Category Archives: SPORT

ASTON VILLA: A LICHFIELD FAN

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Villa Park then (1982) from the Holte End and now Photo: AVFC

Villa Park then (1982) from the Holte End and now Photo: AVFC

Writing about Spaghetti Junction the other day, I mentioned Villa Park, the home of Aston Villa FC. I went there on a couple of occasions both to watch from the then terrace at the Holte End (see picture) and occasionally to report from the ground during my time in Birmingham with BBC Local Radio. So I am delighted to see that Patrick Comerford has written tonight about Aston Villa, and the club’s proud history. Like many Villa fans he remembers their great achievements in Europe in 1982 and is now looking forward to seeing the claret and blue in the FA Cup Final against Arsenal at Wembley on May 30th.

I know which team I want to win … but does David Cameron know?  Patrick Comerford 

Villa Park from Trinity Road Stand, showing (L-R) North Stand, Doug Ellis Stand and the Holte End (Photograph: Harry Vale/Wikipedia)

The Aston Villa website boasts a number of very public fans, including Prince William, Tom Hanks, Redd Pepper, Nigel Kennedy, Pauline McLynn (‘Mrs Doyle’ of Father Ted), Oliver Phelps … and David Cameron. Well, Cameron claims he is a fan. But is he?

Early in the 2011-2012 season, he took his young son to watch Alex McLeish’s side as they faced QPR at Loftus Road. He once said: “The first game I ever went to was an Aston Villa game and so I am an Aston Villa fan.” It’s easy for him to have a proprietorial attitude towards Villa … after all, his uncle, Sir William Dugdale, who lived near Tamworth until he died late last year, chaired Villa from 1975 to 1982 and took the future Prime Minister to his first ever game as a 13-year-old.

But in a public blunder a few days, David Cameron gave a speech celebrating the diverse allegiances of British people in which he said: “Where you can support Man United, the Windies and Team GB all at the same time. Of course, I’d rather you supported West Ham .. eh, hem.” He later avoided questions from the media aiming to ascertain his level of support for Aston Villa, which he said he had supported since watching them beat Bayern Munich in the1982 European Cup Final when he was a child.

In an interview with the Birmingham Mail, he has since claimed his “profoundly embarrassing” West Ham gaffe was down to thinking about cricket. “I want to say how sorry I am,” Cameron said. “All I can explain is I went past the West Ham stadium the day before and I just said the word West Indies in my speech and I was making a point about the cricket Test and all the rest of it. I meant to say Aston Villa and I am profoundly embarrassed.”

Cricket? It is embarrassing. I never knew West Ham played cricket. I like cricket too. Indeed, as a Villa fan, I knew about Aston Villa’s cricket association since its early days. But does David Cameron? 

Aston Villa Football Club was formed in March 1874, by four members of the cricket team at Villa Cross Wesleyan Chapel in Handsworth. From as early as 1867, the chapel was known as Aston Villa Wesleyan Chapel. The four founders were Jack Hughes, Frederick Matthews, Walter Price and William Scattergood.
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Local lore says they met under a gas-light in Heathfield Road to set about forming a new club. As cricket players, they were looking for something to keep them occupied during the winter, and they chose football after witnessing an impromptu game on a meadow off Heathfield Road.The first match for the new side was against the local Aston Brook Saint Mary’s Rugby team on Wilson Road, Aston. As a condition of the match, the Villa side had to agree to play the first half under rugby rules and the second half under football rules. The game was a scoreless draw at half time but Jack Hughes scored a goal in the second half to ensure that Villa won their first ever game.Villa’s first official home was at Wellington Road in Perry Barr from 1876. The new club was soon playing soccer and won its first FA Cup in 1887, beating West Bromwich Albion 2-0 at the Oval. Aston Villa was one of the dozen teams that competed in the inaugural Football League in 1888. The first League game was on 8 September 1888, when Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers drew 1–1.Aston Villa went on to become the most successful club in the Victorian period. In 1897, Villa moved to the current home ground, the Aston Lower Grounds. By 1900, the fans were calling Villa Park, and the ground was bought outright in 1911. By the end of Villa’s “Golden Age” and at the start of the World War I, the club had won the League Championship six times and the FA Cup five times. Aston Villa won its sixth FA Cup in 1920.

However, during the inter-war years Villa was on a slow decline that would led to relegation to Division II in 1936 for the first time. By 1957, Villa was a Cup-winning side once again with a seventh FA Cup win, defeating Manchester United’s “Busby Babes” 2–1 victory. I remember the 1971-1972 season, when I was spending a lot of time in Lichfield, and Aston Villa returned to Division II as champions with a record 70 points. I became a convinced Villa fan, and by 1975 the club was back into Division I. In the 1977-1978 season, Villa reached the quarter-final of the UEFA Cup, going out 4–3 on aggregate against Barcelona.

The club won the league in 1980-1981, and went on to an epoch-making 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the European Cup final in Rotterdam on 26 May 1982. Villa was relegated again in 1987, but was promoted the following year, rose to second place in the Football League in 1989, and was one of the founding members of the Premier League in 1992, when Villa finished runners-up to Manchester United in the inaugural season.

In 2000, Aston Villa reached the FA Cup Final for the first time since 1957, but lost 1–0 to Chelsea in the last game played at the old Wembley Stadium. Now, 15 years later, Villa is back in an FA Cup Final once again. An eighth cup win would be so sweet after a a season that was often dominated by regulation fears.

I pass by Villa Park many times a year, on my way to and from Lichfield on the train. The King Edward VII, a landmark pub popular with Aston Villa fans on matchdays, has stood proudly on the junction of Lichfield Road and Aston Hall Road since about 1900. However, local newspapers reported a few weeks ago that the pub is to be pulled down as part of a major industrial park development and a wider revamp of the junction with Aston Hall Road. According to the reports, the pub’s owner, Paul McMahon, plans to move his business to the nearby derelict Aston Tavern.

By accident, I have arranged already to be back in Lichfield on Cup Final Day. Once again, I shall find myself close to Villa Park. I must find a good place in Lichfield to watch the match. Any suggestions? After all, I know which team I am supporting … but does David Cameron?

BIG FIGHT FOR CHRISTINA MCMAHON

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Christina McMahon in training at the Declan Brennan Centre of Excellence Photo: © Michael Fisher

Christina McMahon in training at the Declan Brennan Centre of Excellence Photo: © Michael Fisher

BOXER CHRISTINA FACES HER BIGGEST CHALLENGE

Michael Fisher Northern Standard Sports p.40

It’s the biggest challenge so far in her professional career for Christina Marks McMahon from Carrickmacross. Ireland’s only female professional boxer will be in the ring in Lusaka on Saturday against the Zambian WBC silver champion Catherine Phiri. At stake is the WBC interim world female bantamweight title. She left Dublin last Saturday with her husband and coach Frick to give her some time to adjust to the local conditions. But she has already done some important preparations locally.

When I met Christina in training last week she was wearing what looked like a thin space suit, and was attached to a mask giving her an air supply. She was sparring with Frick, whilst she received air that simulated an environment of 13,000 feet above sea level, similar to what she would find in Lusaka. The humidity there will be around 65% and temperatures can reach up to 27C. So the body of the boxer has to work harder in such an environment, as there is less oxygen. The machine being used was called an Everest series hypoxic generator, of the type that could also be used by mountain climbers.

This simulated high altitude training is one of the facilities offered at the Declan Byrne Centre of Excellence in Castleshane. By undergoing this exercise, it showed her professional and dedicated approach to boxing. Christina was delighted to discover only recently that there was such a facility almost on her doorstep in County Monaghan. It came just at the right time, she said.

As she finished her training session with a series of squats and shoulder presses, Christina told me she hoped she could help women to believe that it was never too late to go out and achieve their goals in sport or whatever field. Along with Frick she helps to run Carrickmacross Boxing Club at a new centre near the running track where they also have martial arts and fitness classes. She is coached by Sean and Paul McCullough in Belfast.

Christina who is now 40, started as a kickboxer when she was 20. In 2007 she won the world kickboxing title and three years later on reaching 35, decided to turn professional. This is her seventh fight and she has an unbeaten record in her six previous bouts (three of them by knock-outs). Her opponent also has a strong record of ten wins. Christina’s last fight was in September 2013 when she defeated  Lana Cooper. She was due to fight again in Berlin in March, but her opponent withdrew at the last moment.

“Catherine Phiri is what matters now; all the hard work has come to this and I know I have put in the effort to come away with a win”, she said.

Fight Poster

Fight Poster

Christina and Frick are hoping that Ireland’s Ambassador, Finbar O’Brien and his deputy will be present at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre to support their efforts not to mention members of the thriving Irish community “The Wild Geese”. A sell-out crowd is guaranteed  in a country where only soccer attracts greater attendances.

Declan Brennan who was a mentor to the late Olympian Darren Sutherland said his sports centre had something for everyone, to enable sportsmen and women to maximize their goals both on and off the field. It can also be used for rehabilitation of sports injuries. It has some equipment that cannot be found elsewhere in Ireland. As well as the anti-gravity machine, he can also offer the services of a sports psychologist, a nutritionist, a podiatrist and a physiotherapist. It’s a facility that has been used from time to time by local athletes and members of the GAA county football team.

For eight years Declan was Director of Sport at DCU. Now the success of Christina has given him a fresh interest in boxing, which has had an important place in the county since the days of Barry McGuigan and before. He is keen to promote the sport. He said the training Christina did at his centre would be very beneficial for her and he would be following her progress closely. Declan hope everyone in County Monaghan would be getting behind her and supporting her on Saturday.

Northern Standard Thursday 30th April p.40

Northern Standard Thursday 30th April p.40

NINE DART FEAT IN MONAGHAN

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Hughie Martin, Inniskeen, after his perfect nine in the darts competition at Aughnamullen Social Centre, Co. Monaghan

Hughie Martin, Inniskeen, after his perfect nine in the darts competition at Aughnamullen Social Centre, Co. Monaghan

HUGHIE ON TARGET IN DARTS COMPETITION
Inniskeen’s Hughie Martin made history in county Monaghan when he achieved a dart player’s dream last Saturday 18th April. He hit the perfect nine darts in a competition at Aughnamullen social centre. Hughie is the current Monaghan county champion and he says he will never forget this night. 

A nine-dart finish is a perfect leg in the game of darts, using only nine darts, the fewest possible, to checkout from 501. It is notoriously difficult to achieve, even by the game’s top professionals. It is considered to be the highest single-game achievement in the sport, similar to a maximum 147 break in snooker or a 300-point game in bowling.

There are 3,944 possible paths for a nine-dart finish playing a 501 double-out dart leg. A single game (known as a leg) of darts requires a player to score 501 points, ending with either the bullseye or a double. Each shot consists of exactly three darts and 60 is the maximum that can be scored with any one dart. Thus 180 is the maximum score of a shot, and nine throws are the minimum necessary to win.

Scoreboard at Aughnamullen Social Centre confirming the perfect nine

Scoreboard at Aughnamullen Social Centre confirming the perfect nine

Although other combinations are possible, the traditional nine-dart finish requires a score of 60 (treble 20) with each of the first six throws, that is, with the first two shots of three. This leaves 141 to score on the final shot (of three darts), known as the outshot. This outshot is traditionally performed in one of three ways:

treble 20 (60), treble 19 (57) and double 12 (24)

(how Hughie finished: see photo)

treble 20 (60), treble 15 (45) and double 18 (36)
Another way is to score 167 with each set of three darts, scoring a perfect 501 total, in the following way:
treble 20 (60), treble 19 (57) and bullseye (50)

This eliminates the chance of any dart being deflected by an already thrown dart into the wrong scoring area by throwing each dart at a different location on the board. It is only usually seen in exhibition matches, as in tournaments, players are inclined to aim for the triple 20, only switching to the triple 19 for a cover shot.

Arguably the most difficult nine dart finish would be 180 (3xT20), 171 (3xT19), and 150 (3xBULL) – owing to the difficulty of getting all three darts in the bullseye: it is the smallest double on the board. A nine dart finish is also attainable in games which require a double to commence scoring. In such games, throwing for double 20 first can lead to a maximum score of 160 with the first throw, leaving the thrower commonly requiring 180 then 161 (T20,T17,BULL) in their remaining six darts, though other outcomes are possible. It is worth noting that in these games, only throwing for double 20, double 17, or bullseye to start the leg can result in a nine dart finish.

Perfect nine dart finish by Hughie Martin, Inniskeen: Monaghan's first such feat

Perfect nine dart finish by Hughie Martin, Inniskeen: Monaghan’s first such feat

A nine-dart finish, however, does not guarantee success in a game. In December 2014 in the third round of the 2015 PDC World Darts Championship, Adrian Lewis hit his second World Championship nine-dart finish and his third overall. He lost the match 4-3 to Raymond van Barneveld. On Saturday night in Aughnamullen, Hughie was eventually beaten 5-3 in the semi-final by overall winner Graham Unwin.

LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL

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Conor McManus (Monaghan) receives Man of the Match award Photo: Monaghan GAA

Conor McManus (Monaghan) receives Man of the Match award Photo: Monaghan GAA

Cork beat Donegal in the first semi-final Photo: © Michael Fisher

Cork beat Donegal in the first semi-final Photo: © Michael Fisher

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Monaghan huddle before the throw-in Photo: © Michael Fisher

Monaghan huddle before the throw-in Photo: © Michael Fisher

Monaghan huddle before the throw-in Photo: © Michael Fisher

Monaghan huddle before the throw-in Photo: © Michael Fisher

Monaghan huddle before the throw-in Photo: © Michael Fisher

Monaghan huddle before the throw-in Photo: © Michael Fisher

View from the Lower Hogan Stand Photo: © Michael Fisher

View from the Lower Hogan Stand Photo: © Michael Fisher

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A close call for the Dubs as valiant Monaghan go down by a single point in the National League semi-final at Croke Park 0-17 to 0-16. After last week’s drubbing by the Dubs at Clones, there weren’t too many supporters in the crowd of 20,000 expecting a Monaghan win. But as one friend from Emyvale said to me before the game, a defeat of around four points would be a good result for the Farneymen. In the end Monaghan almost managed a draw and a chance of taking victory in extra time. The Dubs however moved the ball quickly and precisely, launching wave upon wave of attacks on the Monaghan defence. But Monaghan kept with them all the way, up until the sixtieth minute when the sides were level on fourteen points each.

Monaghan huddle before the throw-in Photo: © Michael Fisher

Monaghan huddle before the throw-in Photo: © Michael Fisher

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HALF TIME: Dublin 0-09  Monaghan 0-07

(RTÉ Sport)

Dublin just about deserved their early advantage after a tense opening. Monaghan defended in numbers when Dublin attacked which was perhaps to be expected. Their last Croke Park clash with Dublin in the 2014 Championship ended in a 17-points battering. When the sides met in the final round of the league last weekend, Dublin were again double digit victors. So Monaghan regularly got 12 and 13 men behind the ball, often leaving McManus isolated in attack.

Malachy O’Rourke’s side did go forward in numbers when in possession, however, and picked off some fine points with an efficient display. Man-of-the-match Conor McManus was marked by David Byrne until the 52nd minute when Jonny Cooper was moved onto him. The Clontibret attacker gave Byrne a torrid time and scored six points off him. The ex-All Star escaped for two early points from play and another from a free after a foul on Owen Duffy. Kieran Hughes boomed over a beauty from distance too as did Neil McAdam while goalkeeper Rory Beggan nailed a free from all of 55 metres out.

Points came slightly easier to Dublin initially though and they also had a great goal chance when Cian O’Sullivan dragged a 30th minute shot wide. Dublin defender Philly McMahon strode forward for two points while Rock hit three points in the opening half, all from placed balls. Dubs rookie Brian Fenton closed out the first-half scoring and doubled his tally in the 42nd minute.

But Monaghan were the dominant force for much of the second-half and turned in a powerful display. McManus kicked three more scores from play in a row before Byrne was substituted. Dick Clerkin was excellent as a sub, scoring three points in all that helped Monaghan draw level at 0-13 each in the 55th minute. They remained tied with six minutes remaining but Dublin edged a tense finale thanks to those late points from Rock, O Conghaile and McCaffrey.

Dublin: S Cluxton, J Cooper, David Byrne, J McCaffrey (0-01), J Small, P McMahon (0-02), J McCarthy, D Bastick (0-01), C O’Sullivan, P Flynn (0-01), D Connolly, B Fenton (0-02), K McManamon (0-02), D Rock (0-07, 0-06f, 0-01 45), C Kilkenny.

Subs: MD Macauley for O’Sullivan, P Andrews for McManamon, D Daly for Byrne, E O Conghaile (0-01) for Bastick, C Costello for Fenton, T Brady for Flynn.

Monaghan: R Beggan (0-01, 0-01f), F Kelly, K Duffy, R Wylie, K O’Connell, V Corey, N McAdam (0-01), D Hughes, P Finlay (0-01, 0-01f); D Mone, K Hughes (0-02), T Kerr, R McAnespie, C McManus (0-08, 0-03f), O Duffy.

Subs: D Clerkin (0-03) for Kerr, D Malone for Duffy, S Gollogly for McAnespie, P McKenna for Finlay, D McKenna for O’Connell.

Referee: R Hickey (Clare).

Monaghan manager Malachy O’Rourke: “We’re pleased with a lot of aspects of our performance. We upped it in the second half. At 14-all we would have liked to go on and win it but that didn’t happen. We’ll take a lot of positives out of the league but we realise we still have a lot of work to do.”

Dublin manager Jim Gavin: “If we’re looking for positives, going down the stretch Monaghan looked in the ascendancy but our guys dug deep and found the scores. Some of our decision-making was poor but Monaghan were very impressive. The game could have gone either way.”

LARAGH DUCK RACE

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Laragh Duck sitting in a field beside the N2 at Broomfield Photo: © Michael Fisher

Laragh Duck sitting in a field beside the N2 at Broomfield Photo: © Michael Fisher

LARAGH DUCK RACE Northern Standard Thursday April 9th p.2
The Easter Ramble Run & Rubber Duck Race takes place in Laragh on this Sunday 12th April 2pm-5pm. The 5k walk leaves from Laragh at 2pm (registration from 1pm). The duck races begin at 3pm.

All roads lead to Laragh on Sunday 12th April Photo: © Michael Fisher

All roads lead to Laragh on Sunday 12th April Photo: © Michael Fisher

All proceeds will go towards the restoration of The Millers Cottages in Laragh, which were built in the 1800’s and housed those who worked at Laragh tweed mill. There will be a number of rubber duck races (all sponsored by local businesses in the area) in the fast flowing river beside St Peter’s Tin Tabernacle. The main sponsor of the event is IGWT, Broomfield and its managing directors Raymond and Mary McCaughey are delighted with the opportunity to support the local community in their endeavours. They provided the field beside the N2 Monaghan to Castleblayney road where the giant Laragh duck has been sitting to promote the event. Ducks cost €2 each or you can adopt 3 ducks for €5. You can order your ducks through the Laragh Heritage facebook page http://www.facebook.com/laraghheritagemonaghan or alternatively you can get ducks on the day of the race.

Laragh Duck article Northern Standard Photo: Jimmy Walsh

Laragh Duck article Northern Standard Photo: Jimmy Walsh

The next major event this year will take place to coincide with National Heritage Week on August 30th. The Laragh Linen & Flax Festival will take place in Laragh Village. The community will sow flax seed in the coming weeks and demonstrate the process in advance of the festival, which celebrates the rich tradition which is so strongly associated with Laragh.

ON YER BIKE WITH CARRICK LIONS

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Gerry Murphy, RTÉ Weather Presenter

Gerry Murphy

RTE weather presenter Gerry Murphy has been invited by Carrickmacross Lions Club to launch their 4th annual Charity Cycle.  He will be at The Shirley Arms Hotel, Carrickmacross, today Saturday 7th March at 1pm, along with representatives from all the local cycling clubs in the North-East region. This will be Gerry’s second year associated with The Lions Club Cycle. Last year he launched the event and then cycled the 90km Drumlin Route. The proceeds from this year’s cycle will go to the Monaghan Branch of Down Syndrome Ireland.

Carrickmacross Lions Club Cycle for Charity 2015

Carrickmacross Lions Club Cycle for Charity 2015

The Carrickmacross Lions Club Cycle on Sunday 3rd May will appeal to cyclists of all abilities. Lions Club President Claire Cunningham appealed to anybody with a bike to “get back on the saddle and help support the Lions Club and those in our communities with Down Syndrome”. The 30km Oriel Route for beginner and leisure cyclists will be on a flat route to the picturesque village of Tallanstown in County Louth, where the local Tidy Towns Committee will provide refreshments for the cyclists. The 90km Drumlin Route will provide a challenge for the more experienced cyclists and will take advantage of the rolling terrain of counties Monaghan and Cavan.

Carrickmacross Lions Club Cycle

Carrickmacross Lions Club Cycle 2014

Everybody is welcome to attend the event launch. The Lions Club are especially interested in hearing from people who would like to help them in the running the event which has become one of the highlights in the cycling calendar. The Carrickmacross Lions Club Cycle is supported by Monaghan Sports Partnership and further information is available on www.carrickmacrosslionsclub.com or on http://www.facebook.com/lionsclubcycle.

Carrickmacross Lions Club Cycle 2014

Carrickmacross Lions Club Cycle 2014

NIAMH KINDLON

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Monaghan Ladies Footballer Niamh Kindlon Photo: © Brendan Moran/SPORTSFILE

Monaghan Ladies Footballer Niamh Kindlon Photo: © Brendan Moran/SPORTSFILE

Monaghan All-Star footballer Niamh Kindlon from Magheracloone is profiled as one of the modern greats of ladies football in next week’s popular GAA documentary series Laochra Gael. It will be broadcast tonight (Tuesday March 3rd) by TG4 at 8pm. A special preview screening took place last Thursday evening at McNally’s bar in Carrickmacross for Niamh, her family and friends. It was attended by the TG4 Ceannaire (Director General) Pól Ó Gallchóir.

Pól Ó Gallchóir, Ceannaire TG4

Pól Ó Gallchóir, Ceannaire TG4

Each of the ten programmes in the new season contains an extended interview with the subject, archive footage of her or his finest hour on the pitch and an assessment from friends, rivals and team-mates.

Niamh started out under the guidance of her father Maurice as an enthusiastic nine year-old with her club Magheracloone and has been a leading light for Monaghan ladies ever since. Aged sixteen and in her first season with the senior team she played a crucial role in the 1997 All-Ireland final. Ten minutes before half-time, Niamh drilled the ball high into the top right-hand corner of the net at the Canal End goal from twenty yards. Michael Ryan, who managed the Waterford ladies, said that “even to this day, it’s the greatest goal I’ve ever seen scored in ladies’ football”.

The following year the two counties clashed once again in two epic All-Irelands after the first final ended in a draw. Unfortunately for Monaghan, Waterford won the second time round but the rivalry set a new standard for ladies football.

Niamh Kindlon on Laochra Gael, TG4

Niamh Kindlon on Laochra Gael, TG4

Niamh captained Monaghan back to Croke Park in 2002 when they took on the cream of the crop from Mayo but the Westerners took the cup home once again, leaving Niamh heartbroken, “There’s bigger things than football but when you’re in that moment it’s very hard to think past it because you’re so upset about it. It’s still hard to put on your boots on again after it”, she reveals. 2003 was no easier for Niamh when she suffered the first of two cruciate injuries but she was determined not to let injury dictate the end of her career. “I didn’t want my cruciate to be the reason I retired from county football.”

Niamh and Monaghan both made the comeback but a new force in Ladies Gaelic had emerged to dominate the game: Cork. Over the following years they defeated Monaghan in three finals 2008, 2011 and 2013. Niamh talks especially about her personal disappointment at not been selected to play a full part in the latter two finals.

While there have been many ups and downs it is clear that Niamh loved every minute since she joined the county team as a teenager and her haul of three League titles, three All Stars and an All-Ireland medal attest to her consistency as one of the leading Ladies’ Gaelic Footballers in recent decades. She has also won several Ulster medals with Monaghan.

Niamh who is now 33 is a plumber by trade. Apart from Gaelic football, her other interests included basketball and for a time, soccer. As well as an extensive interview with Niamh the programme also features interviews with teammate Christina Reilly, Cork’s Juliet Murphy, Dubliner Fiona Ní Chorcoráin and Robbie Ó Grifín

The documentary on Niamh is the fourth of ten in the series, which will also feature Fan & Philly Larkin from Kilkenny, Dublin’s Barney Rock, Brendan Cummins from Tipperary, Michael Duignan from Offaly, Kerry’s Ogie Moran and Ryan McMenamin of Tyrone. Catch the programme every Tuesday at 8pm on TG4, with a repeat broadcast every Sunday evening after GAA BEO. Laochra Gael is produced by Nemeton TV for TG4.

 

 

HIT FOR 6 AND 4 AND 6 AGAIN

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Irish Cricket Union logo

Irish Cricket Union logo

Many years ago on a beautiful summer’s day in County Tyrone, Ireland’s amateur cricketers caused a sensation when they dismissed the West Indies for 25 in the lovely surroundings of Sion Mills. Some said it was thanks to the copious amounts of Guinness that had been available for the visitors the night before! That happened in July 1969 and I remember what a surprise result it was.  cricketcup

Fast forward nearly 46 years and Ireland have done it again, this time in the World Cup at the Saxton Oval in Nelson, New Zealand. A great result over the twice World Champions, by four wickets and with 25 balls to spare. Great to watch (on UTV highlights) those fours and sixes being added to the scoreboard by the Irish batsmen.

The other teams in Ireland’s group are holders India, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Pakistan – who Ireland shocked in 2007 – and their next opponents, United Arab Emirates. The top four will reach the quarter-finals.

“On this performance, they can certainly look to get out of the group,” said former England spinner Graeme Swann. “They will still be underdogs when they play bigger teams but they have destroyed West Indies and every other so-called big team in the group will have watched this and will be very nervous about them now”, he told the BBC.

ICC Cricket World Cup Pools

ICC Cricket World Cup Pools

Ireland captain Will Porterfield said the team were aiming for the knockout stages after their latest victory over a Test-playing nation. “It’s fantastic to win. This sets us up nicely for the next few games,” he said. “The belief has been growing within the squad for a long time and we know what we are capable of, not just in this game but the other games in the competition as well.”

NEW YEAR 2015

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Haydon the AFC Wimbledon mascot Photo: © Michael Fisher

Haydon the AFC Wimbledon mascot Photo: © Michael Fisher

As we enter a New Year it’s good to know that within the week, AFC Wimbledon of League Two will be playing one of the biggest games since their foundation as a non-league side twelve years ago. The Dons will play Premiership Giants Liverpool in the 3rd round of the FA Cup. The game at Kingsmeadow is all-ticket and kicks off at 7.55pm, which means it will be televised live by BBC1 TV. Come on you Dons! And a Happy New Year to one and all.

DEVIN TONER

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Devin Toner Photo: Leinster Rugby

Devin Toner Photo: Leinster Rugby

Congratulations to Ireland lock Devin Toner on signing a new professional contract for Leinster Rugby, which will keep him with the province until at least June 2017. Big Devin made his senior debut for the Boys in Blue against the Border Reivers in January 2006 and has since made 157 appearances for Leinster, scoring three tries.

He made his Ireland debut in the 20-10 win over Samoa in November 2010. The 28 year-old has won 20 caps for his country and his last appearance for Ireland was in the 26-23 victory over Australia in November. Devin won a RBS 6 Nations Championship with Ireland in 2014 and has collected three Heineken Cups, an Amlin Cup and three PRO12 league titles with Leinster.

Devin Toner in training for Ireland Photo: IRFU

Devin Toner in training for Ireland Photo: IRFU

Commenting on the new contract he said: “It is great to have signed on for another two years with Leinster. I have been with the province for almost a decade and during that time the club have invested a lot in my development and have given me the platform to reach my potential and achieve success at both provincial and national level”.

IRFU Performance Director, David Nucifora said Devin had developed into an international level second row over the last few seasons. He had performed consistently at a high level for both Ireland and Leinster and was illustrating strong leadership skills in both the provincial and national environments.

Leinster CEO Mick Dawson said: “We are delighted that Devin has signed an IRFU contract which keeps him at Leinster up to the end of the 2017 season. Devin’s skill, athleticism and leadership add greatly to our environment and he continues to grow and develop as a player who has a huge role to play at Leinster over the next few seasons”.

Ireland rugby jersey Photo: IRFU

Ireland rugby jersey Photo: IRFU