O’Driscoll disappointed by snub January 17, 2013 RUGBY UNION: Forward Jamie Heaslip has been retained as Ireland captain for the Six Nations despite long-standing skipper Brian O’Driscoll’s return from injury. Heaslip led Ireland during the autumn, while the Leinster star was sidelined with an ankle problem. Ireland’s record try scorer O’Driscoll said: “While I was naturally very disappointed not to be leading the [...]
Armstrong loses Olympic medal January 17, 2013 CYCLING: Deposed former Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong has been stripped of the bronze medal he won at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. The International Olympic Committee’s move came after the International Cycling Union last year revoked the American’s seven Tour de France titles and banned him for life over allegations of doping.
Alonso most afraid of Hamilton January 17, 2013 FORMULA ONE: Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso believes Britain’s Lewis Hamilton remains his strongest rival, despite Red Bull Sebastian Vettel capturing his third world title last year. “If you ask me who the strongest driver is it’s Hamilton,” said the Spanish two-time world champion. “He was last year and he is this year. I’m sure that with [...]
Nadal names date for comeback January 17, 2013 TENNIS: Former world No1 Rafael Nadal has confirmed that he will make his long-awaited comeback from injury next month at the Chile Open. The 11-time grand slam winner has been out since June, when he suffered tendonitis after his shock defeat to Lukas Rosol at Wimbledon. The Spaniard is set to take part in the [...]
Blue Square Bet Winter Carnival January 17, 2013 IT WAS GOOD to see our exclusive blogger Luke Morris strike on his very first ride of this year’s Blue Square Bet Sprint Series on Restless Bay last week. That victory saw Morris’ price on being the top jockey in the series come in to 9/2 from 5/1. Violet Jordan didn’t pick up any points [...]
Guardiola’s snub causes Premier three a headache January 16, 2013 UNCERTAINTY over who will be in charge at England’s three biggest clubs next season deepened dramatically last night after German giants Bayern Munich won the race to hire sought-after former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola. Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United had all made enquiries about appointing the 41-year-old, while continental superpowers Paris Saint-Germain and AC [...]
Wilshere plays way into more advanced role January 16, 2013 ARSENAL 1 SWANSEA CITY 0 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger last night hinted he is ready to deploy midfielder Jack Wilshere in an advanced role more often after his late winner set up an FA Cup fourth round trip to Brighton. Wilshere started behind striker Olivier Giroud in a re-shuffled Gunners line-up, and settled the third [...]
Chelsea home woes continue as Saints hand Benitez timely blow January 16, 2013 CHELSEA 2 SOUTHAMPTON 2 CHELSEA boss Rafael Benitez demanded a transformation in his team’s faltering home form after squandering a two-goal lead and wasting the chance to close on the Premier League’s top two. First-half goals from Demba Ba and Eden Hazard seemed to put the Blues on course for a first win at Stamford [...]
United chief issues warning to rebels over financial fair play January 16, 2013 MANCHESTER United chief executive David Gill has warned Premier League clubs that they will have to accept European-style financial fair play (FFP) rules if they want to introduce a cap on wage increases. England’s top 20 sides are close to deciding on historic moves to curb spending, but fissures have emerged among chairmen over exactly [...]
Allardyce livid at ref calls after cup dream dies January 16, 2013 MANCHESTER UNITED 1 WEST HAM UNITED 0 WEST Ham manager Sam Allardyce risked a fine from the Football Association with his criticism of referee Phil Dowd after Manchester United ended his team’s FA Cup campaign in last night’s third round replay. Allardyce was furious that Dowd awarded United a penalty, which Wayne Rooney could not [...]