Written By Unknown on Kamis, 31 Oktober 2013 | 23.07
Updated: Thursday, 31 Oct 2013 16:06 | Comments
Dave Ellis has joined up with Connacht this week
Dave Ellis has linked up with the coaching team at Connacht Rugby. The New Zealander arrived in Ireland this week after completing work in Australia.
Signed as the new skills coach on an initial one-year deal, Ellis will work with head coach Pat Lam and assistant coach Dan McFarland, as well as resource coaches for the senior squad Nigel Carolan, Jimmy Duffy and Cory Brown.
Commenting on Ellis' arrival, Pat Lam said: "It's great to have Dave here with us now. This week, he's been observing training and our systems and really getting to know the guys.
"I've worked with Dave in New Zealand and he is a truly innovative technical coach who gets results.
"A huge part of our vision here at Connacht Rugby is having a rugby programme that develops players so that they can perform the basic skills under pressure and against any team they face.
"I'm thrilled that Dave has come in to head up that skills programme for us."
Ellis added: "I'm delighted to finally be here and I'm really looking forward to getting stuck into the job at hand.
"It's clear that there is a lot of hard work being done behind the scenes here by a great group of people and I'm excited to be a part of that."
The Aviva Stadium will host the Republic of Ireland and Latvia
Ireland will play Latvia in a friendly match at the Aviva Stadium on 15 November.
The match will be the last home game of the year and comes four days before the away match against Poland in Poznan.
The Football Association of Ireland are still pursuing a new manager to replace Giovanni Trapattoni.
Under-21 boss Noel King took charge of the final two World Cup qualifying matches of the campaign.
There is no update on who will be manager for the friendlies with Ray Houghton and Ruud Dockter set to present their assessments to the Association next week.
Rory McIlroy hit a stunning 65 at the WGC-HSBC Champions
Rory McIlroy backed up his pre-tournament prediction in brilliant fashion with a flawless 65 as Open champion Phil Mickelson suffered an astonishing collapse in the first round of the WGC-HSBC Champions on Thursday.
Without a win all season, McIlroy is a lowly 62nd on the European Tour's Race to Dubai and needs to move into the top 60 this week to have a chance of qualifying for the DP World Tour Championship in November.
The 24-year-old insisted he was more likely to win in Shanghai than miss out on a trip to Dubai and was as good as his word at Sheshan International Golf Club, carding eight birdies and just one bogey to finish seven under par.
That gave the Irishman a two-shot lead over Spain's Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, who won the BMW Masters across the city at Lake Malaren on Sunday, and Welshman Jamie Donaldson, who both shot 67.
US Open champion Justin Rose, Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth and Tommy Fleetwood are a shot further back on four under.
Mickelson had briefly shared the lead with McIlroy when he picked up his sixth birdie of the day on the seventh - having started from the 10th - but ran up a quadruple-bogey nine on the eighth.
After seeing his third shot come up short of the flag and roll down a bank into water guarding the green, Mickelson took a penalty drop and then span his fifth shot from the drop zone back into the same hazard.
The left-hander finally found the putting surface with his seventh shot and two-putted, but compounded his misery by hitting his approach to the ninth into the water to the right of the green.
That led to a bogey five and meant Mickelson had to settle for an opening 71, one under par.
McIlroy won five times in 2012, including a second major title by eight shots, to finish top of the money lists on both side of the Atlantic, but his only 'win' this season came in an 18-hole exhibition match against Tiger Woods on Monday.
Woods said afterwards that he felt McIlroy would claim a victory before the end of the year and the Irishman quickly set about proving his Nike stablemate correct, starting from the 10th with a birdie.
A bogey on the 11th would prove to be the only dropped shot of the day, McIlroy carding further birdies on the 12th, 14th, 16th and 18th to be out in 32 and picking up shots on the first and second to move into the lead.
As soon as Mickelson drew level McIlroy responded with another birdie on the eighth, the hole Mickelson would make such a mess of in the group behind.
McIlroy is less than €4,000 behind Garth Mulroy in 60th place on the money list, but will now have his eyes firmly on the first prize of just over €1,000,000.
Richie Towell showed his class from the opening day encounter with Shamrock Rovers at Oriel Park
By Ed Leahy & Rob Wright
Clocks have gone back, summer's over and the FAI Cup final on Sunday brings a close to the 2013 League of Ireland season.
It has been a great year on and off the pitch with very little financial or contractual problems to report so credit all round to players, clubs and officials.
Attendances remain a problem but that should hopefully improve next year with the league much more regionalised with the arrival of Athlone Town and potentially Longford making it a real national league and moving away from the Dublin dominance.
Congrats to St Pat's on a well-deserved title victory, credit the Dundalk renaissance and UCD can once again hold their heads high and plan for top-flight football in 2014.
So the only thing left for us to do is to name our team of the season. It has been a tough choice with so many contenders in every position.
And while we've thrown out a few very random formations for our Teams of the Week during the 2013 season, we're sticking with a solid 4-5-1 formation for our selection. I'm sure our manager would tell you it was a 4-3-3.
RTÉ.ie Airtricity League Team of the Year 2013
Goalkeeper
Barry Ryan (Limerick)
The League of Ireland veteran was back to his best form throughout the 2013 Airtricity League campaign. Ryan was regularly Limerick's top man, playing out of his skin in many matches for the newly promoted side.
Ryan departed the Dublin scene a couple of years back and many had written him off but, once again, the former UCD, Shamrock Rovers and St Pat's keeper proved he is still top of his game. But what about Limerick shipping six at the Brandywell last weekend? Well, no surprise that Ryan was off-duty.
Best of the rest: Peter Cherrie had a super season for Dundalk but just lost out to the impeccable Ryan.
Defenders
Simon Madden (Derry City)
One of the league's best full backs for the past five years, Madden was exceptional all season for Derry.
Madden's energy to get forward added an extra dimension to the Candystripes' attack and the fact that he edged St Pat's right back Ger O'Brien out of this eleven proves how consistent he has played throughout the 2013 campaign.
Jeff Henderson (Sligo Rovers)
Henderson made an immediate impact in his first full season with the defending champions and was superb as Sligo romped to an early season league lead. Henderson's FAI Ford Cup semi-final performance against Shamrock Rovers proved his commitment to the Sligo cause and may finish his maiden season with a Cup medal in his pocket should the Bit O'Red beat Drogheda in the final.
Kenny Browne (St Patrick's Athletic)
A title is rarely won without a solid defence and the St Pat's back four have been first class all season. Browne struck up a fantastic partnership with the always reliable Conor Kenna and with Bermingham and O'Brien either side, the seeds were sown for league title success.
Browne's strength, both in the air and on the ground, combined with his composure on the ball earned him a spot in the year's selection.
Ian Bermingham (St Patrick's Athletic)
Without doubt, the best left-back in the country, Bermingham spent as much time in the opposition half as he did defending, thanks to a manager that allowed him to push on and with a solid defence covering his forward forays.
Bermingham's ability to push up the left flank allowed the wide midfielders to cut inside or push forward and add strength and numbers to the Saints attack.
Best of the rest:Ger O'Brien was just edged out of the eleven following a huge title-winning season at St Pat's. O'Brien, like Madden was just as valuable going forward for Liam Buckley's side and popped up with some important goals. Derek Foran and Jason McGuinness looked like an unstoppable force in the Shamrock Rovers defence in the opening round of fixture before suspensions and injuries broke the partnership. Andy Boyle had a super season at Dundalk, while Conor Kenna was back to his best with the champions. Dane Massey also proved a class act at Dundalk as did Alan Keane at Sligo. Hugh Douglas also had a solid season for UCD who must also be praised for, once again, defying the odds to retain their Premier Division status.
Midfielders
Greg Bolger (St Patrick's Athletic)
You can play all the fancy football that you like but it will not win you a title unless you have a tough-tackling midfielder, breaking down opposition attacks and sitting in front of your back four.
Well, Bolger ticked all those boxes and has proved St Pat's most consistent player all season. But there is a lot more to Bolger's game as he is equally adept going forward and, while it might have taken a bit longer than he hoped, he can crack a long-distance effort on target; just another string to his bow.
Richie Towell (Dundalk)
Burst onto the League of Ireland scene this season, and after the initial shock and surprise of Dundalk's great early-season form, it proved that Richie Towell was largely instrumental pulling the strings in the Lilywhites midfield.
Players like Towell really added to the increased quality of the football on offer in 2013. And while Towell was the stand-out player at Oriel Park this season, the team's form would not have been possible without the excellent midfield that Stephen Kenny assembled with Stephen O'Donnell, Kurtis Byrne, Chris Shields and John Mountney all impressing throughout.
Killian Brennan (St Patrick's Athletic)
Perhaps the classiest player in the league over the past five years, an in-form Killian Brennan is almost unplayable and an absolute joy to watch.
Liam Buckley got Brennan back to his best this season and was given the freedom of Inchicore playing alongside the reliable duo of John Russell and Greg Bolger.
Darly Horgan (Cork)
The League of Ireland's best Damien Duff lookalike has the game to match the former Ireland international as Horgan tormented most full-backs in the league all season.
A regular on our weekly XI, Horgan was the stand-out player at the Cross all season and will be instrumental should Cork look to return to the business end of the table next season.
Kieran Djilali (Sligo Rovers)
Many players need a year to get to grips with a new league in a different country, Kieran Djilali just needed a few months to stamp his authority on the Airtricity League Premier Division. Fitness and lack of first team football were probably responsible for the former Crystal Palace midfielder's slow start but once Djilali got up to speed, his influence for Ian Baraclough's side kept growing throughout the second half of the season.
Surely the heir to the Joseph Ndo throne, Djilali will be Sligo's key man in the FAI Cup final and throughout next year's quest to regain their league title.
Best of the rest: So many candidates for the midfield berths, John Russell of St Patrick's Athletic and Dundalk's Stephen O'Donnell would be worthy selections. Another Saint Conan Byrne was also instrumental in the league success, while Ronan Finn of Shamrock Rovers, Derry's Michael Rafter and the lively Kieran Waters from Bray Wanderers were also in with a shout for inclusion.
Striker
Rory Patterson (Derry City)
With only one striker selection up for grabs in our team of the year, it ultimately came down to goals scored and Rory Patterson never looked likely to give up that title, finishing with 18 league goals.
City's title challenge came unstuck in the second half of the season but they will be back in contention next season should they rediscover their team-spirit and keep Patterson firing on all cylinders.
Best of the rest: At one stage it looked like Anthony Elding was going to be a shoe-in for a place on the team of the year after dominating the opening round of fixtures. Suspensions and selections led to Elding spending large chunks of the season on the bench but could yet leave his mark with a Cup final to play on Sunday. Veteran Jason Byrne was another who had a great start to the campaign, while Anto Flood, Raffaele Cretaro, Pat Hoban, Declan O'Brien and on-loan sensation Ciaran Kilduff were also in contention.
Manager
Stephen Kenny (Dundalk) A straight-up toss of the coin for the gaffer gong with Liam Buckley an equally worthy candidate. But the job that Kenny has done at Dundalk has been nothing short of miraculous.
That frightening (for an away fan/player) Oriel Park roar has returned with a vengeance this season and all thanks to Stephen Kenny, not only assembling a team that would challenge for the title, but also a footballing side that has entertained all season. And after Kenny's acrimonious departure from Shamrock Rovers, the pressure was on to prove his class once again. Was there ever a doubt that he wouldn't?
Zane Kirchner makes his first start for Leinster on Friday
South African international Zane Kirchner will make his first start for Leinster in Friday's RaboDirect PRO12 game with Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade.
Kirchner is named to start at fullback in a back three which includes the fit again Lote Tuqiri and St Mary's College captain Darragh Fanning.
Luke Fitzgerald, one of four Ireland internationals in the starting line-up, continues his midfield partnership with Noel Reid while there are recalls for Jimmy Gopperth and scrumhalf John Cooney, who makes his 24th appearance for the province.
Shane Jennings leads the team and the experienced back-rower is named in the back-row alongside Rhys Ruddock and Dominic Ryan, who is set to appear in Leinster colours for the 51st time.
Michael Bent switches to loose-head in a front row which also includes Aaron Dundon and Martin Moore who trained with the Ireland squad earlier this week.
Leinster XV to play Newport Gwent Dragons: Zane Kirchner, Darragh Fanning, Luke Fitzgerald, Noel Reid, Lote Tuqiri, Jimmy Gopperth, John Cooney, Michael Bent, Aaron Dundon, Martin Moore, Quinn Roux, Tom Denton, Dominic Ryan, Shane Jennings, Rhys Ruddock
Replacements: James Tracy, Jack O'Connell, Tadhg Furlong, Ben Marshall, Leo Auva'a, Luke McGrath, Cathal Marsh, Brendan Macken
Ireland centre Brian O'Driscoll has returned to training and has not experienced any problems with his calf injury meaning he could yet play all three November Test matches.
Head coach Joe Schmidt revealed that O'Driscoll himself will make a call on whether he is fit to play in November.
Lock Paul O'Connell and prop Cian Healy are both hoping to train next week and be available for the international series of ties.
Outhalf Jonathan Sexton will fly back to Paris this weekend to be with his club Racing Metro for their weekend clash with Biarritz in the south of France. It is unclear as yet whether he will start that match or not.
And as yet there is no update on the captaincy issue, an announcement will be made next week
Written By Unknown on Rabu, 30 Oktober 2013 | 23.07
Updated: Wednesday, 30 Oct 2013 10:36 | Comments
Paudie Kissane: 'My dream, since I was a young fella, was to play with Cork'
Cork's Paudie Kissane has announced his retirement from inter-county football.
The 33-year-old half-back won one All-Ireland, three Munster and three Division 1 titles with the Rebels.
Kissane, a 2010 All-Star, won an intermediate county title with his club Clyda Rovers earlier this month and told the Irish Examiner: "My dream, since I was a young fella, was to play with Cork and I feel extremely lucky and privileged to have been given that opportunity.
"As a player, naturally you always remember some of your disappointments and wish you won more, but I can't complain, considering what's been achieved since 2008."
Referring to the commitment needed for inter-county football, Kissane said: "I don't think it's getting too demanding.
"Okay, you can't go here and you can't go there, you're watching your nutrition and your hydration, the video analysis.
"You're missing out on weddings and stags but it's worth it."
"I am very grateful to Conor for giving me another chance in 2008 to represent my county" - Paudie Kissane
"People say to me 'Jesus, you make great sacrifices'. But I never saw it as sacrifices.
"I did it because I genuinely wanted to do it. If I wanted to go pinting every weekend I would have done that. I was happy to do it.
"When the ball was thrown in at Páirc Uí Chaoimh or Fitzgerald Stadium, the pitch was where you wanted to be."
Kissane was briefly part of the Cork panel in 2002 and 2003 before making his Championship debut in 2008 at the relatively late age of 28 and said: "I am very grateful to Conor (Counihan) for giving me another chance in 2008 to represent my county at the highest level.
"I would like to thank my family and all those close to me for their ongoing support and encouragement over the years and also my own club Clyda Rovers.
"I wish every success to Brian Cuthbert and his new management team for 2014 and beyond."
Shane Duggan has spent the last five years at Turner's Cross
Limerick have signed Cork City midfielder Shane Duggan ahead of the 2014 Airtricity League season.
Duggan has spent the last five seasons with City but the 24-year-old has now signed a two-year deal to play with his native city side Limerick.
Duggan said: "I'm delighted to sign for my hometown club. It's something I always wanted to do but for whatever reason it hasn't happened until now.
"I had five great seasons in the first team at Cork City and I'm grateful for everything the club did for me. I made a lot of good friends there and won a First Division title. But I'm looking forward now and hoping to push on further in my career with Limerick.
"I've spoken to Stuart (Taylor) about his plans and the players he is looking to bring in to add to those that are staying. Everything about the club seems very professional and I believe there are good times ahead for Limerick.
"Hopefully, in the coming season we can push on up the table. I'm already looking forward to getting started."
Limerick boss Taylor is delighted to sign Duggan from Munster rivals Cork, saying: "Shane is a player who has impressed me this season. He is a midfield player who has a lot of energy and a lot of good attributes to his game.
"Not only is Shane a fine player, he is also a Limerick lad. We want as many local guys in the team as possible.
"Shane ticks all the boxes in what we're looking for and that's why I wanted to bring him to the club. We're delighted with his addition and I look forward to working with him in the coming season."
Over the past two seasons Duggan has started 58 of a possible 66 league games for the Turner's Cross club, scoring nine goals.
Duggan previously spent time in England with Plymouth Argyle and had a brief spell at UCD in 2008 before moving to Cork for the following season.
Conor Murray's elbow has been deemed an act of foul play but it did not merit a ban
Conor Murray will not face any disciplinary action after being cited in Munster's RaboDirect PRO12 victory over Glasgow Warriors last Friday.
Scrumhalf Murray appeared before an independent disciplinary committee in Cardiff having been cited by the independent citing commissioner for an alleged incident of foul play.
The committee, chaired by Roger Morris (Wales) alongside Rhian Williams (Wales) and Marco Cordelli (Italy), upheld the citing in that an act of foul play had been committed but found that the act did not merit classification as a red card offence and imposed no sanction.
Murray is free to resume playing immediately.
Murray was cited for striking an opponent, contrary to Law 10.4 (a), which states that a player must not strike an opponent with the fist or arm, including the elbow, shoulder, head or knees.
The decision will come as a welcome piece of news to the Ireland coaching unit with the Guinness Series set to start at Aviva Stadium on 9 November with a clash against Samoa.
Anthony Stokes: 'I've a long way to go to reach 100 so we'll just take it game by game'
Celtic striker Anthony Stokes is targeting 100 goals for the club after he signed a new deal at Parkhead.
The Ireland international committed his future to the club until the summer of 2016 by penning a new three-year contract on Tuesday afternoon.
The 25-year-old has scored 53 goals, including five this season, but did not even know he had reached his half-century until someone told him afterwards.
But he can now look to a long-term goal after ending speculation over his future by concluding protracted talks.
Stokes told the club's official website: "As a striker you want to be getting over 20 goals a season and that's always the aim, but I don't focus on it too much.
"I didn't realise this season that I'd scored my 50th goal. It wasn't something that preyed on my mind until I thought 'that's me halfway there', so it's something else to aim for.
"I've a long way to go to reach 100 so we'll just take it game by game and see how it goes.
At the moment I'm buzzing at signing the deal and I'll be well up for Saturday's game against Dundee United."
Meanwhile, Celtic Park has been named as the venue for this season's William Hill Scottish Cup final.
The Scottish Football Association has also announced Ibrox as the venue for both of the semi-finals.
Hampden is unavailable because it is being redeveloped to stage the athletics events at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Rory McIlroy: 'If I don't play good enough here there's a good chance I won't play in Dubai'
Audio
The absence of Tiger Woods will not go unnoticed at this week's WGC-HSBC Champions tournament but the attendance of 40 of the world's top 50 players suggests the tournament is living up to its billing as a World Golf Championships tournament.
The HSBC is the only WGC event played outside the United States but an $8.5 million purse has still not been enough to lure world number one Woods to Sheshan International Golf Club.
With appearance money banned in official PGA Tour events, the 14-time major champion has snubbed the event since 2010.
This week, instead, he s participating in some lucrative corporate outings elsewhere in Asia following on from Monday's exhibition match against Rory McIlroy on Hainan Island in South China.
World number two Adam Scott, who this year became the first Australian to win the Masters, is also missing as he prepares for a busy year-end schedule in his homeland, but the presence of British Open champion Phil Mickelson, US Open winner Justin Rose and two-time major champion McIlroy helps soften the blow.
Mickelson's golf course design business is growing in China - he has a new course opening in Shanghai early next year - but his focus this week will be on clinching a Sheshan hat-trick, where he also won in 2007 and 2009.
"It's a big week obviously... it's sort of make-or-break" - Rory McIlroy
"I was not swinging well in Malaysia (but) the last two days my game started to come around," Mickelson told reporters, referring to last week's CIMB Classic in Kuala Lumpur, where he finished tied for 19th.
"I enter this tournament with a lot more confidence than I've had in a while. I feel the ball-striking is getting better, the rhythm is getting better and Sheshan is a course I feel very comfortable on."
Englishman Rose knows a good result here would boost his chances of winning the Race to Dubai - formerly known as the European Tour Order of Merit. He is third with just two events left after this week.
"To get my name on that trophy again would be a huge honour," said Rose, who won the European money list in 2007.
"This is a key week on both tours (because) it's my first event on the 2014 PGA Tour schedule."
McIlroy, meanwhile, needs a strong performance to qualify for the European Tour's season-ender in Dubai in a fortnight. He is 62nd on the money list, with only the top 60 advancing.
"It's a big week obviously... it's sort of make-or-break," McIlroy said.
"If I don't play good enough here, then you know, there's a good chance I won't play in Dubai. But... there's a bigger chance of me winning this tournament than not playing in Dubai, I feel."
"I'm looking forward to going out there and playing well," added McIlroy, who has been backed by Woods to get back to winning ways before the end of the season.
"I feel like I'm capable of winning this golf tournament and I feel like my game's coming together nicely.
"I did a little short game work over the last couple days and I feel like if I can get that part of my game where it needs to be, then I've got a good chance.
"I'm really glad that this tournament is back here at Sheshan. It's a golf course that I've done well on, as you've said, and it's a golf course that I really like. It's one of my favourite venues of the year quite honestly.
"Of course I expect myself to be a lot higher than that (62nd). I won the Race to Dubai last year and I was second in 2011 and I was second in 2009.
"So I've been a factor in it for the last few years and to be down where I am obviously doesn't feel too good and is a reflection of how my year has gone.
"It's just the reality and the reality is I haven't played well enough to be a factor."
The international field here comprises 72 players from 21 countries, headed by 24 American players.
The host country has a six-man contingent, while nine other Asian players are in the field - four from Japan (including young stars Hideki Matsuyama and Ryo Ishikawa), two from Thailand, two from South Korea and one from India.
Brett Ferres: 'There's a few big boys up front who like to mix it and match'
Audio
England forward Brett Ferres insists they will not be taking Ireland for granted when they meet in Group A of the World Cup on Saturday.
After losing to Austrlia, England are expected to get off the mark against Ireland, who were beaten 32-16 by Fiji in their opening game at Rochdale on Monday.
"They're full of good players," Ferres said ahead of the Huddersfield match.
"They seemed to play quite expansively against Fiji and throw the ball about.
"Liam Finn has got a very good kicking game which everyone knows about and there's a few big boys up front who like to mix it and match it so will be a real tough test for us."
Ireland have a major doubt over full-back Scott Grix, Ferres' Huddersfield team-mate who came off with a thigh injury on Monday.
"If it's only a dead leg he should be okay," Ferres said. "He's a tough kid and I think he will be alright."
Written By Unknown on Selasa, 29 Oktober 2013 | 23.06
Updated: Tuesday, 29 Oct 2013 13:44 | Comments
Jon Lester was again in strong form for Boston
The Boston Red Sox are on the verge of winning the World Series after another stunning performance by starting pitcher Jon Lester gave them the platform for a 3-1 victory over the St Louis Cardinals last night.
The Red Sox now lead the best-of-seven series 3-2 and have a chance to clinch the Major League Baseball crown with a win at Boston's Fenway Park in Game Six on Wednesday.
Jon Lester was credited with the win and becomes only the second pitcher to start his World Series career with a 3-0 record, while David Ortiz reached base on his first two at-bats to match a World Series-record streak of nine.
A ground-rule double by catcher David Ross plated one run and a single by centre fielder Jacoby Ellsbury knocked in another off St. Louis starter and loser Adam Wainwright to swing the balance in the seventh.
Lester, who went 7-2/3 shutout innings in picking up the win in the series opener, went the same distance on Monday, yielding one run on four hits, striking out seven with no walks. Closer Koji Uehara came on to finish, registering a four-out save.
For Lester, the win silenced the suggestion by a Cardinals minor leaguer after Game One that the Boston left-hander had cheated by using a foreign substance in his glove, backed by a photo he captured off the TV screen.
Lester, who explained that he coated his glove with rosin before games to counteract his heavy sweating so he could get a better grip on the baseball, continues to excel on the World Series stage.
He improves to 2-0 in this series with a 0.59 earned run average, and in three career Fall Classic starts, Lester now boasts a 3-0 record, giving up just one earned run over 21 innings.
"Jonny (Lester) is just a stud, we really rely on him," said his battery mate Ross.
Lester returned the praise for Ross, who has been his catcher in recent starts.
"The biggest thing is me and Rossy have had a good rhythm," he said. "We just stuck to our pattern. Fortunately for us, Rossy hit that big double. It seems like it's a different guy every night that picks us up. That's the way it's been with us all year."
Boston struck first in the pivotal Game Five, taking a 1-0 lead on back-to-back doubles in the opening inning with Dustin Pedroia pulling a line-shot to left and red-hot David Ortiz rapping a sharp grounder over first base and into the right-field corner to score the run.
Ortiz finished the game 3-for-4, and is a remarkable 11-for-15 overall for the series. He was slow to gather himself after beating out a base hit in the eighth, but despite icing both his ankles after the game said he would be ready to go again in Game Six.
Adam Wainwright settled down after Boston's one-two punch in the first by retiring the next eight batters, the first five of those by strikeout.
The Cardinals tied the game in the fourth on a home run to straightaway center by Matt Holliday, the first run given up in a World Series game by Lester spanning 16 career innings. Carlos Beltran threatened to go back-to-back but his drive to left-centre was caught just before the wall by Jonny Gomes.
It remained tied until the Boston breakout in the seventh. Wainwright was charged with all three runs after matching Lester's brilliance through six as he struck out 10 batters in his seven innings.
Lester gave way to Uehara with David Freese on second after a double down the right field line.
Uehara, who on Sunday became the first Japanese-born pitcher ever to register a World Series save, did it again on Monday. He struck out pinch-hitter Matt Adams to end the eighth, and then retired the side in the ninth to send Boston home with a chance to end it on Wednesday.
St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said Boston used the same winning formula as before.
"He (Lester) threw the ball extremely well," Matheny said. "It came down to a big hit. They got the big hit when they needed it, and we couldn't put much together.
"He was the same pitcher that we saw last time. Couldn't get much going. He kept us down.
"You know, our guys have been backed up against the wall before, and this is something that isn't foreign to them. They know what we have to do. We just play our game. If we go about it the right way, we'll be right where we want to be."
Coach Steve Hansen: 'We respect what [Japan] do and will have to do well to beat them
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Audio
World champions New Zealand will test some new combinations in Saturday's rugby union Test against Japan in Tokyo in preparation for the sterner fixtures awaiting them in Europe during the November internationals.
The All Blacks, unbeaten in ten tests this year, will play the 2011 World Cup finalists France on 9 November followed by matches against England and Ireland (24 November).
Nine players are flying directly to Paris to prepare for the France match but fans at the 25,000-seat Prince Chichibunomiya Stadium in Tokyo will still have the opportunity to see two of New Zealand's greatest ever players in action.
Coach Steve Hansen told reporters last week that captain Richie McCaw would play at least 40 minutes at loose forward while fly-half Dan Carter would also take the field.
Both players have been troubled by injuries this year as they set their sights on the 2015 World Cup in England.
Saturday's match will be the first between the two sides outside the World Cup after the All Blacks defeated Japan 83-7 two years ago and 145-17 in 1995.
Japan recorded a famous 23-8 win over Wales this year and assistant All Blacks coach Ian Foster said his side expected the home side to come out fighting.
"We respect what they do and will have to do well to beat them," he told reporters after the All Blacks' first training session.
"We have got a lot of new combinations so the focus today was on cementing running lines and improving the options."
Specialist wing Ben Smith, who scored a record eight tries in the Rugby Championship this year, will play again at outside centre in place of Conrad Smith, who is taking a sabbatical from rugby.
"I am learning as I go and have got a wee bit to pick up," Smith said.
"The win over Wales showed Japan are a pretty good team. We will have to be on our game this weekend and will have to get our preparation right to play well."
The final curtain will come down on this year's domestic league season after Sunday's showpiece game, the FAI Cup final (live on RTÉ Two).
As is the case every year at this time, all eyes will be on the Aviva stadium where 2012 league champions Sligo Rovers face off against cup specialists Drogheda United. It promises to be a fascinating game and a tough one to call.
On paper you would have to say Sligo Rovers should have enough but I've yet to see a cup final won on paper. Drogheda have already featured in two cup finals this season - losing both - but I'm sure they will feel Sunday could be their day.
The game is being slightly overshadowed by the uncertainty over the future of both managers. Mick Cooke is currently involved in an ongoing dispute with club officials because he hasn't been offered a new deal and Ian Baraclough is yet to commit his future to the Bit O'Red.
I'm sure it's an unwanted distraction for both managers but they will be as professional as can be and not let it interfere with the teams preparation. It's hard to believe there is this uncertainty considering how successful both managers have been the past two seasons.
"The introduction of Alan Byrne into midfield gives you a clear indication of the type of game the Boynesiders will be looking to play"
As we all know, Baraclough guided Sligo Rovers to their first Premier Division title success in 35 years and whilst this season may have been a less than impressive defence of that title they still finished third and are now in with a great chance of finishing the season with cup glory.
Cooke, on the other hand, has done a remarkable job considering where the club was when he arrived and where he has taken them in such a short space of time. Finishing second last year against all expectations and winning the League Cup.
Similarly to their cup final opponents, this year's league form hasn't matched last year's feat. However, they have reached three cup finals - okay they've been defeated in two so far, but they too could also finish the season on a massive high with a win on Sunday.
I'm sure Drogheda will look to make the game as scrappy and as stop/start as possible, not allowing Sligo to get into their rhythm as they have plenty of players who can hurt you if given time and space on the ball.
The introduction of Alan Byrne into the centre of midfield gives you a clear indication of the type of game the Boynesiders will be looking to play. He's not the most cultured player, but what he lacks in creativity and guile he more than makes up for in hard work and strength.
The energy levels and footballing ability of Ryan Brennan and Paul O'Conor alongside him will be vital and this is where Mick Cooke will be hoping they can create a few chances from.
The other Brennan brother, Gavin, has had a strong finish to the season and can be a very dangerous customer on his day. If Drogheda are to be successful they will be looking to get him involved in the game as much as possible as he will be the main supplier of ammunition to the wily old fox that is Fabio O'Brien.
Without doubt one of the top marksmen in the game for years now - and he will have to be watched very closely as he normally tends to pop up with important goals on the big day like all top players.
"I'm sure Drogheda will look to make the game as scrappy and as stop/start as possible"
Sligo Rovers will be hot favourites on the day so will look to impose their passing style on Drogheda from the get go on Sunday.
If they approach the game in a really positive attacking frame of mind it will prove very fruitful for them. If they don't and get dragged into a scrap - like Drogheda will want - it could turn out to be a very long day for Baraclough's troops.
A lot will depend on his team selection and he does have a couple of big decisions to make. At centre half three into two doesn't go so unfortunately for Evan McMillan I think he could be the man to miss out as Peers and Henderson have played the majority of football this season and been very good together too.
The experience of Danny Ventre could see him get the nod alongside the influential Joe N'do. Ventre has missed a lot of football but since returning to the fold in recent weeks has played very well.
Himself and Alan Byrne are similar in styles so could be one of the key battles on the day. Here is where I believe Sligo have the edge, the attacking four.
Raff Cretaro on the right, Aaron Greene on the left, Djilali in the hole and North up front. In fairness to Elding he may be unfortunate to miss out but I'd go with North because of his clever movement especially in the wide open spaces of the Aviva.
The key man will be Djilali, if he impacts the game in the same fashion as he has impacted so many this season Rovers will win but they have to get him the ball. He will love the Aviva and with his dribbling prowess and eye for a pass he could prove to be the difference.
Like all cup finals it promises to be a fascinating match up and one I'm really looking forward to. The brain of Sligo Rovers versus the brawn of Drogheda United. Who will have the edge?
FAI Cup final live on RTÉ Two and RTÉ.ie/sport from 2.35pm on Sunday 3 November (worldwide - excluding Britain & NI)
Gareth Bale became the world's most expensive player when he joined Real Madrid from Tottenham for €100million
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Wales winger Gareth Bale joins Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo among the leading contenders for FIFA's Ballon d'Or award.
The 23-man shortlist for the prestigious world player of the year award was announced early on Tuesday morning, with the winner to be unveiled on 13 January in Zurich.
Bale, 24, became the world's most expensive player when he joined Real Madrid from Tottenham for €100million in September after scoring 26 goals for Spurs last season.
Barcelona and Argentina forward Messi has won the award for the last four years, with Bale's Madrid team-mate Ronaldo consistently his nearest challenger.
Franck Ribery, who was named UEFA's best player in Europe for the 2012-13 season after helping Bayern Munich win the Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup, is another prominent name on the shortlist.
Ribery is joined by club-mates Philipp Lahm, Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer, Arjen Robben and Bastian Schweinsteiger while Barcelona also have Xavi, Andres Iniesta and summer signing Neymar among the candidates.
Paris St Germain trio Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani and Thiago Silva have made the shortlist while fellow Ligue 1 big-spenders Monaco have a contender of their own in Radamel Falcao, acquired from Atletico Madrid in the close season.
Five Premier League players - Manchester United striker Robin van Persie, Manchester City's Yaya Toure, controversial Liverpool frontman Luis Suarez, Chelsea winger Eden Hazard and Arsenal's recent addition Mesut Ozil - have made the cut.
Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who retired at the end of last season, headlines a 10-man coach of the year shortlist along with Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Spain boss Vicente del Bosque.
Ballon d'Or shortlist: Gareth Bale (Real Madrid/Wales), Edinson Cavani (Paris St Germain/Uruguay), Radamel Falcao (Monaco/Colombia), Eden Hazard (Chelsea/Belgium), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris St Germain/Sweden), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona/Spain), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich/Germany), Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund/Poland), Lionel Messi (Barcelona/Argentina), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich/Germany), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich/Germany), Neymar (Barcelona/Brazil), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal/Germany), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus/Italy), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich/France), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich/Netherlands), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid/Portugal), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich/Germany), Luis Suarez (Liverpool/Uruguay), Thiago Silva (Paris St Germain/Brazil), Yaya Toure (Manchester City/Ivory Coast), Robin van Persie (Manchester United/Netherlands), Xavi (Barcelona/Spain).
Coach of the year shortlist: Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid/ex-Paris St Germain), Rafael Benitez (Napoli/ex-Chelsea), Antonio Conte (Juventus), Vicente Del Bosque (Spain), Sir Alex Ferguson (ex-Manchester United), Jupp Heynckes (ex-Bayern Munich), Jurgen Klopp (Borussia Dortmund), Jose Mourinho (Chelsea/ex-Real Madrid), Luiz Felipe Scolari (Brazil), Arsene Wenger (Arsenal).
Fiji's Ashton Sims and Aaron Groom tackle Eamon O'Carroll of IrelandIreland coach Mark Aston: 'We've only been together for ten days so in a very short space of time we've had to mould a team together'
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Ireland coach Mark Aston insists his side can improve on their opening World Cup defeat by Fiji and challenge England in their Rugby League World Cup clash at Huddersfield on Saturday.
A 32-14 defeat in front of a sell-out partisan crowd of 8,872 at Rochdale on Monday night leaves the Irish needing to pull off a shock win over Steve McNamara's men in their second group A match at the John Smith's Stadium to keep alive their outside hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.
"We've only been together for ten days so in a very short space of time we've had to mould a team together," Aston said.
"We've a short turn-around but we'll dust ourselves down. We'll have a look at it tomorrow, train hard Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and we'll turn up on Saturday.
"If they give 100 per cent commitment and be just a little bit smarter towards the end of the sets, I'm sure we can challenge England.
"England haven't been great of late, have they?"
"England haven't been great of late, have they?" - Mark Aston
England, whose coach Steve McNamara was at the game, will be without forward Sam Burgess on Saturday after he was handed a one-match ban for a high tackle on Australia second-rower Sam Thaiday during their 28-20 defeat in Cardiff.
The Fijians, who also ended Ireland's hopes at the last World Cup in 2008, made a tremendous start to Monday's match with two tries in the first 12 minutes and winger Akuila Uate ran in two in ten minutes in the second half to complete his hat-trick.
"They came out hard and we knew they would," Aston added. "They've quite a number of NRL players and they were always going to be physical and tough.
"We needed to play a bit smarter but up front we had a massive dig. I know they'll turn up every week and have a dig on Saturday and the Saturday after. I'm proud of what they tried to do and we will only get better."
Trailing 32-4 after 72 minutes, Ireland hit back with late tries from winger Damien Blanch and debutant forward James Hassan to gain some respectability.
Aston was delighted with the debuts of NRL-based players Hassan, Brett White, Api Pewhairangi and Rory Kostjasyn.
"James Hassan is a good young kid who was born in London," he said. "He's a bonus for us. He will be around the Ireland circuit for a number of years, as Api will and one or two of the others.
"Brett White must have been the best player on the pitch by a country mile and I thought Rory Kostjasyn was outstanding as well. They've certainly had a massive impact but some other players stood up as well and did themselves proud."
Fiji, who were cheered by the largest expatriate community outside London, will now take on Australia at St Helens on Saturday looking to spring an upset.
Sepp Blatter reckons Lionel Messi is a 'good boy' and that Ronaldo spends more time with the hairdresser
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Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has described recent comments made by FIFA president Sepp Blatter about Cristiano Ronaldo as showing a "lack of respect" and revealed the Spanish giants have been in touch with the world governing body asking for a retraction.
Madrid have taken umbrage over Blatter's response after being asked to compare Ronaldo with Barcelona star Lionel Messi while speaking at the Oxford Union last week.
Blatter said both players were exceptional but described Messi as a "good boy" before going on to say, in apparent reference to Ronaldo, that "one has more expenses for the hairdresser than the other".
The FIFA president then concluded by saying he preferred Messi of the two players.
Ancelotti was asked about Blatter's comments at his press conference ahead of Wednesday's match with Sevilla, and was quoted as having said on Madrid's official website: "I'm aware our president (Florentino Perez) has sent a letter to FIFA asking to retract what I consider to be a lack of respect to a very serious, very professional player.
"I'm completely in agreement with our president. I haven't spoken with Cristiano about this. He's trained very well today, as always. He's shown every day that he's a great player, serious and professional, respectful to everyone and he has to continue like that."
"One has more expenses for the hairdresser than the other" - Sepp Blatter
Blatter's comments came during a question and answer session at Oxford University on Friday where he was asked about Messi and Ronaldo.
Blatter started off by heaping praise on Messi, saying: "They are both exceptional players but they are totally different and football is about the difference of styles, because Lionel Messi is a good boy who every mother and father would like to have at home.
"He's a good man, he's very fast, he's not exuberant, he's playing well, he's dancing, he's a kind man, he's a good boy.
"And that's what makes him so popular and naturally he will always get a lot of goals because he is this nice man, and he plays well and scores goals."
Then, when appearing to talk about Ronaldo, Blatter said "the other one, this is something else. The other one is like a commander on the field of play," before the FIFA chief stood up from his chair and walked across the podium in comic fashion.
Blatter continued: "But this is the other side of football and that's good to have such commanders on the field also. Because you don't have the same attitude, and that gives life to football and one has more expenses for the hairdresser than the other, but that doesn't matter...
"So I cannot say who is the best. The list (Ballon d'Or) will be published on Tuesday, and then the public will make the choice.
"I like both of them, but I prefer Messi."
Ronaldo and Messi were both on a 23-man shortlist for FIFA's Ballon d'Or award which was announced earlier, with the winner to be unveiled on 13 January in Zurich.
Messi has won the award for the last four years, with Ronaldo finishing runner-up to the Argentinian on the last two ocasions.
Written By Unknown on Senin, 28 Oktober 2013 | 23.07
Updated: Monday, 28 Oct 2013 15:45 | Comments
Sean Hehir crossing the line in Dublin this morningMaria McCambridge was the first woman to cross the finishing line
Clare man Sean Hehir has won the Men's race in the Dublin marathon in a time of 2:18:19.
Joe Sweeney finished second at 2:19:26 and long-time Irish resident and Moldovan Sergio Ciobanu was third in 2:22:02.
Primary school teacher Hehir, aged 28, is the first Irish man in 20 years to win the marathon and the first Irish winner since Sonia O'Sullivan back in 2000.
Dublin's Maria McCambridge won the Women's race in a time of 2:38:53.
Clare McCarthy was second and Pauline Curley third.
Manchester United boss David Moyes has jumped to the defence of Portuguese winger Nani after he was booed off during his side's thrilling 3-2 Barclays Premier League win over Stoke at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Frustration had spilled over among the home fans as the visitors maintained their shock lead heading towards the hour mark and they made their displeasure known as Nani went off in the 58th minute to be replaced by Adnan Januzaj.
Nani has been criticised for a number of ineffectual performances this season after signing a new five-year contract in the summer, but Moyes insisted: "He is a regular and captain for Portugal so he is very talented.
"There were one or two decisions he might have made better, but he got us the (first) goal with a lovely ball. We have a lot of competition for places in the wide areas, incredible competition, and that is what we're looking for."
Moyes was keen to play down the significance of a victory which keeps United eight points off the lead and, following the midweek UEFA Champions League win over Real Sociedad, goes some way to atoning for their sluggish start to the new campaign.
United's familiar frailties were on show again in a turbulent first period in which Peter Crouch gave the visitors a shock third minute lead, then Marko Arnautovic took moments to put the Potters back in front after Robin van Persie had bundled home an equaliser.
"It was a big moment to win the game and hopefully we will continue to win games" - David Moyes
Wayne Rooney flicked a 78th minute equaliser from a Van Persie corner then substitute Javier Hernandez proved United's hero two minutes later when he headed home a Patrice Evra cross - but Moyes was keen not to over-play its impact.
Moyes insisted: "It was a win in the Premier League. They are hard to come by and they are not easy.
"It was a big moment to win the game and hopefully we will continue to win games. If it's in the same fashion then we'll take it, but if we can make it a bit easier it will be great for the old ticker."
Defeat was hard to take for the visitors but captain Ryan Shawcross believes it was the type of performance which can stand Hughes' men in good stead for the rest of the season.
Shawcross said: "Obviously we're disappointed but it's great that we came to a big team and put in a performance like that.
"They (United) have struggled so far this season so of course we came here with more belief on the back of the poor results they've had. But they're still a great team and they showed that in coming back to get the victory.
"We've got a good run of games now, five or six that we should take points from. The gaffer has set us a target and we've got to achieve it. It's going to be hard but we can take some belief from a performance like that."
Leroy Fer sparked a goal storm by his actions against Cardiff
Norwich boss Chris Hughton has reminded Leroy Fer of the values of sportsmanship following the Dutchman's controversial disallowed goal during Saturday's 0-0 draw with Cardiff.
The Holland forward was criticised by Cardiff boss Malky Mackay after netting in stoppage time after the visitors had put the ball out for an injury to a Norwich player and expected it to be returned.
Mackay's rebuke came after Fer's admission that his actions were deliberate in a match which Norwich dominated but failed to get the points to take them away from the Barclays Premier League relegation zone.
Fer said such an incident would have not created a furore in his native Holland, but has now been told of the unwritten rule in the British game.
"He's been made aware of that," said Hughton, who was speaking ahead of Tuesday's Capital One Cup tie at Manchester United.
"It has been spoken about (and) for us it's something we left as soon as we left the changing room. It's been dealt with.
"Leroy spoke very honestly after the game. He's an honest lad. I think he just got caught up in the moment.
"It was a fairly frustrating day for us. It was a game we should've won and could've won reasonably comfortably.
"He's a very honest individual, but I think he just got caught up in the moment."
Hughton spoke to the referee's assessor following the match and is awaiting the report from official Mike Jones on the matter.
The Canaries boss added: "I think the referee's take on it was that Alex Tettey had gone down injured, it was a situation he was dealing with there and a throw-in was taken while he was still dealing with a situation.
"It was a decision the referee made. I have no problems with that" - Chris Hughton on disallowed goal
"That's the understanding that I have from it.
"It was a decision the referee made. I have no problems with that."
The referee disallowed the goal, and is understood to have explained that he had not blown his whistle for the throw-in to be taken which led to Fer putting the ball in the net.
Hughton insisted he was unaware of Mackay's claim that Norwich would have allowed Cardiff to walk the ball in had the goal stood.
The Cardiff boss may have had the conversation with Hughton's assistant Colin Calderwood, but the Canaries boss declined to say what his team would have done.
"He didn't have that conversation with me," Hughton said.
"Everything you're saying is very hypothetical because that wasn't the case.
"It's an emotional game, this was something that happened in the dying moments. Our concentrations are away from that.
"We move on and we're looking forward to a very tough game at Old Trafford."
Liam Finn of Ireland, Craig Kopczak of Wales, Olivier Elima of France and Kevin Sinfield of England during the Rugby League World Cup launch
Irish pride will be at the heart of Liam Finn's pre-match address to his team-mates in Rochdale tonight (8pm), with the Featherstone playmaker knowing better than most what it means to wear the green shirt.
The 29-year-old half-back has been a mainstay of the Ireland side for several years now and assumed the captaincy in 2012 - a decision reflecting his maturity and excellent form at club level.
He is West Yorkshire born and speaks with no hint of an Irish accent, but with his father Brendan hailing from Wexford, he is well versed in the country's heritage and traditions and holds them even dearer since Brendan passed in 1993.
All those factors are sure to be in his mind ahead of the meeting with Fiji at Spotland and he intends to make the most of another opportunity to wear his country's shirt.
"My dad was born in Wexford and moved over with family when he was young, with my uncle the first born in England. I lost my dad when I was ten, so when I got the chance to play for Ireland I jumped at it," he said
"I see it as a privilege every time I do it and that's why I'm not one of these people who comes and goes for the fancy games. I want to be there year in, year out, and that's what I have done for Ireland. I have always treated it with the respect it deserves."
Ireland find themselves grouped with Australia and England as well as Fiji and with three teams going through, it is not too radical a claim to suggest that the winner of their meeting on Monday night could well take third spot.
"We're very excited, are looking forward to getting kicked-off and hopefully we can start with a bang" - Liam Finn
That should not be beyond Ireland and their players, even if as usual, coach Mark Aston has had to travel to the furthest boundaries of eligibility to put a squad together.
"We're very excited, are looking forward to getting kicked-off and hopefully we can start with a bang," said Finn, who has saved up holidays in his job as an electrician in order to play, added.
"To come to things like this, chatting to people regarded as the best in the world is almost surreal for a player from the Championship in England to be in this environment. I'm trying to embrace it and be excited by it."
Aston's men will encounter a Fiji side given a passionate backing by the Rochdale locals, with the Greater Manchester town boasting the biggest Fijian population outside of London.
Fijians started to trade their home land for Rochdale in the wake of the town's rugby league side signing union internationals Orisi Dawai and Joe Levula in 1961.
"Rochdale has been amazing, (with the) support we've received since we arrived," said captain Petero Civoniceva, a battle-hardened old warhorse more associated with Australia who is fulfilling an ambition to lead the country of his birth.
"Hopefully we've convinced enough of the Rochdale people to get behind Fiji as we've strong links there."
Willie Mullins has confirmed Richard Hughes will take the ride on Simenon if he makes the final field for the Emirates Melbourne Cup at Flemington on Tuesday week.
Runner-up in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and the Lonsdale Cup at York this summer, the six-year-old made an impressive start to his stint in Australia when a close third in the Herbert Power Stakes in the hands of Kerrin McEvoy.
Simenon is currently 23rd in the order of entry, with a maximum field of 24 guaranteed, but could yet miss out.
With the winners of Saturday's Mackinnon Stakes and Lexus Stakes both guaranteed a start in the 'race that stops a nation', the Irish stayer could be leapfrogged if the winners of both races are Cup nominees currently outside the field limit of 24.
Mullins said: "Richard Hughes rides. The horse is in very good form. Everything is going according to plan with him.
"Emmet (Mullins) is very happy with him. He's eating and drinking and he's relaxed in his quarantine.
"He seems like a professional traveller, as he's shown when he's been over to Ascot."
Asked whether Hughes would sit on Simenon prior to the big day, the trainer said: "I don't know yet. He might get a sit on him on the morning race."
Meanwhile, trainer Tom Dascombe's head lad Andy Jackson, who had been looking after Michael Owen's Melbourne Cup hope Brown Panther, has been sent back to England following a breach of security.
Jackson was told to leave after failing to adhere to the strict quarantine regulations on Saturday at the Werribee centre, which houses international horses ahead of the Flemington feature tomorrow week.
Racing Victoria International recruitment officer Leigh Jordon consulted with government officials and Dascombe before it was determined the stablehand should be told to leave.
Jordon would not name Jackson, but Dascombe's assistant Colin Gorman confirmed it was the head lad at the centre of the storm.
"As you can understand security around the centre is tight but for some reason the groom jumped some fences to get in and out," said Jordon.
"It was a totally inappropriate thing to do but it is a testimony to our set up that we managed to catch him and get him showered.
"Security around the centre is tight but for some reason the groom jumped some fences to get in and out" - Leigh Jordon
"It's a secure area and not everyone has to shower each time they go in, I go down every morning for instance, but there are designated areas for entry and exit and people must enter and exit in a certain way and that obviously hasn't been followed in this case.
"We discussed it with the government and the only solution was that he should not be allowed back into quarantine, that was the logical conclusion.
"It seems a very strange thing to do and it is a pretty severe breach. Our systems are verified by the government, though, and they are very happy with them.
"In the past we have had the odd case of a breach but nothing on this scale.
"It's very unfortunate but I must stress the horse has not missed a beat and is still on song. I hope we can all move on now.
"I must say that Tom has been fantastic through all this, he's been very professional, but I can understand how tough it must be and it is a senior member of his staff.
"I understand Tom is on his way out here very shortly."
Donncha O'Callaghan and Andrew Trimble joined the Ireland camp at training in Kildare
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Andrew Trimble, Donncha O'Callaghan, Martin Moore and Roger Wilson have all been added to the Ireland squad for the autumn international series.
Coach Joe Schmidt has mixed news on the injury front ahead of Tests against Samoa, Australia and New Zealand
Brian O'Driscoll is expected to train fully this week after recovering from a calf injury and Mike Ross has completed his rehab from a hamstring injury and is expected to train tomorrow.
However, Paul O'Connell (calf), Keith Earls (knee) and Cian Healy (knee) will not train this week.
Rory Best has an ankle strain but is expected to train later this week while Sean O'Brien will return to training on Thursday.
Robbie Henshaw, and Declan Fitzpatrick are also carrying injuries.
Written By Unknown on Minggu, 27 Oktober 2013 | 23.06
Updated: Sunday, 27 Oct 2013 15:32 | Comments
Sebastian Vettel is champagne-soaked by Nico Rosberg (L) third placed Romain Grosjean (R)
Sebastian Vettel became only the fourth man in history to win four Formula One drivers' titles by easing to a dominant victory in today's Indian Grand Prix.
The Red Bull driver led home by 30 seconds from the chasing pack to register his sixth win in succession and 10th overall in 2013, moving him into an unassailable 115-point lead in the standings with three races to spare.
Vettel's team-mate Mark Webber had been on target to make it a Red Bull one-two but a gearbox problem forced him out at two-thirds distance, paving the way for Mercedes' Nico Rosberg and Romain Grosjean of Lotus to complete the podium.
Vettel, who entered this weekend's race with a 90-point leader over Ferrari's Fernando Alonso and needing only to finish no lower than fifth to retain his title, drove a controlled race to secure a result that was never in doubt after Alonso was involved in a first-lap collision that wrecked his faint hopes and saw him finish 11th.
Vettel joins Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher and Juan Manuel Fangio as the sport's only four-time champions, and is only the third man - after Schumacher and Fangio - to claim four consecutively.
"To join people like Prost, Fangio and Michael is unbelievable" - Sebastian Vettel
At the age of just 26, Vettel is six years younger than Schumacher was when he became a four-time champion in 2001, and must surely fancy his chances of eclipsing his fellow German's outright record of seven world titles in the years to come.
Vettel's win also wrapped up the constructors' title for Red Bull and continued his dominance of a race he has made his own since it made its debut on the F1 calendar.
After winning the inaugural race in 2011, Vettel topped every practice session and qualifying on his way to victory in 2012 before repeating exactly the same trick this time around.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner led the praise for Vettel's achievement over the team radio, telling his charge: "You've done it in style. You join the greats - well done."
Vettel also celebrated in style, turning doughnuts on the pit straight much to the delight of the main grandstand, before dropping to his knees and giving mock-praise to the all-conquering Red Bull RB9 that has seldom failed him during a dominant campaign.
Vettel has been booed when stepping on to podiums during the course of this season - presumed to be the legacy of his controversial decision to deny team orders on his way to victory in Malaysia this season - but in front of an enthused Indian crowd there was nothing but loud cheers to be heard as he mounted the top step.
Addressing the crowd after the podium ceremony, Vettel said: "It's been a phenomenal season. I think the spirit inside the team is so strong. It gives me so much pleasure to get in the car and go out for the guys and just try to give it all I have. The car was phenomenal today.
"It was phenomenal all season, to be honest, so I couldn't ask for more. I want to say a big thank you to the team, to all the people that were behind us.
"It was for sure not an easy season, even though people from the outside got the idea that we had it in our hands for quite a while, the last couple of races. I think it was a difficult one, all in all - very difficult for me, personally.
"To receive boos even though you haven't done anything wrong, but to overcome that and to give the right answer on the track and finally get that acceptance I think we're all looking for as racing drivers, it makes me very proud.
"To join people like Prost, Fangio and Michael is unbelievable."
Jason Quigley with Joe Joyce, Joe Ward and his son JoeJason Quigley and Joe WardJason Quigley with his sister Holli aged five and Joe Ward with his son Joe aged two
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Irish boxers Jason Quigley and Joe Ward have arrived back in Ireland after winning silver and bronze medals at the AIBA World Amateur Boxing championships in Kazakhstan.
Donegal's Jason Quigley took silver and made history as the first Irishman to claim a medal greater than a bronze at that level.
Joe Ward from Moate in Co Westmeath took bronze.
Quigley told RTÉ: "I'm absolutely delighted, it was hard to take at the time – getting a silver medal, but whenever you come back to your family and supporters it makes it all worthwhile."
Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano plays from the rough on the ninth hole
Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano claimed his seventh European Tour title on Sunday with victory in the BMW Masters in Shanghai, despite a messy finish to his final round.
Fernandez-Castano was three shots clear of the field with one hole to play, but ran up a double-bogey six on the 18th to mar an otherwise brilliant performance.
The Spaniard began the day one shot behind joint leaders Luke Guthrie and Rafael Cabrera-Bello but carded a closing 68 to finish 11 under par at Lake Malaren, one shot ahead of Seve Trophy team-mate Francesco Molinari and Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee.
Shane Lowry was best of the Irish after a final round of 67 left him two under with Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy on one under after 73s. Paul McGinley finished three over, while Graeme McDowell finished six over.
At the start of the day Molinari was six shots off the pace and despite a front nine of 34, his chances looked to have disappeared with a bogey on the 12th.
However, the Ryder Cup star then went on a brilliant scoring run, making an eagle on the par-five 13th and following that with four birdies in succession to join Fernandez-Castano on 10 under before eventually completing a superb 64.
Fernandez-Castano edged back into the lead with a birdie on the 13th and looked to have sealed a comfortable win with further birdies at the 15th and 17th, where he chipped in from just over the green.
He made hard work of the last, though, finding sand off the tee and another bunker with his third shot before holding his nerve to complete his first victory since last year's Italian Open.
Guthrie finished two shots behind on nine under after a closing 71, with Thomas Bjorn, Peter Uihlein and Pablo Larrazabal a shot further back.
Defending champion Peter Hanson finished seven under after a superb closing 63, the Swede having started the tournament - which does not have a halfway cut - with a round of 79.
"I knew it wasn't going to be an easy round, especially the way I started. I started hitting the ball pretty bad," Fernandez-Castano told Sky Sports 2. "But my caddie kept me cool and told me how good I had been hitting the ball through the week and I played fantastic after that.
"On the last I played too conservative and it was a fighting six at the end for sure."
Meanwhile, Hanson, after a round containing 11 birdies and two bogeys, joked: "I was playing with Paul McGinley, the Ryder Cup captain, and I guess I wanted to impress him.
"I had no expectations on coming back from injury and I was obviously very rusty on Thursday.
"But I have felt better and better throughout the week and to finish with a round like that is very pleasing. As a defence, it wasn't bad!"
Michael Murphy and Aidan Walsh lift the Cormac McAnallen Cup
Audio
Ireland manager Paul Earley praised the professional manner of his side after their record-breaking International Rules Test win over Australia.
The home side retained the Cormac McAnallen Cup courtesy of a 116-37 win in Croke Park.
Coming into Saturday's game, Earley's men already held a 22-point advantage from the first Test and the result was never in doubt after goals from Conor McManus and Jack McCaffrey gave Ireland a 27-8 first-quarter lead.
The former Roscommon player told RTÉ Sport: "[I'm] absolutely proud of the players. They are an incredible bunch of lads. They wanted to win, they wanted to win badly.
"They wanted to win each quarter and when the records were in sight they wanted to break the records as well and that shows just how professional they are in everything except payment and true professionals will work to the end.
"When they were 20 points ahead they want to go 40 points ahead."
"They wanted to win each quarter and when the records were in sight they wanted to break the records as well" - Paul Earley
Asked about the strength of the Australian side, who had sent an all indigenous side to represent the AFL for the first time, Earley said: "I'm not sure about the quality of the opposition. We can only work on our team and our team's strengths.
"I think no matter what Australia would have out there today, they would have struggled to beat our lads.
"They were so focused and they played such high quality of football.
"We can't control what the Australians do; we can only control what we do on the football pitch and how we prepare.
"I think the lads put in a phenomenal performance."
Georgios Samaras gave the Hoops a 1-0 half-time lead
Substitute Amido Balde cemented Celtic's place at the top of the Scottish Premiership by grabbing the winner in a 2-1 victory over Partick Thistle at Firhill.
Georgios Samaras opened the scoring in the 32nd minute with a header from an Emilio Izaguirre corner but Jags striker Kris Doolan levelled in the 65th minute from close range.
However, ten minutes later Balde, on for Beram Kayal in the 66th minute, finished off a solo run by sliding the ball past Jags keeper Scott Fox to take the three points back to Glasgow and leave the Hoops unbeaten in the league this season.
Thistle showed commendable spirit all afternoon but are still looking for their first home league win of the season although their fans gave them a round of applause at the end in appreciation of their efforts in what was a decent game.
Celtic skipper Scott Brown returned from suspension to take over from Charlie Mulgrew, out with a heel injury, while Joe Ledley came in for James Forrest who was ruled out with an ankle complaint.
Thistle boss Alan Archibald kept the same starting X1 who beat Inverness 2-1 last week with Doolan, who scored both goals, leading the line.
As the cascading rain and strong wind showed little sign of abating, it was the visitors who had the first effort on goal in the fifth minute when Ledley fired over the bar from 20 yards after being set up by Anthony Stokes.
In the 13th minute Jags midfielder Isaac Osbourne was booked by referee Willie Collum for a foul on Brown as the Hoops midfielder drove towards the box but Stokes curled the free-kick wide of the target.
Thistle were not short on enthusiasm and ten minutes later defender Aaron Taylor-Sinclair went past Hoops right-back Mikael Lustig with ease but his angled shot from 12 yards was easily dealt with by Celtic keeper Fraser Forster.
On the half-hour mark, with the game going nowhere in particular, Kayal put in Stokes with a clever pass but his left-footed was blocked to safety by Fox.
The league leaders started to drive forward with more purpose and determination but Thistle were left pointing at each other when the unmarked Samaras walked on to Izaguirre's in-swinging cross, which had been too easily conceded, to power a header over the line.
Twice in two minutes Teemu Pukki had chances to double the champions' lead but both times Fox saved at the expense of a corner, the second from which defender Virgil van Dijk headed wide.
In between, Partick forward Kallum Higginbotham fired wide of the target from the edge of the box.
There was a Celtic penalty claim just after the break when Brown, attempting to reach an Izaguirre cross, went to ground inside the box after a challenge by Jags defender Conrad Balatoni but the flag was up for offside.
The Maryhill men were then gifted an opportunity when Celtic defender Efe Ambrose passed the ball straight to Stuart Bannigan 30 yards from goal but the Scotland Under-21 midfielder curled a weak shot straight to Forster.
Doolan's equaliser came seconds after he had hit the bar with a flick from close range, after Balatoni had headed on Higginbotham's corner.
When the ball found its way back out to Higginbotham, he crossed it back into the middle where Doolan controlled it before poking it past Forster from a few yards out.
The home side harboured hopes of a famous win but they were to be outdone again.
Balde replaced Kayal and Dylan McGeouch came on for Pukki but in between the two substitutions, Izaguirre should have had Celtic ahead again when he worked his way into the box but the left-back fired over the bar from 12 yards.
At the other end, Forster parried Higginbotham's angled-drive and then Celtic raced up the other end with Balde showing strength and composure as he held off Jags stopper Aaron Muirhead to slip the ball past Fox.
Izaguirre was then carried off on a stretcher to be replaced by Nir Biton and when Samaras limped off with five minutes remaining the Hoops were down to ten men.
However, Celtic saw out the five minutes of added time to take the points.
Fabio Borini scored a stunning goal to win the Tyne-Weir derby
Fabio Borini wrote himself into Sunderland folklore as he came off the bench to fire his side to a 2-1 derby victory over Newcastle and lift them from the foot of the Barclays Premier League table.
The 22-year-old Italian, signed on loan from Liverpool, struck with an 85th-minute piledriver to secure just a second home league win for the Black Cats over their neighbours since 1980 and a first in the league this season.
His intervention came as the Magpies looked for a winner of their own after Mathieu Debuchy had dragged them back into the game with a 57th-minute equaliser, his first goal for the club.
Steven Fletcher had headed the home side in front with just five minutes gone as Gus Poyet's men made light of their recent difficulties in his first home game at the helm in front of a crowd of 46,313.
But their commendable efforts to deny Newcastle time and space dwindled as they rather ran out of steam and with Cheick Tiote and Yohan Cabaye finally starting to get to grips with the central midfield battle, it was the visitors who looked the more likely winners as time ran down.
However, Borini thought otherwise and his timely intervention handed Poyet a derby victory in his second game in charge to match predecessor Paolo Di Canio's achievement.
It was a match Sunderland simply could not afford to lose for a variety of reasons and they went about their task with some relish.
The absence of a recognised centre-half pairing for the Magpies - neither Fabricio Coloccini or Steven Taylor was able to plug the gap left by the suspended Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, placing the onus on specialist left-back Paul Dummett - gave the Black Cats an opportunity, and it was one they were to exploit within minutes.
Poyet opted to pair Fletcher with summer signing Jozy Altidore and the pair caused Dummett and partner Mike Williamson all kinds of problems in a high-octane start by the home side.
They needed just five minutes to force their way in front, and the goal came straight from the training ground.
Adam Johnson played a corner short to Sebastian Larsson and then delivered the return pass to the far post for Fletcher to climb high above Dummett and head home.
It was the perfect start to Poyet's first game at the Stadium of Light and for 20 heady minutes or more, Sunderland dominated proceedings with Lee Cattermole leading the fight from central midfield and his team-mates following suit.
Johnson repeatedly made ground down the left and delivered a series of telling crosses, Fletcher glancing a 14th-minute header wide from one of them three minutes before forcing Tim Krul into a save with a well-struck effort from distance.
Magpies boss Alan Pardew, who had started as he did against Liverpool last week with Hatem Ben Arfa at the pinnacle of 4-2-3-1 formation, was forced to abandon Plan A with his team simply not competing, and with Loic Remy moved into an advanced position and the former Marseille man dropping deeper, Newcastle were far more effective.
However, all their better attempts came from distance with Cabaye prompting Keiren Westwood to make his only real first-half save with a dipping 16th-minute free kick, but both he and Ben Arfa were significantly more wayward thereafter.
Perhaps the Magpies' most promising attack of the opening 45 minutes came eight minutes before the break when left-back Davide Santon picked out right-back Debuchy with an elegant pass and Larsson had to head his dangerous cross away with black and white shirts arriving in numbers.
Pardew opted for further change at the break, sending on striker Papiss Cisse for midfielder Moussa Sissoko, but the Magpies were able to create little during the opening exchanges of the second half despite enjoying a wealth of possession.
But they were back in it 12 minutes after the restart when Ben Arfa, who had been infuriatingly ineffective until that point, accepted Cabaye's pass and drove a low cross across the face of goal for Debuchy to convert at the far post.
Cabaye fired just wide after good work by Santon and Ben Arfa with 63 minutes gone with the visitors starting to turn the screw.
However, Borini almost made his name on Wearside within seconds of his arrival as a 69th-minute replacement for Johnson, blasting a shot through Krul, only to see the Dutchman gratefully grab the ball at the second attempt.
Davide Santon drilled a skidding effort just wide with 14 minutes remaining and derby specialist Shola Ameobi, on as a 70th-minute replacement for Remy, went just as close two minutes later.
But the decisive moment came at the other end five minutes from time when Borini ran on to Altidore's lay-off and smashed an unstoppable shot past Krul to win it.
Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 26 Oktober 2013 | 23.06
Updated: Saturday, 26 Oct 2013 13:53 | Comments
Zanibek Alimkhanuly's hand is raised in victory
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Kazakhstan's Zanibek Alimkhanuly has beaten Jason Quigley to gold at the World Championship in Almaty.
It was a tentative beginning to the first round for both fighters, but Quigley was caught halfway through with a good left and ended up on the canvas, although the Donegal man was off balance at the time.
All three judges gave the middleweight first round to the Kazakh.
Quigley showed more aggression in the second round and landed some good shots, connecting with a right to the head and left to the body, although Alimkhanuly finished the round strongly and took the verdict 10:9 from all three judges once more.
Quigley had to chase for victory in the third and came out fighting, standing toe-to-toe with the home favourite.
It was a tough contest with both fighters trading blows throughout. However, Alimkhanuly took the victory despite a brave late flurry from Quigley with one judge giving Quigley the verdict this time round.
So it's a silver medal for Quigley after a first defeat in 33 fights - losing 30-27 on two cards and 29-28 on the other.
Quigley couldn't hide his disappointment in the aftermath of the fight.
He said "It is just a shame I couldn't take it a step further. I would have loved to take home gold. I knew before I got in the ring that he was a good lad.
"I know when I go away and look at things I'm going to be happy with how I went. If anybody had said beforehand that I would have won a medal, I would have taken their arms off.
"To get to the final and get beaten by a lad like that, he is a top class operator, he boxed his way through some good lads to get to the final. But it is just heart-breaking you know."
Sepp Blatter says he is hurt by the criticism he receives
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has hit back at his critics, saying he was no "ruthless parasite sucking the lifeblood out of football" and arguing the profits his organisation earn are ploughed back into the global game.
The Swiss, who has been pilloried by the media in recent years following a raft of corruption allegations concerning world soccer's governing body, gave an impassioned self-justifying speech in an address to the Oxford Union, a debating society at the famous university 55 miles north of London.
"Perhaps you think I am a ruthless parasite sucking the lifeblood out of the world and out of football," the 77-year-old Blatter told the students on Friday. "The Godfather of the FIFA gravy train, an out of touch, heartless schmoozer.
"There are not many names the media haven't thrown at me in the last few years and I would be lying to you if it did not hurt... you have to have a heart of stone for it not to hurt.
"You ask yourself, 'What have I done? Why has it come to this?. Is FIFA to blame for everything? Are we not just a football organisation working for the good of the game?'," said Blatter.
"People like a scapegoat of course but how could things have become so twisted? As you can see I'm not some overbearing bully who can intimidate my critics with one look and strong-arm governments to my will."
Blatter, who has been president since 1998 and was given another four-year mandate in 2011, did however acknowledge that he and FIFA had to improve their reputation.
"I know I am far from perfect and that we at FIFA must always look to get better at what we do," he said. "We have worked to push through tough reforms to improve the way FIFA operates to make us more accountable and more transparent."
"There are those who will tell you FIFA is just a conspiracy, a scam, accountable to nobody and too powerful for anyone to resist" - Sepp Blatter
"To build up our defences against wrongdoing and poor business practices. We know we have been let down by the actions of a few in the football world who have tarnished FIFA's good name and overshadowed all the good work we do.
"We know there is fair criticism that we must listen to and we do. We know we have had some dark days but honestly some of the criticism just astounds me."
Blatter used a colourful analogy to reject the media perception of him and his organisation.
"You may think you know what FIFA is, what it does, what it aspires to be," he added. "A faceless machine printing money at the expense of the beautiful game with me pulling the strings and laughing all the way to the bank.
"There are those who will tell you FIFA is just a conspiracy, a scam, accountable to nobody and too powerful for anyone to resist.
"There are those who will tell you of the supposed sordid secrets that lie deep in our (James) Bond-villain headquarters in the hills above Zurich where we apparently plot to exploit the unfortunate and the weak," said Blatter.
"They would have you believe I sit in my office with a sinister grin, gently stroking the chin of an expensive, white Persian cat as my terrible sidekicks scour the earth to force countries to host the World Cup and to hand over all of their money.
"It is strange how fantasy so easily becomes confused with fact and it feels almost absurd to have to say this. But that is not who we are. Not FIFA. Not me."
"This is a key week on both tours (because) it's my first event on the 2014 PGA Tour schedule." 
