Previous Day
England at home appear to have edge
RUGBY: AS ONE wag observed during the week, this
could be the first game in the Six Nations where both sets of fans
will be cheering for the opposition in order to be rid of their
respective coaches. But come kick-off at England's headquarters
this afternoon, nothing could be further from the truth. This is
England v Ireland after all. Nuff said.
Denman gallops all over Kauto
RACING: IN THE END, it turned out to be less of a duel and more of a shoot: Denman blew Kauto Star's chance away before the title-holder had barely turned and instead of a toe-to-toe slug, yesterday's Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup became a victory parade for an outstanding new champion. p
Soccer
Arsenal and Liverpool draw short straw
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAWS: ARSENAL AND Liverpool will collide in the quarter-finals of the Champions League next month after being handed the all-English tie all four Premier League clubs involved had dreaded, with Arsène Wenger conceding that the first two weeks in April will go a long way towards defining his side's season. pSafety of fans a worry for United
ALEX FERGUSON has admitted that off-field concerns could overshadow Manchester United's Champions League quarter-final tie against Roma following the violence that marred the meetings between the two clubs at the same stage of last season's competition. pDraw keeps Grant's hopes alive
WELCOME TO Heaven. Avram Grant was courtesy personified when he assessed the Champions League tie early next month that will shape Chelsea's season and, perhaps, his own future too. "Istanbul is my favourite city for vacations," he smiled, making light of the quarter-final first leg with Fenerbahce at their intimidating Sukru Saracoglu stadium. pWenger 'indifferent' to Champions League
ARSENE WENGER admitted last night he was "indifferent" to the Champions League, with his priority maintaining Arsenal's lead at the top of the Premier League. However, he did accept his side's prospects in the two competitions are now intertwined. pBenitez sees chance to secure rivals' respect
RAFAEL BENITEZ would have chosen an alternative route to Moscow but the Spaniard believes the Champions League draw has offered Liverpool an ideal opportunity to secure the lasting respect of their Premier League rivals. pPlenty of time left to plot a path to safety
A YEAR ON THE WEAR: Sunderland face some tricky run-in games, starting at home today with Chelsea, but they still have time to steer themselves away from relegation, writes Michael Walker pZola still captivated by beautiful game
FA PREMIER LEAGUE : Italy's Under-21 assistant-coach aims to manage Chelsea some day, writes Andy Hunter pSt Patrick's are leading from the front
LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION/Bohemians 0 St Patrick's Athletic 1: IT MIGHT not have come off for them last year but St Patrick's Athletic seem intent once again on mounting this year's assault on the league from the front. pStudents take early initiative
Bray Wanderers 0 UCD 2: UCD COLLECTED their first points of the season when first-half goals from Timmy Purcell and Paul Byrne gave them a thoroughly deserved victory over a disappointing Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds last night. pMartyn seals Derry's victory
Derry City 2 Finn Harps 1: THE INTRODUCTION of two second-half substitutes turned this game in favour of Derry City as Ciaran Martyn's late winner proved enough to defeat Finn Harps at a wet Brandywell last night. pDevine denies Baker to save Cork
Shamrock Rovers 1 Cork City 1: A WONDERFUL stoppage time save by Michael Devine deprived Shamrock Rovers of a dramatic late winner in an intriguing clash at Tolka Park. p
Looking comfortable with fifteen
ENGLAND V IRELAND: Rob Kearney has the skills, flair and confidence to carve out a serious career at fullback for Ireland , writes Gerry ThornleyLet's use Twickenham's width and O'Gara's wisdom
Against a big and brave but limited England team the Irish need to shed the defensive mindset of last week and get out of the trenches, writes Liam TolandJinking run to a place in the pantheon
WALES V FRANCE: Shane Williams has used his speed and agility to prosper in a game more and more in thrall to bulk and power, writes Paul ReesHook facing his defining hour
WARREN GATLAND admits outhalf star James Hook faces "the biggest game of his career" when Wales go for Grand Slam glory in Cardiff today. Hook has been charged with pulling the strings as Wales target a second RBS Six Nations title and tournament clean sweep in four seasons.Southwell aims to build platform for attacking game
ITALY V SCOTLAND: HUGO SOUTHWELL is certain Scotland have not lost sight of reality after the heady excitement of last weekend's unexpected Calcutta Cup triumph. The Scottish squad have spent a lot of time this week talking about their desire to show greater attacking flair in their final Six Nations game of the season against Italy today after only managing one try in their previous four matches. However, fullback Southwell insists the players must be able to walk before they can run.Belvedere cunning will be crucial
LEINSTER SCHOOLS' SENIOR CUP FINAL PREVIEW/Belvedere College v St Mary's College: "WHAT'S THE most you ever lost on a coin toss?" Anton Chigurh, No Country For Old Men. Call it. Before this year's competition got under way, Belvedere were cast in the unenviable role of favourites. Clongowes Wood College and CBC Monkstown were seen as contenders, and of course Blackrock, as ever, were potential champions if they could generate enough momentum. pEngland secure Grand Slam
UNDER-20 REPORT/England 43 Ireland 14: ENGLAND SECURED the Under-20 Grand Slam at Kingsholm last night with a comprehensive seven-try victory over Ireland.Long wait is over for Clongowes
LEINSTER SCHOOLS' JUNIOR CUP FINAL REPORT/St Michael's College 0 Clongowes Wood College 36: NO ARGUMENTS anyway about the best under-15 schools team in Leinster. Having already done a comprehensive job on the holders Blackrock en route to yesterday's decider, Clongowes equalled the greatest margin of victory ever in a Junior Cup finaland in the process gave the 4,100 crowd a fine exhibition of continuity rugby. pIn short
Today's other stories in brief p
Happy days in Marino as sleeping giant reawakens
ALL-IRELAND CLUB SENIOR FOOTBALL FINAL: Having ended a famine by winning their first Dublin senior football championship title since 1984, the famed Marino club St Vincent's have recaptured the good times, writes Tom Humphries pNational Football League Previews
This weekend's previews pNational Hurling League Previews
The weekend's matches previewed pDoing what it says on the billboards
ALL-IRELAND CLUB SENIOR HURLING FINAL/PORTUMNA v BIRR: Sometimes the grassroots are honoured more in rallying cry than reality. Niall Hayes sees Monday's big game as a case in point, writes Keith Duggan p
Monster Denman devours Kauto Star
GOLD CUP REPORT: THE OLD racing adage that a 'good big one' will always beat a 'good little one' hardly applies to yesterday's Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup since the former title holder Kauto Star has a more than sufficiently spacious frame to house his huge talent. But in Denman he met a monster who was in no mood for an argument.Top jockey award eases Walsh's pain
IT'S NOT often a jockey wins two races in a day at Cheltenham, gets crowned top rider for the festival, picks up six days in whip suspensions and still ends up wondering about what might have been. But that was Ruby Walsh's lot on a momentous afternoon yesterday. pBadgerlaw looks the pick
IRISH PREVIEW: IRISH INTEREST across channel switches today to Uttoxeter where Jessica Harrington's novice Badgerlaw will lead a three-strong team from this country into the £100,000 John Smith's Midlands Grand National. p
Singh stakes claim for second title
USPGA TOUR: VIJAY SINGH is not ready to concede his Arnold Palmer Invitational title without a fight. pBjörn's tips help ignite McDowell's challenge
EUROPEAN TOUR NEWS: A SENSATIONAL eight-under-par 64 fired Graeme McDowell into the clubhouse lead at the Ballantine's Championship - and the Northern Irishman revealed he gained some extra help from playing partner Thomas Bjorn who also moved into contention with a 66. p
I should have stuck to the beer and pizzas
ATHLETICS: There's no harm in replicating other athletes' methods but it might be wise to steer clear of Frank Shorter's unorthodox diet before a major championship race, writes Ian O'Riordan pTime to invoke the ghost of winners past
SIDELINE CUT: As Eddie O'Sullivan leads his depleted army on England's daunting fortress let's screw our courage to the sticking place - for there will always be an Ireland, writes Keith Duggan pHamilton in fresh peril as Finn cuts through turbulent waters
FORMULA ONE 2008 SEASON PREVIEW: FIVE MONTHS after their bitter, simmering rivalry imploded a season finale characterised by blunders, blow-ups and bad temper, there are still only two names on anyone's lips in Melbourne this week - Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton. pArmagh maintain Ulster dominance
HOCKEY/ALL-IRELAND SCHOOLGIRLS' CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL: ROYAL SCHOOL Armagh won their fourth All-Ireland title in seven years at Grange Road yesterday when they beat Leinster champions Loreto Beaufort 3-1 in the final of the tournament. pIn short
Today's other stories in brief p
