Former Middlesex batsman fears World Cup could be Ireland’s last February 8, 2015 DISGRUNTLED Ireland batsman Ed Joyce has blasted plans by cricket bosses to reduce the number of teams permitted to play at future World Cups. A total of 14 teams will contest this year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which begins on Saturday, although the International Cricket Council (ICC) have announced that number will [...]
McCoy enjoys Gold Cup win February 8, 2015 JOCKEY AP McCoy brushed off mixed emotions over his retirement announcement to land a first Irish Hennessy Gold Cup on board Carlingford Lough yesterday at Leopardstown. McCoy, who announced his intention to quit racing by the end of the season on Saturday, led the JP McManus-owned, John Kiely-trained 4-1 shot past Foxrock in a thrilling [...]
Six Nations 2015: How Wales’ Millennium Stadium history gives them the edge over England February 6, 2015 If there’s one Six Nations fixture that can nearly always be relied on for thrills and spills, it’s Wales vs England at the Millennium Stadium. Fireworks are to be expected, but forecasting the outcome of the match is a much tougher call. Since the inception of the tournament in its current incarnation, the [...]
England: We are ready for big kick-off February 5, 2015 Millennium Stadium atmosphere will not intimidate us, insists assistant coach Mike Catt ENGLAND assistant coach Mike Catt insists his side will not be overawed by the white-hot atmosphere likely to be generated as Wales bid to land an early blow in tonight’s Six Nations opener at the Millennium Stadium. The Red Rose buckled during their last [...]
Sport Comment: Blaming Europeans for Lance ills is sick argument February 5, 2015 IF YOU love sport, you love Sundays. I do. It’s a time to appreciate the Saturday programme and look forward to an increasingly varied diet on the Sabbath. But not last Sunday, dear me, no way. It began bleakly with Andy Murray’s implosion in the Australian Open. And then there was the cricket. Strewth. England [...]
Ireland look to Lee for World Cup seam lift February 5, 2015 FORMER Australia seamer Brett Lee has agreed a short-term contract to coach Ireland’s bowlers during their pre-World Cup training camp in Sydney. The two-time World Cup winner retired from all forms of cricket last month after claiming 310 Test and 380 one-day international (ODI) wickets for his country. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for our bowlers [...]
Woods leaves Torrey Pines with back pain February 5, 2015 FORMER world No1 Tiger Woods was last night forced to withdraw from the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in California due to apparent back pain, the PGA Tour announced. The 14-time Major champion was two over par when forced to withdraw after 11 holes of his first round yesterday, which follows the disappointment of [...]
Pochettino still wary of Arsenal firepower despite Alexis injury February 5, 2015 TOTTENHAM manager Mauricio Pochettino insists Arsenal will not miss injured leading scorer Alexis Sanchez in tomorrow’s north London derby. Sanchez has scored 18 goals in 32 Gunners matches since his £30m summer transfer from Barcelona but has failed to recover from a hamstring injury in time for the trip to White Hart Lane. “Arsenal have [...]
Sherwood’s QPR rivals McClaren and Clement rule themselves out February 5, 2015 FORMER England manager Steve McClaren and Real Madrid No2 Paul Clement have cleared the way for Tim Sherwood to take the Queens Park Rangers job by ruling themselves out. McClaren said he remained committed to Championship high-flyers Derby – the same response he gave when asked about the Newcastle vacancy in January. “I answered that [...]
Vunipola: I was borderline arrogant February 5, 2015 As he prepares to battle his cousin tonight in the Six Nations, England’s wrecking ball tells Ross McLean about his fall from grace ENGLAND will bid to exorcise the ghost of a harrowing and Grand Slam-ending defeat to Wales at the Millennium Stadium tonight, but the clash also presents a chance for powerhouse Billy Vunipola [...]