Written By Unknown on Minggu, 30 Juni 2013 | 23.06
Updated: Sunday, 30 Jun 2013 09:27 | Comments
Matthew Macklin: 'Without a shadow of a doubt, he's definitely the best kid I've ever fought'
Matthew Macklin came up short once again in his bid to win a portion of the world middleweight crown after being brutally knocked out in the third round by the unbeaten WBA World 160lb champion Gennady Golovkin.
Macklin was defeated in previous title fights against Felix Sturm and Sergio Martinez in thrilling contests, but the Birmingham fighter was thoroughly outclassed by knockout specialist Golovkin at Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut.
The Kazakh-based German hurt Macklin on several occasions before ending the contest in the third round with a savage left hook to Macklin's body for his 24th stoppage win in 27 fights.
"He didn't even let me get into any kind of rhythm at all" - Matthew Macklin
"Without a shadow of a doubt, he's definitely the best kid I've ever fought," said Macklin, whose record falls to 29 wins with five defeats in 34 professional outings, on Sky Sports 1.
"I had a plan to exploit his weakness, which was his lack of experience - he's only been 10 rounds once - but credit to him, he didn't even let me get into any kind of rhythm at all.
"He was patient, he was hard to hit clean, kept the pressure on, picked his punches well and that body shot took it out of me."
Macklin came into the bout convinced it would be third time lucky in world title fights after a controversial points loss to Sturm and a valiant 11th-round stoppage defeat against middleweight kingpin Martinez.
The 31-year-old thought he would be Golovkin's toughest test to date, but the man nicknamed GGG proved he is the real deal with a clinical performance.
Golovkin, also 31, came into this bout on the back of 13 consecutive stoppage wins and he carried understandable confidence into the ring.
He settled to his task midway through the opening round and his first meaningful right hand seemed to unsteady Macklin, who tumbled into the ropes shortly after following a tangle of legs - with his opponent sportingly allowing the Anglo-Irish fighter time to regain his balance.
That was to prove Golovkin's only act of charity in the ring, however, as he opened a cut below Macklin's right eye with another fearsome right in the second.
Recognising he was being outclassed, Macklin decided to open up a little more in the third round, although that only served to stiffen Golovkin's resolve.
The champion forced his opponent into the ropes before delivering a fierce left to the body which left Macklin writhing around in agony long after referee Eddie Cotton had ended the contest at one minute, 21 seconds into the third round.
There was everything to play for heading into the final round of the AT&T National, with American trio James Driscoll, Bill Haas and Roberto Castro, and Argentina's Andres Romero tied on seven under at the top of the leaderboard at Congressional.
Romero had held the upper hand midway through his round, but a double-bogey at the par-four 11th was followed by another dropped shot on 12.
He recovered to par the remaining six holes and signed for a one-under-par 70.
Haas also had trouble at the 11th, posting a triple-bogey seven, but swiftly recovered the three shots with birdies in three of the next four holes en route to a 68.
"It's not perfect golf, but you don't really have to play perfect golf sometimes" - James Driscoll
The American, who has not won on the PGA Tour since February last year, seemed to acknowledge his putting was key to moving into a share of the lead.
"It could have been a six, seven, eight under day," Haas said to www.pgatour.com. "But it also could have been a four, five, six over day if I hadn't putted well."
Driscoll also carded a 68 and is now the only player in the field to shoot three sub-70 scores this week.
"It's not perfect golf, but you don't really have to play perfect golf sometimes," he said.
"If you're just patient and putt well and have a good short game, it can go a long way, and that's kind of what I'm doing this week."
Birdies on 16 and 17 helped Castro (71) finish strongly - having been three over for the round through three holes - although it was the American's outrageous 80-foot chip-in for par on the 18th which ensured he remained among the names at the top of the leaderboard.
"It (the round) was a rollercoaster but I settled down in the last seven holes," he said.
"On 18, I hit a good pitch and bogey would have been good but a par was just a bonus."
Jason Kokrak was a stroke back in fifth place after a 70, with compatriot Tom Gillis and South Korea's Charlie Wi a further shot adrift in a tie for sixth after sparkling rounds of 66 and 65, respectively.
It was a disappointing day for rising star Jordan Spieth, who was tied for the overnight lead alongside Castro but dropped back into a share for eighth after a three over par 74 today.
The Lions now decamp to the Queensland surfers' resort of Noosa but Warburton will stay in Melbourne until tomorrow
British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton is to undergo a scan later today after injuring his hamstring during the 16-15 second Test defeat against Australia in Melbourne.
The Wales flanker limped off 13 minutes from time as Australia gained a dramatic series-levelling victory to set up a decider in Sydney next Saturday.
The Lions announced that Warburton will remain in Melbourne today for the scan.
He will then join up tomorrow with the rest of the squad, who will now decamp to the Queensland surfers' resort of Noosa until Thursday.
Warburton reported immediately after the game that he had "a sore hamstring" and at this stage, he must be rated a doubt for the Sydney showdown.
The Lions are also hoping that Jamie Roberts and Alex Corbisiero will return to full training on Wednesday.
Roberts, the Wales centre, has yet to play in the Test series because of a hamstring problem, while England prop Corbisiero suffered a calf injury in the opener at Suncorp Stadium.
"There are a few boys training tomorrow and they will go hard. The rest of the squad have a couple of days off and we'll train on Wednesday and Thursday," assistant coach Andy Farrell said.
"People like Alex Corbisiero and Jamie Roberts will go hard tomorrow and hopefully be right for full training on Wednesday."
A CSKA Sofia football club supporter runs into the Bulgarian Football Union building in Sofia
Fifteen people have been held by police in connection with an attack on the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) headquarters on Saturday.
CSKA Sofia fans threw stones and fireworks at the BFU building in central Sofia, smashing windows and hitting a reporter who tried to take a photograph.
"Fifteen people have been detained so far," the interior ministry's chief secretary Svetlozar Lazarov told reporters.
"We're still conducting questionings that will determine if any will be charged," he said, adding that further arrests were planned.
Police had stopped fans trying to set fire to the building, he said.
"The police prevented more serious incidents. When they arrived, some of the fans were inside the building, lighting torches and trying to damage the furniture and equipment in the building."
Supporters of CSKA, who are the most successful Bulgarian club with 31 league titles, have accused the BFU of being too strict and not allowing a merger with another club.
Debt-ridden CSKA will play in the amateur championship next season if they fail to merge with another first division club in time for the start of the league on 20 July.
CSKA condemned the violence, saying in a statement: "We are sure that the millions of CSKA fans in Bulgaria do not admire such behaviour; CSKA has proved it can build, not destroy.
"We categorically state that the management of the club is not involved even indirectly in the vandalism against the building of the Bulgarian Football Union."
Andy Farrell: "We were lucky to get away with a win in the first game, and in the second game we could have won."Sunday is a rest day for the Lions
Andy Farrell has billed next Saturday's Test series decider between the Lions and Australia as "the biggest game of our lives".
The Lions have migrated north to Noosa for a few days' rest and recuperation following their last-gasp defeat in Melbourne yesterday.
There is also an injury cloud hovering over their captain Sam Warburton, who will arrive on Queensland's Sunshine Coast tomorrow after remaining in Melbourne overnight for a scan.
But assistant coach Farrell has no doubt the Lions will regroup ahead of the Sydney showdown.
And they are also optimistic that centre Jamie Roberts and prop Alex Corbisiero will return to full training on Wednesday, putting them in contention for next weekend.
Wales international Roberts has yet to play in the Test series because of a hamstring problem, while England prop Corbisiero suffered a calf injury in the series opener at Suncorp Stadium.
"There are a few boys training tomorrow and they will go hard. The rest of the squad have a couple of days off and we'll train on Wednesday and Thursday," Farrell said today.
"People like Alex Corbisiero and Jamie Roberts will go hard tomorrow and hopefully be right for full training on Wednesday."
The Lions have been installed as marginal favourites to win the third and final Test at ANZ Stadium, but the momentum is with Australia following their dramatic Melbourne victory.
"The reality is that it's 1-1 after two good teams have gone at it hammer and tongs. We're both still in the race," Farrell added.
"I'm proud of the way we stuck at it. We were lucky to get away with a win in the first game, and in the second game we could have won. After those two games, 1-1 is a fair way to look at the series.
"We all realise it (next Saturday) is the biggest game of our lives and we'll see what comes of it. I wouldn't say Australia are in the driving seat. I would say they're very pleased - it was a do or die situation for them, and they rose to the challenge."
Farrell has dismissed any prospect of the Lions being fatigued as they approach the end of a 10-match tour that started in Hong Kong four weeks ago.
"Fatigue doesn't come into it with the enormity of the task ahead and what is at stake," he said.
"If you ask the players, they would play the game again tomorrow. They want to get straight back on the horse and get back at it. That's what big-game players want to do - get back at it straight away.
"The disappointment is that we have to wait five or six days to put it right.
"We have always said that we've got a good squad and we believe in everyone within the squad. We will back everyone to the hilt and that is what we've done throughout this campaign.
"Whoever gets selected for this last game in Sydney, big-game players normally produce when it counts, and it counts no more than next weekend."
"The disappointment is that we have to wait five or six days to put it right," - Andy Farrell
One of the Lions' main tasks in Sydney will be attempting to shackle a dangerous Australia back division sparked by brilliant Wallabies scrum-half Will Genia.
Genia repeatedly guided Australia into Lions' territory at the Etihad Stadium, capitalising on some quality set-piece possession provided by the Wallabies forwards.
"You will look more dangerous when you've got a lot of ball in the right areas of the field," Farrell added.
"The disappointing thing for us with our lack of accuracy was that we couldn't get our backs into the game because we couldn't keep hold of the ball for more than three or four phases.
"Our strength is our physicality and our skill and pace within the backs, but we couldn't keep that going and Australia could because of the way they kept the ball and the way we kept letting them back into the game.
Meath are through to a successive Leinster decider
Free-taker Mickey Newman scored half of Meath's points as they beat Wexford 0-18 to 0-13 to reach their second successive Leinster SFC final.
Wexford were the better team in the first half at Croke Park, but only led 0-08 to 0-07 at the interval with Ciaran Lyng and Ben Brosnan scoring five points between them.
They hit some costly wides and Meath, with Graham Reilly and Stephen Bray growing in influence, gradually edged clear as nine-point hero Newman finished off Wexford's challenge.
Meath manager Mick O'Dowd gave former captain Seamus Kenny his first competitive start since he damaged his cruciate knee ligament 13 months ago, while Pádraic Harnan made his full Championship debut in defence.
Wexford made two late switches as Lee Chin, who played for the county's Under-21 and senior hurlers in recent days, and James Holmes made way for Rob Tierney and Shane Roche respectively.
Chin helped the Model men to a narrowly All-Ireland SHC qualifier win over Carlow last night and he was actually pressed into action early on at Croke Park. Tierney was thankfully able to continue though, as Chin suffered some swelling to his knee during his short spell on the pitch.
It was a little too frantic in the opening minutes, Wexford's PJ Banville knocking a point attempt off the post after Donal Keoghan's poor clearance and Reilly and Bray both posted wides.
Lyng lobbed over a close range free to give Wexford a fifth minute lead, before Newman replied following a good carry from the fit-again Kenny.
That pattern was repeated when free-taker Newman cancelled out Lyng's second point, set up by a Daithi Waters hand pass, and the quality continued to increase with Brosnan pointing brilliantly on the turn.
Lyng made it 0-04 to 0-02 from an 11th minute free, but Newman laid off for Peadar Byrne to respond and Wexford conjured up three wides in a row as Brosnan and Brian Malone erred.
Newman and Bray were also guilty of poor shooting at the other end, and a soft free won by Redmond Barry allowed Brosnan to restart the scoring from midfield.
Wexford sparked into life again as wing back Adrian Flynn drove forward to prize open a three-point gap - although there was a double hop in the build-up - and Meath swiftly replied through Bray.
The Wexford midfield tandem were getting on top as Rory Quinlivan darted through and fed Banville for a close range score, and defender Malone followed suit by charging through the middle to slot over Wexford's eighth point.
Just as Wexford were beginning to motor, Reilly popped over a welcome point for the Royals and teenager Eamonn Wallace did well to score from an acute angle and close the gap to 0-08 to 0-06.
With full-back Graeme Molloy off receiving treatment, Meath made it a one-point game as Byrne profited from a loose clearance from Banville to register his second score.
Brosnan fluffed his lines badly when missing two late frees, the second a very kickable one, as Wexford's wides tally increased to seven before the half-time whistle.
Banville drew a quick free on the restart for Brosnan to get back on track and reopen a two-point lead, and the pace of the game was soon back up to Championship level.
The free-running Malone burst through for his second point and Reilly matched him, stylishly clipping over with the aid of the left hand post.
Reilly was then hauled down by David Murphy who earned a yellow card for the challenge and Newman converted the free from the ground, paring the deficit back to 0-10 to 0-09.
Banville then shot limply and straight at Paddy O'Rourke and the Royals were back level in the 46th minute thanks to Newman's fourth successful free.
The young Kilmainham clubman won and pointed his fifth free soon after, with Joe Sheridan's timely introduction drawing a big cheer from the Royal ranks.
Reilly increased his influence with a third point, although Sheridan was available to his left for a possible goal-scoring chance. Meath continued to sweep forward in numbers, Brian Meade drawing a free which Newman sent wide from a difficult angle.
Wexford ended their 15-minute scoreless with a close-in point from the industrious Redmond Barry, and Newman suffered his second miss from a placed ball as the hour mark approached.
However, the big corner forward was back on target as Meath edged 0-13 to 0-11 in front and while Wexford pressed for a goal, Lyng's rising shot - their only real goal-scoring chance - was parried over by Meath net minder Paddy O'Rourke.
Meath looked to have more in the tank and Wexford continued to offer them free-taking opportunities. O'Dowd's side put on a sudden spurt with Newman rifling over again with his right boot and Reilly scampered into space on the right to widen the margin to 0-15 to 0-12.
Lyng took his tally to 0-05, but Wexford lacked the necessary composure and disciplin in the closing minutes and they were held scoreless as Meath confirmed their progress through to another provincial decider.
Lyng badly miscued a kickable free and Meath decisively rattled off three late scores with Bray landing a tremendous effort from the right and Newman tagging on two more frees, the latter one coming in injury-time after the hard-working Bray was fouled.
MEATH: Paddy O'Rourke; Donal Keoghan, Kevin Reilly, Bryan Menton; Pádraic Harnan, Caomhín King, Seamus Kenny; Brian Meade, Conor Gillespie; Peadar Byrne (0-02), Damien Carroll, Graham Reilly (0-04); Eamonn Wallace (0-01), Stephen Bray (0-02), Mickey Newman (0-09, 0-09f).
Subs used: Ciaran Lenehan for King (40 mins), Joe Sheridan for Wallace (48), Paddy Gilsenan for Byrne (52), Andrew Tormey for Meade (60), Bryan McMahon for Reilly (70+1).
WEXFORD: Anthony Masterson; Michael Furlong, Graeme Molloy, Robert Tierney; Brian Malone (0-02), David Murphy, Adrian Flynn (0-01); Daithi Waters, Rory Quinlivan; Shane Roche, Ben Brosnan (0-03, 0-02f), Aindreas Doyle; Ciaran Lyng (0-05, 0-03f), Redmond Barry (0-01), PJ Banville (0-01).
Subs used: Lee Chin for Tierney (15-19 mins, blood sub), Conor Carty for Molloy (32-34, blood sub), Paddy Byrne for Roche, James Holmes for Doyle (both 53), Kevin Gore for Banville (60), Carty for Quinlivan (68), Kevin O'Grady for Brosnan (70).
Ruler Of The World is a best-price 11-10 for the Irish Derby
Joseph O'Brien is confident Ruler Of The World can maintain his unbeaten record and hand father Aidan an 11th Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on Saturday evening.
The master of Ballydoyle has saddled the likes of Galileo (2001), High Chaparral (2002) and last year's hero Camelot to win Ireland's premier Classic, with that trio all succeeding on the back of Epsom Derby glory.
Ruler Of The World, ridden by Ryan Moore at Epsom, bids to follow in their hoofprints at the Curragh, with the trainer's son getting back on board for the first time since he won his maiden at the track in April.
O'Brien jnr, who claimed his first Irish Derby aboard Camelot a year ago, said: "He's an exciting horse. He's won three times from three runs and he won very nicely the last day at Epsom so we're looking forward to it.
"He was ready to run early as a two-year-old and he was in the Chesham (at Royal Ascot) until very late on, he was going to run but then he got a little cough.
"They couldn't shift the cough for the rest of the year but he's a very exciting horse.
"You'd be hoping he'll improve for the experience of Epsom, the Curragh is a fair track and he's won there already," the jockey told At The Races.
O'Brien senior, who has won the last seven Irish Derbies, added: "We have been very happy with him (since Epsom).
"He impressed us at Epsom and we think the Curragh will suit him even better."
Festive Cheer, the mount of Seamie Heffernan, also runs for the Ballydoyle team.
Renewing rivalries with Ruler Of The World is Epsom runner-up Libertarian.
A shock winner of the Dante Stakes at York, the three-year-old proved that was no fluke with a fantastic effort at Epsom and he emerged with extra credit given he did not appear to handle the undulating track.
He has since been snapped up by Godolphin and is set to make his final start for North Yorkshire trainer Elaine Burke this weekend.
The trainer's husband, Karl, believes the stable star is open to more improvement than most from Epsom.
Burke said: "He's going there in great form. I've been very happy with his work since Epsom and I'm sure he has improved.
"Physically he looks a more mature horse than he was going into Epsom and I think mentally he has sharpened up as well.
"Considering he did not handle the track that well at Epsom, he did extremely well to finish as close as he did.
"Certainly you would think the Curragh will suit him better. The track should play to his strengths.
"Conditions should be fine for him. He wouldn't want extremes either way, but other than that he's fine.
"All these staying three-year-olds tend to progress through the summer, but being a May foal, you would like to think he has scope to improve more than the other horses that ran at Epsom.
"There is a lot of stamina on the dam's side and he'll see out the trip well. New Approach is turning into a superb stallion."
On the possibility of his wife becoming first woman in history to train an Irish Derby winner, Burke said: "It would be great to do it for Elaine. He nearly did it at Epsom and hopefully he goes one better on Saturday."
Despite the change of ownership, William Buick keeps the ride on Saturday evening and he too is confident of a bold show.
Buick said: "I'm really looking forward to it. He's a lovely horse and he did very well in the Derby and the track should suit him better at the Curragh.
"Although he's taking on the Derby winner, who will also improve for it being on a more galloping track, I'm very hopeful. We'll have to see."
Another horse who will switch yards after this weekend's Classic is the Patrick Prendergast-trained Sugar Boy, who was snapped up by owner Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum earlier this week.
The Authorized colt beat Libertarian and Epsom third Galileo Rock on his latest start at Sandown, and Prendergast is hoping his extra freshness will stand him in good stead, although some more rain at the Curragh would have been welcomed.
Prendergast said: "He's in good shape and we've had no problems.
"The rain dance I've been doing hasn't worked, but there's nothing we can do about that. If I had everything my own way we'd have had a drop of rain. I'd have been more confident about his chances then.
"It's my first runner in the Derby and, to be honest, I haven't even got round to thinking about the fact it will be his last run for me.
"We're looking forward to the race, he's going there well and fresh and he's only going up the road, which is an advantage.
"I'm hoping Epsom might have emptied a couple of them out. We'll see."
Chris Hayes has partnered Sugar Boy on his last five stars and hopes to break his Classic duck.
Hayes said: "He's probably the freshest horse going into the race as the others have been to Epsom and elsewhere.
"He's been a great horse for me and I've only been beaten once on him and that was behind Battle Of Marengo in the Ballysax.
"I was fairly bullish when I came in then that if he met Battle Of Marengo again it would be a different result.
"It's the first time I've had a proper chance in a Classic."
Galileo Rock's trainer David Wachman acknowledges his charge will have to keep improving to again trouble those who finished ahead of him at Epsom.
Wachman said: "He's in good form and the ground looks OK so far. Hopefully the rain stays away.
"It's a competitive race. Hopefully he's still progressing as if you don't progress month by month, you get left behind.
"We'd like a strong pace, but he handled an easy pace all right in Epsom.
"We'll just have to see what happens."
Jim Bolger's only previous Irish Derby success was with St Jovite back in 1992, but he could find the target again with Trading Leather.
Second in the Dante and third in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, the son of Teofilo appeared ready for a step up to a mile and a half when impressing in the Silver Stakes last time out.
Bolger said: "The step up in trip should suit him. He seems in very good form and is looking very well. He's been eating well since his last run and put the weight back on.
"He wants good ground or a little faster."
John Oxx has won the Irish Derby with Sinndar (2000) and Alamshar (2003) and is this year represented by outsider Little White Cloud, who has been placed twice in Pattern company this year.
Oxx said: "The Gallinule was probably quick enough back (after the Derrinstown). He ran well but was beaten again. Both those were over a mile and a quarter and he's a mile-and-a-half horse and will probably stay beyond that.
"He's rated 107 and has to improve 10lb to be competitive. I think he'll improve a certain amount, but whether he makes that jump I don't know.
"It's been five weeks since his last run so he's had a chance to improve and he's is bred to improve from two to three also.
"Hopefully with the time and the extra distance he'll make the jump, but the gap is obviously there.
"He wants fast ground. He doesn't handle soft and wouldn't even want the slow side of good."
A nine-runner field is completed by Godolphin pacemaker Cap O'Rushes and Pat Shanahan's 100-1 outsider Ralston Road.
Adam Ashley-Cooper scored the only try of the game with four minutes to play
The British and Irish Lions face a Test series decider in Sydney next Saturday after Australia clinched a nerve-shredding 16-15 victory at Etihad Stadium.
Leigh Halfpenny's five penalties looked to have ended 16 years of hurt. Not since South Africa 1997 have the Lions won a Test series.
But he missed a penalty from halfway with the game's final kick, and left the pitch distraught as Australia prevailed courtesy of centre Adam Ashley-Cooper's 75th-minute try that his midfield partner Christian Leali'ifano converted.
The Lions were on course for an unassailable 2-0 series lead, but Ashley-Cooper rounded off a concerted spell of pressure, and Leali'ifano, who had earlier booted three penalties, kept his composure to edge Australia ahead.
A pulsating contest will now go to the wire, although the Lions might have to make do without their skipper Sam Warburton, who limped off nursing what appeared to be a knee injury 13 minutes from time.
The Lions now head north to Queensland for four days in the coastal resort of Noosa, and they will need to regroup quickly or face suffering fresh heartbreak and see their run of series losses extended.
Australia, though, are upwardly mobile, and have stolen momentum off their opponents at a critical time.
The Lions announced their intentions immediately, playing with a high tempo as hooker Tom Youngs and lock Alun-Wyn Jones made territorial in-roads before Halfpenny saw a 48-metre penalty attempt rebound off the bar.
Jones, though, twice needed treatment for an injury, which brought into early focus the Lions' decision not to have a specialist lock on replacement duty, but a ninth-minute Halfpenny strike made it 3-0.
Australia ended the first Test enjoying scrum domination, and there were alarming early signs for the Lions, with Mako Vunipola - called up after injury sidelined Alex Corbisiero - put under huge pressure.
And when the England prop collapsed a 16th-minute scrum, Leali'ifano stepped up to land an equalising penalty.
Things rapidly deteriorated for the Saracens loosehead when he was whistled again by referee Craig Joubert, and Leali'ifano slotted a second penalty before Halfpenny cancelled out that kick five minutes later.
Joubert, as he had done in the Scotland versus Wales Six Nations game three months ago, offered no scrummaging leeway for either side, and the Lions then cashed in when Australia wheeled a scrum and Halfpenny completed his penalty hat-trick.
But Leali'ifano also maintained outstanding accuracy, making it three penalties from three attempts just before half-time, yet there was still time for Halfpenny to restore the Lions' three-point advantage after Joubert punished Wallabies flanker Ben Mowen for not rolling away.
A 12-9 interval advantage was somewhat fortuitous for the Lions, whose set-piece problems materialised to a worrying degree at times.
At one stage they put 11 players in a lineout, yet they lacked a clinical edge and Australia looked the most likely try-scorers during an opening 40 minutes high on endeavour and effort, but lacking creative brilliance.
The high error count continued early in the second period, with both sides struggling to keep hold of possession.
Technical errors also abounded, and Joubert did not require a second invitation to maintain the prolific penalty count.
Lions centre Brian O'Driscoll then saw a pass intercepted that put his team under pressure, and there was a sudden snap and rhythm to Australia's attacking game that threatened to lift matters above the mediocre.
Gatland then made his first change, sending on Conor Murray for scrum-half Ben Youngs after 54 minutes, which was quickly followed by Youngs' brother - hooker Tom - being replaced by Richard Hibbard.
A scoreless third quarter meant the Lions maintained their slender interval advantage, although not before an injury scare when wing George North hit the ground following a crunching tackle on Wallabies speedster Israel Folau.
North quickly returned to action, before Halfpenny rifled over a penalty from halfway and the Lions looked as though they could breathe easily despite losing Warburton for the final stages.
But Australia had other ideas, and they stormed deep into the Lions' 22, driven forward by their outstanding hooker Stephen Moore, meaning it was all hands on the pump for the tourists.
They tackled prodigiously, yet wave after wave of Wallabies attacks had to take a toll, and Ashley-Cooper smashed through Davies for a try that Leali'ifano nervelessly converted.
The final drama was reserved for Halfpenny, though, but his kick drifted to the right and Australia were home amid dramatic scenes.
British & Irish Lions: Halfpenny, Bowe, O'Driscoll, Davies, North, Sexton, B. Youngs, Vunipola, T. Youngs, A. Jones, A. Jones, Parling, Lydiate, Warburton, Heaslip.
A late point from Fermanagh's John Woods knocked Westmeath out of the All-Ireland SFC qualifiers on a 3-10 to 1-15 scoreline.
The Ernesiders led 2-05 to 0-07 at the break in Mullingar, after some porous Westmeath defending led to goals for Conor Quigley and Damian Kelly.
A John Heslin penalty drew Westmeath level, but Fermanagh fired back with a third exquisite goal from Ryan Jones.
Woods applied the coup de grace late on as Westmeath, who had Kieran Martin dismissed, were sent packing.
Highlights and analysis of all the weekend's action on The Sunday Game from 21:00 on Sunday 30 June on RTÉ Two and RTÉ.ie (Ireland only). Expert and fan reaction on Take Your Point from 18:00 on Sunday 30 June on RTÉ Radio 1 and RTÉ.ie (Worldwide).
Marcel Kittel of Team Argos-Shimano took the stage win in Bastia after three main favourites on the day were caught in a crash around six kilometres from the finish
Mark Cavendish's dreams of wearing yellow in the 100th running of the Tour de France ended amid the sort of chaos he feared as several of the favourites were felled by a major crash near the finish of stage one.
Marcel Kittel of Team Argos-Shimano took the stage win in Bastia after the three main favourites on the day - Cavendish, Peter Sagan and Andre Greipel - were caught in a crash around six kilometres from the finish.
That came amid confusion over where the stage would actually end after the Orica GreenEdge team bus became lodged under the banner at the finish line, causing organisers to temporarily move the finish line back 3km before restoring the route once the obstacle was removed with the riders bearing down.
Due to the confusion in the final kilometres all riders were awarded the same time for the stage, but it is the German Kittel who will start tomorrow decked out in yellow after picking his way through the carnage and beating Katusha's Alexander Kristoffof to the line.
Cavendish had voiced fears about the impact of crashes during his pre-Tour media conference on Thursday, although even he could not have foreseen the chaotic finish to today's stage.
Johnny Hoogerland tumbled 15km from the line but that only hinted at what was to come.
Moments later, a bigger incident took down 2012 Giro d'Italia winner Ryder Hesjedal and Team Sky's Ian Stannard among others.
By this point, and with the peloton rapidly approaching town, organisers were frantically trying to remove the Orica GreenEdge team bus from the finish line after it had become wedged under the banner after apparently taking a wrong turn.
The teams were initially told the finish would be moved three kilometres forward, but once the bus was freed that just as quickly changed and the route was restored.
Barely had that news come through and the whole complexion of the race changed again as Sagan was caught amid a major tumble around six kilometres from the line.
Greipel appeared to suffer a puncture during the incident while Cavendish, though not hurt, saw his chances ended as he was caught in the queue.
The lucky few who were clear of the crash raced on to contest the sprint finish, although Matt Goss also fell 300m short of the line.
Also caught in the chaos was Alberto Contador, considered Chris Froome's main rival to win the Tour, who crossed the line with a ripped jersey though his Saxo-Tinkoff team quickly played down reports of an injury.
Louth can look forward to another day out in Championship 2013
Louth were deserving 1-17 to 1-11 winners over Antrim in their All-Ireland Football Qualifier clash in Drogheda.
Full report to follow....
Highlights and analysis of all the weekend's action on The Sunday Game from 21:00 on Sunday 30 June on RTÉ Two and RTÉ.ie (Ireland only). Expert and fan reaction on Take Your Point from 18:00 on Sunday 30 June on RTÉ Radio 1 and RTÉ.ie (Worldwide).
Tyrone easily disposed of a desperately poor Offaly team in O'Connor Park this afternoon, eventually running out 1-27 to 0-8 victors in a farcically one sided contest.
The Red Hand county always looked comfortable in the first half, accumulating points at a rate of one every two minutes before Offaly finally got on the board after half an hour.
The midlanders were slightly improved in the second half but a Ronan O'Neill late goal ensured that Tyrone went on to record their biggest ever win in the history of the qualifiers.
Highlights and analysis of all the weekend's action on The Sunday Game from 21:00 on Sunday 30 June on RTÉ Two and RTÉ.ie (Ireland only). Expert and fan reaction on Take Your Point from 18:00 on Sunday 30 June on RTÉ Radio 1 and RTÉ.ie (Worldwide).
The first three home in the Epsom Derby will all line up at the Curragh
Ruler Of The World will face eight rivals as he bids for a Classic double in Saturday's Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh.
Aidan O'Brien's colt won the Derby at Epsom on just his third start having been unraced as a juvenile and will clash again with the placed runners from that day.
Epsom second Libertarian will have his final start for Elaine Burke after being bought by Godolphin while David Wachman's Galileo Rock will try to improve on his third place.
Libertarian was supplemented for the race earlier in the week along with Godolphin second-string and likely pacemaker Cap O'Rushes, who is trained by Saeed bin Suroor.
Another contender having his final run for his current stable is Patrick Prendergast's Sugar Boy, winner of the Sandown Classic Trial in April.
He finished in front of both Libertarian and Galileo Rock that day and has had this race as his target since then.
He was purchased by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum on Tuesday and will move to an as yet unspecified trainer after this race.
Jim Bolger will be represented by Trading Leather, second in the Dante to Libertarian and third in the Irish Guineas, while John Oxx runs Little White Cloud.
O'Brien, who has won the last seven renewals of the race, also runs Festive Cheer while Pat Shanahan's Ralston Road, eighth in the Queen's Vase last week, completes the field.
Field and best odds available for Saturday's Irish Derby: Ruler Of The World 6-5, Libertarian 7-2, Trading Leather 11-2, Galileo Rock 8-1, Sugar Boy 9-1, Festive Cheer 25-1, Little White Cloud 40-1, Cap O'Rushes 66-1, Ralston Road 100-1
Live television coverage of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby from 4.30 on Saturday 29 June on RTÉ Two and RTÉ.ie (Ireland only).
Tommy Bowe will start for the Lions against Australia
The British and Irish Lions have promoted Tommy Bowe, Ben Youngs and Dan Lydiate to their starting XV among five changes for the second Test against Australia at the Etihad Stadium.
Bowe forces right wing Alex Cuthbert onto the bench, Youngs replaces scrum-half Mike Phillips, and Lydiate is preferred ahead of blindside flanker Tom Croft, who must also settle for a place among the replacements.
Completing the new arrivals are loosehead prop Mako Vunipola and lock Geoff Parling, who have profited from injuries to Alex Corbisiero and Paul O'Connell.
Ryan Grant, Sean O'Brien and Conor Murray have been included on the bench after missing last weekend's 23-21 victory over Australia altogether.
Probably the biggest call of the five changes was Phillips' omission, with head coach Warren Gatland confirming that he could have played, despite being troubled by a knee injury.
The Wales scrum-half was outclassed by Australia's Will Genia in the first Test, but the omission of a veteran from the 2009 tour to South Africa as the Lions seek to secure their first series triumph for 16 years will have surprised many.
"Mike was fit and available. He's had problems with a sore knee so he hasn't been able to take a full part in training. The decision was to rest him," Gatland said.
"He's potentially an important component of next weekend. All of the nines have done a great job and we felt it prudent to make sure he was 100% for next week by giving him a few days off his feet."
Cuthbert - the scorer of a fine try at the Suncorp Stadium - is unfortunate to lose out, but the firepower offered by Bowe meant his return was inevitable once the Ireland wing was passed fit.
Bowe, who started all three Tests in South Africa in 2009, broke his hand three weeks ago but has made an astonishing recovery after undergoing surgery to repair the damage.
The 29-year-old will wear a hurling glove for protection and revealed that he faced intensive physiotherapy to put himself in contention for Saturday.
"To have fractured my hand and still be here and now go into one of the biggest matches of my career feels pretty surreal," Bowe said,
"I feel fully primed and ready to go. I've been having physio three to four times a day and have been consistently icing my hand. It's been a pretty frantic regime but it's amazing how good my hand feels.
"I know I am capable of getting myself back up to match speed pretty quickly."
Croft could also argue a case for his continued involvement in the starting XV on the basis of his display in Brisbane, but Gatland places enormous value in the tackling of Lydiate.
"This is a do or die match for Australia. It's going to be a real battle out there so we've decided to add a little more physicality to our side up front and Dan brings that," Gatland said.
"We also have the explosiveness coming off the bench that Tom Croft and Sean O'Brien give us. We're really happy with the quality on the bench.
"The five changes show how strong the squad is and that we have a huge amount of competition in the team.
"It's not about changing a winning side, it's about picking the best team to do a job for us. We can win this series by winning on Saturday.
"The last thing we want to do is have the series balanced at 1-1 with another match to play in Sydney. Everything is about Saturday night."
Vunipola and Parling were the natural replacements for Corbisiero and O'Connell once they had been struck by a calf problem and fractured arm respectively.
O'Connell will miss the rest of the series, but is staying with the squad in Australia.
Australia: K Beale (Melbourne Rebels); I Folau (New South Wales Waratahs), A Ashley-Cooper (New South Wales Waratahs), C Leali'ifano (Brumbies), J Tomane (Brumbies); J O'Connor (Melbourne Rebels), W Genia (Queensland Reds); B Robinson (New South Wales Waratahs), S Moore (Brumbies), B Alexander (Brumbies), K Douglas (New South Wales Waratahs), J Horwill (Queensland Reds, capt), B Mowen (Brumbies), M Hooper (Brumbies), W Palu (New South Wales Waratahs).
Replacements: S Fainga'a (Queensland Reds), J Slipper (Queensland Reds), S Kepu (New South Wales Waratahs), R Simmons (Queensland Reds), L Gill (Queensland Reds), N Phipps (Melbourne Rebels), R Horne (New South Wales Waratahs), J Mogg (Brumbies).
British and Irish Lions: L Halfpenny (Wales); T Bowe (Ireland), B O'Driscoll (Ireland), J Davies (Wales), G North (Wales); J Sexton (Ireland), B Youngs (England); M Vunipola (England), T Youngs (England), A Jones (Wales), A-W Jones (Wales), G Parling (England), D Lydiate (Wales), S Warburton (Wales, capt), J Heaslip (Ireland).
Replacements: R Hibbard (Wales), R Grant (Scotland), D Cole (England), T Croft (England), S O'Brien (Ireland), C Murray (Ireland), O Farrell (England), A Cuthbert (Wales).
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa).
Assistant referees: Chris Pollock (New Zealand) and Romain Poite (France).
Serena Williams stormed into the third round at Wimbledon
Defending champion Serena Williams continued her march towards a sixth Wimbledon title with a straightforward 6-3 6-2 second-round win over French teenager Caroline Garcia.
Top seed Williams won the first set in 30 minutes on No. 1 Court against the 19-year-old Garcia who put up more of a fight than expected on a bright day at the All England Club.
The 31-year-old American, who beat Garcia en route to winning the French Open earlier this month, easily wrapped up victory against the world number 100 to take her unbeaten run to 33 matches.
Williams, a 16-times grand slam winner, will next face Japan's 42-year-old Kimiko Date-Krumm.
Date-Krumm, the grand old lady of the women's singles draw, became the oldest female player to reach the Wimbledon third round in the professional era.
The 42-year-old, one of 13 players aged over 30 in the main draw but the oldest by a distance, was too wily for 23-year-old Romanian Alexandra Cadantu in a 6-4 7-5 victory.
It is the first time Date-Krumm, ranked 84, has reached the Wimbledon third round since 1996 when she made the semi-finals.
She is the oldest woman to progress to this stage since Britain's Virginia Wade, aged 39 years, in 1985.
The oldest man to reach the third round at Wimbledon since the game went professional in 1968 is Australia's Frank Sedgman who was 43 at the time in 1971.
Will Genia's ability to drive the Australian tempo could prove vitalPaul O'Connell could end up being an influential figure off the pitch despite injury ruling him out of the playing squad
By Bernard Jackman
There were rumours circulating all week that Warren Gatland and his management were set to make changes they have proved to be correct.
Quite often you see coaches sticking with a winning team but Gatland has been ruthless and made the changes he feels can help the Lions win the series with a game to spare this weekend.
Two of those are injury enforced with Geoff Parling and Mako Vuniopola replacing Paul O Connell and Alex Corbisero.
While O'Connell will be missed on the pitch, the Lions have done the right thing by keeping him on the Tour in a coaching/advisory role. Paul is an iconic figure in world rugby and apart from the respect he commands through his actions, he is incredibly smart tactically in all areas of the game and particularly at the lineout. It might only make a 1% difference but there is nothing between these two teams and it could turn out to be a masterstroke.
Live radio coverage of Australia v Lions from 10.55 on Saturday 29 June on RTÉ 2fm and RTÉ.ie (RoI only).
But the decisions to drop Tom Croft, Alex Cuthbert and Mike Phillips are based on form and suitability and give an indication of what Gatland thinks the Lions need to change.
Tommy Bowe is a player Gatland rates very highly and once he was kept on after his hand injury it was always likely he would feature in a Test if he regained fitness. Alex Cuthbert is a great athlete and took his try brilliantly last weekend but Tommy is a more all rounded player and has proven himself time and time again to have a big match temperament.
I felt that last weekend the back-row played well individually but that the balance was wrong and the change they have made is to sacrifice Croft for Lydiate, another personal favourite of Gatland's.
Dan Lydiate will improve Lions defense
It's a change which will improve the defensive strength in the team as Lydiate's main qualities are work-rate and tackle completion percentage.
But it does not add to the attack and that could be a problem. When I analysed the first test again this week I felt that the Lions were very successful at getting their "mapping" (patterns) going, but they lacked an explosive ball carrier up front to hurt the Wallabies. I don't see Lydiate giving them that and I still think Sean O' Brien, who is included on the bench, would have been a better option.
Phillips, who has been carrying a knee injury, was very poor last week and has been left out of the 23 completely with Ben Youngs set to start and Conor Murray on the bench. Youngs and Murray have both been in good form on tour but they will be head-to-head against Will Genia, who is in my opinion the best scrum half in the world at the moment. It is a very tough head-to-head and could prove crucial.
The Lions big strength is their team spirit and that is what got them over the line last weekend in what was a brilliant test match and stood out again in their impressive midweek win over the Rebels on Tuesday.
But given the injuries that the Wallabies suffered during the first Test, their place kicking problems and the fact that they had no warm up games, it is obvious that the Lions need to be improve on Saturday if they are to win thjis second Test.
The big danger is the pace the Wallabies can play at. The weather and different refereeing styles in Europe mean the game is slower and more set piece oriented. For example, the stats show that players in the Aviva Premiership run an average 15 metres per minute less than those in Super rugby.
Wallabies ability to up tempo is key
Like the Queensland Reds, the Australians really tried to speed up the game at every opportunity last week and while I felt the Lions were mostly well organised both offensively and defensively last week, they had problems off quick taps and turnover ball.
If you are allowed to play at the speed that you are comfortable at then you rarely make an error. But if you think back to the first Wallaby try from last weekend, the Lions had attacked for a lot of phases in the Australian 22 before they conceded a penalty.
Genia tapped and went but the Lions had it covered until Mike Phillips bought a dummy from Will Genia which led to the break down field and the try. In my view, Phillips was at that stage "stressed" from the relentless pace of the game and that is what brought about the error.
The Lions also had problems in the scrum and with their box-kicking.
I think Gatland will keep Adam Jones on the pitch for longer as the scrum destabilised when he went off last week. Phillips' inaccurate box-kicks allowed the Wallabies to counter last week. Youngs' will need to land his closer to the touchline and make sure they are contestable.
As with last week, the referee is a key element for both sides.
There was a lot of dissatisfaction from the Lions camp with Chris Pollock. He was incorrect in the two penalties against Brian O'Driscoll early in the match when Brian was entitled to contest the ball and was supporting his own body weight.
Joubert should provide consistency at the breakdown
But Pollock has always been a ref that favours the attacking team at the ruck and I am surprised that the Lions were not prepped for that.
Gatland went on the charm offensive this week describing this week's ref Craig Joubert as the best referee in the world. Joubert does have a lot of experience of northern hemisphere rugby and I expect there to be less confusion and frustration as a result.
He will allow a contest for the ball once the primary tackler rolls away immediately. It is also worth noting that he is not usually concerned with the offside line, so expect the Lions first defenders around the ruck to try and put more pressure on Genia by rushing forward.
What result will we get?
I think that the Wallabies would be more dangerous with Kurtley Beale at ten and O'Connor at 15 but they should have a better percentage from the placed ball this weekend with Christian Leali'ifano kicking.
They will really try to lift the pace of the game to another level and I think they will be able to do that enough to sneak a win in this week's match and bring the series down to the final test in Sydney.
James Horwill could miss the second test against the Lions
Furious Australian rugby chiefs today came out fighting on behalf of Wallabies captain James Horwill amid fears that he could miss next week's potential third Test showdown against the British and Irish Lions.
Horwill was cleared at a judicial hearing last weekend after being cited for stamping on Lions lock Alun-Wyn Jones during Australia's 23-21 first Test defeat in Brisbane.
The International Rugby Board has now intervened, though, and appealed that decision in an unprecedented move following a not guilty verdict.
Although 28-year-old Horwill can play in Saturday's second Test, he must then await the outcome of an appeal hearing to be chaired by Canadian Graeme Mew after this weekend's game.
The Lions currently hold a 1-0 lead, but if Australia claim victory at the Etihad Stadium it would set up a Test series decider in Sydney on July 6.
Australian Rugby Union chief executive Bill Pulver reacted strongly within minutes of the IRB appeal being announced.
"This is an unprecedented step taken by the IRB in what is the most important rugby event staged in Australia since the 2003 Rugby World Cup," Pulver said, in a statement.
"While we respect the right of the IRB to intervene, we also respect the knowledge and experience of appointed - and independent - judicial officers, and their expertise to consider evidence and reach sound findings.
"James Horwill was cleared of the stamping charge as per the IRB's established judicial process.
"We are surprised and disappointed that the finding of Mr Hampton (judicial officer) is now not only under question, but deemed to be 'erroneous'.
"In the midst of an extraordinarily successful series that has been 12 years in the making, the re-hearing process - not even taking into consideration the possible outcomes - has the potential to cause serious disruption to the Wallabies and the positive atmosphere surrounding the tour.
"The ARU in no way condones foul play.
"However, the process was followed according to IRB regulations and the decision of an independent judicial officer handed down. What has occurred subsequently is without precedent."
Television replays showed Queensland Reds lock Horwill bring his right boot down on to the head of Jones, who was lying at the bottom of a ruck and later needed stitches above his left eye.
The Lions subsequently referred the incident to the match citing officer, but Horwill escaped punishment from independent judicial officer, New Zealander Nigel Hampton QC, amid a chorus of disbelief that he was not suspended.
The IRB has now confirmed its appeal stance to the ARU following what it described as an extensive review of the case.
In a statement, the IRB said: "As the 2013 Lions tour falls within the scope of the IRB merit-based appointment scheme approved by the IRB Council, the IRB has the right to appeal any decision arising from matches under the scheme.
"Furthermore, given its duty to preserve player welfare at all levels of the game, the IRB is compelled to further examine potential acts of foul play which either potentially or in reality impact on the preservation of player welfare.
"It is important for the IRB to ensure amongst all stakeholders in the game that there is full confidence that priority is given to player welfare and the values of the game."
Speaking today before the IRB's appeal was announced, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans applauded the decision to clear Horwill.
"I've had a lot of experience in these processes and I was part of this process and privy to it," Deans said.
"I can't discuss it publicly for obvious reasons, but we were satisfied with the process and felt it was just and fair."
Under regulation 17.22.2, the IRB has the right to appeal disciplinary decisions, but it has never invoked the rule for a not guilty verdict.
Its only previous intervention led to New Zealand forward Adam Thomson having a one-week ban - also imposed for stamping - increased to two weeks last November on appeal from the IRB.
Replays showed Horwill bring his right boot down on to the head of Jones, who was lying at the bottom of a ruck and later needed stitches above his left eye.
The Lions referred the incident to the citing officer and the decision to clear the Wallabies lock was greeted with disbelief.
An IRB statement read: "As the 2013 Lions tour falls within the scope of the IRB merit-based appointment scheme approved by the IRB Council, the IRB has the right to appeal any decision arising from matches under the scheme.
"Furthermore, given its duty to preserve player welfare at all levels of the game, the IRB is compelled to further examine potential acts of foul play which either potentially or in reality impact on the preservation of player welfare.
"It is important for the IRB to ensure amongst all stakeholders in the game that there is full confidence that priority is given to player welfare and the values of the game."
Dublin's David O'Callaghan is tackled by JJ Delaney and Conor Fogarty on Sunday
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By Joe Dooley
At half-time last Sunday in Portlaoise I was standing on the terrace listening to the views of both sets of supporters. The Kilkenny view was that the lads were hurling within themselves and they should push on in the second half with the wind behind them and win easily enough and set up a Leinster final meeting with Galway.
Dublin supporters were less optimistic, expecting the same result as previous years and had given up on getting a win as their team played poorly in the first half, lacking conviction and shooting several poor wides.
In fairness to Dublin, they came out and played absolutely brilliant hurling in the second half against the wind, challenging for every ball, keeping it tight at the back and driving forward at every opportunity, laying off intelligent ball into space for the likes of Dotsy O'Callaghan, Conal Keaney and Mark Schutte to run onto and cause problems for the Kilkenny back line.
Joey Boland was also excellent from play and placed balls and he got great support from the hard working Johnny McCaffrey, Liam Rushe and Peter Kelly. Shane Durkin also looked very lively when introduced.
At the final whistle, the same supporters stood on the terraces and the Kilkenny inquisitions commenced with a much different view; that the lads looked tired, forwards not clicking (except for Walter Walsh) and they realised that they are sorely missing Henry, Jackie and Michael Fennelly.
Dublin, while regretting the concession of the last equalising point which deprived them of their first win over the Cats since 1942, were very upbeat and satisfied with their team's performance.
What this proves is that the old cliché that 'you are only as good as your next game' is so true. This week, many commentators and analysts are wondering if Kilkenny are slipping or are they just human?
To answer this question you must appreciate the level of dominance that Kilkenny have exerted on the game.
Since 1999 they have contested 12 out of 14 All-Ireland finals, winning a record nine. In this period they have also won seven National Hurling League titles.
It is an unbelievable level of consistency with a core group of current players like JJ Delaney, Jackie Tyrrell, Tommy Walsh, Brian Hogan, Eoin Larkin and Henry Shefflin providing the backbone for the majority of these wins. Others such as Michael Rice, Michael Fennelly, Richie Power, TJ Reid, Aidan Fogarty and Richie Hogan have all made huge contributions also, not to mention those that retired in recent years, such as Derek Lyng, Eddie Brennan, Noel Hickey, Michael Kavanagh and Martin Comerford.
The level of commitment required to play at the top level year after year is immense. I know from my days with Offaly - particularly from 1994 to 2000 when we contested 6 Leinster finals and 4 All-Ireland finals - the toll of constantly being on the go can have on you and your family. Everything revolves around your involvement in hurling.
There is no let up between club and county activity and a lot of things are put on the back burner, particularly at home. You need great support from family and friends. For the Kilkenny players to keep doing this year after year shows unreal dedication, discipline and will to win.
Brian Cody has always kept his team fresh by introducing new players nearly every year, which keeps the pressure on the established players and no one is allowed to become complacent.
The difficulty at present is that due to the high level of injuries to key players he currently has not got the same options as he would like. The continued absence of Henry Shefflin is a huge concern. In addition the average age of a number of his key players is creeping up. They know themselves that their days of wearing the jersey are numbered but aim to stay playing and winning for as long as they can.
Kilkenny did look mentally tired last Sunday, but you must also give credit to Dublin for the way they took the game to them. They were accused of being lacklustre against Offaly, but yet won comfortably in the end and while they played very well in the league final against Tipperary, they relied heavily on Michael Fennelly for the important scores. They did win that final minus several key forwards. You can easily argue for and against their level of performances this year to date. The bottom line is they still remain unbeaten since last March.
I would also feel that they are trying to time their big performances for later in the championship. Last year Kilkenny were flying at this time and came up very flat against Galway in the Leinster final.
There is no doubt but Kilkenny are no longer the dominating force that they were in the 2006-2010 era when they basically beat every team they met by double digit margins while playing on average just four Championship games per year.
Brian Cody will be looking for a huge increase in workrate and commitment from all his players and I would expect a few positional changes up front. Anthony Daly will have his team fired up from the off and I expect Dotsy Callaghan and Shane Durkin will also start.
The stakes are even higher now that the loser plays Tipperary.
Kilkenny are only human and cannot stay winning forever - but they still have a lot of leaders in their ranks who want to stay going for another while. I expect they will rise to the challenge laid down by Dublin and advance on Saturday evening for a big meeting with the Tribesmen.
Roll on Saturday evening. It should be a cracker.
Kilkenny v Dublin will be live on RTÉ.ie from 6.45pm on Saturday with commentary from Ger Canning.
Dustin Brown leaps to return against Lleyton Hewitt
Flamboyant German-Jamaican Dustin Brown pulled off the biggest win of his career by upsetting former Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt in round two, while Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has retired with injury.
Brown, a qualifier ranked 189th in the world, had only once won a main-draw match at a grand slam before this week but produced a fine display of power and touch to win 6-4 6-4 6-7 (3/7) 6-2.
The 28-year-old is far from your average tennis player. With long, flowing dreadlocks and an unorthodox serve-volley game, he certainly stands out.
He has plenty of weapons, too, with a booming serve and forehand that caused Hewitt no end of problems.
Brown is far from all power, though, producing excellent drop shots and volleys, none better than the diving forehand volley that clipped off the top of the net and gave him the first set.
Brown leaped into the air as if he had won the tournament, but there was better to come.
Hewitt broke serve in the first game of the second set but Brown hit back to level at 2-2 and then broke in the 10th game as he had in the first set, pumping his fist into his chest as he bounced back to his seat.
The Australian always has great support, the ever-present Fanatics leading the way, and it looked like he could turn the match round when he came from 3-1 down to win the third-set tie-break.
But Brown was not finished and dominated the third set before leaving the court in tears as his achievement overwhelmed him.
Born in Germany but raised in Jamaica, Brown switched nationality in 2010 after becoming disillusioned with the lack of support from the Jamaican Tennis Association, picking Germany over Great Britain, for whom he qualified through his grandparents.
He used to tour European events in a camper-van, and admitted he could not quite believe the result, telling the BBC: "It's going to take a while to sink in.
"I'm not normally the type of guy to cry, I don't know what happened. I'm playing Lleyton Hewitt, a guy you're watching when you're growing up.
"I've won a lot of matches already playing qualies and a very good first round and that really helped me with my confidence to go into the match believing I could do it.
"Doing it and thinking you can do it are two things. I've been so often close to winning top matches and couldn't put it together. I've got to take a look at that (fourth) set on tape."
TSONGA WITHDRAWS WITH INJURY
French sixth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga retired injured in his second round match against Latvia's Ernests Gulbis at Wimbledon on Wednesday.
Tsonga, who was a potential quarter-final opponent for British number one Andy Murray, withdrew while trailing two sets to one down on Centre Court.
He called on a trainer at the end of the second set to get treatment on his knee but threw in the towel a set later, joining a long list of casualties on day three of the championships.
Stephen Ferris has penned a deal to stay with Ulster until the end of 2013
Stephen Ferris has signed a six-month contract extension with Ulster and Ireland that will see him remain at Ravenhill until at least the end of 2013.
The short-term contract will enable the 27-year-old flanker to undergo rehabilitation with the medical, and strength and conditioning staff, at the club with the aim of making a full and complete return to rugby.
Ferris suffered an ankle injury playing against Edinburgh in the RaboDirect PRO12 in November last year and hasn't played since.
Following consultation with medical experts in Belfast, Dublin and London, Ferris underwent a third ankle operation in May. He's expected to miss at least the first four months of the new season.
The flanker has played 102 times for Ulster and has been capped 35 times by Ireland; he also toured South Africa with the British and Irish Lions in 2009.
"Stephen is passionate about playing for Ulster and Ireland and our aim in giving him this contract extension is to provide him with the best possible care to enable him to get back playing" - David Humphreys
Commenting on the contract extension, Ulster's director of rugby, David Humphreys, said: "Stephen has had a difficult year with the injuries that he has suffered, but when he is fit, there is no doubt that he is one of the best backrow forwards in the game.
"Stephen is passionate about playing for Ulster and Ireland and our aim in giving him this contract extension is to provide him with the best possible care to enable him to get back playing."
Speaking about his new deal, Ferris said: "I am delighted that I can continue my recovery and rehab from injury within the Ulster Rugby set-up.
"I believe that working with the medical team at Ulster, along with the excellent strength and conditioning coaches, offers me the best chance of regaining full fitness and of representing Ulster and Ireland again."
Ferris had been linked with a big-money move to a club in either France or Japan throughout the 2012/13 season.
Rory McIlroy: 'Something I've felt in a couple of Irish Opens is suffocated and having that burden and that pressure and that expectation'
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Rory McIlroy has a full complement of clubs at his disposal for this week's Irish Open, but admits the pressures that come with the tournament have left him feeling "suffocated" in the past.
The final round of the US Open a fortnight ago saw McIlroy throw one club in frustration and then lean so hard on another that he bent the shaft out of shape on his way to a quadruple-bogey eight on the 11th hole.
The offending nine iron has since been repaired as the world number two seeks to do the same to his reputation in a season which has yet to produced a victory and saw him walk off the course midway through the second round of the Honda Classic, where he was defending champion.
"The club throw, I hit the fairway on the fifth hole and had to play my second shot left-handed," said McIlroy, whose tee shot rolled off the sloping fairway onto the bank of a water hazard.
"It was unlucky, it was frustration, whatever you want to call it.
"And then on 11 I hit my tee shot in the water and dropped and hit my third shot in the water. I just got frustrated. It definitely wasn't the right thing to do.
"I wouldn't recommend anyone or anyone watching on TV or any kids to start throwing their clubs or bending their nine irons. But the nine iron is intact and got a new shaft this week and it's ready to go.
"I guess there's other ways to show disappointment. Taking it out on your golf clubs probably isn't the right way to do it. Everybody is going to get frustrated or angry or disappointed in a bad shot and obviously I'm no different.
"It doesn't really set a good example, I guess, for people watching me and maybe trying to emulate what I'm doing."
"I wouldn't recommend anyone or anyone watching on TV or any kids to start throwing their clubs or bending their nine irons"
McIlroy's first experience of the Irish Open came as a 16-year-old amateur in 2005, when he shot rounds of 71 and 81 to miss the cut and remembers being thrown out of bars on Friday evening as he was too young to drink.
But while the biggest crowds that week were with Colin Montgomerie in the group behind, McIlroy will be the star attraction at Carton House as he looks to rediscover the form which made him world number one and brought him two major titles.
Asked how he would manage expectations and avoid feeling suffocated, McIlroy said: "That's actually a good word. That's something I've felt in a couple of Irish Opens is suffocated and having that burden and that pressure and that expectation.
"It's much better having fans for you and really wanting you to do well than people rooting against you, so it's a great privilege to have.
"The best thing that I can do this week is go out and enjoy myself, smile, and try and play the best that I can and show everyone how much I appreciate their support.
"That's what I've tried to do the last couple of years, just try to embrace the whole week and enjoy it.
"You don't get a chance to come back here very often and play, so it's nice to be able to do it and enjoy it while you do it.
"I guess it's just a little different here, because I guess you don't feel so much that people necessarily want you to win at any other tournament.
"Of course you have your fans and people that come to watch you and support you, but here everyone lives every shot with you and you make a birdie and there's a huge roar and if you miss a putt, you can hear the disappointment in the crowd."
Dan Martin will co-lead Garmin-Sharp at the 2013 Tour de France
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Team Garmin-Sharp hope to spring a surprise at the Tour de France after announcing a nine-man squad today, featuring 2012 Giro d'Italia champion Ryder Hesjedal, highly-fancied Irishman Dan Martin and American Andrew Talansky as co-leaders.
Canada's Hesjedal, Liege-Bastogne-Liege champion Martin and Briton David Millar - whose position as super-domestique is confirmed despite prior rumours he may miss out - are joined by two-time top-10 finisher Christian Van de Velde, top-10 finisher Tom Danielson and Talansky, whose debut is eagerly anticipated.
Lithuania's Ramunas Navardausaks, New Zealander Jack Bauer and Rohan Dennis of Australia complete the squad, which Garmin-Sharp boss Jonathan Vaughters hopes can light up the Tour in a non-conformist way.
"We have a deep team with a lot of options," Vaughters said.
"Our goal is to animate the race and with an aggressive strategy, we will aim to place high in the general classification.
"We have a few guys capable of achieving that - Ryder's won a Grand Tour and placed in the top ten of the Tour de France; Andrew is young and while it's his first Tour de France, he is coming off a great season; and Dan Martin is having a breakout year with his wins in Catalunya and Liege-Bastogne-Liege.
"We will protect our best GC options and see how the race shakes out.
"Our approach is a little unconventional, but we've managed to come up with surprises every year at the Tour and we're hoping for the same as we head into Corsica."
Vaughters' teams have a history of producing a wildcard to challenge for top honours, including the 2012 champion Bradley Wiggins.
"We will protect our best GC options and see how the race shakes out" - Jonathan Vaughters
Wiggins finished fourth - elevated to third when Lance Armstrong's results were annulled - in the 2009 Tour before moving to Team Sky.
Garmin-Sharp's maiden Grand Tour triumph came in Italy last year, but Vaughters knows his men are underdogs ahead of Saturday's start in Porto Vecchio, with Team Sky's Chris Froome the favourite in the absence of defending champion Wiggins, who has a knee injury.
Alberto Contador (Saxo-Tinkoff) cannot be discounted, either.
"If we want to be in the game at all, we need absolutely impeccable luck," Vaughters added to VeloNews.
"I still think Sky is the strongest team in the Tour, absolutely" - Jonathan Vaughters
"I still think Sky is the strongest team in the Tour, absolutely.
"But I think the difference that people will see in our team and Sky, and even a team like Movistar, or Saxo Bank, and Sky, I think those differences will be considerably smaller than they have been at the other races.
"I think Movistar will give them a run for their money. I think Saxo Bank will be stronger than people are anticipating."
Froome has won four of the five stage races he entered this year - the Tour of Oman, Criterium International, Tour de Romandie and the Criterium du Dauphine - and finished second to Giro champion Vincenzo Nibali at Tirreno-Adriatico.
Team Sky's Ian Stannard knows riding in support of Froome presents its own challenges.
"It's going to be hard riding for Froomey given that he's the overwhelming favourite," the Briton told VeloNews.
"The other teams will all be looking to put one over on us but we've got big ambitions of our own and we're all ready to race.
"The Dauphine is always a good indicator of the condition of the GC contenders and Chris has proved he's the strongest rider heading into the race.
"It's going to be great to support him and we've all got full faith in his chances of success."
Dick Clerkin's experience will be vital to Monaghan's chances of playing in the Ulster final against Donegal on 21 July
Dick Clerkin has been included in Monaghan's starting 15 for Saturday's Ulster SFC semi-final with Cavan (Live on RTÉ Two, 7pm) despite breaking a bone in his hand.
The Currin forward, who has featured in all of the Farney's Championship matches for the last 10 years, suffered the injury in a club game.
Meanwhile, manager Malachy O'Rourke makes two other changes to the team that beat Antrim in the quarter-final with Drew Wylie and Stephen Gallogly replacing Fintan Kelly and Owen Duffy (ankle injury).
Monaghan: Rory Beggan, Dessie Mone, Drew Wylie, Colin Walshe, Vincent Corey, Neil McAdam, Kieran Duffy, Owen Lennon, Darren Hughes, Stephen Gollogly, Paul Finlay, Dick Clerkin, Christopher McGuinness, Kieran Hughes, Conor McManus.
Live television coverage of Monaghan v Cavan from 18:50 on Saturday 29 June on RTÉ Two and RTÉ.ie (Ireland only). Live radio coverage of all the day's action from 15:00 on RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ RnaG and RTÉ.ie (Worldwide).
Written By Unknown on Selasa, 25 Juni 2013 | 23.07
Updated: Tuesday, 25 Jun 2013 13:06 | Comments
Birmingham-born Dan Martin has represented Ireland since 2006
Garmin-Sharp are keeping the peloton guessing ahead of the Tour de France, but it could be that Ireland's Dan Martin, rather than a Grand Tour winner, is the nominated leader.
Jonathan Vaughters has selected the Garmin-Sharp team for the Tour, which begins in Corsica on Saturday, but the line-up will not be revealed until later this week.
Martin is set to be given a prominent role, ahead of 2012 Giro d'Italia champion Ryder Hesjedal, who struggled in defence of his title in May, while a Twitter conversation between Vaughters and David Millar led some to suggest the British veteran has been left out of the nine-man group.
Charly Wegelius, who rode the Tour three times and is now a sports director for Garmin-Sharp, is confident in Martin's ability.
The 26-year-old won classic Liege-Bastogne-Liege earlier this year and has been backed by his uncle, Stephen Roche, to perform well en route to Paris on 21 July.
"Dan can do everything you need to do to perform in stage races," Wegelius said.
"(But) three-week races are a whole different kettle of fish.
"He's got massive potential and it's up to him now to explore that potential - I don't think anybody really knows how far he can go yet. He's in quite a luxurious position.
"Dan had a chance to taste the Tour de France for the first time last year and I think that impact for him will put him in good stead for the future.
"The way he's ridden over the spring has really taken him to a whole different level as a rider.
"That potential has always been there, but an athlete goes to another level when they prove to themselves that in a competition environment that they can do it. That level of self-confidence can really help.
"For Dan, he can live with the knowledge he's won big races already.
"Physically he's coming into a good stage in his career and mentally he's in a really good place at the moment."
"The way he's ridden over the spring has really taken him to a whole different level as a rider" - Charly Wegelius
If Millar misses out on selection, it would be a major surprise.
The 36-year-old Scot, one of five Britons to have worn the race leader's yellow jersey, won a stage of the Tour in 2012.
Wegelius would not comment on the selection, but believes Millar is capable of continuing at the top for some time to come.
"Physically he's still in really good shape, but as you get older and your life changes things can start to look a bit different," Wegelius said.
"If he wanted to I think he could continue for a long time."
Wegelius, who was speaking to publicise his book 'Domestique', fits the Garmin-Sharp persona of reformed character.
The 35-year-old achieved notoriety for his performance at the 2005 Road World Championships.
After appearing to help Italy, Wegelius, who rode for an Italian pro team, never raced for Britain again.
"When I look back on Madrid I look back on it with a lot of regret," Wegelius said.
"Clearly that was the day in my career where I made the biggest mistake.
"I underestimated and didn't respect the strength of feelings that the public have in sports events where national teams are involved.
"I did make a mistake. But I do feel sad about how far reaching the consequences of that were for the rest of my career. I think that wasn't necessary."
It meant Wegelius, who performed a selfless team role throughout his career, missed out on future World Championships and Olympics.
He added: "Even if they would've taken me to the worlds and the Olympics, I'd never have won a medal. If I was robbed, let's say it was a petty crime.
"On a personal level it's disappointing and it's like a scab that was left on the face of my career and I'm quite aware that they were my own actions that led to it, but I'm left a bit puzzled when I look at how far reaching the consequences of that were."
Antrim manager Kevin Ryan has called for an immediate revamp of the structure of the All-Ireland Hurling Championship and an end to all provincial competitions.
The Saffrons are now out of the Liam MacCarthy Cup following Saturday's loss to Wexford and their ambitions weren't helped by having a five week gap between matches.
Antrim beat Westmeath before losing to Laois in the first round in Leinster and then exited the qualifiers at the hands of the Model County.
Ryan told RTÉ Sport: "It is a huge problem. The way the thing is set up, you finish the league and you're playing two or three weeks later in the Championship.
"You have one or two games and then you're waiting six weeks. It is not easy for the lads to keep focused or for clubs to put up with it.
"I think it is doing a disservice to hurling. We do more to keep things down rather than promote teams.
"I know it is not deliberate but that is the way you would feel with the likes of Carlow and Antrim and I'm sure Westmeath at times would feel the same.
"I think the whole draw of nine teams in Leinster and five teams in Munster is ridiculous.
"The winner of the Munster semi-finals, which is one game, are into an All-Ireland quarter-final. It just doesn't add up. We have about five games to get to that stage. It is very unbalanced.
"I would absolutely be in favour of four groups of four and seeded.
"The top two teams would be in the All-Ireland quarter-finals and the bottom two teams in the Christy Ring quarter-finals.
"I'm a Munster man and love the Munster final and the whole thing about it. But I think the provincial set-up is just ridiculous."
Serena Williams eased to a first-round victory over Mandy Minella
Serena Williams was able to turn her attention to on-court battles today as she won the first match of her Wimbledon defence with consummate ease against Mandy Minella.
A five-time champion at the All England Club, the American dominated from the outset and romped to a 6-1 6-3 victory in 57 minutes.
Williams may have wished she could have spent a little longer on Centre Court, if only to delay a post-match press conference it which it would be hard to avoid talk around her public spat with Maria Sharapova.
The feud dominated the build-up to the Championships and stems from an interview the American did with Rolling Stone magazine.
Having felt Williams' negative comments about a fellow high-ranked player were about her, Sharapova returned fire by taking a swipe at the top seed's love life.
Williams, in turn, said she believed clear-the-air talks between the pair at a party in London on Thursday had seen Sharapova accept her apology.
More questions about their fractious relationship seemed certain to follow this afternoon's clash with Minella, which saw the 16-time grand slam champion extend her winning streak to 32 matches.
Despite having not played on the grass leading into Wimbledon, Williams looked at home from the start and broke her opponent in just the fourth game of the match.
Fresh from winning the French Open just a few weeks back, she did not drop a single point on her serve in a first set she wrapped up in a mere 19 minutes.
Williams looked set to continue the rout when play resumed, only for world number 92 Minella to make a brief comeback.
Playing just her seventh match on grass in a career spanning nearly 12 years, the Luxembourger took the first game of the second set before then breaking her esteemed opponent.
Williams quickly rallied, though, and won the next four games.
Minella briefly responded by winning her fourth service game of the set but Williams went on to win with ease, setting up a second-round clash with France's Caroline Garcia.
The British and Irish Lions concluded their midweek tour schedule in Australia with a comprehensive 35-0 victory at AAMI Park against the Rebels.
And a handful of players - led by blockbusting England centre Manu Tuilagi - enhanced their claims to feature in coach Warren Gatland's matchday 23 for next Saturday's second Test against the Wallabies.
Flanker Sean O'Brien - another star performer - scrum-half Conor Murray, his replacement Ben Youngs and wing Sean Maitland all scored tries, while there was a second-half penalty try that underlined the Lions' forward dominance.
Fly-half Owen Farrell kicked three conversions and Stuart Hogg landed two as they kept an outgunned Rebels side scoreless.
Barely 24 hours after talismanic lock Paul O'Connell was ruled out of the tour due to a broken arm, Gatland will have been encouraged by second-rows Ian Evans and Richie Gray being prominent influences throughout.
And Toby Faletau kept the pressure on current Test number eight Jamie Heaslip with arguably his most complete contribution Down Under.
It was a vastly-improved effort on last Tuesday's 14-12 loss to the Brumbies in Canberra, when the Lions barely fired a shot in anger, but there was a determined and driven streak about them this time around.
The Lions were eager to make amends for their only tour defeat seven days ago, and they started brightly despite losing two early lineouts.
Tuilagi, making his first appearance since suffering a shoulder injury two weeks ago, and O'Brien were particularly prominent, but the tourists also encountered a well-marshalled Rebels defence.
Rebels captain and Wales international Gareth Delve underlined his team's commitment through a crunching tackle on Lions prop Ryan Grant, but the Lions' pressure had to tell and they claimed an opening try after 15 minutes.
They drove for the line from a five-metre scrum and although they were initially thwarted, possession spun backwards and Murray reacted quickly to pick up and dive over.
Farrell converted from the touchline, and he then sacrificed two kickable penalties as the Lions looked to maintain a foothold inside the Rebels' 22.
A poor handling error by prop Dan Cole, though, wasted a promising position and the Rebels moved upfield, only for goal-kicker Jason Woodward to miss a straightforward penalty chance.
And the Lions made him pay when they conjured one of their best tries of the tour.
Tuilagi made it possible through a barnstorming run just inside the Rebels' half and his brilliant off-load freed Maitland who then found Faletau, but the Wales number eight was denied a try when he slipped.
There was no panic from the tourists, though, and quickly recycled possession via Brad Barritt and Simon Zebo enabled Maitland to touch down for a try that Farrell again converted.
The Rebels enjoyed their best spell of pressure as half-time approached, yet they did not help themselves by losing a couple of lineouts and the dominant Lions trooped off 14-0 ahead.
O'Brien gave the Lions an injury scare when he went down hurt just two minutes after the restart - before scoring a try from the Lions' next attack.
Farrell again kicked to the corner as the Lions went for a lineout option and such boldness reaped its reward as Faletau found skipper Dan Lydiate, who delivered the final pass to O'Brien.
Farrell maintained ruthless touchline accuracy as his third successful conversion made it 21-0, and then he was replaced by Hogg as Gatland cast an eye towards Saturday's Wallabies showdown.
Further changes followed five minutes later, with four forwards joining the action including Lions debutant Tom Court, who only linked up with the squad yesterday.
A penalty try followed 16 minutes from time when Rebels forward Jordy Reid illegally halted a Lions attack, and as he made his way to the sin-bin, Hogg converted.
The Lions had enough time to unlock their opponents one more time when Youngs claimed a superb solo effort after he broke clear from a lineout just outside the Rebels' 22.
Hogg converted and it was job done for the Lions, with all systems go for phase two of what is already a pulsating Test series.
