Previous Day
Fudge impossible to stomach
RUGBY/World Cup review: The Ireland players and
those who pay to support them are entitled to feel taken for a
ride, writes
Gerry Thornley p
Reserves of character win out
SOCCER/Blackburn 2 Arsenal 3 (after extra time): Arsène Wenger's reserves showed reserves of character to finally oust Blackburn Rovers from the League Cup on their own Ewood Park ground. p
No end in sight to Cork dispute
GAA: Cork officials and players are remaining
tight-lipped about the potential outcome of this evening's meeting
aimed at resolving the dispute over the appointment of team
managements. p
Soccer
Spurs show the spirit of the Ramos Effect
Manchester City 0 Tottenham 2: The supporters of Tottenham Hotspur are never slow to chant the name of Ricky Villa whenever they visit Eastlands - or previously Maine Road - and, 26 years after the Argentinian danced, shimmied and swerved towards one of the most memorable FA Cup final goals in history, they were revelling in Manchester City's misery again last night en route to a League Cup semi-final. pGerrard to miss out after being taken ill
Chelsea v Liverpool: Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool captain, has been ruled out of tonight's League Cup quarter-final at Chelsea after being taken ill with a stomach complaint. pInterpreters - it can be difficult to argot with them
Lost in translation: Michael Owen is gay. He said so himself. Only he didn't, not really. I did. Trouble is, if I said it, Michael said it - that's the thing about translators. Ruben Reggiani, the man who brought us Fabio Capello's first words as England coach, has been criticised for failing to translate accurately. But it could have been worse. He could have accused Capello of fancying the pants off Frank Lampard. pSoccer Shorts
Cross-Border talks Just days after the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland governing bodies were at loggerheads again over the thorny matter of player eligibility, offering wildly differing interpretations of a Fifa ruling on the issue at the weekend, the two associations have announced they will meet next month "to discuss matters of mutual interest", writes Mary Hannigan . p
What's not in there is far more revealing
At first glance, the IRFU's statement on foot of the review by management consultants Genesis into Ireland's World Cup sheds little or no light on the reasons for that abject campaign. But the union's omissions, both from the statement and from their presentation to the committee, are more revealing. pWallace urges creation of 'supremo' post
The former Lions and Ireland prop Paul Wallace would advocate the creation of a new post in the management of the national team in the wake of the IRFU-commissioned Genesis report. pRugby Shorts
Horan in the dock Munster and Ireland prop Marcus Horan is due to appear before an ERC-commissioned independent disciplinary committee as a result of a citing arising from the Heineken European Cup Pool Five match against Llanelli Scarlets at Thomond Park last Sunday. p
Wexford board €108,000 in debt
The Wexford County Board is in debt to the tune of €108,000 as team expenses have shown a massive increase. Having recorded a surplus of almost €100,000 in 2006, the county's latest financial report has shown a turnabout of close to €200,000 over the year. p
Festive going is bad news for mudlarks
The Leopardstown, Limerick and Down Royal tracks are gearing up for their traditional St Stephen's Day holiday fixtures, but this year's Christmas racing looks like taking place on the most unseasonal ground conditions seen for a long time. pDemon set for rematch with Kauto
Racing Demon is bang on course for a second crack at the Stan James King George VI Chase. pLynch gets jockey's licence back
Fergal Lynch can race again after the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) agreed to grant him a jockey's licence. pWachman new senior steward
Nick Wachman has officially begun a two-year term as senior steward of the Turf Club. Wachman, a Turf Club member since 1994, takes over from Pierce Molony, who served two terms in charge of racing's regulatory authority. p
Bray named in 22-man squad
Cricket/Ireland training squad: Coach Phil Simmons has named a 22-man squad for winter training as Ireland prepare for another busy season of international cricket. pHigh hopes for young Bowtell in indoors
Tennis: The draw for the David Lloyd Riverview National Indoor Championships, which take place from December 27th to 31st, has a number of Irish Davis Cup players involved as well as the best of Ireland's young talent, reports Johnny Watterson . pEngland bowlers strike late
Cricket/Third Test, Sri Lanka v England: This was a day of celebration for Galle and Sri Lanka. They came in their thousands, England fans and Sri Lankans alike, to witness something many believed would never happen again. Temporary stands were packed, and on top of the ramparts of the superb Dutch fort - desecrated by several flags of St George - sat hundreds more, perched there for the free view. It was a stirring sight. pSports Digest
Colleges/Pack power pays off for Leinster Colleges: Leinster moved one ahead of Munster in the pecking order with their fourth win in the ninth Irish Colleges Interprovincial final, prevailing 30-16 at Sydney Parade yesterday. p
