SPORT IN BRIEF May 13, 2009 McIlroy: Ryder Cup unimportantGOLF: Northern Irish prodigy Rory McIlroy has dismissed the Ryder Cup as “an exhibition”, insisting it scarcely matters to him whether he makes the Europe team for next year’s event. “It’s not a huge goal of mine,” said the 20-year-old. “It’s an exhibition at the end of the day. In the big [...]
Renault follow Ferrari with quit threat May 13, 2009 RENAULT have joined Ferrari in threatening to abandon F1 if controversial plans to introduce a voluntary budget cap are imposed next season. Several leading teams fear the optional nature of the £40m cap will create an unfair two-tier competition and damage the appeal of the sport. Ferrari, the oldest and most glamorous team, went public [...]
Test cricket has priority, says Strauss May 13, 2009 ENGLAND captain Andrew Strauss last night hit back at West Indian counterpart Chris Gayle insisting Test cricket should remain the most important form of the game. Strauss sparked the row in the build-up to the first Test at Lord’s last week, criticising Gayle for joining his West Indies team-mates just two days before the series [...]
QUINLAN TO MISS LIONS TOUR May 13, 2009 MUNSTER flanker Alan Quinlan has been ruled out of the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa after he was banned for 12 weeks for eye-gauging. The Irish international, 34, was cited for the incident involving Leinster’s Leo Cullen in the Heineken Cup semi-final at Croke Park on 2 May, and has been banned [...]
Fave will Cheka-mate opposition in Solario December 29, 2008 The Marcus Tregoning trained Shabiba looks the filly to beat at Sandown tomorrow in the Iveco Atalanta Stakes live on Channel 4 at 2.05pm. She is stepping back up to a mile after a promising third to Visit over an inadequate seven furlongs at Goodwood last time out. The daughter of Misterah didn’t get going [...]
Murray has last word to take his place among elite September 10, 2008 Five months ago Andy Murray’s critics were sharpening their pencils and wondering aloud whether a promising career was fizzling out before it had got going. The British No1 had just been knocked out of the Monte Carlo Masters in emphatic style by Novak Djokovic, who was fast leaving his former junior rival behind. It was [...]
Hammers’ ultimatum for Croatia boss Bilic September 8, 2008 West Ham have warned Croatia coach Slaven Bilic that they will not hold the manager’s job open for the former Hammers player. Bilic features on a four-man shortlist to replace Alan Curbishley, along with Italians Roberto Donadoni and Gianfranco Zola and former Getafe boss Michael Laudrup. Hammers officials plan to hold talks with Bilic later [...]
Murray into first Grand Slam final September 8, 2008 British No1 Andy Murray will tonight compete in the first Grand Slam final of his short career after he produced another scintillating performance to dump world No1 Rafael Nadal out of the US Open. Murray continued his extraordinary progress at Flushing Meadow by completing a 6-2, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 victory over Nadal, ending the Spaniard’s [...]
Terry: We’re not looking for revenge September 8, 2008 England captain John Terry has insisted that his team will put the past behind them when they face Croatia in Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier in Zagreb. England, who beat Andorra 2-0 on Saturday, suffered two defeats at the hands of Croatia in the Euro 2008 qualifiers and consequently failed to progress to the championships. But [...]
Hamilton snatches win, but stewards hand it to Massa September 8, 2008 Lewis Hamilton’s team McLaren last night vowed to appeal after the British driver was stripped of victory on a day of high drama at the Belgian Grand Prix. Hamilton looked to have increased his world championship lead over Ferrari rival Felipe Massa after taking the chequered flag at Spa-Francorchamps. But stewards ruled Hamilton had illegally [...]