Previous Day
Capello has little cause for cheer
SOCCER International Friendly/France1 England
0: "ENGLAND TILL I die," sang the visiting support as the
night wore on. Fabio Capello will be glad to hear it because this
was the sort of friendly that would have lesser men deserting.
David Beckham duly made his 100th appearance, but the side was tame
in defeat and the victors held a near-monopoly on excitement,
especially when Nicolas Anelka was in possession. p
Dempsey set to return against Llanelli
RUGBY Magners League: GIRVAN DEMPSEY is set to make
his return to rugby this week as Leinster face into one of their
toughest matches of the season, against Llanelli on Saturday at
Stradey Park. The Ireland fullback has not played in a competitive
match since he hurt a hip in training during the Six Nations
Championship in February, writes
Johnny Watterson . p
Olazabal to miss Ryder Cup
GOLF: TWICE FORMER US Masters champion Jose Maria
Olazabal said yesterday he will almost certainly not play in
September's Ryder Cup. The 42-year-old, who is Nick Faldo's
vice-captain for the Kentucky event, will make his return to
competitive action at the Andalucia Open today after persistent
problems with rheumatism cut short his 2007 season. p
Soccer
Healy on goal trail for both sides
N Ireland 4 Georgia ... 1: DAVID HEALY scored for both sides as Northern Ireland's first-half blitz proved enough to see off the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifying group eight opponents Georgia at Windsor Park last night. pBurley does not suffer from withdrawal symptoms
Scotland 1 Croatia1: IT RAINED in Glasgow and the Croatians were in town but there was no brolly for George Burley, just a debut as Scotland manager that produced what Steve McClaren never came close to achieving; a comfortable draw against Slaven Bilic's highly-rated team. pPato looks another star in the making for Brazil
Sweden 0 Brazil1: ALEXANDRE PATO last night confirmed what has been trumpeted across South America and San Siro for some time: that he has the makings of a star. pBulgaria and Montenegro shine
TWO OF the Republic of Ireland's opponents in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, Bulgaria and Montenegro were in action last night. Bulgaria fought back after a Jari Litmanen penalty put Finland ahead after 22 minutes. Zdravko Lazarov equalised after 48 minutes and Stanislav Genchev sealed the win in the last minute. Montenegro had a comfortable 3-1 over Norway in Podgorica. pMascherano charged by FA
LIVERPOOL WILL now consider their response after midfielder Javier Mascherano was charged with improper conduct. p
Kidney keen to play trio
IN THE HEAD of Munster coach Declan Kidney the names of three players who were ruled out of last week's game against Ulster, David Wallace, Denis Leamy and Rua Tipoki, will resonate more intensely when he thinks of Gloucester. pEngland line up Johnson as manager
MARTIN JOHNSON remains a firm favourite to fill the role of England team manager following a Rugby Football Union meeting yesterday. pWelsh wield the greater clout
UNDER-18 SIX NATIONS FESTIVAL/Ireland 6 Wales 25: WALES DWARFED and dominated Ireland in all facets of the game in the under-18 tournament at Musgrave Park last night. p
Cork IT hold key to Sigerson resolution
THE HIGHER education committee, Comhairle Ardoideachais (CA), were awaiting a decision from Cork IT last night as they attempt to bring closure to the disrupted Sigerson Cup competition. pMayo to install cameras
MAYO COUNTY board are to install temporary video cameras at McHale Park following their €5,000 fine after a fan fired a wooden object at Kerry star Kieran Donaghy. pWexford to take their case to the DRA
THE WEXFORD County Board are expected to take their case against Cork's position in the National Hurling League to the Disputes Resolution Authority. The executive met last night to chart a new course after the Central Appeals Committee ruled Wexford's objection to Kilkenny and Waterford's walk-overs, received due to the Cork players strike, out of order. pDempsey delivers damning verdict on rule
LONGFORD MANAGER Luke Dempsey says Division Three games have reached championship intensity this year due to the spectre of being denied a route through the All-Ireland qualifiers for the relegated teams. pDarragh Ó Sé returns for Kerry
Darragh Ó Sé makes his long awaited return to the starting XV for Kerry's crucial NFL clash with Laois on Saturday evening as Kerry boss Pat O'Shea struggles with a depleted squad ravaged by injuries, suspension and other factors. p
Finsceal Beo giving Bolger right vibes
THE AMERICAN superstar Curlin may be dominating the build-up to Saturday's $21 (€13.6) million Dubai World Cup meeting but Ireland will have three chances on the support card to finally hit the Nad Al Sheba scoreboard when it really counts. pKicking King back on track
KICKING KING may have missed out on an attempt to regain his Cheltenham Gold Cup crown but the 2005 blue-riband winner is on course to return to action at the Punchestown Festival. p
Lowry regains focus to deliver in style
West of Ireland Amateur Championship: THESE DAYS, the life of an elite amateur golfer can mean traversing more time zones than a commercial pilot; and, for much of the next few months, Shane Lowry's passport will be as important as carrying his golf clubs as he sets about globetrotting to rather more exotic climes than Rosses Point in the quest for more silverware. Philip Reid , reports from Rosses Point pGoosen back in groove and mood
US Tour: WINLESS ON the PGA Tour for almost three years, twice US Open champion Retief Goosen has renewed confidence in his game for today's Zurich Classic of New Orleans. pUlster off to fine start
Girls Interprovincials: Lisa Maguire staged a spectacular fighting finish to beat Munster's Sarah Cunningham on the final green and help Ulster off to a flying start at Bangor yesterday. p
O'Loughlin puts himself in frame for Olympic place
CYCLING: DAVID O'LOUGHLIN looks likely to have secured an Olympic slot following an excellent performance on yesterday's opening day of the world track championships in Manchester. The 29-year-old Mayo rider went 4.4 seconds quicker than his national record and beat several established names to finish sixth in the 4,000 metres individual pursuit, a considerable improvement over his 17th place 12 months ago. pOpinions split as Lee weighed in the balance
AMERICA AT LARGE: He challenged my manhood, and I wasn't mature enough to know how to respond. All I could think about was retaliating. pSports Digest
A round-up of today's other stories in brief. p
