Written By Unknown on Senin, 30 September 2013 | 23.06
Updated: Monday, 30 Sep 2013 14:30 | Comments
Lionel Messi injured his thigh during Barca's win over Almeria
Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta concedes losing Lionel Messi for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Celtic is a blow but has pointed out the Catalan giants are no one-man team.
Messi has been ruled out for up to three weeks after suffering a thigh injury during Saturday's 2-0 Primera Division victory at Almeria, a result that saw Barca set a club record of seven successive league wins to start a season.
Four-time world player of the year Messi has, unsurprisingly, been instrumental in that success with eight goals in La Liga already this term and his loss is a major setback for Gerardo Martino's side, but Zubizarreta does not want to use the Argentinian's absence as an excuse.
"He's a very difficult player to replace," Zubizarreta told reporters as Barca prepared to fly to Scotland.
"We must do without the best player in the world, but we have a squad with extraordinary players.
"The players who are here are very good and we have to play with what we have."
"We know how we must play. Revenge? No. We're going there to enjoy this game" - Andoni Zubizarreta
Even with Messi in their side Barcelona were still beaten by Celtic when the clubs met in last season's Champions League at Celtic Park.
Goals from Victor Wanyama and Tony Watt put the home side 2-0 up and although Messi pulled a goal back in stoppage time, it was not enough to prevent the four-time European champions from slumping to defeat.
Zubizarreta is looking forward to returning to Glasgow but insists they are not being driven by thoughts of revenge.
"It's always a pleasure to play at Celtic Park," he said.
"We're expecting a great atmosphere against an opponent who made things very difficult for us last year.
"They showed they knew how to play and knew how to beat us.
"They are very strong on their ground and they look to play with a lot of pressure.
"We know how we must play. Revenge? No. We're going there to enjoy this game, this atmosphere. We'll see what happens."
Clare's Tony Kelly won the race for the Sunday Game Player of the Year award
The Sunday Game's analysts have selected seven of Clare's victorious All-Ireland winning side in their hurling team of the year.
Tony Kelly was adjudged to have made the greatest contribution to the Clare cause and scooped the player of the year accolade.
Beaten finalists Cork contributed four players to the line-up, while beaten semi-finalists Dublin were responsible for three players in the side.
Limerick's Paul Browne completed the XV.
The Sunday Game team of the year:
Anthony Nash (Cork), Shane O'Neill (Cork), David McInerney (Clare), Peter Kelly (Dublin), Brendan Bugler (Clare), Liam Rushe (Dublin), Pat Donnellan (Clare), Paul Browne (Limerick), Colm Galvin (Clare), Seamus Harnedy (Cork), Tony Kelly (Clare), Danny Sutcliffe (Dublin), Podge Collins (Clare), Patrick Horgan (Cork), Conor McGrath (Clare).
Patsy Byrne (centre) made his mark in the horse racing and greyhound world
Tributes have been coming in from throughout the racing world after news of the death of Patsy Byrne.
The Kerryman was an admired figure around the greyhound and horseracing circuit.
Byrne's pink and blue colours were seen carried to victory only recently by White Star Line in the Kerry National at Listowel, while he won this season's Northumberland Plate at Newcastle with the Jonjo O'Neill-trained Tominator.
He founded the Byrne Group firm, which has been involved in the construction of buildings such as the Olympic Stadium, the Emirates Stadium, Stamford Bridge and the new Centre and Number One Court at Wimbledon, in 1969 with his brother Johnny.
An enthusiast of all Irish sports, he was involved with top dogs like Cool Performance and Ballinderry Ash as well as enjoying major success on the coursing scene.
Dessie Hughes, who trains White Star Line, said: "I can't believe it. It's totally out of the blue. As far as I know he got out of bed and collapsed.
"He was a great character and was at Listowel to see White Star Line win the Kerry National a couple of weeks ago, which was fantastic for him.
"He was a great man who loved his horses and his dogs and anything to do with sport really.
"He'll leave an enormous gap for everybody that anything to do with him."
Tony McCoy said: "Sad news about Patsy Byrne, a great man & friend,big loss 2 the racing and greyhound world, thoughts with his wife Bridget & family"
McCoy's fellow champion jockey Richard Hughes, who rode Byrne horses for Richard Hannon, said: "A great man sadly will be missed Patsy Byrne."
Trainer Brendan Powell tweeted: "Sad to hear about the passing of Patsy Byrne. Rode winners for him back in the days of Les Kennard. A generous and lovely man. RIP."
Oliver Sherwood said: "Very sad to hear Patsy Byrne has passed away - had some good times with Manorson."
Robbie Brady may miss Ireland's upcoming clashes with Germany and Kazakhstan
Ireland midfielder Robbie Brady may miss Ireland's upcoming World Cup qualifers due to an ongoing hernia problem.
Brady was a doubt for Ireland's clashes with Germany and Kazakhstan, but seemed to have recovered from his hernia injury, as he played and scored the winning penalty for Hull City against West Ham on Saturday.
However, the ex-Manchester United player aggravated his hernia problem when cutting out a cross from Joey O'Brien on Saturday. He received a pain-killing injection in order to play Saturday's match, and will receive another one in order to play against Aston Villa on Saturday coming.
It was reported that he will then undergo surgery during the international window in order to alleviate the problem, therefore missing Ireland's clash with Germany in Cologne on Friday week and the battle with Kazakhstan the following Tuesday.
Despite this, Ireland interim manager Noel King included the player in his provisional 26-man squad for the qualifiers; Brady will undergo a scan today which should reveal whether he must undergo surgery or not.
The Irish midfielder is likely to be ruled out for between seven to ten days if the problem proves to be serious, meaning he would be able to return for action with Hull against Everton on 19 October.
Elswhere, Stoke forward Jon Walters is also a doubt after he suffered a groin injury during their loss to Norwich yesterday.
Derek McGrath hopes that a resolution can still be found for the Heineken Cup dispute
Derek McGrath has insisted that "the door is still open" regarding negotiations over the future of European rugby's prestige club competition the Heineken Cup.
Premiership Rugby and Ligue Nationale de Rugby are forging ahead with their own blueprint - the Rugby Champions Cup - next term, and have also extended an invitation to Celtic and Italian teams to join them.
Top English and French clubs are currently serving a notice period to leave European Rugby Cup-run competitions, and they will not attend summit ERC talks planned for 23/24 October.
Celtic unions Wales, Scotland and Ireland released virtually identical statements last week saying they would not sanction their teams to play in any future tournaments not approved by the International Rugby Board.
And ERC chief executive McGrath is adamant that he believes a solution can be found, despite the odds being overwhelmingly stacked against that happening.
"ERC supports and wishes to encourage everybody back to the table. There is a lot of activity going on to try to find solutions," McGrath said at Monday's English and French launch of this season's Heineken and Amlin Challenge Cup competitions in Cardiff.
"We have stated many times that we absolutely believe that we will only find agreement when we have the full engagement of all the parties around the table. We haven't had that yet.
"We haven't had engagement and we haven't had negotiation, which is critical to find progress. The door is still open to find solutions.
"There is still time, but all parties bear a responsibility to find those solutions, and walking away is not respecting the obligations to those, in particular, who are not sitting at the table - the fans, the players, the sponsors - who have a significant interest in the future of the competitions.
"We would like to get solutions as soon as possible. The meeting we have called for October 23 and 24 is not that far away if we can get proper engagement. We would encourage everyone to get back to the table because solutions can be found.
"We absolutely believe the future is best served by doing what we have all been doing for 18 years. I sincerely believe it is in everyone's best interests to come to the meeting."
"We absolutely believe the future is best served by doing what we have all been doing for 18 years" - Derek McGrath
Speaking to Press Association Sport last week, Premiership Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty was in a defiant mood.
"We are certainly not attending the meetings on October 23 and 24 that we have been invited to, and the French clubs aren't either," he said.
"As far as we are concerned we are not in ERC competitions, and neither are the French clubs.
"From our perspective, those competitions in their current form are over. We don't have any dispute with ERC, from our point of view, which is why the appointment of a mediator (Canadian lawyer Graeme Mew) by ERC is a bit odd.
"We've served notice, we are discharging all of our obligations during that notice period, and at the end of that notice period we will go to play in new competitions. There is no dispute about that from our point of view.
"We are putting a competition format and a financial structure in place through the Rugby Champions Cup that is going to be attractive to everyone."
Kevin Doyle, Andy Reid and Anthony Stokes are back in the Ireland squadAndy Reid's form for Nottingham Forest has earned him a recall to the Ireland squad
Darron Gibson, Anthony Stokes, Kevin Doyle and Andy Reid have all been included in Noel King's Ireland squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Interim boss King today included the trio in a provisional 26-man party for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Germany and Kazakhstan.
Nottingham Forest midfielder Reid has not figured in the squad since the early days of Trapattoni's reign after an incident at the team hotel following a qualifying victory over Georgia in the German city of Mainz in September 2008, while Stokes too has been conspicuous by his absence in recent seasons despite his exploits with Celtic.
However, Gibson's exile has been self-imposed following Trapattoni's decision to leave him sitting on the bench for the entire Euro 2012 finals campaign in Poland.
The Everton midfielder revealed earlier this month that he would make himself available for selection once again following the 74-year-old Italian's departure.
Trapattoni lost his job after five and a half years following defeats to Sweden and Austria all but ended Ireland's hopes of making it to next summer's finals in Brazil.
Defenders Richard Dunne and John O'Shea, who are suspended for the game in Cologne on 11 October, will return to the squad for the clash with the Kazakhs in Dublin four days later.
There is also a return for Wolves striker Kevin Doyle who had lost his place in the squad during the final stages of the Trapattoni era after his club dropped down to League One.
However but there are no places for Trapattoni stalwarts Darren O'Dea, David Meyler, Simon Cox or Conor Sammon.
King also confirmed that he has been in contact with Stephen Ireland's camp and that the Stoke midfielder feels he is not ready to return to the set-up at the moment but indicated that he would like to return at some stage.
Robbie Brady and Jon Walters have been included but are having scans today and may be forced to withdraw due to injury.
King confirmed that a 23-man panel will travel to Germany and there are no plans to call up any other players in the event that Brady and Walters withdraw.
Ireland squad to face Germany and Kazakhstan in the upcoming World Cup Europe Group C qualifiers: David Forde (Millwall), Keiren Westwood (Sunderland), Darren Randolph (Birmingham), Joey O'Brien (West Ham), Sean St Ledger (Leicester), Marc Wilson (Stoke), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Stephen Kelly (Reading), Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa), Paul McShane (Hull), Darron Gibson (Everton), Glenn Whelan (Stoke), James McCarthy (Everton), Paul Green (Leeds), Andy Reid (Nottingham Forest), Aiden McGeady (Spartak Moscow), Anthony Pilkington (Norwich), James McClean (Wigan), Robbie Brady, Stephen Quinn (both Hull), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich), Shane Long (West Brom), Robbie Keane (Los Angeles Galaxy), Jon Walters (Stoke), Kevin Doyle (Wolves), Anthony Stokes (Celtic).
Live television coverage of both FAI Ford Cup semi-finals from 13:30 on Sunday 6 October on RTÉ Two and RTÉ.ie (Worldwide excluding GB & NI). Highlights and analysis of all the weekend's action on MNS from 7pm on Monday 7 October on RTÉ Two and RTÉ.ie (Worldwide).
Written By Unknown on Minggu, 29 September 2013 | 23.06
Updated: Sunday, 29 Sep 2013 15:49 | Comments
Jonny Howson watches his shot head for the back of the Stoke net
Jonny Howson's first-half strike steered Norwich to their second Barclays Premier League win of the season as they defeated Stoke 1-0 at the Britannia Stadium.
The Canaries took advantage of sloppy play from their opponents in the 34th minute as Howson collected the ball from Anthony Pilkington and beat Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, who might have done better, from outside the box.
Norwich had already hit the crossbar through Ryan Bennett and were good value for their lead, with a shot from Marko Arnautovic that whistled just over being the closest a subdued Potters side came in the opening 45 minutes.
Stoke improved after the interval and looked unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Leroy Fer had a hand on Kenwyne Jones in the area, before Begovic pulled off a smart save to keep out a Robert Snodgrass shot.
With both clubs struggling for goals this season, a tight affair had been expected and Norwich boss Chris Hughton will be delighted to have emerged from the contest with all three points. They take his side - whose victory at Manchester City in May was their only other away league win in 2013 - to a total of seven points from six games this term, and up three places to 14th in the table.
They leapfrog Stoke, who are now 15th and also on seven points from six matches.
Norwich looked full of purpose from the off, with Pilkington bursting forward early on and unleashing a shot that Ryan Shawcross got in the way of.
Bennett struck the woodwork in the ninth minute with a sliding effort at the back post as he got the better of Shawcross from a corner, and the ball came back to the Canaries defender for a second attempt, but Begovic was able to gather.
There was a suspect moment for Begovic in the 17th minute as a delivery came across the box, with the goalkeeper failing to get anywhere near the ball as it appeared he was shoved to the ground by Michael Turner.
Stoke were unable to make anything of a corner at the other end, and in the 28th minute, Begovic looked unconvincing again as he came to catch a Pilkington cross. He collided with Ricky van Wolfswinkel, who was judged to have committed a foul, and saw the ball go wide of the post.
The hosts tried to step things up and Arnautovic sent a shot swerving just over the crossbar, but a minute later Norwich were in front.
The Potters lost possession from their own throw-in and then failed to close down as Pilkington teed up Howson, who fired in a shot that seemed to catch the diving Begovic by surprise.
Within five minutes Shawcross had a chance to equalise, but he could only head wide from Charlie Adam's corner and Jones then slipped as he tried to meet a Geoff Cameron cross into the danger zone.
Stoke manager Mark Hughes tried to give his side some fresh impetus by bringing on Stephen Ireland and Jermaine Pennant for Adam and Jon Walters at the interval, and shortly after the break the Potters had a strong-looking spot-kick claim turned down when Jones appeared to be pulled back in the box by Fer.
Arnautovic then sent an ambitious attempt off-target, before Norwich began to probe again with the lively Pilkington striking wide and Snodgrass looping a shot over the bar.
Jones struck weakly towards the near post, with John Ruddy dropping on the ball, and the Stoke frontman was then replaced by Peter Crouch.
Steven Nzonzi drilled into Ruddy's arms and Begovic then pulled off a great diving stop to keep out a curling strike from Snodgrass, the final really close effort of the game.
Julian Savea scored New Zealand's opening try in La Plata
Ben Smith scored his second try moments from time to earn New Zealand a vital bonus point as they put one hand firmly on the Rugby Championship trophy with a 33-15 victory over Argentina in La Plata.
The All Blacks, who began the match level on points with South Africa after the Springboks' win over Australia, failed to assert themselves in the first half but led by two at the break thanks to Julian Savea's score.
But the game was ended as a contest by two tries in five minutes early in the second half from Sam Cane and Ben Smith, who then touched down moments from the end to secure the bonus point.
That put the All Blacks five points clear of South Africa, meaning they just have to avoid a bonus-point defeat in Johannesburg next week to claim the trophy.
In a cagey opening, Marcelo Bosch made a mess of a penalty attempt from his own half and Nicolas Sanchez missed a drop-goal attempt.
But two two penalties from Sanchez, sandwiching a reply from Aaron Cruden, deservedly put Argentina 6-3 up.
In the 20th minute Sanchez had the chance to extend that lead further but he pulled his kick wide of the posts.
Argentina paid the price for their missed opportunities when Savea picked up a loose ball in midfield and sprinted down the left to cross for the game's first try - confirmed after lengthy deliberation by the video official about a potential offside.
Cruden missed the conversion, though, even after been allowed to take it a second time when he was distracted by a laser from the crowd.
Cruden got a chance to redeem himself moments later with another penalty attempt and, though he appeared to scuff it slightly, he sent the ball over and New Zealand led 11-6.
Good work by Argentina at the scrum gave Sanchez another chance though and he took advantage to cut the deficit to two.
Bosch slotted over from halfway as Argentina edged ahead at the start of the second period, but Cruden responded immediately.
The key moment came after 51 minutes when New Zealand crossed for their second try.
The All Blacks worked the ball the width of the field, outflanking the Pumas as they eventually found Sam Cane - after good work from Ma'a Nonu - to dot down in the corner.
Cruden sliced the conversion wide, but Nonu was again involved moments later as New Zealand crossed again.
Nonu did brilliantly to dummy, then time his pass for Ben Smith, who had all the time in the world as he advanced on the line. This time from a central position Cruden made no mistake and all of a sudden New Zealand led 26-12.
Sanchez kicked a penalty to stop the rot for Argentina, who then had a huge let-off when Savea, chasing a kick from Conrad Smith, fumbled the ball yards from the line.
But with less than 30 seconds remaining, Ben Smith forced his way through for the all important bonus point.
Number eight Kieran Read told Sky Sports 2: "That could be crucial. We worked hard for that and we were lucky to get it at the end.
"It's gonna be a big match next week. We've just got to take the positives. The second half was good and we'll build on that."
Jimmy Barry Murphy (left) has hailed his team and praised All-Ireland winners Clare
A proud Jimmy Barry-Murphy gave a glowing assessment of his Cork side following Saturday's All-Ireland Hurling final replay in Croke Park and hailed winners Clare as a superb team.
Clare finally got the better of Cork by a 5-16 to 3-16 scoreline in another hugely entertaining meeting between the sides.
The two final clashes yielded a total of 106 points and thrilling hurling as Davy Fitzgerald's men came out on top for a first All-Ireland title in 16 years.
Speaking to RTÉ afterwards, the magnanimous Cork manager congratulated Clare and paid tribute to the contributions of his panel.
He said: "I thanked the players for their efforts for the year. They have been fantastic for me and the management team and have done the county proud for the whole year. There is no disgrace in being beaten by Clare who are a superb team. I said to the players that we'll take our beating like men and move on and try to get back here if we can.
"I've got to acknowledge Clare, a superb team. They deserved their victory over both days and I can't help but give great praise to them for the way they played and the kind of hurling they played was fantastic I thought."
The Rebels rallied a number of times over the course of two games and rescued themselves from situations where it looked like the prospect of winning the Liam MacCarthy Cup had evaded them.
Having trailed from the first minute and recovered an eight-point deficit, the Munster Championship runners-up were eventually undone by the last of five goals from the Banner.
Barry-Murphy admitted his players left themselves too much to overcome: "Our lads did us proud, we were eight points down and got back to level it. Over the two days, when you're playing catch up both days, you eventually don't get away with that and they got some great scores when they needed them so great credit to them.
"When you're chasing a game as much as we were, one slip at that stage and it caves in on you and that is what happened today.
"The last goal rounded off from Clare's point of view, our lads fought to the last second and there is nothing more we could have asked for them. They were absolutely brilliant and I'm very, very proud of them. They are a credit to themselves.
"We've had some great occasions. We've lost the Munster final which is disappointing as well. But we had a couple of great days here beating Dublin and Kilkenny. It's hard road today for the lads. It is tough for them but we will take our defeat like men and move on."
Chris Froome has abandoned the road race at the World Championship in Italy
Tour de France champion Chris Froome abandoned the World Championship road race with some 100 kilometres left as Britain were ruled out of contention early on Sunday.
Froome pulled out with six 16.6km laps remaining after team mates Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish also abandoned.
About half the peloton had pulled out by the halfway point of the 272.3km, rain-hit race.
"There was a long way to go still and I knew it wasn't the day today," he told Sky Sports News.
"This has been a really big target for me. I've trained really hard for this. It is disappointing to not be up there now.
"It's disappointing but having said that I've got to bear in mind that this has been an amazing season for me regardless.
"This would have been a fantastic way to end it off but it is not to be."
Former world champion Cadel Evans of Australia crashed out and was sent to hospital for checks, his team said.
Following the crash, Cycling Australia confirmed on its Twitter account that former Tour de France winner Cadel Evans and David Tanner had "both been taken to hospital for precautionary scans of leg injuries".
The American team also suffered with Taylor Phinney, Chris Horner and Tejay van Garderen pulling out.
Cavan celebrate their first All-Ireland title success since 1977
Bronagh Sheridan's late penalty sealed Cavan's 1-14 to 1-12 victory over Tipperary in Sunday's TG4 All-Ireland ladies intermediate football championship final at Croke Park.
The Breffni County, beaten finalists two years ago, defeated 2008 champions Tipperary in an entertaining final at GAA HQ.
In the process, Cavan won their first All-Ireland title since their one and only senior success back in 1977.
Sheridan slammed home a crucial penalty goal with five minutes left, after Tipperary goalkeeper Patricia Hickey was sin-binned after fouling player of the match Aisling Doonan.
Tipp were forced into a reshuffle, with leading scorer Edel Hanley taken off and replaced by replacement goalkeeper Helen Kennedy.
Cavan would finish the game with 14 players themselves, when Mona Sheridan received a late yellow card.
The sides were level four times before Cavan found the crucial scores to get over the line by just two points.
The penalty was a dagger to Tipperary hearts and the pre-match underdogs can consider themselves unfortunate after squandering some good chances, particularly in the first half.
Tipp got off to a flying start and led by 0-3 to 0-0, before Cavan responded to haul themselves level.
But the big score of the first half was provided by Tipp forward Mairead Morrissey, who crashed home a superb solo goal in the 13th minute.
That goal opened up a 1-3 to 0-4 lead for Tipp and at half-time, the beaten Munster finalists led by just a point, 1-7 to 0-9.
In their All-Ireland semi-final victory over Fermanagh, Tipp had scored 1-2 in the final minute to stun Fermanagh.
But despite the best efforts of Hanley and Sheelagh Carew, there would be no late heroics here.
Gillian O'Brien enjoyed a productive first half for Tipp but Cavan were driven by the hurt of losing the final against Westmeath two years ago, after a replay.
This time, they would not be denied as deadly forwards Sheridan and Doonan drove them to victory.
Cavan had the aid of a stiff breeze in the opening half but Tipp made little of that and had carved out that narrow interval lead.
But Cavan, who blew a five-point lead against Westmeath in 2011, were in no mood for more big-day misery and a landmark victory was secured with that priceless late penalty from Sheridan at the Hill 16 end.
Tipp cut the gap back to just two points with scores from Morrissey and Carew but Cavan held on to claim the Mary Quinn memorial cup, and senior championship status for 2014.
CAVAN: C Fay; P Lynch, G McGlade, J Moore; S Greene, A Cornyn, R Jordan; R Crowe (0-1), D English; C O'Reilly (0-1), R O'Keeffe, M Sheridan (0-1); G Smith (0-3), B Sheridan (1-4, 1-0 pen, 0-2f), A Doonan (0-4, 3f).
Sub: C Smith for O'Reilly (40).
TIPPERARY: P Hickey; B Condon, S Lambert, R Kenneally; A O'Dwyer, C Carroll, B Ryan; J Grant, S Carew (0-2, 1f); L O'Shea, M Morrissey (1-1), C Walsh (0-1); N Lonergan, G O'Brien (0-3), E Hanley (0-5, 2f).
Subs: K Hackett for Walsh (40), A McCarthy for Hackett (53), H Kennedy for Hanley (55).
Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 28 September 2013 | 23.06
Updated: Saturday, 28 Sep 2013 12:46 | Comments
Pa Kelly puts his body in the way of a shot by Anthony Nash in the drawn finalPa Kelly: "We're here again next day because of that point"
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Clare goalkeeper Pa Kelly says that even though his team were a point down he never panicked as he took his final puck out against Cork in the drawn All Ireland final.
Patrick Horgan had just put the Rebels ahead for the first time in the game - deep in injury time - but Clare drew level with the most dramatic of interventions from corner-back Domhnall O'Donovan, who earned a replay with his first ever Championship point.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport, Kelly revealed that it was his manager's words, plus the space O'Donovan found, that led to him choosing that side of the field for the puck-out.
Kelly said: "Thoughts flooded back to the relegation final back in April against Cork down in Limerick.
"We were two points down in the 71st minute and Davy (Fitzgerald) had drilled it into us all year not to panic.
"I suppose I had the puck out and I looked to my right but there was a cluster of players, and Domhnall was to my left hand side with Stephen Moylan and there was a heap of space in behind them.
"So I felt if I got the ball into that space - Domhnall is a very physical player, a very quick player and a good striker - he'd have been well able to hold his own against Stephen Moylan and brush the tackle off.
"But as it worked out he broke the ball and Pat O'Conner I think gave a pass to Nicky O'Connell and Nicky passed it onto to Domhnall and look, the rest is history. We're here again next day because of that point."
"They obviously ran at us, they scored goals and they're going to try to do that the next day" - Pa Kelly
"Thank God it wasn't off his right hand side, it would have been going into the Hogan Stand, it wouldn't have been going over the bar anyway and that's a fact!
"But he showed serious character, serious courage and intelligence to make himself available for that last puck out and look, we hope for more of the same the next day. Next day he might be able to get a winner."
Asked whether there were any doubts that Clare could manage to repeat the performance from the last day out Kelly stressed that Cork had played well, saying they had shown "serious character."
"They obviously ran at us, they scored goals and they're going to try to do that the next day, it's probably part of their plan.
"But we know we're going to have to bring our game up another 10 or 15% to match Cork. They're a serious outfit and this is going to be our sixth time meeting them this year.
"We're probably sick to death of meeting each other at this stage, we know each other well, we fancy beating them, they're going to fancy beating us, and look there'll be nothing in it at the end of the day."
Live television coverage of the All-Ireland Hurling Final Replay between Clare and Cork from 16:00 on Saturday 28 September on RTÉ Two and RTÉ.ie (Ireland only). Live radio coverage of all the day's action from 14:00 on RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ RnaG and RTÉ.ie (Worldwide).
Highlights and analysis of the All-Ireland Hurling Final Replay on The Saturday Game from 21:30 on Saturday 28 September on RTÉ Two and RTÉ.ie (Ireland only).
John Terry heads home Chelsea's equaliser at White Harte Lane
John Terry's second-half header prevented Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas from claiming victory over Chelsea in a hot-tempered grudge match against former mentor Jose Mourinho.
The pre-match fireworks between the two managers had given an extra edge to what was already one of the most hotly-contested derbies in English football, and for the most part the game lived up to its billing.
Tottenham dominated the first half and took the lead through Gylfi Sigurdsson, but Terry - one of the personalities with whom Villas-Boas clashed at Chelsea - gatecrashed the Spurs boss' party to leave the score at 1-1.
Tempers often frayed during the match. Fernando Torres was sent off for two bookings - the last of which was a questionable one in which he was penalised for throwing an elbow at Jan Vertonghen when replays showed there was no contact.
The Spaniard could have been given a straight red in the first half for scratching the defender's face.
Villas-Boas and Mourinho had been practically inseparable for seven years, but the Spurs boss made it clear in the run up to the derby that he and his compatriot are no longer friends.
The two shared the weakest of handshakes before the game, and during the contest, it looked as though the master would be beaten by his old apprentice.
As Villas-Boas takes his ride around the M25 to Gatwick airport to catch his flight to Porto on Saturday night, he will be kicking himself about the result.
His Tottenham team had the upper hand over Chelsea for the majority of the first half and they could have had three or four by the break.
But Terry's goal, which came from a Juan Mata free-kick, means he will have to wait until March before he gets another chance to defeat Mourinho again.
Despite the booming noise of the pumped-up crowd, the opening few minutes were a tight affair.
Christian Eriksen almost created an opening with a free-kick, but Petr Cech had nothing to do until he was picking the ball out of the net.
Eriksen started the move, playing a flat ball across the box to Roberto Soldado who nudged the ball in to Sigurdsson's path.
Sigurdsson, so often Spurs' unsung hero, still had lots to do. He was off balance after taking an extra stride to beat Terry's outstretched leg, but he somehow managed to roll the ball into the net to the goalkeeper's right.
Villas-Boas savoured the moment with a double-fist pump while his opposite number was sullen and motionless.
The home crowd took great pleasure in taunting Mourinho, singing: "You're not special anymore."
Mourinho's team certainly did not look anything special. Tottenham were in complete control and it seemed certain they would double their lead before the break.
The brilliant Andros Townsend found Soldado on the right. The Spaniard spied Paulinho at the back post, but luckily for Chelsea, Branislav Ivanovic came to the rescue.
Chelsea started to improve slightly and Tottenham's nerves started jangling.
Eden Hazard robbed Kyle Walker on the edge of his own box, but Vertonghen got in the way to deflect his compatriot's shot wide.
Tempers frayed momentarily when Tottenham assistant Steffen Freund confronted fourth official Roger East after becoming annoyed about Mike Dean's officiating.
Townsend blotted his copy book by receiving a booking for diving while Eriksen entered the book for a petulant pull of Oscar's shirt.
Paulinho almost gave Spurs a second when he hit the woodwork just before half-time. That was Mourinho's cue to leave. He walked down the tunnel a minute before the half-time whistle. He had seen enough.
Whatever Mourinho said to his team at half-time, it had an effect.
The Blues, now with Mata on the pitch, started the second half well.
Torres cracked a low ball across the box, but it was just a touch too heavy for Oscar.
Lloris pulled off a top save to deny Torres, but moments later the Spaniard let himself down by appearing to scratch Vertonghen's face.
Torres, annoyed at what he thought was a dive from the Belgian, grabbed hold of the defender's face and dug his nails in to his skin.
Dean opted to book the striker.
The temperature reached boiling point again soon after when Ivanovic was booked for dissent. Vertonghen had another spat with Torres and the Belgian lost his cool moments later with a dangerous tackle on Ramires that caused Mourinho to spring from the bench and remonstrate with Dean from the touchline.
Spurs then paid dearly for Vertonghen's lapse in concentration from the resulting free-kick.
Mata put a high swirling ball in to the box, Vertonghen lost Terry for a second and he headed beyond Lloris before sprinting over to the ecstatic visiting fans.
Mourinho joined in the celebrations from the bench, but they were slightly restrained.
Torres then received a second booking. The Spaniard jumped with Vertonghen and the centre-back went down clutching his face. There was no contact between Torres' arm and Vertonghen's face, but Dean sent the Spaniard off.
The sending-off gave Spurs more momentum. Jermain Defoe and Sigurdsson almost snatched victory.
Villas-Boas and Mourinho shared a handshake at the end while Terry celebrated in front of his own fans.
Georgios Samaras grabbed a hat-trick as Celtic strolled past Kilmarnock with a 5-2 win
Georgios Samaras grabbed a hat-trick as Celtic warmed up for the visit of Barcelona in midweek with a 5-2 win over Kilmarnock in their Scottish Premiership clash at Rugby Park.
The visitors raced into a three-goal lead in 26 minutes through a Kris Commons strike and a Samaras double.
Killie midfielder Sammy Clingan reduced the deficit with a great free-kick before defender Sean Clohessy made it 3-2 just before the break.
The second half was an anti-climax with the home side never really threatening to draw level before Samaras sealed the win in the 87th minute with a header and substitute Amido Balde, on for Teemu Pukki, scoring a fifth two minutes later.
Celtic will be tested more in their Champions League Group H clash with the Catalan giants at Parkhead on Tuesday night but manager Neil Lennon will be glad that his side are back among the goals, following the 1-0 Scottish League Cup defeat by Championship Morton in midweek.
Kilmarnock boss Allan Johnston, still looking for his first win of the season, will be heartened by his side's spirit in a match that took place against the background of some rancour amid the home support.
Killie chairman Michael Johnston had upset the club's fans by giving Celtic season ticket holders - but not their own supporters - the chance to buy cut-price tickets for the game.
There was a small protest outside the ground before the game but those supporters who turned up were treated to a thrilling five-goal first half.
With one eye on Tuesday's match, Lennon brought back Commons, Samaras, Fraser Forster, Adam Matthews, Emilio Izaguirre and Anthony Stokes into the starting line-up but it was the home side who started more impressively.
Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd took stick from the Hoops fans behind the goal at the start of the game but he had a header saved by Hoops goalkeeper Forster in the third minute after he got on the end of a cross by Clohessy.
Minutes later, Boyd headed a Michael Gardyne cross from the left wide of the target.
However, all that good work was undone in the 19th minute when Killie keeper Craig Samson dealt poorly with a speculative Samaras cross from the left by punching it straight to the feet of Commons, who knocked it back into the turf and into the empty net.
The second goal came in the 24th minute when a Matthews cross from the right arrived at Samaras at the left-hand side of the box and he guided it powerfully past Samson and into the far corner of the net.
Two minutes later, the Greece striker carved open the Killie defence by playing a one-two with Commons before sliding the ball past Samson with some confidence.
The Ayrshire looked demoralised but in the 35th minute, after Hoops defender Virgil van Dijk was adjudged to have fouled Gardyne 25 yards out, Clingan sent a wonderful free-kick high past the helpless Forster.
Moments later, as the home fans pondered the possibility of an unlikely comeback, Celtic skipper Scott Brown drove wide of the post from 12 yards when a goal might have dampened Killie enthusiasm.
The injured Matthews was replaced by Mikael Lustig before the Rugby Park men got themselves right back in the game three minutes from the interval when Clohessy worked a one-two with Clingan and guided the ball low past Forster and into the far corner of the net for his first goal since signing in the summer after leaving Southend.
There were few clear-cut chances created at the start of the second half although in the 66th minute Celtic striker Pukki clipped the bar with a powerful drive from the edge of the box.
David Silva, who returned to the club for a second time in midweek, replaced Rabiu Ibrahim in the 78th minute before Balde came on for Pukki.
But it was Samaras who won the matchball three minutes from time when he headed in a Charlie Mulgrew free-kick from six yards out, with Balde driving in from an angle in the 89th minute with his first competitive goal for the Hoops.
Sky Lantern surges clear of her rivals on the the Rowley Mile
Sky Lantern returned to the scene of her Classic success and left Newmarket with another Group One after a stylish win in the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes.
The race was billed as a rematch with Elusive Kate, who beat Richard Hannon's Sky Lantern in the Falmouth Stakes in controversial circumstances, but John Gosden's filly ran way below par.
It was Integral who gave Sky Lantern (7-4 favourite) the most to think about as she hit the front a furlong out, but Sky Lantern once again illustrated her electric turn of foot to win by a length.
Jamie Spencer attempted to make all on Just The Judge, who finished second to Sky Lantern in the Guineas earlier in the season, but Elusive Kate, Duntle and Integral all looked ready to pounce.
Elusive Kate began to drift left on the quick ground, however, and Integral burst clear under Ryan Moore.
For a few strides Sky Lantern looked in a little bother but once Richard Hughes pressed the button, the grey scooted clear to win her fourth Group One.
Hughes said: "She was very good today and she deserved that.
"She stumbled once or twice in the race and she was totally asleep, but at the three-pole she came alive.
"My only worry was not getting involved with Elusive Kate again, but luckily enough she drifted just after I quickened."
Richard Hannon jnr, son and assistant to his father, said: "It's great to see her back. Her reputation wasn't tarnished but she got beaten after the Guineas so I'm very pleased.
"She and Elusive Kate are two great fillies and let's hope their rivalry continues. I still think she'll get a mile and a quarter and we might look at that again next year.
"The owner lives in Hong Kong and that is where he wants to go."
Michael Stoute said of Integral: "I'm delighted, she's progressing well.
"She won't run again this season but she'll stay on next year."
David Wachman said of the third, Duntle: "She's run a good race, you've got to be happy enough and there are no excuses. It depends what the owners want to do, I'm open to suggestions."
Written By Unknown on Jumat, 27 September 2013 | 23.06
Updated: Friday, 27 Sep 2013 12:06 | Comments
'The match-ups and lessons learned by both Cork and Clare from the drawn encounter will also be crucial'
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By Joe Dooley
This year's Senior Hurling Championship took another exciting twist when Cork and Clare played out their thrilling draw on 8 September.
While the game was by no means a classic, it had some great point-scoring by Clare, two great goals from Cork and a pulsating finish with Clare corner back Domhnall O'Donovan scoring the equalising point with the last puck of the game.
The reality is that the Banner were by far the better team the last day, winning most of the individual battles and also the tactical battle.
They contained Cork to a total of three wides - all from placed balls, none of them from play.
The switch of Pa Donnellan to midfield to man-mark Lorcan McLoughlin rather than playing his normal sweeper role was a master stroke and seemed to really have caught Cork by surprise.
"The reality is that the Banner were by far the better team the last day"
Clare lined out with a very physically strong half-back line and with their forwards and midfielders tightening up on Cork's puck outs, Anthony Nash was forced to puck long into this area where Clare were dominant.
Cork, on the other hand, lived on scraps for most of the game and particularly in the first half with only Seamus Harnedy making any impression up front.
At the back they were struggling big time to keep pace with the Clare forwards with most of their defenders hurling from behind and giving up easy possession to Clare.
Despite so much going against them they managed to pull the game out of the fire, mainly due to individual brilliance for two of their goals and the free taking of Patrick Horgan, which was top class throughout.
Without doubt the occasion did appear to get to a number of players.
The best and only time I ever got advice on big game nerves was before the 1994 All-Ireland final against Limerick.
I received a phone call late one night from a former Tipperary hurler and excellent team trainer from Roscrea by the name of Martin Loughnane.
His advice was to get in around the Limerick goal mouth area as often as you can, particularly early in the game. They will not be expecting you to pop up in there as I was selected to play wing-forward.
After less than five minutes of the final we won a penalty and, remembering Martin's advice, I made sure to be the first in after it was hit.
Joe Quaid made a great save but the rebound came back to me and I tapped into the net and that definitely helped settle me and the team into the game.
For all players on Saturday the best advice I could give is to concentrate on getting right even one aspect of their game - especially something that will get them involved in the game early.
As regards to who has the momentum for the replay, the best experience we had were the three All-Ireland semi-finals against Clare in 1998.
There is no doubt but the team with the best momentum going into each game performed better.
We had it for the first drawn game as we went in as underdogs and rose to the occasion with Clare lucky to snatch a draw with a late free.
In the replay they played us off the field and we were fortunate that Jimmy Cooney blew up early.
In the final game, with our supporters fully behind us, we had a momentum that was not going to be stopped and we won that final game in Thurles.
The bottom line is that both teams were equally as good as each other on any given day but the level of each team's performance rested very much on who had the momentum behind them going into each of those games.
There is no doubt that Clare are the form team but I feel the momentum is with Cork for this replay because of how poorly they played in the drawn game.
Tactics will also play a big part on Saturday.
In those matches with Clare in 1998 I was marking Frank Lohan for the first two games and he was a top-class man marker who did not give you much room.
For the third game in Thurles Clare switched Frank across to pick up my brother Billy, who they regarded as a bigger goal-scoring threat, with the result that I got a bit more room and managed to score a few crucial points on the day.
The match-ups and lessons learned by both Cork and Clare from the drawn encounter will also be crucial in deciding the outcome of this final.
These are the moves than win and lose big matches.
The three-week break will not give an advantage to either team except that it does add significantly to what has already been a long season and we will not know until Saturday evening how this has actually affected either team.
Another factor that could have a bearing on the outcome is how either team copes with playing under the artificial lighting that will be required before the game is over.
The training sessions down Leeside should have had a real cutting edge to them over the last two weeks and I expect to see a much sharper and more determined Cork side playing on Saturday evening.
JBM has made only one change to his team bringing in Cian McCarthy to strengthen his half-forward line.
l can see Cork making some positional switches on the day and I would not be surprised to see Brian Murphy back in the full-back line where he is more comfortable. Tom Kenny is unlucky not to be starting.
Clare on the other hand are on a huge roll and if they can reproduce the form of the drawn game, and there is no reason why they won't, then they are in with a great chance of winning.
They need to tighten up around their own goal area and be more clinical with any goal chances they create.
Again, I expect Davy to hatch a different game plan for Saturday evening with possibly a personnel change up front.
My head and logic says Clare should win and could even win well but my gut feeling is that Cork went home with their pride very much wounded after the last day and I expect them to collectively raise their game enough to just about shade it.
Live television coverage of the All-Ireland Hurling Final Replay between Clare and Cork from 16:00 on Saturday 28 September on RTÉ Two and RTÉ.ie (Ireland only).
Live radio coverage of all the day's action from 14:00 on RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ RnaG and RTÉ.ie (Worldwide).
Brian Cookson will become the next president of the International Cycling Union after defeating incumbent Pat McQuaid in a vote.
Cookson, president of British Cycling, won by 24 votes to 18 following a controversial election during which McQuaid's eligibility to stand was queried by some.
It came after a morning of heated discussions at the Congress over whether McQuaid should even be allowed to stand after he was not nominated by the Irish federation or the one in Switzerland, where he lives.
After the result was announced, Cookson, who will now step down as president of British Cycling, issued a call for unity in the sport.
He said: "It is a huge honour to have been elected president of the UCI by my peers and I would like to thank them for the trust they have placed in me today.
"The campaign to get to this point has been intense but I am under no illusion that the real work starts now.
"So I call on the global cycling community to unite and come together to help ensure that our great sport realises its enormous potential.
"This is the vision that will drive and focus my activities over the next four years.
"My first priorities as president will be to make anti-doping procedures in cycling fully independent, sit together with key stakeholders in the sport and work with WADA to ensure a swift investigation into cycling's doping culture.
"It is by doing these things that we will build a firm platform to restore the reputation of our international federation with sponsors, broadcasters, funding partners, host cities and the International Olympic Committee.
"Ultimately this is how we grow our sport worldwide and get more riders and fans drawn into cycling."
Soft Falling Rain could make his next start in the QEII at Ascot
South African star Soft Falling Rain opened his account in Britain at the second attempt with a most impressive display in the Nayef Joel Stakes at Newmarket.
Mike de Kock's colt was imperious in his homeland and when completing a hat-trick in Dubai last winter, but he suffered a first reverse on his British bow when second behind Gregorian in last month's Hungerford Stakes at Newbury.
Sent off at 13-8 for his latest Group Two assignment, Soft Falling Rain travelled enthusiastically on the heels of the leaders before taking over the running over two furlongs down as the pacesetting Glory Awaits faltered.
Soft Falling Rain's main market rival Montiridge, looking to bounce back from a lifeless display at Haydock, emerged from the pack to challenge, but was unable to significantly bridge the gap as the favourite galloped all the way to the line under Paul Hanagan to strike by three and a half lengths.
Hanagan said: "I was very impressed. The difference today was the ground - at Newbury it was very tacky and he changed his legs so many times, but he loved that ground today.
Rory McIlroy has confirmed he has terminated his contract with Horizon Sports Management
Former world number one Rory McIlroy has confirmed he has left Horizon Sports Management to create his own management group.
McIlroy denied speculation at the Players Championship in May that he would create his own team with his father, close friends and associates, only for his Ryder Cup partner Graeme McDowell to confirm a few days later that the two-time major winner had decided on his second management change since October 2011.
The 24-year-old left International Sports Management just four months after winning his first major by eight shots in the US Open at Congressional, joining McDowell at Horizon.
McIlroy had declined to comment officially on the situation since May but a statement on his website read: "Rory McIlroy today confirmed he has terminated his contract with Horizon Sports Management and that the details of the termination are in the hands of a legal team led by A&L Goodbody in Dublin, Ireland.
"The golfer's business interests will from now on be managed by Rory McIlroy Incorporated. CEO of RMI will be Donal Casey, an actuary by profession with many years of CEO experience.
"The Rory Foundation for charity will be run by Barry Funston, a business leader and longtime friend of the McIlroy family. Both men will serve on the RMI Board, together with Gerry McIlroy (Rory's father)."
The confirmation of McIlroy's multi-million pound deal with Nike coincided with a run of poor form at the start of 2013, which culminated in him walking off the course during the second round of the Honda Classic.
He initially told reporters he was in a "bad place mentally" before a statement was issued on his behalf citing pain from a wisdom tooth as the reason for his withdrawal.
McIlroy failed to qualify for the Tour Championship on the PGA Tour last week, with Henrik Stenson's victory in Atlanta lifting the Swede to fourth in the world rankings and knocking McIlroy down to sixth.
Horizon later released a statement which read: "Horizon Sports Management notes, with disappointment, the statement issued by Rory McIlroy today. Since October 2011, Horizon has achieved exceptional results for Rory in realising his commercial objectives.
"Under Horizon's management, Rory has signed some of the most lucrative endorsements in sports history. The current management contract has a number of years to run.
"Rory's decision to seek a termination of the management contract with Horizon is now regrettably in the hands of legal advisors. Horizon will be making no further comment."
Chriselliam was delivered in typically late style by Richard Hughes to win a shade cosily
Chriselliam caused a major upset by clinching Group One glory in the Shadwell Fillies' Mile at Newmarket.
The Charlie Hills-trained juvenile lined up having won just one of her previous four starts and although she had gone close to winning a Haydock Listed prize earlier this month, she was a 28-1 shot as she took a huge step up in class.
However, partnered by Richard Hughes, Chriselliam travelled powerfully towards the rear of the field and picked up well in the final furlong to beat hot favourite Rizeena by a length.
Ihtimal was a further two lengths away in third.
Having been run at a steady pace in the early stages, the one-mile contest developed into a sprint with two furlongs to run.
Clive Brittain's Rizeena, the only previous Group One winner in the field having landed the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh, came through the pack to strike the front under James Doyle.
However, Chriselliam came from even further back and was ultimately well on top as she passed the post.
Ihtimal was aiming to give Godolphin a third successive Fillies' Mile triumph following her victory in Doncaster's May Hill Stakes, but having also been ridden patiently, she was unable to go with the front pair.
Written By Unknown on Kamis, 26 September 2013 | 23.06
Updated: Thursday, 26 Sep 2013 11:27 | Comments
Greg Bolger and Dean Zambra return tonight
Airtricity Premier Division leaders St Patrick's Athletic can extend their advantage at the top to six points for at least 24 hours if they beat Bray Wanderers in tonight's game at the Carlisle Grounds.
Bray Wanderers are also in need of points as they lie in 11th place just one point ahead of bottom side Shelbourne and they go into the game without a win in their last 12 league games.
St Pat's travel knowing they have won on their last five visits to the Carlisle Grounds and have won the three meetings between the sides in the league and FAI Ford Cup.
Bray have no injury worries as Danny O'Connor (knee) returns along with Dean Zambra while St Pat's have Greg Bolger available after suspension but Kenny Browne is out with a one match ban.
Shane McFaul is back in training after an ankle injury and could feature but Stephen Maher is out for the rest of the season with a broken leg.
"Bray will be no pushovers tonight. They're fighting for their lives at the moment, the tv cameras will be there on the night too, so they'll be going for the win," Bolger said.
"We've had some really tough games out there this season, and the last day I thought we played poor enough and Bray were unlucky not to get something out of the game."
Cian McCarthy is in the Cork team for Saturday's final
Cork's decision to bring in Cian McCarthy for Saturday's All-Ireland Hurling Championship final replay with Clare is the correct one, according RTÉ GAA analyst Tomás Mulcahy.
McCarthy is included in the Cork team at the expense of Jamie Coughlan in the only change from the drawn final three weeks ago.
The Sarsfields man was a late substitute on 8 September and it was a noteworthy spell as he caused the Clare defence plenty of problems.
Mulcahy told RTÉ Sport: "When you look at the drawn match there is no secret or no hiding from the fact that in the half-forward line Cork struggled big time. They would have also struggled in the half-back line but Jimmy Barry-Murphy has left that intact.
"If you go back to the Munster Championship campaign in the semi-final against Clare, Cian McCarthy played centre-forward that day and played very, very well.
"He fell out of favour but for the seven minutes he was on the last day, he brought a physical presence to the half-forward line where Clare had completely dominated from puck-outs.
"They won every type of possession and breaking ball. Cork in the inside line struggled to get any decent ball inside.
"Patrick Horgan, one of their main players this year, only got possession of the ball twice in the second-half.
"In any game, that isn't good enough and Jimmy Barry-Murphy would have looked at that and he would have said Cian McCarthy would bring that physical presence.
"But don't rule this guy out, that he is just there as a battering ram.
"He is a very good hurler and a good striker of the ball as well.
"I think he is a welcome addition. Jamie Coughlan loses out unfortunately but in that match against Clare in the summer he did replace Cian in the second half and he shot the lights out from every angle in the field that day.
"His opportunity will come I'm sure within the second half of the game to make an impact."
"But don't rule this guy out, that he is just there as a battering ram. He is a very good hurler." - Tomás Mulcahy
Mulcahy feels Clare manager Davy Fitzgerald will go with the same tactical approach this weekend and will hope to railroad the Rebels, but hinted the addition of goals on this occasion will be necessary if they are to get over the line.
The former Rebels player said: "I think Davy would look at a lot of the positives. They got 25 scores, probably the one negative they did achieve was not putting one or two balls in the back of the net.
"They had a goal opportunity in the first half and the second half and they didn't take them. If Clare had got either, they could have run out convincing winners.
"He could look at it and say 'yeah I'll go back into defensive mode because I don't want to concede goals' or he can say we need to push on and support Darach Honan a bit more in the full-forward line.
"I think Honan was left isolated one-on-one with Shane O'Neill and O'Neill won that battle. You will not score goals by bringing guys back into the defence.
"If Clare are going to win this match and take this game to Cork, they are going to have to push on and push people closer to goal.
"Forcing one or two goals could be the deciding factor on Saturday."
Lions Rory Best and Tommy Bowe have been selected by Ulster coach Mark Anscombe for Friday night's RaboDirect PRO12 clash against Benetton Treviso at Ravenhill.
Craig Gilroy starts at full back and is joined in the back three by Bowe who starts on the right wing and Michael Allen who retains his place on the left flank.
Jared Payne moves from 15 to outside centre where he is partnered by Luke Marshall. Paddy Jackson starts at outhalf, while Paul Marshall replaces Ian Porter at nine.
Captain Best starts at hooker alongside Ricky Lutton and Tom Court in the front row. Iain Henderson keeps his place in the second-row, buts starts at 4, with Dan Tuohy wearing the Number 5 jersey.
In the backrow, Robbie Diack is selected at blindside with Roger Wilson moving to Number 8. Chris Henry keeps his place at openside.
Commenting on his selection Bowe said: "It is great to be back. It has been a tough old pre-season with my wrist injury but I am delighted to be playing, delighted to be back fit again and looking forward to my first game at Ravenhill with the two new stands up."
Ulster team to play Benetton Treviso: C Gilroy, T Bowe, J Payne, L Marshall, M Allen, P Jackson, P Marshall; T Court, R Best (cpt), R Lutton, I Henderson, D Tuohy, R Diack, C Henry, R Wilson.
Replacements: R Herring, C Black, B Ross, L Stevenson, N Williams, M Heaney, J McKinney, D Cave.
Brian O'Driscoll has been named at outside centre for Leinster's visit of Cardiff Blues to the RDS.
Ireland back Fergus McFadden and second row Quinn Roux have recovered from their respective injuries to also take their places in the Leinster starting XV.
Ian Madigan starts at out-half and will partner fellow Ireland international Isaac Boss at half-back, with Noel Reid partnering O'Driscoll at centre.
Jamie Heaslip is named in the back-row with Rhys Ruddock and Dominic Ryan (his 49th).
Ireland prop Mike Ross is named on the replacements bench alongside the likes of Jimmy Gopperth and Jordi Murphy.
Leinster team to play Cardiff: R Kearney, F McFadden, B O'Driscoll, N Reid, D Kearney, I Madigan, I Boss, C Healy, S Cronin, M Moore, D Toner, Q Roux, R Ruddock, D Ryan, J Heaslip (c)
Replacements: A Dundon, J McGrath, M Ross, T Denton, J Murphy, J Cooney, J Gopperth, B Macken.
Head coach Rob Penney has named Paul O'Connell on the reserve bench to face the Newport Gwent Dragons on Saturday.
Following a promising first outing in the league against Edinburgh, James Cronin has been selected to start at loosehead prop for Munster alongside Damien Varley and John Ryan in the front row.
Keith Earls shifts in from the wing to start in the number 13 jersey in a new centre partnership with Ivan Dineen. Felix Jones is also in line to make his first appearance of the season after recovering from shoulder surgery as he is named amongst the substitutes.
Munster team to play the Dragons: J Murphy; A Conway, K Earls, I Dineen, S Zebo; JJ Hanrahan, C Sheridan; J Cronin, D Varley, J Ryan; D O'Callaghan, D Foley; P O'Mahony (c), S Dougall, P Butler.
Replacements: M Sherry, D Kilcoyne, S Archer, P O'Connell, CJ Stander, D Williams, I Keatley, F Jones.
The landscape of European club competitions is unclear
The Irish Rugby Football Union has a released a statement saying the provinces will not be participating in future tournaments which do not have the full approval of the International Rugby Board.
As the saga over club tournaments and a breakaway from the Heineken Cup continues, the Irish body have made clear their desire to avoid division in the club game in Europe.
The statement read: "The IRFU and its clubs remain fully committed to the development of a pan European Rugby Competition and we welcome the recent comments made by the IRB Chairman, who confirmed that a pan European tournament remains the goal of the IRB. We are confident this can be achieved.
"Our focus now is to work collaboratively with our colleagues across Europe, encouraging all parties to come to the table in order to engage in and conclude negotiations as speedily as possible."
The Welsh and Scottish RFUs have also released similar statements.
"Scottish Rugby wishes to clarify that its clubs will not be participating in future tournaments which do not have the full approval of the International Rugby Board or the relevant national rugby unions," the SRU said.
While part of the Welsh statement read: "The Welsh Rugby Union wishes to clarify that it will not sanction any of its clubs or regions participating in future tournaments which do not have the full approval of the IRB and the WRU."
The statements follow plans announced earlier this week for a new Rugby Champions Cup next season led by top English and French clubs.
Premiership Rugby and Ligue Nationale de Rugby say they have no interest in resuming negotiations with European Rugby Cup over a new tournament agreement for the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup competitions. The current accord expires next summer.
Talks are not planned to resume untiil October 23, and ERC has appointed a mediator - Canadian lawyer Graeme Mew - in an attempt to bring all sides together.
But Premiership Rugby and LNR are forging ahead with their own plans, having also extended an invitation to Celtic and Italian teams to join them.
John Joe Nevin's absence from the Ireland boxing squad for next month's World Championships in Kazakhstan has left the squad without a representative in the bantamweight slot.
Nevin was on the original list of 10 names lodged by the Irish Amateur Boxing Association with world governing body AIBA, but subsequently declared his intention to turn professional.
Ireland attempted to replace Olympic silver medallist Nevin with Gary McKenna at 56kg - only for AIBA to then rule out the switch due to the deadline for registration having passed.
The departure of world number one Nevin to the professional ranks is a blow to the Ireland squad which hopes to surpass the one bronze - won by Nevin - at the last World Championships in Azerbaijan two years ago.
Ireland head coach Billy Walsh said: "John Joe will obviously be difficult to replace. He's ranked number one in the world and would have been seeded at number one in Kazakhstan.
"But our focus is on the World Championships. John Joe is not going and the rest of the squad are, and they are our focus now."
The Ireland squad is headed by two London 2012 bronze medallists, light-flyweight Paddy Barnes and flyweight Michael Conlan - who is expected to follow Nevin into the professional ranks after the tournament.
Walsh added: "The World Championships is always the toughest tournament - tougher than the Olympic Games. But if the team perform to their potential they are capable of doing well."
Ireland squad: Light-flyweight: Paddy Barnes; Flyweight: Michael Conlan; Lightweight: Sean McComb; Light-welterweight: Ray Moylette; Welterweight: Adam Nolan; Middleweight: Jason Quigley; Light-heavyweight: Joe Ward; Heavyweight: Tommy McCarthy; Super-heavyweight: Con Sheehan.
Diane Caldwell grabbed a last gasp equaliser for Ireland
The Republic of Ireland snatched a vital point with an injury time equaliser from Diane Caldwell in the second game of their FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying campaign this afternoon at the Gradski Staidum in Sinj.
Croatia took the lead after 11 minutes through Katarina Kolar and even though the Irish had the bulk of the possession after that the closest they came to scoring was when Megan Campbell's 80th minute free-kick came off the underside of the Croatian crossbar.
But four minutes into injury time, a long throw from Campbell was met by Caldwell who sent a glancing header to the net for an equaliser that the Irish side fully deserved.
Captain and goalkeeper Emma Byrne made her 100th appearance for Ireland to become only the second woman and seventh player to win 100 senior caps for Ireland.
Republic of Ireland: Emma Byrne (GK) (C); Sophie Perry, Yvonne Tracy, Diane Caldwell, Megan Campbell; Meabh De Burca (Aine O'Gorman 58), Shannon Smyth, Ruesha Littlejohn, Julie Ann Russell; Sara Lawlor (Dora Gorman 46), Denise O'Sullivan.
Croatia: Doris Bacic (GK), Kristina Nevrkla, Vanesa Zlosa (Helenna Hercigonja Moulton) , Allison Lee Scurich, Maja Jošcak, Violeta Baban, Katarina Kolar (Kristina Šundov 67), Iva Landeka (C), Izabela Lojna (Ana Marija Kalamiza 83), Gabrijela Gaiser, Sandra Žigic.
Written By Unknown on Rabu, 25 September 2013 | 23.06
Updated: Wednesday, 25 Sep 2013 13:22 | Comments
Stephen Lee was found guilty of match-fixing charges
Stephen Lee has been banned for 12 years after being found guilty of seven match-fixing charges, World Snooker has confirmed.
The 38-year-old was found guilty by an independent tribunal last week and appeared before a hearing on Tuesday.
Lee, the former world number five, was found guilty of match-fixing charges relating to seven matches in 2008 and 2009.
The matches in question were three matches in the Malta Cup in 2008, two matches at the UK Championship in the same year, one at the 2009 China Open and one at the 2009 World Championship.
Tribunal chaimran Adam Lewis QC also ordered that Lee pay costs of £40,000.
A statement from the World Professional Billards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) said: "The suspension is to be calculated from 12 October 2012, when the interim suspension was imposed. Therefore Stephen Lee will not be able to participate in snooker before 12 October 2024."
WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson said: "We take no pride in having to deal with such serious issues. However this demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that snooker is free from corruption.
"It is an important part of our anti-corruption approach that players found to be involved in fixing matches or any aspect of a match are severely dealt with.
"We work closely with partners globally and the message we are sending is that if you get involved in match-fixing you will be found out and removed from the sport."
The WPBSA had been seeking a lifetime ban but the organisation's head of disciplinary Nigel Mawer insisted the 12-year suspension was effectively the same thing.
Mawer told Press Association Sport: "We did say we were seeking a life ban because if it was seven matches that had been fixed including during the world championships.
"But in effect it is a life ban because I think it is highly unlikely that Stephen Lee will be able to come back to the sport at this level.
"We don't take great pleasure out of that - this is a case of a fantastic snooker player who has thrown it all away through making the wrong decisions.
"It is only human to have a degree of sympathy for him and it is going to be very difficult for him but we have to send a very strong message that match-fixing is not going to be tolerated.
"To my knowledge this is the longest ban ever handed down and there are £40,000 costs to pay too if he ever wants to come back."
Mawer added that he believed snooker was overwhelmingly a clean sport.
He said: "I am independent and outside the organisation and have a law enforcement background, and all the intelligence on irregular betting come to me.
"Hand on heart I believe it is a very, very clean sport - I have only had to investigate four incidents in 7,000 matches and two of those have led to suspensions, which puts it in context.
Jimmy Barry-Murphy 'for a brief few seconds' thought they'd won
Audio
Cork manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy, although happy with the effort of his players first time out against Clare, is hoping for a big improvement in performance in the All-Ireland final replay on Saturday.
The counties served up a dramatic draw last time out, with Clare grabbing a last-gasp point to equalise, despite dominating the match for the most part.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport, Barry-Murphy said: "We'd probably be disappointed overall with the way we played as a team.
"I would think on the day Clare performed better than us probably and the goals kept us in contention at a vital stage when we needed them.
"But also to balance that, great credit is due to our players because they showed great spirit when things weren't going our way, but overall I'd say we'll need to improve a lot to have a chance of beating Clare the next day, but I'm hopeful we can do that."
He went on: "The spirit of the team showed, because you know yourself, All-Ireland finals are funny – some days they take on a life of their own, different things happen... you've got to counter certain issues that arise.
"And it's fair to say that if we hadn't got the goals we wouldn't be sitting here talking today.
"If we hadn't got the goals we wouldn't be sitting here talking today" - Jimmy Barry-Murphy
"So for the point of view of our team spirit I thought the lads showed great courage when the opportunity arose to go for goals and to keep us in with a chance of beating Clare, who were outstanding on the day I thought."
The Cork team suffered a lack of fluency in the drawn final and Barry-Murphy admitted it was something that had been looked at in the days since: "it's something we've to address as a team.
"The backroom team are looking at many aspects of our display, both in our preparation and our execution on the day, which we'd like to have been better obviously, and I'm hopeful we can identify certain areas that we'll need to improve on to have any chance."
Asked if he thought they'd won it when Patrick Horgan sent over the lead point in injury time, the Cork manager was honest: "Ya it was against the odds certainly and just for a brief few seconds maybe I allowed myself to think that we had it.
"I suppose I'm long enough around now to know that the game is never over until the referee blows that final whistle.
"And in fairness to Clare they took their opportunity brilliantly. It was a great score to equalise and fair play to the lad who got it (Domhnall O'Donovan)."
He added: "Luck was on our side for most of the game and we got the lead point just at the right time, but I'd have to be honest and say that over the course of the game it was a fair result.
"Clare played better than us I think in general but we hung in there and got the goals so I think on balance it was a fair result."
Live television coverage of the All-Ireland Hurling Final Replay between Clare and Cork from 16:00 on Saturday 28 September on RTÉ Two and RTÉ.ie (Ireland only). Live radio coverage of all the day's action from 14:00 on RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ RnaG and RTÉ.ie (Worldwide).
Highlights and analysis of the All-Ireland Hurling Final Replay on The Saturday Game from 21:30 on Saturday 28 September on RTÉ Two and RTÉ.ie (Ireland only).
Paddy McFlynn pictured in March of this year with current GAA President Liam O'Neill
Former president of the GAA Paddy McFlynn has died.
The ex-Ulster Council president was head of the Association between 1979 and 1982.
President of Ulster GAA Martin McAviney said: "Paddy McFlynn was an iconic Ulster and National GAA figure, a GAA giant who had given over 80 years of volunteer service to our Association.
"He served the Association in various positions starting out in a County GAA leadership position at the age of 23 when he was elected Secretary of Derry County GAA in 1940.
"He moved to County Down to take up a teaching position later in his life and served many roles within the County including that of President of Down County GAA.
"His outstanding service to the Ulster Council GAA as a delegate for both Derry and Down, Treasurer from 1947 until 1954, Vice President from 1958 until 1960 and President of the Ulster Council from 1961 until 1963.
"Paddy McFlynn, however made his greatest contribution in the leadership of the GAA as President from 1979 until 1982.
"He was in office at a time when the days were difficult but like all other aspects of Paddy's life he dealt with the challenges faced by the GAA at that time both with courage and courtesy.
"We will miss his wisdom, friendship, advice and leadership but above all we morn the passing of a good man whose integrity and vision leaves a strong legacy for us and the next generation of GAA members."
McFlynn's passing comes just a week after the publication of his autobiography where he reveals how the GAA had been in danger of being torn apart during the hunger strikes period.
Barry Murphy played a staring role in Shamrock Rovers EA Sports triumph
Goalkeeper Barry Murphy (Shamrock Rovers) After enjoying a quiet first half in Saturday's EA SPORTS Cup final, Murphy was called into action as Drogheda chased the game following Ken Oman's red card. Murphy pulled off a string of fine saves and commanded his box well throughout as Rovers secured their second cup of the season.
Defence Brian Gartland (Dundalk) On a rare off night for the Dundalk defence against St Patrick's Athletic, the former Portadown man was still a rock and put in a sensational last ditch tackle in the first half to deny a certain goal. Gartland was comfortable too when carrying the ball out from the back and was the Lilywhites' standout man on a disappointing night.
Gavin Peers (Sligo Rovers) Sligo Rovers have won five and drawn one of their last six games and Gavin Peers has been one of the main reasons behind that run. Always in the right place at the right time, the centre back has the ability to sniff out trouble before it can develop and his resolute defending ensured that UCD's front men had a frustrating night at the Belfield Bowl.
Patrick Nzuzi (Limerick) Nzuzi helped Limerick claim their first win since the start of August with a fine defensive display against Shamrock Rovers. The former Newcastle player was solid in the air, comfortably dealing with anything Rovers could throw at him, and strong in the tackle. He frustrated Mark Quigley in particular, coming out on top of their battle.
Midfield Richie Ryan (Shamrock Rovers) The Hoops midfielder has been a revelation in the middle of the park and has been instrumental in the recent run of good Rovers form. Ryan has struck up a fine understanding with Shane Robinson and has added a new dimension to the Rovers team who have been lacking in that position all season. It was no surprise to see Rovers, minus Ryan, slump in Limerick on Tuesday night.
Daryl Kavanagh (St Pat's) The little playmaker was outstanding and clinical in the final third for Pat's against Dundalk and he was involved in many of their excellent attacking moves. Kavanagh took his goal superbly with a rocket shot for what could be one of the most important goals the Richmond Park side score this season.
Ryan Brennan (Drogheda) Brennan made a mistake in missing a penalty against Cork, but he showed great composure to score just on the break and he was instrumental in the second goal for Drogheda. The 21-year-old was constantly breaking down the left wing and his deliveries were a source of problems for the Cork defence.
Kieran Djilali (Sligo Rovers) Djilali broke the deadlock in his side's 3-0 victory over UCD with a stunning looping effort from the edge of the box but it was his all around play that made him shine. Full of running and always looking for the ball, Djilali was a constant threat for Sligo Rovers and one that the UCD defence were simply unable to handle.
Dave Mulcahy (Bohemians) The veteran Gypsies midfielder led by example in his side's crucial victory against fellow strugglers. Mulcahy was a constant threat, heading over form Bohs' first chance early on and sealing a fine display with the third goal late on.
Forwards Tommy Stewart (Shamrock Rovers) Almost the forgotten man of Shamrock Rovers this season after the arrival of supposed-marquee signings Mark Quigley and, more recently, Eamon Zayed, Stewart was imperious on Saturday against Drogheda as he led the line with authority, linking well with Gary McCabe playing just off the striker. Stewart remained composed to seal the Cup victory and could have added to his tally later on.
Ciaran Kilduff (Cork City) Kilduff looked sharp and hungry against Drogheda and was involved in all three of Cork's goals and he constantly moved into space to provide an outlet for the midfielders. His finish for the first goal was sublime and his awareness to pick out Shane Duggan was excellent. In an open game he always looked a real threat.
