncan Williams starts with Cathal Sheridan on the bench. Hurley tweaked a hamstring in the Connacht game and didn't feel entirely happy with it after the Tuesday training session.
In the pack, changes from last day see Mike Sherry and BJ Botha ahead of Damien Varley and Stephen Archer respectively with Paddy Butler into the back row for the injured (knee) Sean Dougall
Munster: F Jones; D Howlett, C Laulala, J Downey, J Murphy; R O'Gara, D Williams; D Kilcoyne, M Sherry, BJ Botha; Donncha O'Callaghan, P O'Connell; P Butler, T O'Donnell , J Coughlan.
Replacements:, D Varley, W du Preez, S Archer, B Holland, N Ronan, C Sheridan, I Keatley, I Dineen.
Former WBA heavyweight champion David Haye has come out of retirement having grown tired of waiting for a challenge from either of the Klitschko brothers to arrive.
Haye, 32, announced his comeback at a press conference in London this afternoon and will fight an as-yet-unnamed opponent at Manchester Evening News Arena on June 29.
He also expects to fight again later this year to put himself in a mandatory position to face either Vitali or Wladimir Klitschko for their respective titles at some stage in 2014.
"Instead of sitting around and waiting another year I want to get back in there," Haye said.
"I'm happy to be back - a year is long enough time to wait for someone to phone you."
Haye's own promotional company, Hayemaker, will promote his comeback fight in June and his trainer Adam Booth confirmed talks are ongoing to find a suitable opponent.
"David will fight an opponent who I am yet to secure, but who will be highly ranked," said Booth.
"He wants to fight twice this year against highly-ranked contenders to put himself in an unavoidable position to be the mandatory contender to one of the brothers. He is not waiting anymore. He is fighting his way into position."
Haye was last in the ring last July when he defeated fellow British heavyweight Dereck Chisora at Upton Park, a bout he thought would lead to an encounter with WBC champion Vitali Klitschko.
Vitali's brother Wladimir beat Haye in Hamburg in 2011 to add the WBA title to his IBF, WBO and The Ring crowns and now Haye wants another shot at one of the Ukrainians.
"I want that heavyweight title back," he said.
"I was hoping Vitali would be a man of his word and fight me after I did what he and his team wanted me to do and beat Dereck Chisora."
"We have been sitting around, waiting for the phone to ring but that hasn't happened. We have sent some e-mails but they have fallen on deaf ears."
Vitali will face unbeaten Manuel Charr in September, with Francesco Pianeta next up for Wladimir.
Mayo forward Jason Doherty wants to find a consistency that can maintain the county's place in the top flight of the Allianz Football League - and possibly earn a place in the semi-finals.
The Connacht champions obtained a small measure of revenge for last year's All-Ireland final defeat against Donegal with a four-point victory last Sunday in Castlebar to boost their survival hopes.
James Horan's side could even move into contention for fourth spot in the league if results fall correctly on the final day of fixtures, with this week's opponents Cork - as well as Donegal and Kerry - in the mix.
Speaking at the Race the Rás launch in Croke Park ahead of the trip to Pairc Ui Rinn on Sunday week, Doherty said: "Our aim is to go down Cork and get the two points.
"We can only let everything else look after itself, whether we reach the semi-finals or stay up, our main priority is put in a good performance, up it again from the last day and beat Cork down there.
"It'll be by no means an easy task but if we can come out with two points we'll let everything else look after itself.
"We went on a bad run of results but at the same time within those games there were patches of very good football. We just didn't sustain that.
"We got punished for it by other teams and rightly so. We know ourselves if we can sustain that play for 70 minutes and work hard then we can come out with a lot of good results. That is what happened the last day.
"We just sustained that pressure and work rate a little bit longer than we have been and we came away with the two points which is the most important thing."
Mayo surprised many by reaching the All-Ireland decider last season and while their form has done little to inspire confidence for the season ahead, the Burrishoole man has ambitions to go a step better.
"2012 is done, it is gone and we have to forget about that. Whatever happened then, we're not going to let it affect us in 2013.
"Our aim again this year is get as far as we can and if that means winning an All-Ireland, all the better.
"That is what we want to do. Every player is trying to improve the whole time. If every player ups it a couple of percent, we know we will not be that far off," he concluded.
MacCumhaill Park will be full to the rafters on 26 May
The Ulster Council of the GAA has confirmed that MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey will host this summer's championship encounter between Donegal and Tyrone.
Redevelopment work at the venue, costing over €100,000, has ensured that capacity will be close to 18,000 for the much anticipated clash on 26 May.
After the draw was made last October, Donegal were keen not to give up home advantage and county officials promised they would have the Ballybofey venue up to scratch. Tyrone had wanted the game played in Clones, where the capacity is 34,000.
It will be the third consecutive year that the counties have met in the Ulster championship, with the reigning All-Ireland champions victorious in both 2011 and 2012.
Giovanni Trapattoni was defiant when asked if he would still be manager for the qualifier against the Faroe Islands
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Giovanni Trapattoni insists Ireland remain firmly in the hunt for World Cup qualification despite suffering a heartbreaking setback against Austria last night.
Ireland came within seconds of climbing into second place in Group C and giving themselves a genuine chance of claiming a play-off spot before Austria midfielder David Alaba snatched a draw with an injury-time equaliser at the Aviva Stadium.
However, Trapattoni is refusing to give up on his hopes of guiding Ireland to the finals in Brazil next summer after the 2-2 draw.
He said: "There is a long way to go and we have the same possibility we had. This team can grow more in confidence and personality.
"Obviously, I am not satisfied with this draw, but I have got to accept that we were missing a bit of experience.
"But we hit the post through Shane Long and the [last] goal was a deflection, so I can say we have been a little bit unlucky - a little bit, but not much."
"There is a long way to go and we have the same possibility we had" - Giovanni Trapattoni
Alaba's last-gasp strike was all the more dispiriting for Trapattoni and his players after they had fought their way back from a losing position to take the lead and preserve it until the game's final throes.
The visitors took an 11th-minute lead when Zlatko Junuzovic caught defender Ciaran Clark in possession and fed Martin Harnik, whose deft finish gave David Forde no chance.
But Ireland were handed a lifeline when Emanuel Pogatetz brought down Long and Jon Walters converted from the penalty spot with 25 minutes gone.
Walters headed the Republic into the lead in first-half injury time and they were to maintain their advantage until the dying seconds, when Alaba's long-range effort clipped substitute Sean St Ledger and flew past Forde to deny Trapattoni's men victory.
As a result, it is Austria who will head into the next round of matches in June sitting in second behind leaders Germany, although only on goal difference from Sweden.
Trapattoni had targeted four points from this month's double-header and Friday night's draw in Stockholm had set them up perfectly.
However, the late, late blow added fuel to the fires of the 74-year-old's detractors, and amid speculation that former Reading boss Brian McDermott has been lined up as a potential replacement, rumours of his impending demise are unlikely to go away.
But the veteran Italian, who survived in the aftermath of October's 6-1 home defeat by the Germans, was remaining defiant once again.
Asked if he would still be in the job when the Faroe Islands arrive in Dublin in June, he said: "Why not? We are the same in the table. It has not changed."
Opposite number Marcel Koller left the Aviva Stadium the happier, but he we refused to concede that the draw had handed the advantage to his side's next opponents, Sweden.
He said: "We don't know that yet. We haven't played against Sweden yet, so it will all depend on the game in Vienna in June."
Ken Doherty has lost out to to Ricky Walden on a 5-2 scoreline in the first round of the China Open.
After going 4-0 down, the Ranelagh cueman took the next two frames, that included a break of 74 in the sixth. However, Waldin comfortably took the next 83-41 to seal the victory.
The home crowd went home disappointed as Ding Junhui bowed out to Barry Hawkins.
Ding lost his first-round clash 5-3, doing well to at least rally back having gone 4-0 down.
Hawkins, who posted a 108, had a chance to put the local hero to bed in the sixth frame but missed routine green and pinks, affording Ding the chance to put up something of a fight.
There was further disappointment for the fans as Lyu Haotian also went out, going down 5-2 to two-time world champion Mark Williams.
Giovanni Trapattoni has divided opinions among Ireland supporters
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Eamon Dunphy has called for Giovanni Trapattoni to be sacked, saying he does not believe in his players or Ireland's footballing tradition.
Speaking to RTÉ the morning after Ireland's bitterly disappointing draw with Austria, the outspoken pundit said Trapattoni had shown "a perverse obstinacy" and believes that Ireland is some kind of footballing backwater.
"I think ever since Trapattoni took the job he has had the idea in mind, and Jack Charlton had the same idea, that we are a little country like Malta, Lichtenstein or Luxembourg.
"But we have a fantastic footballing tradition here and he does not respect that", said Dunphy.
"He thinks that we're minnows and I don't think that we are. I think we have some outstanding players. We could easily field a Premier League team, and a good Premier League team.
Dunphy highlighted Seamus Coleman and James McCarthy as two of Ireland's best prospects, saying they were "amongst the most promising and outstanding players in the top flight in England."
Lack of belief is key, he says "Trapattoni does not believe in the players and he does not encourage them to play a passing game. We are a better team than Austria and, I think, we are a better team than Sweden.
"The truth of it is that there are not that many decent teams in the world now. A lot of international football is poor, if you take Spain and Germany out.
"England have a poor side at the moment. We are good enough to play a lot better, and a lot better than we have played under Trapattoni.
"We showed for the first 45 minutes last night that we were better than the Austrians. We were more committed and more vigorous. The sum of the parts of the Irish team is greater than the whole, which is a huge thing in international football and not often the case.
"But in the second half, as I predicted at half-time, unless we got Wes Hoolahan on the pitch and started passing the ball we would be under pressure, and would concede territory and possession to an inferior team. That is precisely what happened, and it has happened many other times at Lansdowne Road.
"In the final third of the field Austria had acres of space to play in and it was ridiculous the extent we dropped so deep.
"And then when he made the substitutions he chose not to put Hoolahan on, took Shane Long off and left Conor Sammon on for the whole match. Sammon, who should not have been picked in the first place, had worked very hard and was really tired.
"Trapattoni made mistakes, and coaches shouldn't make those kind of mistakes and they certainly should not make them repeatedly."
Dunphy, who won 23 caps for the Republic of Ireland, insisted that the disrespect that Trapattoni has shown towards some players is damaging and, for that alone, he should be sacked.
"You can make a case that while we are still in with a statistical chance of getting to the World Cup it is reasonable to expect that he would not resign.
"There is another case, and I believe it is the right one, that we need to get rid of this guy because he is damaging the players, particularly the young players who he is messing around, and damaging our prospects for the future.
"It's only last Thursday that he dropped James McCarthy
"Shane Long is an interesting case. He has only started three games for Ireland. He has been an outstanding player for West Brom for some time, and it's only six months ago that Trapattoni dropped him saying he was injured and Long had to come out and say he was not injured. The next day the manager called him an idiot!.
"Shane Long is one of the most professional, and one of the nicest, players in the game of football anywhere. He is an intelligent and outstanding young Irish athlete and should not be treated like that.
Dunphy believes neither Long nor James McCarthy should be subjected to "that kind of disrespect".
"Trapattoni talked about young Robbie Brady, who was supposed to be playing (against Sweden), and he said he wasn't sure if he was psychologically ready.
"On those grounds alone I think that Trapattoni should be sacked. He is clearly damaging players."
Dunphy believes the manager's obstinacy, stubbornness and fear of creativity are also damaging the team.
"It took Seamus Coleman, who remember did not go to the European Championships, two and a half years to get a start, considering the impact he made when he arrived at Everton.
"Wes Hoolahan has been playing well for Norwich for three or four seasons. He scores goals, makes goals, he's a wonderful footballer and links play up between forwards and defence and he is creative.
"Trapattoni is similar to Jack Charlton – he is suspect of creativity. He thinks Hoolahan in trying to pass a ball will give the ball away, and that he will refuse to lump it up the pitch in the style that Trapattoni prefers.
"The stubborn streak is there. It's perverse obstinacy and it's distressing. It is not good for our fans and our players, who are more important than any individual coach."
David Forde was powerless to prevent Austria's late, late levellerIrish players show their disappointment at the final whistle
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by Ed Leahy
Ireland were dealt a cruel hand at the Aviva on Tuesday night, as Austria grabbed an injury-time equalise to secure a valuable away point in the race for second place in Group C.
The result was decided by a quality strike by David Alaba in the final minute, but there were a lot of key moments that ultimately led to that heart-breaking moment for the Irish.
So if the wounds are not too raw, let's take a look back.
Moment of madness
10:04 The ball is bouncing about midfield and Glenn Whelan instructs Marc Wilson to play it out wide to James McClean. Wilson, under pressure, fails to get the ball under control and is forced to check back towards his own goal.
A simple pass is rolled to the feet of centre-half Ciaran Clark. Nothing is on and in a moment of madness, Clark looks to skip in between two Austrian midfielders, but Junuzovic dispossesses the Villa man and squares a great ball to Harnik who runs through and toe-pokes the ball past the advancing Forde.
That goal was a real body blow to the Ireland team who had weathered the early Austrian storm and were starting to take control. Ireland might have got away with that mistake against weaker opposition but the Austrians showed that they came into the game full of confidence and duly punished the hosts.
Penalty claim
16:24 A powerful Jonathan Walters holds David Alaba at bay inside the penalty box and gets his head on James McClean's cross. Alaba turns his back on the ball but leaves his hand up in the air and inadvertently blocks the ball from going towards the goal.
The referee ignores the Irish half-hearted claim for a penalty, and they are rarely given, but perhaps it gave the official food for thought for some upcoming decisions.
McCarthy challenge
20:01 James McCarthy was always favourite for the challenge with Junuzovic in midfield and didn't really need to go through the player while winning the ball. The injury to the player and a lot of Austrian protests appeared to convince the referee to book the Irish midfielder.
McCarthy had to spend the remaining 70 minutes on his feet and if he had remained caution-free until the second half, it may have allowed him to be a be more aggressive in the final 20 minutes.
On the plus side, the challenge finished the Austrian playmaker's involvement in the game and it is also a good thing to get McCarthy's suspension out of the way as the next game is against the Faroe Islands as he will not be needed in the June clash.
Walters penalty
23:15 Philipp Hosiner's cross-field ball is deflected way up into the air as James McCarthy gets back to cover the Austria counter attack. Seamus Coleman appears to misjudge the flight of the ball and allows it to bounce in a very dangerous area on the edge of the box.
But Coleman gets away with it and beats the inrushing Arnautovic to the ball and heads clear. Walters volleys up field, Sammon beats the indecisive Pogatetz, feeds Whelan, who slides a great ball down the right channel into the path of Shane Long.
The recovering Pogatetz commits to the tackle and Long just needs to shift the ball out of his feet and take the impact for a stonewall penalty.
All this time Austria were playing with ten men, thanks to the previous McCarthy yellow card and Walters put his two penalty misses this season out of his mind to smash home the equaliser.
The back heel
37:26 The ball is at Shane Long's feet. A long clearance by Forde is won in the air by Sammon and leads to McClean driving the ball into the penalty area. Sammon again gets involved and the Austrian players mis-time their clearance before the ball comes to rest at the Ireland striker's feet.
But Long has his back to goal and five Austrians are closing in on the ball. Quick thinking by Long, who back heels the ball goalwards, the keeper can only watch as the ball hits the post and Fuchs clears to keep the score level at 1-1. Such ingenuity is a rare commodity in a green shirt these days and deserved a goal.
No reward for honesty
40:25 Harnik skips past Marc Wilson inside the Ireland box. The Irish left-back is the wrong side of the Austria goalscorer and gives him a slight tug as he tries to get around to make the tackle.
Harnik, probably still buoyed by the earlier strike, thinks he is in on goal and declines to go down. But that little tug was enough to give Clark the time to get over to block and Ireland clear.
The appeal by Harnik is too late and he really should have gone down to make the referee make a decision. An example of a player's honesty getting him no reward, and a continental player at that.
Ireland take the lead
45:08 Ireland win their second corner in quick succession after more great work by James McClean on both occasions. James McClean trots out to take the corner but Glenn Whelan pulls rank and sends him away from the ball after his last corner failed to beat the first defender.
Whelan's inswinging corner has a bit more depth to it and Walters gets in front of marker Fuchs to head home and Ireland take a 2-1 lead into the break.
Kavlak tackle
57:07 Glenn Whelan comes across to make a great covering tackle on Alaba. Conor Sammon, tracking back deep into his own half, picks up the loose ball before getting cleaned out of it by Veli Kavlak.
Kavlak was on a yellow card and was very lucky not to be sent off for the mistimed sliding tackle. In fairness to the Austrian, his initial yellow card was soft and that may have been in the referee's mind.
Either way, the Austrian bench realised that one more foul and he was off, so he was replaced shortly afterwards, allowing the impressive Aston Villa youngster Andrea Weimann to get a chance to influence the result.
Penalty appeal waved away
60:49 Alaba whips in a corner from the left. Pogatetz has got on the wrong side of Clark and a moment later both players go tumbling to the floor in full sight of the referee, but the official ignores the incident and awards Ireland a goal-kick.
Pogatetz indicates to the ref that he had been spun illegally and appeals for the penalty, but is waved away. Clark stays down holding his face, which is a pure sign of guilt, and Ireland escape. Needless to say, Clark didn't need any medical attention for the facial 'injury'.
Ireland drop back
70:00 A cross into the box is headed clear by Clark from the penalty spot. Conor Sammon gets across to help and sends the ball across the half-way line. Austria regain possession and the ball is played wide to Fuchs on the left wing just inside the Ireland half.
In those 15 seconds, the Irish back four had only pushed to the edge of the box and the midfield four remained sitting just in front. Someone had made the decision not to push out and this was a signal to Austria that the Irish were looking to see the game out in that manner.
It's highly unlikely that that decision came from the sideline and was the responsibility of the captain, playing in the middle of defence, or perhaps the keeper to push his defence out at least another 20 yards from the edge of the box.
And so it remained as the Irish defence barely shifted from that position on the edge of their box as they felt that they could absorb twenty minutes, plus injury time, of wave after wave of Austrian attacks.
Hoolahan stays on the bench
82:54 The manager decides to make a change and brings on Paul Green for Shane Long, who had run his heart out all evening. Now responsibility shifts back to the manager for the final seven minutes and whatever injury time is to be played.
Instead of bringing on a player like Wes Hoolahan who might be able to hold onto possession and allow Ireland to push out of their own half, another holding midfielder was added to the Ireland bus that was well and truly parked on the edge of the box.
Green, in theory, went to the right of midfield with Walters moving forward, but it certainly didn't relieve the pressure or encourage Ireland to push out.
Wasted free
88:38 Austria set-up to take a free on the edge of their box after John O'Shea was adjudged to have fouled Janko in an aerial challenge.
Alaba, Fuchs and Baumgartlinger stood over the ball, sitting 12 yards out from the edge of the Ireland penalty box. Fuchs ran over the ball, followed by Baumgartlinger and the Austrian attackers pulled the entire Irish defence across the box leaving Pogatetz and Harnik, who had spun in the opposite direction, unmarked at the back post.
Harnik's header was meant to go back across the goal to Janko but it was too close to Forde and the Irish keeper grabbed it and made the vital interception.
Such a well-worked free-kick, it really deserved to be rewarded but it seemed to be a sign that it was Ireland's night. Surely nothing could go wrong now as Ireland moved up the field and Paul Green won a free kick in the far corner of the pitch, the clock now ticking on into the three minutes of additional time.
Walters dispossessed
90:24 Green stands over the ball to take the free-kick. Ireland put three men into the box making it look like they would play the ball into the danger zone. Walters eventually runs towards the ball and receives the short pass from Green, but off balance, Walters is easily dispossessed and gives away a very soft free-kick.
Why this free wasn't surrounded by three or four Irish players and played into a little triangle by the corner flag? A bizarre decision and one that would come back to haunt the Irish.
Ireland fail to push out
91:24 Green wins the ball and checks back inside, passing to the unmarked McCarthy who clips the ball into the corner, where the Austria keeper has to collect and pass into midfield so that it can be fed back up the pitch.
In the meantime, the Ireland back four have not budged from the edge of the box and believe they can see out the final minute and a half.
The first ball is cleared but only to Harnik who finds Alaba in space on the edge of the box.
Heartbreak
91:53 The Bayern Munich man takes one touch and gets his shot away as O'Shea and St Ledger look to block. The ball takes a slight deflection off St Ledger and the whizzes past the outstretched hand of David Forde and into the back of the net.
The Verdict: While the passing was far from free-flowing, it was a very entertaining game of football as the Ireland team followed on their hard-fought point in Stockholm with a very passionate performance in front of a vociferous home support.
They showed great character to bounce back from an early goal to take the lead and dominate the Austrians for the majority of the first half.
The second-half tactics ultimately cost the Irish two points as the visitors were allowed to attack at will for the final 20 minutes with the Irish defence sitting on the edge of the box protecting that lead.
The Austrians deserved the equaliser and must be applauded for bringing a positive approach to the game.
And while we predicted an Ireland victory, thinking Trapattoni's tried and tested system would be the difference between the two sides, it was, in fact, those very tactics that allowed Austria to pile the pressure on Ireland for the final twenty minutes and ultimately get rewarded with a valuable away point.
Overall, a lot of positives to be taken out of the two games and while the four-point return was not forthcoming, Ireland didn't lose any ground on Sweden and Austria and the battle for second place will continue into the summer months and beyond.
All three sides will take points from each other, so the real concern is that the second-place points tally in Group C might not be enough to gain one of the eight play-off places.
