Previous Day
Cork board vote 89-18 to remove Holland
GAELIC GAMES/Players' strike: The central
competitions control committee meet this morning to try and figure
out how to accommodate Cork in this year's national leagues after
the county board voted last night to remove football manager Teddy
Holland and his four selectors. p
Lamont, Webster return
RUGBY: Scotland coach Frank Hadden is expected to include captain Jason White, fullback Rory Lamont and winger Simon Webster when he announces his team to face Ireland later today.
Grant has everyone back for late-season assault
SOCCER/Olympiakos v Chelsea: Avram Grant already
has the hangdog expression of the insomniac, but the Chelsea
manager is prepared for further tests of endurance. "Our target is
to get at least into the final of the Champions League and I will
not rest until we get there," he said before the first leg of the
last-16 tie here against Olympiakos tonight. p
Soccer
Chelsea face dogfight against Tykes
English FA Cup: Chelsea must succeed where Liverpool failed so miserably at the weekend if they are to retain the FA Cup, after yesterday's quarter-final draw handed them an awkward tie against Barnsley. The holders successfully avoided Manchester United in the draw but they face a trip to Oakwell next month where Barnsley have lost only twice all season. pNewcastle still open to offers
The sky above a frosty Tyneside was brilliant blue yesterday, but the air felt thick with déjà vu. Sources had confirmed that Mike Ashley, Newcastle United's owner, recently made an indirect approach to Dubai Investment Capital, inquiring if it might be interested in buying the club for €400 million and renewed turmoil at St James' Park seemed right back on the agenda. pCapello may fast-track City's Hart
Manchester City's Joe Hart could be fast-tracked into the England squad after Fabio Capello revealed his frustration at an apparent lack of goalkeeping talent at his disposal in the full squad. pLast chance saloon for Liverpool
Liverpool v Inter Milan: The mercury was rising after Liverpool's FA Cup humbling by Barnsley, but Rafael Benitez, clenching both fists and reddening by the second when pressed on his Anfield future, would not take the bait. "We must work harder," he repeated, over and over and over again. It was the most mundane solution to a developing crisis, but at least the Liverpool manager's assessment was based in truth. pHard to dent Benitez's confidence
Andy Hunter finds a defiant manager calling for the sort of patience Arsenal have shown to Arsene Wenger pReal are ready to risk Heinze
AS Roma v Real Madrid: Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster said he would risk fielding defender Gabriel Heinze in tonight's game in Rome despite the danger of a relapse of the thigh strain that sidelined him for more than a month. p
Rotation system victim of negative spin
On Rugby: Perceived wisdom has it that "experimenting" or "rotating" squads is not as conducive to winning as having a settled side. Yet, while the Six Nations' table is admittedly still in its formative stages, the two squads which have rotated the most thus far lead the way with two wins apiece. pOdds look favourable for Heaslip
Six Nations: Jamie Heaslip is a fun gambler. Odds, cards and stakes are reference points that pepper his conversation.
Rules series gets more rules and more rulers
International Rules: The GAA released an 18-point proposal yesterday that will allow the International Rules series to be revived with two Tests in Australia later this year. This is expected to be rubberstamped by central council next month and comes out of last week's meeting with the AFL in Dubai. pRace against time seems lost, but many more big days ahead
All-Ireland Club SHC Semi-final: Joe Canning tells Gavin Cummiskey about an 'elastic band kind of pop' from his hamstring p
McNamara clear to ride Sizing Europe
The way appears to be clear for Andrew McNamara to maintain his partnership with the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle favourite Sizing Europe at Cheltenham after his boss, Edward O'Grady, indicated yesterday he will not be claiming the jockey in the day one festival highlight. p
Harrington back in the groove
What with suffering a bout of shingles and, more latterly, from flu, things don't seem to be going as well off the course as they are on it for Pádraig Harrington. Put a club in his hands, though, and the British Open champion is overcoming whatever ailments are present and, now reinstalled in to the world's top 10, the Dubliner heads into tomorrow's Accenture Matchplay Championship knowing at least that he is competitive. pCobwebs on the swing as my man cuts out
Caddie's Role: Although most professionals are well into their '08 season, myself and my player, Retief Goosen, spent last week receiving New Year's greetings from our American colleagues as if it were early January. pDoyle takes over:
The Short Game: Golf handicaps were among the main discussion points at the agm of the Golfing Union of Ireland at Carton House last week. p
Ireland collapse after promising start
CRICKET/Women's World Cup Qualifier: Ireland's bid to claim a place in next year's women's World Cup got off to a poor start in South Africa yesterday as they lost by 57 runs to Pakistan in Stellenbosch. pHall in a race against time to be fit to face Bangladesh
CRICKET/Under-19 World Cup: Ireland are racing against time to get James Hall fit for tomorrow's match against Bangladesh, which the national side must win to stand any chance of reaching the Super Series stage of the Under-19 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur. pFourth award for Federer
SPORTS AWARDS : World tennis number one Roger Federer was chosen as the Laureus Sportsman of the Year award for a record fourth year in a row yesterday. p
