Previous Day
Freeman refuses to revisit incident
NEWS ROUND-UP: MONAGHAN'S TOMMY Freeman has closed
the book on the incident in which he was headbutted at the end of
the National Football League fixture with Dublin in Parnell Park on
Easter Sunday. Dublin team statistician Ray Boyne admitted
responsibility and received a 16-week suspension but also travelled
to Monaghan to apologise in person. p
Adebayor confident job will be completed
SOCCER - UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREVIEW Liverpool (1) v
Arsenal (1): ARSÈNE WENGER may have been all bullish
confidence as he sat in the trophy room at Anfield last night but
at his side Emmanuel Adebayor put the task awaiting Arsenal this
evening into proper context. p
Munster's semi-final issue on sale tomorrow
TICKET NEWS: MUNSTER WILL receive an initial ticket allocation of 13,500 for the Heineken Cup semi-final against Saracens at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry, on Sunday, April 27th (kick-off 3pm). The Irish province's allowance will be distributed through the clubs and will go on sale from tomorrow. p
Soccer
Benitez takes long view
SOCCER - UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREVIEW Liverpool (1) v Arsenal (1): DELIRIUM OR despair awaits Anfield tonight but Rafael Benitez has insisted his Liverpool reign cannot be judged on the Champions League quarter-final with Arsenal. In an appeal for reason from the club's owners yesterday, the manager claimed his long-term plan would reap further reward regardless of the outcome against Arsène Wenger's team. pChelsea bullish despite Cech woe
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREVIEW Chelsea (1) v Fenerbahce (2): FOR PETR CECH, the timing was almost as sickening as the injury itself. The Chelsea goalkeeper had proved his fitness in Sunday's training session and even surprised his team-mates with the sharpness of his reflexes, having not played a first-team match since the beginning of last month because of an ankle injury. pDerry complete 'double' against St Patrick's
SETANTA CUP GROUP TWO - Derry City 2 St Patrick's Athletic 0: DERRY CITY claimed their first points in the Setanta Cup having completed the 'double' over St Patrick's Athletic at the Brandywell last night. pMcAreavey's brace puts Linfield in pole position
SETANTA CUP GROUP TWO - Glentoran 1 Linfield 3: LINFIELD'S DOMESTIC and all-Ireland treble bid was bolstered last night thanks to Paul McAreavey's brace of goals at The Oval. The Blues, already in the Irish Cup final and top of the Irish Premier League with three games remaining, top Group Two after overturning an early deficit at the east-Belfast venue. David Jeffrey's men are now favourites to progress to the latter stages of the cross-border competition. pTime to stop blaming Kenny for other players' shortcomings
EMMET MALONE ON SOCCER: Paddy Kenny got a raw deal under Steve Staunton and, with the lack of any real quality to back up Shay Given, deserves another chance in the new set-up pDIGEST
SOCCER: A round-up of more soccer news. p
Kidney's intuitive knack should be embraced
It's now abundantly clear that Munster are better coached, better picked and plain better than Ireland have been this season, writes Gerry Thornley pCasey and Irish keep faith with traditions
EUROPEAN CUP SEMI-FINALS: THE EUPHORIA of the occasion was captured in two moments either side of referee Alain Rolland's final whistle at the Madejski stadium on Saturday, and both involved the London Irish captain and secondrow, Bob Casey. pAll Blacks winger ruled out of action
RUGBY NEWS: JOE ROKOCOKO has been ruled out of New Zealand's Test series against Ireland and England after undergoing surgery on a wrist. p
Dublin motion is defeated
DUBLIN COUNTY board last night defeated a motion opposing the player awards scheme, which goes before this weekend's annual congress in Sligo. Having deferred a decision on the matter at last month's meeting, delegates last night heard the case against the scheme proposed by the St Joseph's O'Connell Boys club but only 12 voted for the motion, which was comfortably defeated. pDivisions of the spoils leave plenty still to play for
GAELIC GAMES NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE: THE NATIONAL Football League has consistently delivered one thing for its sponsors Allianz and the GAA in recent years - an exciting climax to the season. This year will be no different with only five counties in the top three divisions having nothing to play for at this stage. p
Europe on course for Punchestown
RACING NEWS ROUND-UP: NOT ONLY was Al Eile's impressive Aintree Hurdle victory at the weekend a great result for John Queally but it was also greeted with substantial relief by Queally's fellow Co Waterford trainer Henry De Bromhead who still hopes to run Sizing Europe at the Punchestown Festival in two weeks' time. pSher Why Not to repel Irish Invader
THE RUBY Walsh-Willie Mullins team continue to be in sparkling form but their candidate for the beginners chase at Fairyhouse today, Irish Invader, could find the fencing newcomer Sher Why Not too good. p
Stricker to putt up a fight
US MASTERS COUNTDOWN: THE RANKINGS don't lie. They say Tiger Woods is the world's number one. Who's arguing? Then, they say Phil Mickelson is number two. They tell you Ernie Els is number three . . . and Steve Stricker is number four. pHarrington eases into Masters mode
FINALLY, YESTERDAY, Pádraig Harrington listened to his own advice. Sort of. He took it easy! Well, sort of. Rather than pitching up at the Augusta National clubhouse to the sound of the dawn chorus, the Dubliner was one of the later players to register - in the late morning, getting badge number 70 - for the Masters. pPushing too many buttons can damage your game
CADDIE'S ROLE: Technology has brought the game to new and greater heights but sometimes it's better to trust your raw talent. pLonger, straighter and sweeter
EQUIPMENT: PHILIP REID on the latest batch of drivers, fairway woods, irons and putters to hit the shelves for the 2008 season which offers renewed hope to club players. pWhat's rare is wonderful - and difficult to part with
GOLFING MEMORABILIA: In the first of a new series on collectibles GARY MORAN talks to a man who has made a business of his passion. pA round and about
FRED COGLEY, Broadcaster. pFaldo series returns to Ballyliffin
SHORT GAME: THE SECOND annual Faldo Series Ireland Championship will return to Ballyliffin Golf Club on May 22nd-24th, where young golfers from across the country will have the opportunity to qualify for this year's Faldo Series Grand Final. p
Dunne on the comeback trail
BOXING NEWS: THE GLOVES are off when it comes to analysing the career of Bernard Dunne. The first question put to him yesterday was to describe the last eight months of hell, since Kiko Martinez stunned him with a first-round knockout to take his European title in just the third defence. The 28-year-old smiled and talked about time well spent with his young family. pMurray unfazed by big drop
TENNIS: Andy Murray says he is not concerned about dropping nine places to 22nd in the world rankings after his second-round defeat by Mario Ancic in Miami last weekend - his lowest position for nearly two years. p
